OluKai Sr. Creative Director

Who We Are:
At OluKai, we build premium products for the ocean lifestyle. Our footwear is created using the highest quality materials and crafted into beautiful, functional and incredibly comfortable designs that reflect the spirit of the ocean lifestyle we all enjoy. 

We are committed to creating quality products for our customers while leaving the smallest footprint possible on the planet. Our company philosophy is to be environmentally responsible as manufacturers and to pledge OluKai to actively support and work for a clean environment and a better quality of life.

Our customers and staff embody the connection that exists between people and the ocean, it is our Culture. We want to build a team of individuals who embrace this culture, and have a passion for providing premium products and service to our customers.

About the Role:

OluKai is looking for a Sr. Creative Director to lead the vision, voice, and execution of our brand creative. This role sits at the intersection of big-picture brand thinking and day-to-day craft — someone who can inspire a team, partner with creators and influencers, and move fast without sacrificing quality. You will report directly to the SVP of Creative and play a central role in shaping how OluKai shows up across every consumer touchpoint.

What You’ll Do 

Creative Leadership & Conceptual Thinking

• Drive the conceptual direction of brand and go-to-market campaigns, brand content in paid and organic channels, and other brand and marketing initiatives. You’ll ideate, create and direct content that is beautiful and story-rich, with reaching the Brand’s consumer both emotionally and functionally.
• Translate brand strategy into emotionally resonant, visually compelling creative that builds both rational and emotional connection. The balance of these two worlds will always be central to our creative choices as they grow brand consumer base while also strengthening the existing.
• Maintain a high bar for craft and consistency across all output, from hero campaigns to everyday social content. All design choices are thoughtful and intentional and no details, big or small, are left to chance.
• Share and present content plans, executions, and successes with broader teams. At project ideation to present and explain concepts, and at project completion to share with cross functional teams.

People Management & Team Development

• Lead, inspire, and grow a talented team of creatives — fostering a culture of ambition, thoughtful creative risk taking, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor team members with clear feedback, creative mentorship, career development conversations, and stretch opportunities.
• Work with SVP Creative and Creative Project Manager with the project management function, ensuring a balance of resources, timelines, communication and presentation processes, and overall productivity.
• Recruit and retain top creative talent whether growing full-time or helping the team find and manage great freelance partners. Build a team that raises the bar every season.

Digital & Channel Expertise

• Support Digital team with direction of digital studio creative across all primary digital channels — paid and organic social, email, web, video, and emerging platforms.
• Bring fluency in format — understanding what performs in short-form video, static, editorial, and everything in between.

Creator & Influencer Ecosystem

• Partner with the Marketing and Creative Content Studio teams to build a creator strategy that feels authentic to OluKai and reaches the right audiences.
• Support the creative direction of external content creators with clarity — giving them the latitude to be themselves while staying true to the brand.
• Evaluate creator content with a discerning eye for quality, alignment, and brand fit.

Brand Stewardship & Standards

• Champion the OluKai brand in every creative decision — protecting its premium, authentic identity as we scale.
• Drive alignment across stakeholders; act as the connective tissue between creative vision and business objectives.
• Set and enforce creative standards for the team, holding work — including your own — to the highest expectations.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

• 12+ years of creative experience, with at least 3 years in a Creative Director or senior creative leadership role.
• A portfolio that demonstrates both strong conceptual thinking and polished brand and campaign execution across all channels (digital, wholesale/retail, event, other activations).
• Proven experience managing and developing creative teams. At times you’ll lead by doing, not just directing. And at times you’ll teach, push and let the team fly.
• Deep expertise in digital content production across social, video, and editorial formats, including influencer and creator-led content.
• Experience with authentic, premium consumer brands — you understand the nuance of building emotional and rational brand equity.
• A bias for action and an ability to move quickly without sacrificing quality.
• Strong communicator who can sell a vision up and across the organization.

Bonus Points

• Experience in footwear, apparel, outdoor, or lifestyle and/or coastal lifestyle categories.
• Familiarity with Hawaiian culture and OluKai's brand heritage.
• Experience building or scaling a creator / ambassador program.
• Experience using AI creative tools (as tools) to add some efficiencies to the team.
  

Location & Office Structure: This is an in-office hybrid position, mandatory 4 days per week in office in Irvine, CA with the option to work from home 1 day per week.  Subject to change without notice as per company guidelines.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $170,000 to $200,000 plus opportunity for annual bonus; salary is based on the experience that you bring to the position.

Benefits and Perks:

• Complimentary chef prepared breakfast and lunch provided Monday - Thursday
• Generous product gift program and all brand discounts
• Company bonus program
• 5 year and 10 year Anniversary gifts to Hawaii and other desirable destinations
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance in accordance with plan guidelines
• Company paid life insurance
• 401k with employer match in accordance with plan guidelines
• 15 Days of PTO plus one additional day of PTO every year on your anniversary and 3 Floating Holidays per year
• Paid beach and giveback days, bi annual team building events and other in person celebrations
• Work with talented and great people who share a love of the ocean lifestyle
• OluKai is a Certified B Corporation with paid company service days
• Dog friendly office

Archipelago Companies values a diverse, inclusive, and entrepreneurial workforce and culture, and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at hr@arch-cos.com. Archipelago will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.