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Chief Creative Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We're on the hunt for a Chief Creative Officer (CCO) who brings bold vision, undeniable presence, and a proven creative pedigree to help shape what's next in advertising, storytelling, and brand ...

The Creative Director will drive the brand's success by leading the visioning, development, and ... Reporting to the CMO, you'll lead a talented in-house creative team and serve as the connective ...

Reporting to the CMO, you'll lead a talented in-house creative team and serve as the connective ... Ability to art direct photo, video, and design at a high level-from concept development through ...

Creative Director POSITION SUMMARY The Creative Director leads the visual and conceptual direction ... Serves as the chief steward of the museum's brand and directs branding, marketing campaigns, and ...

Creative Director

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$110 - $120/hr

The Creative Director leads the visual and conceptual direction of the museum's branding, marketing ... Serves as the chief steward of the museum's brand and directs branding, marketing campaigns, and ...

New

Creative Director

Torrance, CA ยท On-site

$150 - $190/hr

Role We are looking for a Creative Director to define how Northwood shows up in the world ... You will partner closely with the CEO, founding team, and Head of Communications to build and ...

Creative Director, Campaigns

San Diego, CA ยท On-site +1

$162K - $223K/yr

We're looking for a Creative Director, Campaigns who can turn dense technical truth into ideas ... lands with a CIO and a CFO in the same room. You see every brief - digital, social, film ...

Creative Director, Campaigns

San Diego, CA ยท On-site +1

$162K - $223K/yr

We're looking for a Creative Director, Campaigns who can turn dense technical truth into ideas ... lands with a CIO and a CFO in the same room. You see every brief - digital, social, film ...

Creative Director, Campaigns

San Diego, CA ยท On-site +1

$162K - $223K/yr

We're looking for a Creative Director, Campaigns who can turn dense technical truth into ideas ... lands with a CIO and a CFO in the same room. You see every brief - digital, social, film ...

Partner with the CEO and business development team to lead the agency's own promotional and ... Creative Director whose team produces the best work of their careers, and the kind of voice that ...

Creative Director - Key Art

Culver City, CA ยท On-site

$158.86 - $265/hr

Partner with the CEO and business development team to lead the agency's own promotional and ... Creative Director whose team produces the best work of their careers, and the kind of voice that ...

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Showing results 1-20

Chief Creative Director information

See California salary details

$42.4K

$118.5K

$177.6K

How much do chief creative director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief creative director in California is $118,485.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,400.00 and $147,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chief creative director?

A Chief Creative Director is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the creative vision and direction of a company or organization, typically within industries such as advertising, media, fashion, or entertainment. They lead creative teams, develop innovative concepts, and ensure that all creative output aligns with the brand's identity and goals. Their role includes collaborating with other departments, managing creative budgets, and setting long-term creative strategies. Chief Creative Directors play a critical role in shaping the public perception of a brand and maintaining its competitive edge through creativity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief creative director?

To thrive as a Chief Creative Director, you need extensive experience in creative leadership, a strong portfolio, and often a degree in design, fine arts, or a related field. Mastery of design software such as Adobe Creative Suite and familiarity with project management tools are commonly required, along with a history of successfully leading creative projects. Visionary thinking, excellent communication, and the ability to inspire and manage diverse creative teams are standout soft skills in this role. These skills enable the creation of compelling brand narratives, drive innovation, and ensure strategic alignment between creative output and business goals.

How does a chief creative director typically collaborate with other departments to drive a unified brand vision?

A Chief Creative Director regularly partners with marketing, product development, and executive leadership teams to ensure that creative strategies align with overall business goals. This collaboration often involves leading cross-functional meetings, providing creative direction, and integrating feedback from various stakeholders. By fostering open communication and a shared understanding of the brand vision, the Chief Creative Director helps maintain consistency across campaigns and platforms. This teamwork is essential for delivering innovative and cohesive brand experiences.

What does a chief creative director do?

A chief creative director leads the creative vision and strategy for a company or project, overseeing the development of visual and conceptual content. They manage creative teams, collaborate with other departments, and ensure that branding and design align with organizational goals, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. Strong leadership, communication, and industry experience are essential for this role.

What cities in California are hiring for Chief Creative Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Chief Creative Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Chief Creative Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,485 per year, or $57 per hour.

Chief Creative Officer

Monks

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข Hybrid

Full-time

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Key responsibilities

  • Lead and elevate the creative vision for .monks in North America.

  • Inspire and mentor multi-disciplinary creative teams to produce bold, strategic, and well-executed work.

  • Partner with leadership across disciplines to shape pitch-winning ideas and transformative campaigns.


Job description

At .monks, we believe creativity is not just a department-it's the centerpiece of everything we make. We're on the hunt for a Chief Creative Officer (CCO) who brings bold vision, undeniable presence, and a proven creative pedigree to help shape what's next in advertising, storytelling, and brand experiences.

This is an opportunity to lead a globally recognized, culturally-driven creative force at the forefront of marketing and innovation.

Who You Are

  • A true creative leader-with a proven track record as a chief creative officer, executive creative leader or equivalent at top-tier creative agencies or brand-side leadership roles.
  • Known and respected in the industry, with press-worthy campaigns and award-winning work (Cannes Lions, D&AD, AdAge, etc.), but more importantly, someone who creates work people feel-measured, insight-driven, and strategic.
  • Charismatic and compelling-you walk into a room and people lean in. You can sell an idea, command a presentation, and make clients and creatives feel seen and inspired.
  • A culture builder-the kind of leader that encourages collaboration and open mindedness while always bringing a perspective. You're human-first, not ego-first. You shape inclusive teams, mentor talent, and know how to create environments where the best work gets made.
  • Comfortable moving from brand to digital to experiential, always putting creativity at the center, grounded in insight and driven by impact.
  • Able to translate client feedback into opportunity, not compromise. You're a creative translator as much as a visionary.

What You'll Bring

  • 15+ years in creative leadership roles, with 5+ years as CCO or equivalent.
  • A portfolio of culturally significant work and big brand campaigns that have moved business and earned accolades.
  • Experience across brand, digital, social, content, and experiential-demonstrating breadth and depth of thinking.
  • Strong business acumen, with an understanding of how to build creative that works as hard as it inspires.
  • A people-first approach that builds trust and confidence in rooms of clients, colleagues, and collaborators.
  • Bonus if you've helped shape creative departments at a high-growth or global agency.

The Role

  • Lead and elevate the creative vision for .monks in North America.
  • Inspire and mentor multi-disciplinary creative teams, ensuring work is bold, strategic, and beautifully executed.
  • Partner closely with leadership across disciplines-strategy, production, account, and operations-to shape pitch-winning ideas and transformative campaigns.
  • Be an active face of .monks creatively-presenting work, pitching, and representing us publicly.
  • Help architect the next era of .monks: creative at the center, collaboration at its core.

At Monks, we believe in fostering an environment where a diversity of perspectives can thrive. We proactively work to design hiring processes that promote equity and inclusion while mitigating bias. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage qualified applicants, from all backgrounds, who are excited to contribute to our mission. ย 

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