Job description

Role Summary

We are seeking a Junior Art Director based in Abu Dhabi with strong design and branding skills to support the development of high-quality visual concepts across digital, print, social, and motion channels. The ideal candidate will bring a strong eye for layout, typography, brand systems, and visual storytelling, while using AI tools confidently to enhance creative exploration and production. Animation experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

· Support the development and execution of visual concepts across digital, print, social, presentation, and motion platforms.

· Create polished layouts, campaign visuals, brand assets, storyboards, and production-ready designs aligned with client and brand guidelines.

· Apply strong design and branding principles across typography, composition, color, hierarchy, and visual consistency.

· Use AI-powered design tools to support ideation, concept development, image generation, visual exploration, and workflow efficiency.

· Collaborate closely with senior creatives, designers, content teams, and account teams to translate briefs into compelling creative outputs.

· Prepare and adapt creative assets for different formats, channels, and client requirements while maintaining attention to detail.

· Contribute ideas during brainstorming sessions and present design thinking clearly to internal teams and stakeholders.

· Stay up to date with design, branding, AI, and animation trends to bring fresh creative thinking to the team.

Requirements

· 4+ years of relevant experience in design, branding, visual communication, or a creative agency environment.

· Strong portfolio showcasing branding, design systems, digital assets, campaign visuals, and strong visual storytelling.

· AI proficiency is a must, with practical experience using AI-powered tools to support creative ideation, design development, and production efficiency.

· Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop and Illustrator.

· Solid understanding of brand systems, typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and design consistency across channels.

· Animation or motion design experience, including tools such as After Effects or Premiere Pro, is a plus.

· Based in Abu Dhabi or able to work on ground in Abu Dhabi as required.

· Arabic-speaking candidates are required for this role.

· Excellent communication, collaboration, attention to detail, and time management skills.

· Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multi-project environment with evolving priorities.

Careers at APCO

Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams to bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

About APCO

APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact. 

Founded in 1984, with one woman’s vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues. 

APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services. 

APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests and permission to operate, build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO’s integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact.

By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made.