Creative Director, Advertising Copy

Overview

Microsofts Creative Department is looking for a Creative Director, Advertising Copy to help shape the next generation of consumer advertising for Windows, Surface devices, and Services.

You are first and foremost an advertising creative: an exceptional conceptual thinker, writer, and storyteller who knows how to turn strategy, consumer insights, and product truths into breakthrough ideas that people notice, remember, and talk about. You bring deep expertise in paid media advertising, with a proven ability to create compelling campaigns across television, online film, digital display, social advertising, and out-of-home.

This is a senior, hands-on creative role. Youll develop original advertising concepts, write and direct scripts, craft memorable headlines, and establish creative platforms that build desire for Microsofts products. From major brand campaigns and launch films to 15-second spots, six-second films, social cutdowns, full-funnel advertising, you understand how to make every second and every word count.

Youll work closely with art directors, strategists, producers, creative leadership, and external partners to take ideas from the earliest concepts through final production. As a senior creative leader, youll establish a high bar for originality, storytelling, and craft, helping shape the creative vision, elevate the work of others, and ensure our advertising delivers both cultural relevance and business impact.

The ideal candidate combines the conceptual ambition of a great advertising creative with the judgment and experience to lead high-profile campaigns. Youre equally comfortable generating the big idea, writing the script, refining a headline, directing creative development, or collaborating with world-class production partners to bring the work to life.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative development of original advertising campaigns and paid media platforms for Windows, Surface devices, and Services, establishing a compelling creative vision grounded in strategy, audience insight, and product truth.
• Concept, write, and oversee television commercials, brand films, online advertising films, and short-form video, including 30-second, 15-second, and six-second executions.
• Develop sharp, memorable headlines, taglines, and advertising copy for upper-funnel brand campaigns, digital display, out-of-home, and paid social media.
• Create compelling campaign ideas that can scale across advertising formats while adapting the storytelling, pacing, and creative execution to the strengths of each medium.
• Lead the development of social-first advertising concepts, platform-native paid social content, short-form films, and cutdowns that capture attention and build brand relevance.
• Establish campaign narratives, advertising messaging platforms, and creative territories that create a distinctive, recognizable voice for Microsofts consumer brands.
• Partner closely with art directors and designers to develop ideas in which copy and visual storytelling work together as a unified creative expression.
• Provide senior creative direction throughout film and content production, collaborating with directors, production companies, editors, and postproduction partners to deliver exceptional creative work.
• Direct and elevate the work of internal creatives and external advertising agencies, providing clear, actionable feedback that strengthens ideas and raises the quality of execution.
• Present and advocate for creative concepts with clarity and conviction to creative leadership, senior marketing stakeholders, and agency partners.
• Translate complex technology and product capabilities into simple, emotionally compelling advertising ideas that connect with consumers.
• Balance ambitious creative thinking with strategic objectives, production realities, and business needs, maintaining the integrity of the idea from concept through final delivery.
• Champion creative excellence, originality, and strong advertising craft while mentoring and influencing other creatives through collaboration, feedback, and example.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years proven writing or content design experience AND a certification, degree, or training in English, Writing, Human-centered Design, Literature, or related field OR equivalent experience.
• 3+ years project leadership experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of professional experience creating and leading consumer advertising campaigns, ideally within a leading advertising agency, in-house brand advertising organization, or both.
• Exceptional portfolio demonstrating breakthrough conceptual advertising, memorable copywriting, and high-quality paid media campaigns for leading consumer brands.
• Proven experience developing and producing television commercials, brand films, online advertising, and short-form video from concept through final execution.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing scripts, headlines, taglines, and advertising copy across film, digital display, out-of-home, and paid social.
• Strong understanding of advertising strategy, consumer insights, cultural relevance, and how creative ideas build brand preference and drive business impact.
• Experience developing major advertising campaign platforms and adapting ideas across multiple paid media formats, including short-form films and social cutdowns.
• Proven ability to lead creative development in partnership with art directors, strategists, producers, and multidisciplinary advertising teams.
• Experience providing senior creative direction to advertising agencies, production companies, directors, and postproduction partners.
• Demonstrated ability to present, defend, and evolve creative work with senior creative and business stakeholders.
• Ability to independently lead multiple high-profile advertising projects while maintaining exceptional creative standards and attention to craft.

Writing IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000 - $304,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.