SVP, Creative Services

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Company: Walker Sands Communications

Location: Chicago, IL 60629

Description:

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. As an equal opportunity employer Walker Sands is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes everyone to our team.

In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).

If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.
About Walker Sands

Walker Sands is an outcome-based B2B marketing agency with capabilities spanning insights, strategy, branding, creative, content and media - including strategic communications (public relations, social media, influencer marketing) and digital marketing (paid media, SEO + GEO, marketing automation, marketing operations).

Our proprietary Outcome-based Marketing framework aligns every program to business objectives - ranging from position and growth to reputation and engagement. We partner with 100+ leading B2B brands around the world to design and execute world-class marketing strategies that are as smart and creative as they are impactful.

A 10-time Inc. 5000 honoree, Walker Sands is one of the fastest-growing B2B marketing agencies in the world, with offices in Chicago, Seattle and Boston.
Learn more at walkersands.com.
Position Overview

We're looking for a Senior Vice President, Creative Services to lead the next evolution of Creative at Walker Sands. This executive role is equal parts visionary, strategist and team champion - tasked with delivering measurable business outcomes for B2B's biggest brands and inspiring standout work that earns industry recognition.

You'll lead a high-performing team in developing insight-led creative programs and producing premium content. You'll also elevate the agency's profile, helping us produce breakthrough work that earns awards, builds brand recognition and sets the standard for B2B growth marketing in the attention age.

This is a key role on the agency's senior leadership team, responsible not just for the work, but for championing our creative team and its culture - one that values curiosity over ego, collaboration over competition and substance over flash. You'll also play a direct role in new business development, responsible for visionary creative storytelling in the sales process.
Key Responsibilities
Creative Leadership + Vision
  • Set the standard for B2B creative. Define and lead a bold creative vision grounded in audience insight and deeply empathetic storytelling - across written, visual, multimedia, interactive and experiential formats.
  • Drive innovation. Identify emerging trends, tools and formats to keep the team ahead of the curve and continuously evolving.
  • Inspire conceptual excellence. Mentor a team of creative directors, copywriters, designers and strategists toward ambitious work that nurtures meaningful engagement with complex B2B audiences.
  • Champion creativity that sells without selling. Lead the charge in crafting content that educates, entertains and inspires - building brand affinity even when the majority of B2B buyers aren't in-market at any point in time.
Sales + Revenue Growth
  • Fuel creative-led growth. Partner with our Growth team and internal subject matter experts on integrated pitches and proposals, shaping creative strategies that win new business and grow existing client relationships.
  • Monetize creative value. Scope and sell high-impact engagements - brand work, campaigns, strategic comms, digital experiences and more.
  • Be a creative evangelist. Build trust with prospects and clients, bolstering Walker Sands' position as a creative leader in outcome-based B2B marketing.
Client Strategy + Collaboration
  • Advise creatively. Lead strategy and provide creative direction on high-value client programs. Apply strategic thinking and creative problem-solving to turn challenges into opportunities and build client confidence.
  • Work cross-functionally. Collaborate across strategy, PR, content, social, paid, SEO/GEO and MOPs to drive outcome-focused creative marketing.
Team Development + Operations
  • Develop a top-tier team. Recruit, mentor and develop top creative talent with impeccable standards and a passion for B2B storytelling and industry-leading excellence in craft.
  • Build smart, AI-enabled systems. Streamline process, resourcing and delivery to enable consistent, scalable output.
  • Nurture team culture. Champion an inclusive environment rooted in psychological safety, shared growth and a team-over-ego mindset.
  • Set a compelling team vision. Align creative team efforts with agency goals and market opportunities to drive measurable business outcomes.

Executive Leadership
  • Shape agency direction. Contribute to executive decisions, bringing creative insight to services, brand position and growth.
  • Grow the brand. Build the agency's creative reputation through thought leadership, award-winning work and industry presence.
Non-Negotiables
  • You believe in team over ego. You promote and protect a psychologically safe, non-competitive environment where creatives can ask bold questions, share wild ideas and learn from - and celebrate - each other.
  • You're audience-obsessed. You understand that 80% of B2B buyers are not in-market - and that successful B2B creative must educate, entertain or inspire more than it promotes directly.
  • You crave candid feedback. You embrace it as a powerful tool for growth - for yourself and for your team.
  • You pursue excellence. You're always learning, always sharing, always pushing to get better.
  • You're strategic and self-driven. You bring ideas to the table and have the conviction to defend them. You know how to communicate and present creative work with clarity and confidence.
  • You value storytelling as much as design. You know how to shape brand narratives that stick - with visuals, copy and experience shaping concepts that move an audience.
  • You invest in people. You thrive in and believe in fostering a work environment that values curiosity, excellence, inclusivity and joy.
Qualifications
  • 10-15+ years in creative leadership roles within B2B marketing, advertising or branding agency environments.
  • Deep understanding of B2B audiences, buyer journeys and the nuances of creative that builds trust and drives long-term brand value.
  • Strong, diverse portfolio of work across media - brand campaigns, rebrands, websites, thought leadership platforms, product marketing, etc. - with clear ties to business results.
  • Experience leading creative teams and complex client engagements.
  • Proven ability to contribute to and win new business through strategy, storytelling and standout creative vision.
  • Excellent communicator with a strong ability to present, pitch and collaborate at both executive and client levels.
Compensation & Benefits:
  • We strive for salary range transparency in our hiring process. This is a major step towards not only complying with regulations where required, but also to make sure pay equity and DEI are top of mind during the hiring process. Base salary is only a part of the total rewards package - this role will also be eligible for a bonus based on company performance, as well as benefits. Below is the starting salary for this role:
    • Starting Salary: $150,000-$200,000 base compensation plus bonus annually
      • Placement on the salary scale will be determined by various factors, such as, but not limited to: relevant qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, education, business or organizational requirements and internal equity.
      • Starting salaries are not inclusive of a full range of compensation for this role and are instead meant to reflect the expected beginning salary for a new hire. Merit-based increases can be earned after time in role.
  • Total Rewards Package:
    • Health Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, plus mental health resources, pet insurance, fertility benefits, and more.
    • Retirement Savings: Employer-matched 401(k) and access to financial planning services.
    • Flexible PTO: Take time as needed for vacations, mental health, or personal days. Includes 8 paid holidays, half-day summer Fridays, and a week off between Christmas and New Year.
    • Hybrid Work: Mix of in-office and remote work, with tools to stay connected across teams.
    • Milestone Sabbatical: Celebrate five years with a two-week sabbatical and a $2,000 gift.
    • Family Support: Generous paid leave for new parents and caregivers, plus policies for pregnancy loss, adoption challenges, and more.
    • Growth Opportunities: Clear career paths, mentorship programs, and learning events to help you grow professionally.
    • Culture: Our agency values our supportive, collaborative culture where we work hard to achieve the best outcomes for clients. Read more on our website here!

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