Associate Director of Creative, Acquisition Lisboa

About Darkroom

Darkroom is a
- driven growth marketing firm focused on
- stage consumer companies. We were founded in 2017 out of a conviction that the iconic ad agencies of tomorrow would look very different. Darkroom is a human services firm built on a universal AI commerce layer called Matter. Our model deploys a unique blend of senior, human resources enriched by an agentic technology stack that enhances output, efficiency, and revenue generation for our clients.

Our team has been responsible for billions of dollars in trackable revenue across the various
- commerce marketplace,
-
- consumer, and social commerce programs under management. Using research aggregated across these engagements, we accelerate results for our portfolio by developing
- impact digital strategies that unlock gateways to revenue growth, transform marketing operations, and prioritize profitability.

What started as a boutique design agency evolved into one of the
- growing private companies in America (Inc. 5000), one of the most successful
- driven performance media agencies of the 2020s (Varos), and esteemed recognition by Forbes 30 Under 30 for our founders’ contribution in Marketing & Advertising (Forbes).

About The Role

We’re looking for a visionary creative leader with deep experience in developing ad concepts for acquisition marketing on Meta. You’re able to dive deep into the pixels and give tactical feedback on design and video, but understand how to thread the needle between performance frameworks, creative testing, and
- building assets. You’re likely a Designer or Creative Strategist by trade but
- focused on paid media.

You’ll work on our Dark Arts service, that has been newly relaunched as the AI-powered creative direction service for paid media clients. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of creativity, AI, and performance - combining bold visual storytelling with
- informed design decisions. You'll report to the Director of Creative and lead the management of Designers and Editors to execute paid media assets across a variety of formats, including static ads,
- form videos, motion graphics, and UGC content.

Your work will directly impact client performance by delivering a
- volume of ad concepts, elevated creative direction, and
- backed testing frameworks. You’ll collaborate closely with performance marketers, designers, and video editors in a
- paced, remote environment.

This is a fully remote role operating in the EST Time Zone and all business is conducted 100% in English. Open to candidates in the following locations: Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, and Spain.

Management Responsibilities

• Manage a team of 2-4 designers focused on paid ad creative, with room to grow the team over time.
• Provide creative direction, actionable feedback, and career support through regular 1:1s and project reviews.
• Oversee creative quality, ensuring assets align with brand identity, platform best practices, and campaign objectives.
• Partner with performance marketers and strategists to develop and iterate on
  - performing ad campaigns.
• Help refine internal processes, establish creative standards, and lead collaborative sessions to drive creative innovation.

Senior Individual Contributor Responsibilities

• Lead concept development and execution for paid media campaigns across Meta, Tik
  Tok, You
  Tube, and display platforms.
• Translate client’s marketing strategy and performance data into clear, compelling ad concepts.
• Design and direct a range of assets including static ads, animations,
  - first videos, and storyboards for
  - form content.
• Present creative work to stakeholders and clients with clarity, confidence, and strategic rationale.
• Monitor performance data in collaboration with the marketing team to inform creative iterations and improve results over time.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of
  - level design experience, with at least 1 year of people management experience preferred. Must have experience designing ad creatives for paid media campaigns across Meta, Tik
  Tok, You
  Tube, or similar platforms.
• A digital portfolio showcasing
  - focused ad creative - including static ads, motion graphics, and
  - form video - with a strong understanding of visual hierarchy, composition, and
  - specific best practices.
• Knowledge of how to incorporate AI software into workflows to increase efficiencies and output, including Chat
  GPT, Midjourney, Perplexity, Icon, and more.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and
  - oriented with a strong sense of ownership and accountability to performance results.
• Skilled at working with performance marketers and creative strategists to write briefs, incorporate feedback, and iterate based on ad performance data.
• Comfortable communicating in English with internal teams and clients, including presenting creative work and responding to feedback clearly and professionally.
• Confident giving constructive feedback to other designers and supporting their growth through clear direction and mentorship.
• Able to take ambiguous campaign goals and turn them into creative concepts that are visually engaging and
  - focused.
• Proficient in Figma for ad design workflows; knowledge of Auto Layout, Components, and asset handoff is essential.
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop and Illustrator) for asset creation and layout design.
• Bonus: Experience designing
  - performing ads for
  - commerce brands, familiarity with motion design tools (After Effects, Premiere), or working with UGC creators and editors.

Working at Darkroom

Darkroom is not a typical agency. We are looking for A players that want to build something great. There is no room in our organization for mediocrity and candidates that are not at the top of their game do not last. We move fast, think deeply, and expect every team member to bring insight and rigor to everything they touch. We hold a high bar for performance, creativity, and ownership — but we also support each other relentlessly. No egos, no red tape — just
- class talent building something remarkable.

We believe in autonomy with accountability, truth over comfort, and outcomes over optics. If you want to build and win alongside some of the smartest people in the business, you’ll thrive here.

Benefits and Perks

• Location, location, (or no) location: Remote-first culture with a strong community base. With Hubs in the Bay Area, New York, Philly, Lisbon, Sao Paulo, and Barcelona!
• Parental Leave: flexible parental leave benefits to support new parents during this important transition, ensuring time to bond with their families while maintaining
  - life balance.
• Endless opportunities for growth: Our agency is founded on an interdisciplinary approach, giving Darkroomers insights into services far beyond your job description. Grow your skills and interests beyond your niche and stay at the forefront of the industry through total immersion in
  - functional collaboration.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Darkroom is an equal opportunity workplace—we are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national orientation, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.