Instrument is a design and technology company. We build brands, products, and experiences that move businesses forward—by making the complex simple.
For over 20 years, we’ve partnered with companies like Google, ServiceNow, Uber, Eventbrite, and ŌURA, helping them navigate change, launch new ideas, and grow with intention.
Our work spans Brand, Marketing, and Product, but what defines us is how we work. We bring strategy, design, and engineering together from the start, moving quickly from idea to execution and refining as we go. We aim to do great work and be great to work with, because both matter.
We’re a collaborative, hands-on team with roots in Portland and New York and a distributed presence across the U.S. and Europe. We build teams around the needs of the work, staying nimble without sacrificing craft.
We value curiosity, perspective, and continuous learning, and we’re committed to building an inclusive environment where people can do their best work.
If that sounds like you, we’d love to meet you.
A Creative Director at Instrument sets and sustains the creative vision across a portfolio of work—ensuring ideas are not only compelling, but strategically grounded, deliverable, and impactful.
This role operates beyond individual projects, shaping direction across accounts and teams while maintaining a consistently high bar for quality, clarity, and effectiveness. Creative Directors connect craft excellence to business outcomes—aligning creative ambition with client goals and real-world constraints.
They serve as trusted partners to both clients and internal teams—guiding decisions, building alignment, and ensuring that the work delivers meaningful results. At the same time, they contribute to the evolution of the discipline by mentoring talent, strengthening creative standards, and helping define what great looks like across the studio.
What You'll Do
- You’ll shape creative direction across a portfolio of engagements—from early concept through execution—ensuring ideas are clear, cohesive, and built to succeed.
- You’ll translate briefs and opportunities into strong creative direction that teams can execute with confidence. You’ll maintain a high bar for craft, pushing for originality and clarity while ensuring the work remains grounded in strategy and aligned to client goals.
- You’ll partner closely with strategy, design, technology, and production to bring ideas to life—helping teams navigate complexity, make decisions, and maintain momentum throughout the work.
- A core part of the role is articulating the “why” behind the work—codifying the creative point of view, shaping narratives, and ensuring both teams and clients understand the value and impact of what’s being made.
- You’ll act as a senior creative partner to clients—building trust, guiding conversations, and helping evolve ideas over time. You’ll also play a key role in new business efforts, shaping pitches and creative strategies that generate excitement and open new opportunities.
- Beyond project work, you’ll contribute to the growth of the discipline—mentoring designers and emerging leaders, strengthening creative practices, and helping evolve how creative work happens across the studio.
What You'll Bring
- You’ve led creative work at a high level and are comfortable shaping direction across multiple projects, teams, or accounts.
- You have a strong point of view on design, storytelling, and systems—and know how to translate ideas into compelling, effective experiences.
- You understand how to balance ambition with execution, making decisions that support both creative excellence and real-world constraints.
- You’re an effective communicator and presenter, able to articulate ideas clearly, guide discussions, and build trust with senior clients and stakeholders.
- You have experience mentoring and developing creative talent, and you care about building strong teams and a healthy, accountable creative culture.
- You’re curious about the evolving landscape of design and technology, and you apply sound judgment about how emerging tools and ideas should influence the work.
Pay Range
The expected pay range for this position is [$125,000-$200,000] for our base US Region 3*. We have three regional pay ranges that are adjusted for cost of living (US1 +15%, US2 +7.5%, US3 Base), learn more about our pay philosophy and cost of living adjustments
What We Offer
Flexible, Hybrid Work Environment
Great Compensation with Annual Reviews (Learn more about our Pay Philosophy)
401(k) Matching with Immediate Vesting
Robust Medical, Vision, and Accident Insurance
Generous Paid Holidays and unlimited PTO
Monthly Wellbeing Stipend
Career Management and Leadership Training
Flexible, Hybrid Work Environment
Great Compensation with Annual Reviews (Learn more about our Pay Philosophy)
401(k) Matching with Immediate Vesting
Robust Medical, Vision, and Accident Insurance
Generous Paid Holidays and unlimited PTO
Monthly Wellbeing Stipend
Career Management and Leadership Training
Top Skills
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Charlotte Tech Scene
Key Facts About Charlotte Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 90,859; 6.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Lowe’s, Bank of America, TIAA, Microsoft, Honeywell
- Key Industries: Fintech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, e-commerce
- Funding Landscape: $3.1 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (CED)
- Notable Investors: Microsoft, Google, Falfurrias Management Partners, RevTech Labs Foundation
- Research Centers and Universities: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Northeastern University, North Carolina Research Campus
