Associate Creative Director, Partnership & Collectibles

Overview

The Associate Creative Director, Partnerships and Collectibles for Crocs Inc. is responsible for shaping and leading creative development across brand collaborations, limited drops, and collectible storytelling. This role leads assigned partnerships and initiatives within the broader creative vision for how Crocs shows up with other brands, talent, and cultural voices. You will develop ideas that balance identities, so each collaboration feels authentic, additive, and unmistakably Crocs.

You will manage and mentor a small creative team, providing day-to-day direction across campaign storytelling, film and photography, packaging, and e-commerce. You will partner with senior creative leadership on priorities, staffing, performance, and major creative decisions.

The ideal candidate is a strong conceptual thinker and hands-on creative leader who can turn strategy into clear, well-crafted work across systems and various partners.

THE KIND OF CREATIVE WHO THRIVES HERE

You’re curious about culture and how brands intersect within it.

You’re imaginative in how ideas can bring different worlds together.

You understand balance. You know how to hold multiple perspectives and shape work where every voice feels intentional and considered.

You think in systems, not just moments, building ideas that extend across product, packaging, storytelling, and experience.

You care deeply about craft, from campaign storytelling to the smallest detail in a collectible.

You’re comfortable navigating complexity, working across teams, partners, and constraints without losing the idea.

You’re inspired by culture, design, and the unexpected.

At Crocs, we call that Wonderfully Unordinary.

What You'll Do

• Help shape creative direction: Lead the creative development of assigned partnerships and collectible initiatives within the broader vision established by senior creative leadership
• Build ideas in partnership: Develop concepts that bring two brands together in harmony, creating something new without compromising either identity
• Lead assigned expressions: Guide creative across campaigns, film, photography, packaging, e-commerce, and retail for the projects you own
• Champion storytelling: Translate approved partnership strategy into compelling narratives that build cultural relevance and consumer excitement
• Design for product and drop culture: Shape how assigned collaborations come to life through packaging, collectibles, and in-hand experiences
• Manage and mentor teams: Provide day-to-day direction, feedback, and development support to a small multidisciplinary team across art direction, design, and copy
• Collaborate cross-functionally: Partner with Marketing, Product, Merchandising, and external collaborators to translate business and cultural opportunities into strong creative work
• Uphold craft and consistency: Ensure assigned work reflects a high level of quality, cohesion, and attention to detail across touchpoints
• Navigate project complexity: Manage partners, timelines, feedback, and expectations across assigned initiatives while surfacing risks and escalating major trade-off
• Present and influence: Communicate and advocate for creative recommendations with internal stakeholders and external partners, building alignment and confidence
• Stay culturally attuned: Bring awareness of relevant trends, collaborators, and cultural movements into creative development and recommendations
• Experiment with new tools: Guide teams in using AI, emerging technology, and evolving creative processes to elevate ideas, craft, and execution

What You'll Bring to the Table

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent industry experience
• 9+ years of experience in creative roles across brand, agency, or in-house teams
• Demonstrated experience leading projects and managing or mentoring small creative teams
• Strong experience in brand collaborations, partnerships, or cultural marketing
• Ability to lead integrated work across campaigns, packaging, retail, and digital touchpoints within an established creative strategy
• Strong art direction, design, and/or copywriting skills, with a clear point of view and commitment to craft
• Strong storytelling and concept development abilities
• Experience working directly with external partners, collaborators, and talent
• Ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders and identify when senior escalation is needed
• Confident presentation, communication, and feedback skills
• Strong attention to detail and accountability for the quality and delivery of assigned work
• Understanding of consumer insights, trends, and cultural dynamics