Freelance Creative Director, Writing

VSA Partners' Content Practice is dedicated to providing audiences with compelling content and communications that address our clients' business challenges. We specialize in various forms of media and channels, blending the art and science of content creation—strategizing, conceptualizing, structuring, crafting, adapting, publishing, and measuring. We are currently seeking a Freelance Creative Director, Writing with 8 years of experience, fluent in Japanese, and a good understanding and experience in the Japanese market. If you have a partner who also possesses Japanese experience as a Freelance, Creative Director, we encourage joint applications.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Freelance Creative Director of Writing, you will play a key role in developing and translating exceptional concepts and content to tackle clients' business and brand challenges in the Japanese market. Your responsibilities will include:

• Contribute to the development of innovative concepts and content that effectively address clients' needs.
• Visual and Verbal Thinking: Contribute to the overall structure, aesthetics, and messaging of client projects from the inception stage.
• Collaboration: Work closely with our Designers to refine content for chosen design directions in the Japanese market of our financial client, exploring alternative message strategies to achieve client objectives.
• Strategic Thinking: Collaborate directly with clients to develop programmatic solutions for their communication and cultural perspective needs.
• Content Management: Collaborate with Creative Directors, Client Engagement, and Project Management.
• Creative Writing: Participate in concepting, group brainstorming, translation and the creation of placeholder copy, both independently and collaboratively in Japanese language.
• Brand Voice: Define and establish the "voice" for clients, programs, or individual projects, interpreting brand positioning, tone, and attributes.
• Logical Structure: Utilize logical content structuring and apply critical thinking, drawing on business and marketing principles.
• Client Interaction: Engage with subject-matter experts on client staff, conducting interviews and gathering information thoughtfully.
• Creative Briefs: Contribute to the development and editing of creative or strategic briefs for client presentations.
• Problem Solving: Collaborate on solutions for complex client issues in conjunction with the Client Engagement Lead and Project Manager.
• Client Presentations: Participate in creative presentations to clients, leading content strategy and development discussions.
• Design Integration: Leverage design knowledge to enhance design direction and internal resource management.
• Deadline Management: Adhere to project timelines diligently.
• Resource Evaluation: Identify and assess potential freelance writing resources on behalf of clients and the creative team.
• Additional Responsibilities: Perform any other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

To be successful in this role, you should meet the following criteria:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in communications, business, marketing, advertising, or a related field.
• Fluent proficiency in Japanese language
• Experience in Japanese branding, advertising or marketing markets
• Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Advertising, or Integrated/Strategic Communications.
• Proven experience in a client-facing role.
• Strong focus on user priorities and needs when structuring content, coupled with a deep understanding of business, brand, and marketing principles.
• Effective influencing skills with the capability to articulate, present, and explain writing choices.
• Ability to work quickly while maintaining quality and positive outcomes.
• Professional demeanor and excellent communication skills, both written and spoken, for interaction at all organizational levels and with external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in sophisticated problem-solving, judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making.
• Flexibility and adaptability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities effectively.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and adherence to procedures.
• Self-motivated and capable of working both independently and in team environments.

If you possess the required experience, language skills, and expertise in the Japanese market, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity at VSA Partners. Join us in creating impactful content for our clients and helping shape their success in the Japanese market.