Additional Information
Please note: This role is contingent upon contract award. While not an immediate opening, we are actively interviewing and may extend offers in anticipation of the award, with start dates dependent upon contract finalization.
You start with the idea. You can look at a brief and quickly see the best angle, the way in to tell the story and have it hold up across channels.
You partner closely with writers and strategists from the start, building and refining the work together. You push the thinking and help turn strategy and audience insights into compelling concepts worth making.
You're an art director, and you're in the thick of the work. You love the craft, but you know it's in service of the idea. You design, build, and refine, bringing ideas to life across campaigns, digital experiences, and content.
We work on complex challenges where the stakes are real. The expectations are high. The opportunity to create meaningful work is real.
About ICF Next
ICF Next brings together strategy, creativity, data, and technology to solve real problems.
We work with organizations facing complex challenges across energy, public health, climate, and more. The work is not just about communication. It is about helping people understand, engage, and take action .
Our teams build integrated campaigns and experiences that connect with people and hold together across channels. The work needs to be clear, useful, and built to perform. If it does not resonate, it does not work.
As an Art Director, you'll :
Lead concept development in partnership with writers and strategists
Create compelling visual systems, campaigns, and brand worlds
L ead projects from planning to execution
Present with clarity and confidence
Manage multiple projects without sacrificing craft
Stay tapped into trends, new tools, and technologies
Work closely with production partners throughout execution
Collaborate across internal and external teams
You'll need:
5+ years of art direction experience
A portfolio that shows strong ideas and polished execution across platforms
Photo and video direction fundamentals (light, composition, pacing)
Ability to turn strategy into compelling visual stories
Strong collaboration and communication skills
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite + curiosity around AI tools
A bachelor's degree in art, design, or equivalent experience in a related field.
Additional Professional Attributes:
Strong eye for typography, layout, color, and composition
Experience working across integrated campaigns
Ability to contribute to concept development and push the work forward
Confidence presenting work and engaging in creative discussions
Attention to detail and consistency
Ability to give and receive feedback in a collaborative environment
Icf · Reston, VA