57 Senior Art Directors jobs in the United Arab Emirates

Art Director

If you're an experienced creative leader who dreams of shaping a brand with heart, from the ground up, this is your chance.

About the Role

At Marv, we're reshaping how people travel by connecting Marvelers (travelers) with local Buddies who share their passions and can turn a trip into something truly personal. We're looking for an Art Director who can bring this vision to life through bold, meaningful, and consistent visual storytelling. This is not just a design role, it's about shaping the visual soul of Marv as we grow into a global travel-tech brand.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve Marv's visual identity across all platforms (app, website, campaigns, social, events).
• Create and oversee creative concepts from ideation to launch, ensuring everything feels authentically "Marv."
• Collaborate with marketing, product, and design teams to deliver visuals that resonate with both Marvelers and Buddies.
• Maintain and expand our brand guidelines to keep the design consistent, vibrant, and future-proof.
• Mentor and guide designers or collaborators, raising the creative standard across the board.
• Transform big ideas into visuals that are human, relatable, and emotionally engaging.
• Stay curious about design, cultural trends, and creative tech that can keep Marv ahead.
• Work closely with the founders to ensure the creative strategy aligns with business goals.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of experience in design/art direction, with a portfolio that shows strong brand-building work.
• Deep expertise in typography, layout, color, and visual storytelling.
• Experience leading creative teams or mentoring other designers.
• Ability to bridge creativity with strategy; turning ideas into visuals that support real goals.
• Strong sense of culture, inclusivity, and emotional connection in design.
• Passion for travel, cultural exchange, and human connection is a plus.

What We Offer

• This is
  not a salary-based role
  . Instead, it's an opportunity to
  grow with the company
  and be compensated solely with phantom shares.
• A chance to be part of building Marv from the ground up. Your creative vision will directly shape our brand's journey.
• A collaborative, purpose-driven environment where we believe in innovation, inclusivity, and doing things differently.

Ready to leave your creative mark on the future of travel? Let's build it together.

Job Type: Full-time

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

About Us:

Zia Creative Network is a leading creative agency with over a decade of influence in the GCC and North American markets. Fueled by passion and driven by innovation, we stay ahead of trends and push boundaries to bring unmatched creativity to the Arabic markets. Our expertise spans creative campaigns, marketing consultancy, digital media, web development, and event management. At Zia, you'll be part of a dynamic, learning-focused environment, where new tools and practices—like AI, automation, and innovative creative processes—are integrated into daily work. We're dedicated to empowering our team with skills that keep them at the forefront of the industry.

About You:

As an Art Director at Zia, you are the visionary responsible for crafting the look and feel of impactful advertisements. You thrive on creating visuals that connect deeply with audiences and elevate brand experiences across all platforms. You'll articulate a global creative vision and ensure quality, consistency, and cohesion in every visual detail. You're also adept at overseeing shoots and managing the content creation process, bringing every concept to life.

Creative Visionary: Skilled at developing and communicating a holistic creative vision for each brand.

Quality-Driven: Ensures visual consistency and high standards across all media channels.

Collaborative Mentor: Able to direct and inspire teams to achieve creative excellence.

Effective Communicator: Strong written and verbal skills in English are essential, with proficiency in Arabic considered a plus for seamless client and team interactions.

Your Daily Adventures:

Creative Leadership & Vision

Develop and communicate a global creative vision that aligns with brand objectives and identity.

Oversee the visual style and aesthetic across campaigns, ensuring consistency and quality in all outputs.

Manage and supervise photoshoots and content creation, crafting visuals that convey the brand's story.

Project Collaboration & Quality Control

Collaborate with internal teams (Filming, Marketing & PR) and external creative teams to coordinate and bring projects to life.

Maintain brand consistency across all touchpoints, including campaign photos, website visuals, and more.

Review and approve team-developed layouts, illustrations, and design concepts to ensure they meet Zia's high standards.

Design & Production

Use industry-standard software, such as Adobe Creative Suite, to create custom illustrations, layouts, and other graphic elements.

Demonstrate a strong understanding of social media mechanisms, including platform-specific trends, content formats, and user engagement strategies, to create visuals that resonate across digital channels.

Skills & Experience:

Experience: 5-10 years in creative project management, with expertise in graphic and audiovisual production.

Educational Background: Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or related field.

Creative Leadership: Proven ability to create and execute a cohesive visual strategy.

Technical Skills: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and familiarity with AI tools like Midjourney, ChatGPT, and Adobe Firefly.

Attention to Detail: Ensures high standards of quality and brand consistency across all deliverables.

Why Join Zia?

Competitive Salary: Fair compensation based on experience—your talent will be valued

Global Impact: Work with top brands and build a portfolio that resonates internationally.

Diverse Team: Collaborate with 10+ nationalities, each bringing unique perspectives.

Innovation & Growth: Embrace new tools and technologies to keep at the cutting edge of the industry.

Creative Leadership: Contribute to projects that shape creative development in the GCC.

Generous Vacation: Enjoy four weeks off to recharge and stay inspired.

Recruitment Process:

1 Virtual Interview: 45-minutes with our Management team.

2 Skills Showcase: Complete a remote task or share samples of your work.

3 Final Interview: An in-person meeting and, potentially, a job offer

Join us and shape the future of creativityIf you're genuinely interested in this role, please send an email directly to our Agency Director, Charlotte, at charlotte (a) zianetwork (dt) com. In your message, explain why you believe you're the ideal candidate for this position, and be sure to include:

• Your updated resume
• Your portfolio or sample work
• Answers to the following screening questions:

Screening Questions – Art Director (Arabic Speaker)

• Are you currently based in Abu Dhabi, UAE?
• Do you have native-level proficiency in Arabic and professional fluency in English?
• How many years of professional experience do you have in art direction, design, or creative leadership?
• Please share a link to your portfolio showcasing campaign visuals, branding, and digital/print work.
• Have you developed and executed bilingual (Arabic/English) campaigns? If yes, please share examples.
• Which design and creative software are you most proficient in? (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, motion tools)
• Do you have experience leading or mentoring designers, illustrators, or visual artists?
• How do you ensure cultural authenticity and visual impact in Arabic campaigns?
• Have you worked on integrated campaigns across multiple touchpoints (digital, social, OOH, events)?
• Are you confident presenting and defending creative concepts to clients and internal stakeholders?
• What is your current notice period and earliest availability to join?
• What are your salary expectations for this role?

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From AED12,000.00 per month

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Abu Dhabi: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Have you reviewed the full job post and submitted all required documents, including your responses to the screening questions, via email?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Art Direction: 5 years (Required)
• Creative Visualization: 5 years (Required)
• Graphic Design: 5 years (Required)
• Project Management: 5 years (Preferred)

Language:

• Arabic (Required)
• English (Required)

Location:

• Abu Dhabi (Required)

We are seeking a creative and detail-oriented Art Director to join our client's organization within the healthcare industry.

The Art Director will oversee the design team, develop creative concepts, and ensure consistency across all visual communications. This role requires strong leadership, innovative thinking, and hands-on design skills to deliver impactful creative work.

• Lead and manage the creative direction for branding, advertising, digital, and print campaigns.
• Supervise designers, photographers, and other creative team members to ensure high-quality output.
• Translate marketing and business objectives into clear creative strategies.
• Develop concepts, storyboards, and design layouts for campaigns and projects.
• Ensure brand guidelines are maintained across all platforms and materials.
• Collaborate with marketing, content, and product teams to align creative with business goals.
• Stay updated on design trends, tools, and technologies to keep creative work innovative.
• Manage multiple projects with attention to detail, deadlines, and budgets.

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Visual Communication, or related field.
• Proven experience (5+ years) as an Art Director or Senior Designer in an agency or in-house creative team.
• Strong portfolio showcasing creative and design expertise across different media.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects) and other design tools.
• Experience in digital, print, branding, and motion graphics is a plus.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

• Create creative and new ideas and concepts for all Dubai Media projects.
• Translate concepts into visually compelling designs to create impactful and memorable experience.
• Ensure all designs are visually stunning, on brand and meet project objectives and deadlines. This will include ensuring that all team members are aligned.
• Produce sketches, storyboards, roughs to visualize ideas.
• Train the graphic designers with the advanced tools and techniques to improve their skills.

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree in a Graphics

Job Overview:

The Art Director will lead the visual design efforts within organisation's in-house design team, working closely with the Creative Director to shape and implement the creative vision for the brand. This individual will play a crucial role in delivering impactful and engaging visual assets across digital, print, and experiential channels. With a strong eye for detail, a deep understanding of brand design, and the ability to lead by example, the Art Director will help elevate organisation's brand identity and drive creative excellence across all projects.

Job Description:

Creative Direction and Visual Design

• Translate brand strategy into compelling visual designs, working closely with the Creative Director to align creative outputs with organisation's brand standards.
• Oversee the creation and execution of visually cohesive and impactful content for various digital, print, and experiential platforms, including campaigns, presentations, social media, and events.
• Provide hands-on support to the design team, ensuring high standards of design quality, creativity, and innovation in every project.

Collaboration and Project Management

• Manage the end-to-end design process, from concept to final execution, ensuring all work is delivered on time and within budget.
• Balance multiple projects, prioritizing tasks and coordinating resources to achieve team objectives efficiently.

Brand Consistency and Quality Control

• Maintain and uphold organisation's brand identity, ensuring consistency across all visual outputs by setting clear brand guidelines and quality standards.
• Conduct quality checks and provide feedback on design work to guarantee that every project meets brand standards and aligns with the brand's visual identity.
• Develop and evolve brand assets, including templates, iconography, and color schemes, ensuring that the brand remains fresh and relevant.

Team Leadership and Mentorship

• Lead and inspire a team of designers, providing guidance, feedback, and professional development opportunities to support their growth.
• Foster a collaborative and creative team culture that encourages innovation, teamwork, and design excellence.
• Support the Creative Director in developing a positive team environment that prioritizes both productivity and individual career growth.

Trend Analysis and Innovation

• Stay informed of industry trends, competitor strategies, and emerging design techniques to keep the brand's visual presence current and competitive.
• Propose and incorporate new design ideas, techniques, and tools to enhance the brand's visual impact and keep the design process efficient.

Required Criteria:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Fine Arts, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in a senior design role, with at least 2-3 years in an Art Director position, ideally within an in-house brand team or agency environment.
• Strong portfolio showcasing expertise in branding, digital, and print design, with a solid understanding of typography, color theory, and composition.
• Advanced proficiency in design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), with knowledge of motion graphics and video editing as a plus.
• Strong conceptual and creative skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas visually and create design work that resonates with a global audience.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Company Description

Maral Tiam Co. was established in 2013 with the goal of offering top-notch commercial services to clients. Specializing in import and export projects, we provide unique door-to-door services for projects of any size. Our team leverages creativity and innovation to navigate the planning and execution challenges of our projects. With a highly experienced team, Maral Tiam is focused on optimizing services in ocean freight, international trucking charges, air freight, and the trading sector. We are committed to providing the best solutions to our clients.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role for an Art Director located in Dubai. The Art Director will be responsible for overseeing creative direction and branding initiatives, developing graphics and visual content, and managing art direction and graphic design projects. This role involves collaboration with various departments to ensure consistency and quality across all visual and branding outputs.

Qualifications

• Creative Direction and Art Direction skills
• Experience in Branding and Graphic Design
• Proficiency in Graphics and visual content creation
• Strong leadership and project management abilities
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work on-site in Dubai
• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Visual Communications, or related field
• Experience in commercial services or related industry is a plus

Company Description
Saatchi & Saatchi has grown from a start-up advertising agency in London in 1970 to a global creative communications company with 114 offices in 67 countries and over 6500 employees. Saatchi & Saatchi is part of the Publicis Groupe, the world's third largest communications group We are a full service, integrated communications network and we work with 6 of the top 10 and over half of the top 50 global advertisers. We're in the business of getting people to fall in love with our clients' products and services. We have an unshakeable spirit and unbeatable attitude that Nothing is Impossible, a concept we apply to all our clients and work. We believe in effecting positive change through creativity, always. While we seek out the most brilliant minds to help us on our quest, we're also passionate about nurturing the best talent from within. Which is why when you join us, your journey can be one of continuous evolution.

Overview
The role is for someone who is a solid designer, one with a unique design eye, highly skilled with photo manipulation and compositing to conceptualize and craft unexpected visual approaches. This position requires someone to create visual solutions that convince clients, prospects, talent, and the marketplace to engage with our brand.

Develop creative ideas that meet both our client's objectives as well as our business objectives, maintaining the company's expected levels of creative excellence and professionalism

Manage multiple projects from concept through to completion, working with both in-house resources and third-party vendors

Create and design visuals across a wide range of on and offline channels

Responsibilities
Main Tasks
Technical & Product

• Has strong technical design skills across a variety of programs.
• Understands the "best in class" use of each platform. Knows what it means to be making something interesting, engaging, and creative in the world today.
• Ability to concept innovative ideas and tactics that people will talk about. Always envisioning the potential outcomes of each idea
• Create and design visuals across a wide range of on and offline channels
• Create in-brand layouts and experiences by applying graphic design principles such as colour, typography, the photographic selection that create a compelling and visually attractive story for audiences

Business Acumen & Operational Efficiency

• Naturally well organized and unfazed when working towards deadlines
• Have a sense of teamwork, and want to be part of a group of colleagues who take care of themselves, value themselves, and respect each other.
• Ease to express creative ideas clearly and concisely.
• Understand communication as an integrated "whole" and not as something on / off.
• Adobe CC domain and web design and adobe premiere knowledge for the assembly of audiovisual models.
• Any level of Motion graphic skills.
• Demonstrable experience creating and designing offline and online campaigns.
• High level of involvement, commitment, and responsibility.
• Knowledge of interactive exteriors, websites, e-mailings, landings, campaigns on RRSS Instagram, Facebook, etc.

Innovative & Analytical Mindset

• Ideate, craft, and execute original and iconic creative concepts in response to client briefs, objectives, or goals
• Is responsible for the proper placement, context, and meaning of every image and graphic element within a creative assignment
• Develop creative ideas that meet both our client's objectives as well as our business objectives, maintaining the company's expected levels of creative excellence and professionalism
• Present, share and review creative work with Executive Creative Director/s, Account Management and Planning Leads as well as members of the Management Team
• Manage multiple projects from concept through to completion, working with both in-house resources and third-party vendors
• Collaborate effectively with Account Management, Planning, and the broader creative team to develop disruptive and iconic work

Qualifications

• 5+ years of agency experience with primarily an Art background, including a book briming with brave ideas and outstanding craft
• You're an artist. Every surface, every channel, every medium, social or otherwise, is your canvas. You're just where people are
• Strong grasp of social media space and online media jargon and technology
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced creative environment
• Ability to effectively and appropriately interact with co-workers at a variety of levels, across many disciplines

Additional Information
R-2387P-2677

About E-Line Media:

E-Line Media is a developer and publisher of video games with meaningful themes and authentic voices. Founded in 2008, the company's mission is to develop games that fire the imagination, catalyze curiosity, and provide gateways to new perspectives and interests.

The Company is a mission-driven, for-profit enterprise whose investors seek market-level financial returns and positive social impact. Its titles include the BAFTA and Peabody award-winning Never Alone , the Jackson-Wild-winning Beyond Blue , Gamestar Mechanic, and MinecraftEDU .

The Emirati Cultural Game will be a project similar to E-Line's Never Alone, which was developed inclusively with the Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC), a pioneering Alaska Native organization. Never Alone's goal was to share, celebrate, and extend Alaska Native culture with a global audience. The game is based on a story passed down for thousands of years, is in the Inupiaq language, and features 24 'cultural insight' mini-documentaries unlocked through gameplay, inviting players to connect deeply with Alaska Native heritage and tradition.

The game has resonated worldwide, reaching over 15 million players. It has been featured in thousands of articles, won numerous awards, and is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Websites

• Never Alone website:
• Short New Yorker film about the 'inclusive development' process for Never Alone:
• Powerful review of Never Alone by a Native American game critic:
• E-Line Media Website:

About the Project:

We are embarking on an exciting journey to create a video game inspired by Emirati culture, featuring compelling gameplay and an authentic narrative. Our goal is to create an experience that resonates with both global and local players while honoring the cultural heritage and traditions of the UAE. We are bringing together experienced game developers alongside Emirati artists, storytellers, and cultural partners to create a commercially successful, engaging experience for audiences worldwide on PC and consoles.

About the Position:

We are looking for a visionary Art Director to establish the game's unique visual identity. This is an opportunity to create a distinctive aesthetic inspired by Emirati culture, blending authenticity with a modern indie-game sensibility. As the Art Director, you will collaborate closely with our Emirati artists, cultural partners, and storytelling team to ensure that the game's visuals reflect the beauty, richness, and traditions of the UAE.

You will also play a crucial role in defining an efficient art pipeline that utilizes Unreal Engine's tools and workflows, while keeping the project within scope and budget.

This is a hands-on leadership position in which you will build and mentor a small, globally distributed art team, guiding them in developing a cohesive and visually striking world that enhances the gameplay experience. A unique opportunity for someone based in the region or open to relocating or traveling to Abu Dhabi during development to immerse themselves in the local stories, landscapes, and traditions.

As our Art Director, you will be responsible for …

• Visual Direction: Define and develop a unique art style inspired by Emirati culture that balances authenticity and technical feasibility within the game's scope. Oversee all visual aspects of the game, including environment design, character art, animation direction, lighting, and UI aesthetics.
• Team Building & Mentorship: Build a small, distributed team from the ground up; serve as a mentor to local Emirati artists and other team members.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Collaborate closely with the Game Design Director, Narrative Lead, and other team members to align art direction with gameplay and storytelling goals.
• Hands-on Art Production: Work directly in Unreal Engine to prototype, iterate, and optimize assets, ensuring a balance between visual fidelity and performance.
• Asset Oversight: Manage the creation of art assets, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with the game's unique look and feel.
• Pipeline & Budget Management: Develop and optimize art workflows and Unreal Engine pipelines to balance artistic ambition and ensure high-quality visuals while staying within budget and production constraints.
• Cultural Integration: Translate authentic elements of Emirati culture into visually compelling assets, art styles, and environments. Collaborate with other Emirati artists and cultural experts to ensure the game's visual design reflects the heritage, traditions, and aesthetics of the UAE.
• Iterative Development: Engage in continuous review, feedback, and refinement of art assets through playtesting and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
  

We're looking for someone who has …

• 8+ years in art direction or as a lead artist, with a proven track record in IP development and small team leadership.
• A strong portfolio showcasing unique, stylized, or culturally inspired art direction, ideally with experience in indie games.
• Strong knowledge of Unreal Engine, with hands-on experience developing stylized, visually striking games with modern art production pipelines.
• Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine, shaders, lighting, procedural tools, and asset optimization
• Proven ability to build, manage, and mentor small creative teams, particularly in a distributed development setting.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively alongside narrative leads, cultural partners, and cross-functional teams with different cultural backgrounds
• Willingness to reside in or work from the UAE during key phases of development and travel as needed.

It's a bonus if you …

• Experience working on culturally inspired games or projects to translate authentic aspects of culture and traditions into visual storytelling
• A passion for bridging traditional cultural narratives with modern interactive media.
• Background in environmental storytelling and world-building.

Top Reasons to Work with Us

• Being part of an enthusiastic, diverse team that wants to make games with a positive impact.
• Co-create an authentic game experience in collaboration with our project partners.
• A positive, healthy remote work environment with flexible hours.
• We provide competitive salaries with full medical benefits and matching 401 (k), as well as paid paternity/maternity leave, vacation, holidays, and sick/wellness days.

E-Line Media values diverse perspectives and voices on our teams. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Foreground is partnering with a leading events and communications agency to appoint an Art Director.

The Art Director will lead the creative vision drive visual storytelling and manage the design team to deliver innovative branding campaigns and event activations. This role is responsible for ensuring creative excellence and consistency across all platforms.

• Develop and execute innovative visual concepts and design strategies.
• Collaborate with creative leadership and copywriters to bring ideas to life.
• Present creative concepts to clients and articulate design rationale.
• Oversee high-quality design execution across branding campaigns and event activations.
• Ensure creative consistency and brand integrity across all assets.
• Guide the team in the effective use of typography color and design principles.
• Manage multiple design projects ensuring timely delivery and quality.
• Mentor and develop junior designers fostering creativity and innovation.
• Stay current with industry trends technologies and design techniques.
• Review all creative work before submission for quality control.

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Graphic Design Fine Arts Visual Communication or related field.
• 6 years experience in design with at least 3 years as an Art Director.
• Strong portfolio covering campaigns branding digital and event design.
• Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop Illustrator InDesign After Effects).
• Strong leadership team management and communication skills.
• Experience in photography direction video content and motion graphics is a plus.
• Knowledge of regional design aesthetics and local market trends.