***Salary Range: $105,000 - $130,000***
Company Overview:
Interactive One (www.interactiveone.com) is powered by the mission to create an online community that provides rich content and digital products that engage, entertain and inspire the lives of African Americans.
Since its launch in 2008 by Urban One, iONE Digital’s news, entertainment, video, and lifestyle content has driven its growth. From roots in radio, compelling storytelling, and endeavors in frontier technology, the iONE Digital portfolio includes some of the most recognizable brands in the digital landscape. The iONE Digital portfolio focuses on key passion points and interests, including men’s and women’s lifestyle, sports, beauty, fashion, and entertainment - comprised of Cassius, HelloBeautiful, MadameNoire, Bossip, NewsOne, GlobalGrind, HipHopWired, BlackAmericaWeb and Elev8. Each iONE brand is an authoritative voice in its own right. In addition to publishing brands, iONE Digital is home to the original social network for urban millennials, BlackPlanet, and three YouTube brands - The Fumble, Hollyscoop, and Nerdwire.
One X Studios is the in-house branded content and production division of Urban One, the nation’s largest Black-owned multimedia company. We develop culturally rich, purpose-driven content that connects brands to Black and multicultural audiences across platforms including video, audio, digital, and experiential.
One X Studios is seeking an Associate Creative Director who’s equal parts concept-driven thinker and hands-on storyteller. In this role, you will help lead the development of bold, original ideas for branded campaigns while ensuring seamless execution across formats. The ideal candidate is passionate about culture, skilled in visual and narrative storytelling, and comfortable translating brand goals into compelling content with heart, clarity, and edge.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Creative Ideation & Concept Development:
- Partner with the VP, Sr. Creative Director to shape and pitch branded content ideas that align with cultural insights and brand objectives.
- Develop treatment decks, tone guides, mood boards, and creative proposals with a clear POV and strategic intent.
- Participate in brainstorms and lead collaborative sessions with in-house creative, production, design, and social teams.
Campaign & Content Execution:
- Oversee the creative process from ideation through delivery, ensuring alignment with the original concept and brand voice.
- Collaborate with producers, directors, designers, and editors to bring ideas to life through scripting, casting, production design, and post.
- Review scripts, cuts, and creative assets to maintain high standards of storytelling, pacing, tone, and design.
Client Collaboration & Creative Stewardship:
- Present concepts to brand partners and respond to creative feedback with clarity, confidence, and flexibility.
- Understand and interpret client goals, KPIs, and messaging while advocating for culturally resonant storytelling that connects with our audience.
- Translate abstract brand goals into narrative-forward content formats for video, social, podcast, and experiential platforms.
Internal Culture & Team Collaboration:
- Serve as a creative thought partner to production leads and senior leadership across campaigns.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and culturally grounded environment that uplifts emerging talent and diverse perspectives.
- Help maintain a clear creative vision and tone across campaigns, series, and brand workstreams.
- Complies with Network and Urban One’s mandatory training and adheres to related course deadlines.
CRITICAL COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:
- Creative intuition rooted in culture and a pulse on how audiences engage with content today.
- Deep understanding of Black and multicultural audiences—with the sensitivity and authenticity needed to tell stories that matter.
- Collaborative spirit and confidence to both lead and follow in a fast-moving environment.
- Curiosity about emerging platforms, new technologies, and evolving formats in storytelling and branded entertainment.
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS:
- 4-6 years of creative experience in branded content, advertising, or digital storytelling; publisher, production studio, or agency background preferred.
- Strong writing and visual communication skills with a refined eye for style, tone, and narrative structure.
- Demonstrated ability to concept and lead content projects across video (short- and mid-form), social, audio/podcasts, and/or live activations.
- Portfolio that shows sharp storytelling instincts, culturally relevant concepts, and experience working with commercial brands.
- Ability to manage multiple projects with evolving timelines while maintaining creative integrity and team alignment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and direct a team to include but not limited to:
- Provide regular constructive feedback.
- Resolve issues/conflicts with diplomacy in a timely manner.
- Provide on-going guidance and support for growth and development.
- Deploy effective coaching skills.
- Practical understanding of anti-harassment and discrimination laws.
- Ability to effectively administer performance reviews, and corrective action plans as appropriate.
- Ensure team (s) attend mandatory department and/or mandatory company training (s) as required.
Benefits Package: Comprehensive benefits offerings include, Major Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA, 401K, PTO, and elective supplemental options.
***Salary Range: $105,000 - $130,000***