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Associate Narrative Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Serve as liaison with pitch teams and designers. * Assist in managing and delivering on objectives ... Ensure the narrative is insight-led and reflects the best of WPP Media's capabilities. * Assist ...

Serve as liaison with pitch teams and designers. * Assist in managing and delivering on objectives ... Ensure the narrative is insight-led and reflects the best of WPP Media's capabilities. * Assist ...

Content & Narrative Lead

Denver, CO · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Our offices are designed to support both collaboration and flexibility. Enjoy weekly lunches ... people associate with that idea before a competitor claims it first. This role is expected to ...

Content & Narrative Lead

New York, NY · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Our offices are designed to support both collaboration and flexibility. Enjoy weekly lunches ... people associate with that idea before a competitor claims it first. This role is expected to ...

SmartPlant P&ID Designer

Lexington, KY · On-site

$49.76 - $87.07/hr

Ability to interpret PFDs, datasheets, control narrative, and vendor drawings. * Experience with ... Associate Degree in Engineering, Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) or Computer-Aided Drafting and ...

Ability to interpret PFDs, datasheets, control narrative, and vendor drawings. * Experience with ... Associate Degree in Engineering, Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) or Computer-Aided Drafting and ...

SmartPlant P&ID Designer

Lexington, KY · On-site

$49.76 - $87.07/hr

Ability to interpret PFDs, datasheets, control narrative, and vendor drawings. * Experience with ... Associate Degree in Engineering, Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) or Computer-Aided Drafting and ...

Showing results 21-40

Associate Narrative Designer information

See salary details

$19.5K

$58.6K

$87.5K

How much do associate narrative designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate narrative designer in the United States is $58,560.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $68,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate narrative designer?

Associate Narrative Designers are entry-level professionals who help create the story, dialogue, and overall narrative structure for video games or interactive media. They work closely with senior narrative designers, writers, and other game development team members to develop characters, plotlines, and immersive storytelling experiences. Their responsibilities often include writing in-game text, assisting with world-building, and ensuring the narrative aligns with gameplay and design. This role is ideal for individuals with strong writing skills, creativity, and a passion for storytelling in interactive formats.

What are some common challenges associate narrative designers face when collaborating with other departments in game development?

Associate Narrative Designers often work closely with game designers, artists, and developers to ensure story elements align seamlessly with gameplay and visuals. A frequent challenge is balancing narrative ambitions with technical or design constraints, which requires strong communication and adaptability. It's important to be receptive to feedback and willing to iterate on narrative elements to fit the overall vision and limitations of the project. Building trust and maintaining open dialogue with cross-functional teams helps ensure the final product delivers both engaging storytelling and cohesive gameplay.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate narrative designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Narrative Designer, you need a solid grasp of creative writing, storytelling techniques, and an understanding of game design principles, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with interactive narrative tools such as Twine, Ink, or game engines like Unity, and experience with scripting languages are typically required. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and clear communication set standout candidates apart in this role. These skills ensure engaging story experiences that align with gameplay, fostering player immersion and supporting the overall vision of the game.

What is the difference between Associate Narrative Designer vs Narrative Designer?

AspectAssociate Narrative DesignerNarrative Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Creative Writing, Game Design, or related field; some experience in storytelling or game developmentSimilar educational background; often requires more professional experience in narrative development
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with writers, designers, and developers in game studios; entry to mid-level roleLeads narrative development, works closely with creative directors; more senior responsibilities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across gaming companies, especially in AAA and indie studiosCommonly used for experienced roles in the same industry

The main difference is that an Associate Narrative Designer is an entry-level or supporting role focusing on assisting with storytelling tasks, while a Narrative Designer has more experience and takes on greater responsibility for crafting and overseeing the game's narrative. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are integral to game storytelling teams, but the Narrative Designer typically leads narrative development efforts.

What cities are hiring for Associate Narrative Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Associate Narrative Designer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Narrative Designer jobs?

The most popular types of Narrative Designer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Associate Narrative Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,560 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

Associate Director, Pitch

WPP Media

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago


WPP Media rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 78 rated media


Job description

About WPP Media
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships - all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open - we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.
WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.
For more information, visit wppmedia.com.
About the Role:
As an Associate Director, Growth, you will play a pivotal role in facilitating the end-to-end pitch process for Tier 2 & 3 pitches, while providing essential support for Tier 1 engagements. You will be instrumental in driving project timelines, managing deliverables, and ensuring the development of compelling, insight-led narratives. This position requires strong leadership in coordinating cross-functional teams, mentoring junior members, and maintaining the highest standards of quality in all client outputs. You will contribute to process optimization and foster WPP Media's growth culture, ultimately helping to build robust client relationships and secure new business.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Facilitate the End-to-End Pitch Process for Tier 2 & 3 Pitches:
  • Serve as Driver or leader: keep teams on deadline, build project plans and timelines, enforce deadlines, and communicate roadblocks to leadership.
  • Support in establishing and defining key workstreams and owners for all pitch phases.
  • Serve as liaison with pitch teams and designers.
  • Assist in managing and delivering on objectives of the overall pitch vision.
  • Review or pull all first-round answers for RFI / RFP written responses (depending on pitch tier).
  • Build thorough, accurate, and well-organized Backgrounders that cover the 5Cs - Company, Culture, Category, Consumer, and Communications - plus Client Bios.
  • Request, gather, research, and analyze client intelligence data (from Internet, Info. Center, Ad Views, Ad database, the List, etc.).
  • Leverage AI tools for compelling insights.

2. Support Tier 1 Pitches:
  • Partner with pitch business leads to ensure they have what they need for workstreams.
  • Provide direction to Growth support team members.
  • Curate RD1 draft content responses to agency credentials, operating models, etc., from our library and from subject matter experts (SMEs), customizing for each opportunity.

3. Help Drive a Tailored, Compelling Pitch Narrative:
  • Read and understand content and case studies that contribute to the overall pitch narrative.
  • Tailor messaging to address client needs, market context, and competitive dynamics.
  • Ensure the narrative is insight-led and reflects the best of WPP Media's capabilities.
  • Assist with concept development and execution of pitch theater to deliver compelling pitch experiences that support our strategic narrative.

4. Integrate Teams Across the Organization:
  • Establish points of alignment between disciplines across workstreams.
  • Provide ongoing, proactive communication to all pitch team members.
  • Review Growth support's draft for end-of-day, end-of-week status recaps for pitch team to ensure accuracy and clarity of communication.
  • Build relationships with WPP IAT growth managers and associates to coordinate integrated meetings, ensuring appropriate IAT team leads are included in relevant meetings.

5. Manage Junior Level Team Members:
  • Reinforce day-to-day priorities and engage junior team members supporting each pitch.
  • Ensure their output is executed flawlessly (e.g., review work prior to distribution to pitch teams to ensure accuracy and thoroughness, meeting notes accurately capture the discussion, next steps, and owners are clearly included).
  • Confirm correct team members are invited to pitches.
  • Serve as a role model for Managers, Senior Associates, and Associates, demonstrating best practices and a high-performance mindset.
  • Reinforce a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

6. Contribute Feedback and Observations to Optimize Processes:
  • Share learnings, recommendations, observations, and identification of new resources/vendors from pitch process to inform future pitches and drive efficiencies with other growth team members.
  • Ensure that final pitch files are saved into the Growth Hub, and that copies of key sections are extracted and saved for future responses.
  • Be a content champion and direct other Growth Team members to "best of" pieces of work including written responses, case studies, and credentials.

7. Create Flawless, High-Impact Client Outputs:
  • Support in creating deliverables that are compelling, differentiated, and on-brand.
  • Understand and maintain the expectations of high standards of quality and customization of work outputs for "What Great Work Looks Like" (as defined by agency leadership), leveraging WPP Open OMS, OI, AI, and DPAM:
  • Clear source of growth with quantified growth approach.
  • Sophisticated audience strategy tied to audience insights.
  • Impactful strategy with fresh POV.
  • Rigorous media plan with clear plan parameters, principles, and omnichannel recommendations.
  • Flawless activation tightly connected to business outcomes and strategy.
  • Connected measurement plan holistic plan directly linked to business outcomes and strategy.
  • Breakthrough and original content idea and media innovation.
  • Leverage AI tools for compelling insights, base content, and improving written responses for review.

8. Manage Multiple Priorities:
  • Associate Directors may be involved in multiple pitch efforts with each potentially at different stages.
  • Communicate with oversight managers on workload and bandwidth issues to help maintain all workstreams.
  • Maintain composure and clarity under pressure, meeting and juggling deadlines without sacrificing quality.
  • Flag any resourcing issues and roadblocks from teams to pitch oversight manager to allow leadership to triage and course-correct.
  • Be comfortable and adept at joining pitches at any stage - assessing needs and proactively addressing gaps with pitch leads and oversight managers, establishing trust with pitch team as a competent partner, and adding value to outputs.

9. Champion Our Growth Culture:
  • Model our pitch principles in every engagement: growth obsession, respectful challenge, trailblazing thinking, collaboration, and accountability.
  • Support leadership in creating an enjoyable, energizing experience for all pitch participants for Tier 2 & 3 pitches and reinforce efforts from leadership to create the same for Tier 1.
  • Maintain a "glass half-full" high-performance mindset, even in high-pressure situations.

10. Support Global Collaboration:
  • Support Group Directors and Directors on global new business pitches and provide connectivity to Global Growth colleagues during active pitches with open communication and updates.
  • Partner with leadership to ensure local market nuances are represented in pitch content.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, go to https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome for more details.
US Pay Range
$75,000-$180,000 USD
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