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Contract Art Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nemo Design

Contract Art Director

Portland, OR · On-site

$128K - $134K/yr

Contract Art Director (August 2026 - February 2027) Nemo Design is looking for a talented Contract Art Director to join our team from August2026 through February 2027.We're seeking a creative thinker ...

Direct Agents

Art Director, Contract

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$40 - $50/hr

Senior Art Director Direct Agents is looking for a Senior Art Director to lead the visual and ... Compensation This contract, NYC based role, pays $40-50/hour depending on experience. Hours are ...

Direct Agents

Art Director, Contract

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$40 - $50/hr

Senior Art Director Direct Agents is looking for a Senior Art Director to lead the visual and ... Compensation This contract, NYC based role, pays $40-50/hour depending on experience. Hours are ...

Bohme

Art Director

Draper, UT · On-site

$113K - $118K/yr

... contracts, budgets, and timelines. • Help define and steward brand guidelines, ensuring ... art directing photo and video shoots from pre-pro through final delivery. • Expert command of ...

Elevado

AI Art Director

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$90K - $120K/yr

We're looking for an AI Art Director with a sharp visual eye, strong commercial instincts, and a ... Location and Salary This is a full-time, exempt three month contract-to-hire role with a salary ...

Spin Master

Senior Art Director (Contract)

New York, NY · On-site

$55 - $60/hr

We are seeking a Senior Art Director to lead creative development and execution across hero campaigns, digital content, e-commerce, social media, and photography. Reporting to the Creative Director ...

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Art Director

Dallas, TX · On-site

$66K - $87K/yr

Overview We're seeking an Art Director who is equal parts conceptual thinker and systems thinker ... This position is a full-time contract role based in Dallas, Texas. Responsibilities What You'll Do

ICF

Art Director (Future Opportunity)

Reston, VA

$125K - $132K/yr

This role is contingent upon contract award. While not an immediate opening, we are actively ... You'rean art director, andyou'rein the thick of the work. You love the craft, but you knowit'sin ...

Outfront Media

Senior Art Director

Orlando, FL

Art Director will also need to assist clients who are providing their own creative for various ... Making print ready mechanicals to fulfill local contracts. * Working with Account Executives and ...

Outfront Media, Inc.

Senior Art Director

Orlando, FL · On-site

Art Director will also need to assist clients who are providing their own creative for various ... Making print ready mechanicals to fulfill local contracts. * Working with Account Executives and ...

Canoo

Creative / Art Director

Justin, TX · On-site

$142K - $150K/yr

Job Title Creative / Art Director About Canoo Canoo's mission is to bring EVs to Everyone and build ... While directing a team of designers (in-house, contract, and agency), this position also includes ...

Right Side Up

Performance Art Director

Austin, TX · On-site +1

$119K - $125K/yr

About The Role We're seeking freelance Performance Art Director Consultants to join our talent ... Contract engagements typically range from 10-40 hours per week. What You'll Do * Present and ...

Right Side Up

Performance Art Director

Austin, TX

$119K - $125K/yr

About The Role We're seeking freelance Performance Art Director Consultants to join our talent ... Contract engagements typically range from 10-40 hours per week. What You'll Do * Present and ...

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Contract Art Director information

See salary details

$44.5K

$121.8K

$146.5K

How much do contract art director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract art director in the United States is $121,757.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the responsibilities of a contract art director?

A Contract Art Director oversees the visual aspects of a project, such as advertisements, films, or marketing campaigns, on a temporary or project-based basis. They collaborate with clients, creative teams, and other stakeholders to develop and execute a cohesive artistic vision. Their duties often include managing designers and artists, setting visual guidelines, and ensuring that the final product aligns with the client’s brand and objectives. Contract Art Directors may also be responsible for budgeting, scheduling, and presenting concepts to clients. Their role is vital in maintaining the quality and consistency of creative deliverables.

How does a contract art director typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

As a Contract Art Director, you’ll frequently work cross-functionally with creative teams, project managers, copywriters, and marketing or product departments. Your role involves translating project goals into visual strategies, providing feedback to designers, and ensuring visual coherence across deliverables. Clear communication and adaptability are essential, as you may need to quickly integrate into established teams and workflows. Regular meetings and collaborative platforms help keep projects aligned and ensure that creative output meets client or company expectations.

What is the difference between Contract Art Director vs Freelance Art Director?

AspectContract Art DirectorFreelance Art Director
Employment TypeTemporary, project-based with a fixed contractIndependent, self-employed, works on multiple projects
Work EnvironmentTypically in-house or agency settingRemote or on-site, varies by client
CredentialsPortfolio, relevant design/art degrees, industry experiencePortfolio, industry experience, self-promotion skills
Usage in IndustryCommon in agencies and corporate projectsPopular among independent professionals and small studios

Both Contract Art Directors and Freelance Art Directors require strong portfolios and relevant credentials. The main difference lies in employment structure: Contract Art Directors are hired for specific projects within a company or agency, while Freelance Art Directors operate independently across multiple clients. Understanding these distinctions helps professionals choose the right path based on their work preferences and career goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract art director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Art Director, you need a strong background in visual design, art direction, and creative project management, often supported by a relevant degree and a robust design portfolio. Mastery of industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, project management platforms, and experience with digital asset systems is typically required. Excellent communication, leadership, and collaboration skills set standout candidates apart in guiding creative teams and interfacing with clients. These competencies ensure innovative, cohesive visual outcomes delivered on time and aligned with client goals.
More about Contract Art Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Art Director jobs? Cities with the most Contract Art Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Art Director jobs? The most popular types of Art Director jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Art Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Art Director jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Art Director jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Art Director jobs are:
Contract Art Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Art Director job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,757 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Contract Art Director

Nemo Design

Portland, OR • On-site

$128K - $134K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Contract Art Director (August 2026 - February 2027)


Nemo Design is looking for a talented Contract Art Director to join our team from August2026 through February 2027.We're seeking a creative thinker who can develop big ideas and bring them to life through design, production, and execution. This role is ideal for someone who is equally comfortable concepting campaign ideas, building visual systems, and rolling up their sleeves to create polished deliverables.


You'll work across a variety of brand, campaign, motion, digital, and content projects for clients in the outdoor, action sports, lifestyle, and consumer brand spaces.


What You'll Do

  • Develop creative concepts, campaigns, and visual storytelling ideas
  • Translate strategy into compelling creative solutions
  • Execute and refine designs across digital, social, print, presentation, and production deliverables
  • Collaborate closely with strategists, designers, writers, and clients
  • Help guide creative work from concept through final production
  • Participate in creative reviews and present work internally and externally


What We're Looking For

  • 5+ years of experience as an Art Director, Senior Designer, or similar creative role
  • Experience working with outdoor, action sports, snow, surf, bike, skate or adjacent lifestyle brands
  • Strong conceptual thinking and creative problem-solving skills
  • Building and articulating creative narratives that serve the conceptual ideas
  • Ability to take ideas from whiteboard sketches to production-ready assets
  • Exceptional design craft and attention to detail
  • Experience working with outdoor, action sports, snow, surf, bike, skate, or adjacent lifestyle brands
  • Strong understanding of content creation, photography, social media, and digital marketing
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a small, nimble team


Bonus Points

  • Experience art directing photo and video shoots
  • Motion design experience
  • Copywriting or creative storytelling skills
  • Experience working within agency environments


About Nemo Design

Nemo Design is an independent creative studio based in Portland, Oregon. For over 25 years, we've helped brands tell authentic stories through strategy, design, content, and experiences. Our roots are in the outdoor and action sports industries, and we partner with brands that inspire people to get outside, push boundaries, and create meaningful connections.


Contract Duration: August 2026 - February 2027
Location: Hybrid (In-person at our Portland, OR studio 3 days a week)
Hours: Part-time to full-time depending on project workload
To Apply: Send your portfolio, resume, and a brief introduction explaining why you're a fit for Nemo and the outdoor/action sports space.

Portfolio required. We want to see both conceptual thinking and beautifully executed work.

Apply