Summary

The Executive Creative Director will be a foundational leader within our marketing team, responsible for overseeing, evolving, and executing the creative vision and brand identity for Denver’s NWSL expansion club. Reporting directly to the CMO, this individual will lead our full suite creative services team, inclusive of social media, ensuring a cohesive and compelling narrative that resonates with our community, fans, and the broader NWSL landscape.

Description

Denver NWSL is Colorado’s professional women’s soccer club, proudly holding the distinction of being the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) 16th franchise. Our unwavering mission is to cultivate the preeminent professional soccer club globally, achieved through deep and meaningful engagement with Denver’s dynamic and multifaceted communities. The Denver NWSL team, set to begin play in the 2026 season, is comprised of a robust and dedicated ownership group led by Rob Cohen, alongside a collective of impassioned local and national investors. This blend of local roots and broad support underscores our dedication to both Colorado and the wider soccer community.

Nature of Work

Key Responsibilities

Brand & Identity Stewardship:

Oversee the consistent application and strategic evolution of the club's established brand identity, including its existing name, logo, crest, color palette, and visual language.
Ensure strict adherence to and ongoing refinement of comprehensive brand guidelines and standards across all touchpoints (digital, print, physical spaces, merchandise, etc.).
Direct the creation and maintenance of all key brand assets, including photography, videography, motion graphics, and illustrations, ensuring they align with the established brand.

Creative Strategy & Execution:

Develop and implement innovative creative strategies that align with the club's marketing objectives, foster fan engagement, and drive ticket sales, merchandise, and partnerships.
Lead the conceptualization and execution of integrated marketing campaigns across all channels (social media, digital advertising, out-of-home, broadcast, in-stadium, etc.), upholding and enhancing the established brand identity.
Direct creative for gameday experiences, stadium branding (temporary and permanent), community events, and player initiatives.

Team Leadership & Management:

Lead and manage the full suite creative services team, inclusive of social media specialists and other creative staff, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Manage and mentor junior creative staff, providing guidance, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
Oversee external creative agencies, freelancers, and production partners, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest creative standards.

Collaboration & Communication:

Work cross-functionally with all departments, including Ticketing, Partnerships, Communications, Operations, and Soccer Operations, to ensure creative alignment and support for club initiatives.
Present creative concepts and strategies to senior leadership, ownership, and external stakeholders with confidence and clarity.
Stay abreast of industry trends, NWSL best practices, and emerging technologies to continually elevate the club's creative output.

This description is a summary only and highlights the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change based on business needs. The Company reserves the right to add or remove duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum:

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Advertising, Marketing, Fine Arts, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive experience in creative leadership roles, with a strong portfolio showcasing successful brand stewardship and campaign execution, preferably within sports, entertainment, or a related consumer-facing industry.
Proven experience leading and managing in-house creative teams, including social media functions, managing external agencies, and overseeing complex creative projects.
Exceptional aesthetic sensibility with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of design principles, typography, photography, and video production.
Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects) and other relevant design and editing software.
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred:

Experience evolving an existing brand or launching new product lines under an established brand.
Familiarity with the Denver market and its unique cultural landscape.
Experience working with or for a professional sports franchise.

Competencies/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong understanding of digital marketing, social media trends, and content strategy.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts effectively to diverse audiences.
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business objectives into compelling creative solutions.
Highly organized, proactive, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, startup environment.
Passion for women's sports and a genuine excitement to build a beloved NWSL club in Denver.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed for club events and deadlines.

Compensation

Base salary range $130,000-$145,000 per annum, depending on experience
Eligible for annual discretionary bonus

Benefits Include

15 Paid Company Holidays
Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
Paid Time Off (PTO)
And more!

Equal Employment Opportunity
Denver NWSL provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Job Questions:

Do you have a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Advertising, Marketing, Fine Arts, or a related field?
How many years of progressive experience in a creative leadership role do you have?
Do you have experience in sports, entertainment, or a related consumer-facing industry?
Can you provide a portfolio that demonstrates successful brand stewardship and campaign execution?
Have you led and managed in-house creative teams, including social media teams, and managed external agencies?
Have you overseen complex creative projects from inception to completion?
Do you have exceptional aesthetic sensibility with a strong understanding of design principles, typography, photography, and video production?
Are you proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects) and other relevant design/editing software?
Have you ever evolved an existing brand or launched new product lines under an established brand?
Are you familiar with the Denver market and its unique cultural landscape?
Have you worked with or for a professional sports franchise?
What is your desired annual salary (USD) for this position?