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Contract Creative Strategist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

VAWAA

Growth + Content Strategist - Creative Travel

$2.5K - $3.5K/mo

July 20, 2025 Remote | Contract Commitment: ~24 hours/week on a monthly retainer, with potential to ... strategies that honor our mission. * Champion the storytelling that brings VAWAA's creative and ...

Umusic

Director, Catalog Creative

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

How You'll CREATE Creative Leadership & Global Strategic Vision * Drive the overarching creative ... Approve vendor bids, negotiate contracts, and supervise multi-market deliveries. Operational ...

Instrument

Senior Strategist / Strategy Lead (contract)

$61 - $102/hr

We're looking for creative strategists who can move fluidly between big-picture brand storytelling ... The Senior Strategist will lead defined workstreams and translate broader strategy into actionable ...

Brains

Senior Brand Strategist, Contract

About Brains Brains is an independent creative agency and proud B-Corp. We're a group of no-ahole ... Overview We're looking for a contract Brand Strategist to help define, shape, and launch brands ...

Barbaricum

CSS Task Lead

Washington, DC · On-site

... contract. You will ensure creative strategy, content production, and engagement products align with MC&FP brand, messaging, outreach, and mission objectives, enhancing the DoD's ability to inform and ...

ARMADA

Manager Content & Social Media

Orlando, FL · On-site

This role reports to the VP of Brand and Creative, who sets strategy and creative direction, and works alongside contract creative partners, subject matter experts across the business, and commercial ...

ARMADA

Manager Content & Social Media

Wexford, PA · On-site

This role reports to the VP of Brand and Creative, who sets strategy and creative direction, and works alongside contract creative partners, subject matter experts across the business, and commercial ...

ARMADA

Manager Content & Social Media

Chicago, IL · On-site

This role reports to the VP of Brand and Creative, who sets strategy and creative direction, and works alongside contract creative partners, subject matter experts across the business, and commercial ...

ARMADA

Manager Content & Social Media

Atlanta, GA · On-site

This role reports to the VP of Brand and Creative, who sets strategy and creative direction, and works alongside contract creative partners, subject matter experts across the business, and commercial ...

Mondo

Paid Social, Strategist

Manhattan, NY · Remote

$40 - $48/hr

August 3, 2026 Duration: 4 Month Contract Compensation: $40-48/hr W2 Benefits: Eligible for Health ... You'll use data, creative insights, and testing to make informed optimization decisions and scale ...

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Contract Creative Strategist information

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$59.5K

$92.9K

$156.5K

How much do contract creative strategist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract creative strategist in the United States is $92,879.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract creative strategist?

Contract Creative Strategists are professionals hired on a contractual basis to develop and implement creative strategies for brands, businesses, or campaigns. Their main role is to blend creativity with marketing objectives, often working with design, content, and advertising teams to ensure messaging resonates with target audiences. Unlike full-time employees, they typically work on specific projects or for a defined period, providing fresh perspectives and specialized expertise. This role requires strong communication skills, an understanding of current trends, and the ability to translate business goals into compelling creative concepts.

How does a contract creative strategist typically collaborate with clients and internal teams during a project?

As a Contract Creative Strategist, you will often serve as a bridge between clients and various internal teams, such as design, copywriting, and marketing. Your role involves facilitating discovery sessions with clients to understand their goals, then translating those insights into actionable briefs and creative strategies. Throughout a project, you'll participate in regular check-ins, provide creative direction, and ensure alignment between client expectations and team output. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as you may juggle multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.

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

To thrive as a Contract Creative Strategist, you need expertise in branding, marketing strategy, and creative concept development, typically supported by a background in marketing, communications, or design. Proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite, project management platforms (such as Asana or Trello), and digital analytics systems is common. Exceptional communication, collaboration, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for managing client expectations and integrating feedback. These abilities ensure innovative solutions that meet client goals and drive successful campaigns in a dynamic, project-based environment.

What is the difference between Contract Creative Strategist vs Contract Content Strategist?

AspectContract Creative StrategistContract Content Strategist
Required CredentialsPortfolio, marketing or advertising background, relevant certificationsPortfolio, content marketing experience, SEO knowledge
Work EnvironmentAdvertising agencies, marketing firms, freelance projectsDigital marketing teams, media companies, freelance roles
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across advertising, branding, marketing industriesCommon in digital marketing, media, and publishing sectors
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for strategic roles in marketing campaignsCompared for content planning and digital strategy roles

The Contract Creative Strategist focuses on developing overarching creative concepts and campaign strategies, often working closely with creative teams and clients. In contrast, the Contract Content Strategist specializes in planning, creating, and managing content to engage target audiences. While both roles require strategic thinking and marketing knowledge, their core responsibilities differ, making each suited for different aspects of marketing and advertising projects.

How much does a contract creative strategist get paid?

A contract creative strategist typically earns between $30 and $80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and project scope. Freelance or contract roles may also pay a flat project fee or daily rate, with higher rates often associated with specialized skills in branding, marketing, or digital media.
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Contract Creative Strategist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Creative Strategist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,879 per year, or $44.7 per hour.

Director, Catalog Creative

Universal Music Group

Hollywood, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Universal Music Group rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 78 rated media

Job description

We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world's leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.
How We LEAD
The Director, Catalog Visual Creative will spearhead the creative direction, evolution, and execution of visual media supporting Capitol's iconic catalog and legacy artists. This includes reissues, deluxe/anniversary campaigns, remastered artwork, archival storytelling, long-form content, catalog brand identity systems, and global creative toolkits.
This role requires a global mindset, ensuring that visuals resonate not only within the U.S. but across key international markets. You will collaborate with marketing and digital core teams, as well as relevant departments across the label based on project needs to craft universally compelling creative. As a Director, you will uphold artistic integrity and historical authenticity while shaping forward-thinking creative expressions that scale worldwide.
How You'll CREATE
Creative Leadership & Global Strategic Vision
  • Drive the overarching creative vision for catalog artists with a strong understanding of global audiences, cultural nuances, and international market dynamics.
  • Develop creative that is rooted in artist legacy but strategically positioned for global relevance across regions and platforms.

High-Level Concept Development
  • Oversee creation of artist project visual assets (ex. music video / press & DSP photos / concept cover art) - lead process of ideation with artist and management team, execution, and trafficking and obtaining approvals internally and externally.
  • Lead concepting of refreshed packaging, campaign assets, deluxe editions, and multi-territory brand systems.
  • Craft visual narratives that communicate legacy and heritage in ways that resonate across continents and generations.
  • Ensure global scalability of creative concepts, including adaptations for non-U.S. markets, localized formats, and regional content strategies.

Stewardship of Archival Assets
  • Oversee creative use of archival materials in ways that respect historical provenance.
  • Collaborate with international teams to rediscover, adapt, and contextualize archival assets for different cultural markets.
  • Maintain best practices for preservation, delivery, metadata, and global accessibility of catalog visual assets.

Cross-Departmental Creative Partnership
  • Partner with Creative Leadership to develop brand bibles and mood boards with international considerations baked into the visual identity system.
  • Build strong working relationships with catalog and core label teams to ensure cohesive execution.
  • Present creative direction confidently to stakeholders, artist representatives, estates, and territory leads.

Talent Direction & Creative Resourcing
  • Identify high-caliber creative partners - photographers, directors, designers, editors, restoration specialists.
  • Champion diverse creative perspectives that reflect the global impact and multicultural audiences of catalog artists.

Production Oversight
  • Oversee production workflows and ensure campaign assets meet regional requirements for formats, platforms, and cultural relevance.
  • Drafting production agreements for art / photo / music video / misc. content.
  • Oversee distribution of approved creative assets internally to respective departments.
  • Approve vendor bids, negotiate contracts, and supervise multi-market deliveries.

Operational Excellence
  • Manage multiple high-volume projects with international timelines, partners, and sensitive estate-driven workflows.
  • Anticipate market-specific needs and adjust priorities to support global releases, rollouts, and milestone moments.
  • Ability to work across time zones, travel when necessary, and maintain strong cross-cultural diplomatic skills.

Bring Your VIBE
  • 7-10+ years of visual creative leadership experience, ideally with global creative exposure or international campaign management.
  • Demonstrated ability to build creative strategies that scale across diverse audiences and respect regional/cultural contexts.
  • Strong ability to communicate creative direction and feedback on assets to/from artist/mgmt. and external creative partners (vice versa).
  • Deep understanding of how global music, design, fashion, art, and cultural trends shape visual storytelling.
  • Experience guiding large cross-functional teams and external vendors.
  • Passion for preserving and reimagining legacy artistry for a worldwide audience.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photo Shop, Illustrator, Premiere, etc.)
  • Ability to edit short and long form content and getting relevant approvals internal/external is preferred.
  • General retouching capability for images for social/digital/print/billboards is preferred.
  • Keep up with design and editorial trends.

Perks Playlist:
Join an entrepreneurial, global organization where authenticity, boldness, creativity, connection, drive, and insight aren't just values-they're how we work every day. Here are some of the ways we support you along the way (and just a few of the benefits we offer):
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Including 100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services
  • Fertility coverage for eligible medical plan participants
  • Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year)
  • Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
  • 401(k) with 100% immediate vesting on the first 5% of your contributions, plus an additional UMG contribution

A variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including:
  • Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees
  • 3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees
  • 2-weeks paid Winter Break
  • 10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day)
  • Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day)
  • Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent

Check out our full overview of benefits on the Perks Playlist page of the career site.
Disclaimer: This job description only provides an overview of job responsibilities that are subject to change.
Universal Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an E-Verify employer in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah.
Please note, UMG is not enrolled in E-Verify in California and New York, and cannot support employment of candidates whose employer must enroll in E-Verify, for example candidates on STEM-OPT.
For more information, please click on the following links.
E-Verify Participation Poster: English / Spanish
E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English | Spanish
Job Category:
Creative, Design & Production
Salary Range:
$70,304 - $156,457
The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. All candidates are encouraged to apply.

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