ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Creative Design Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Meta

Creative Director, Design

Menlo Park, CA

$177K/yr

Meta is seeking a Creative Director, Design to lead brand expression and visual strategy in Reality Labs. This role sits at the intersection of brand storytelling, visual expression with a focus on ...

Meta

Creative Director, Design

San Francisco, CA

$177K/yr

Meta is seeking a Creative Director, Design to lead brand expression and visual strategy in Reality Labs. This role sits at the intersection of brand storytelling, visual expression with a focus on ...

Notary Loop

Design Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90 - $140/hr

Notary Loop is searching for a Design Director to lead our dynamic Creative department. This full-time, on-site position presents a unique opportunity for a seasoned professional to shape and enhance ...

Odys Aviation

Creative Design Intern

Long Beach, CA · On-site

Working proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), CAD software ... Mentorship from experienced designers and direct exposure to how a hardware startup communicates ...

Koto

Design Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

You bring sharp, creative judgment and a refined point of view, framing work clearly and ... Department Design Role Design Director Locations Los Angeles Remote status Hybrid Yearly salary 165 ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsCreative Design JobsCreative Design Director JobsCreative Design Director Jobs in California

Creative Design Director information

See California salary details

$42.4K

$118.5K

$177.6K

How much do creative design director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative design 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 does a creative design director do?

A creative design director leads the visual and conceptual aspects of a project or brand, overseeing design teams to develop creative concepts that align with strategic goals. They coordinate with clients and stakeholders, review and approve designs, and ensure consistency across all visual materials, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. Strong leadership, communication, and a deep understanding of design principles are essential for this role.

Is there a demand for creative design directors?

The demand for creative design directors remains strong across industries such as advertising, media, and technology, as companies seek innovative visual branding and user experiences. These roles often require leadership skills, proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite, and a strong portfolio, with employment growth driven by digital marketing and branding needs.

What is the difference between Creative Design Director vs Graphic Designer?

AspectCreative Design DirectorGraphic Designer
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire creative projects, manages teams, sets design visionCreates visual content, executes design tasks based on briefs
Required SkillsLeadership, strategic thinking, advanced design skillsStrong graphic skills, proficiency in design software
Work EnvironmentCreative agencies, corporate marketing teams, large design firmsDesign studios, marketing departments, freelance work
CredentialsTypically a degree in design, art, or related field; extensive experienceDegree or certification in graphic design or related field

The main difference between a Creative Design Director and a Graphic Designer lies in scope and leadership. The Creative Design Director leads creative teams, sets strategic vision, and manages large projects, while the Graphic Designer focuses on executing specific visual tasks. Both roles require strong design skills, but the director position involves more oversight and strategic planning.

Are creative design directors paid well?

Creative Design Directors typically earn high salaries due to their leadership role in overseeing design teams and projects. Compensation varies by industry, experience, and location but generally includes a base salary plus bonuses and benefits, reflecting the seniority of the position.

How much is a creative design director paid?

A creative design director's average salary typically ranges from $90,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles with extensive portfolios and leadership responsibilities may earn higher compensation, often supplemented with bonuses and benefits.

What is a creative design director?

A Creative Design Director is a senior professional responsible for overseeing the visual and creative direction of projects within an organization. They lead design teams, develop creative strategies, and ensure that all visual communications align with the brand’s identity and business goals. Creative Design Directors often collaborate with marketing, product development, and executive teams to deliver cohesive and innovative designs. They combine artistic vision with leadership skills to inspire teams and deliver impactful results.

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

To thrive as a Creative Design Director, you need extensive experience in visual design, branding, and project management, typically backed by a degree in design or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and familiarity with digital asset management systems are essential. Exceptional leadership, collaboration, and communication skills help you inspire teams and articulate creative vision to stakeholders. These competencies ensure the delivery of innovative, cohesive design solutions that align with business goals and client needs.

How does a creative design director typically collaborate with other departments to deliver cohesive brand experiences?

Creative Design Directors frequently work cross-functionally, partnering closely with marketing, product, and development teams to ensure design concepts align with overall business objectives. This collaboration often involves participating in strategy meetings, providing creative direction during project kick-offs, and offering feedback throughout the production process. By fostering open communication and sharing visual guidelines, Creative Design Directors help maintain consistent branding and drive innovative solutions that meet both user needs and business goals.
What are the most commonly searched types of Creative Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Creative Design jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Creative Design Director jobs in California? For Creative Design Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Creative Design Director jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Design Director jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Creative Design Director jobs? Cities in California with the most Creative Design Director job openings:
Creative Design Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Design Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,485 per year, or $57 per hour.

Creative Director, Design

Meta

Menlo Park, CA

$177K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

136th of 244 rated software companies

Job description

Creative X is a global, integrated creative agency that drives the creative vision for our brands and how they are perceived in the world. We develop the vision for next-generation creative advertising, consumer brand content and experiences for Meta, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and our hardware products.Our vision is fearless creativity that shapes the future of connection. With some of the industry’s best talent on our team, we create beautiful work that has a purpose. And with an audience of almost five billion across some of the world’s biggest brands, we create brave ideas that demonstrate the full creative potential of our platforms, including industry leading, envy-inducing creative experiences that push the boundaries of traditional advertising.We believe in attracting and nurturing industry-leading talent with a focus on community and career development. We have developed best-in-class collaboration models with agencies and our cross-company creative network to ensure a consistent and effective creative narrative for work that reaches an audience across the globe due to the scale of our products.Meta is seeking a Creative Director, Design to lead brand expression and visual strategy in Reality Labs. This role sits at the intersection of brand storytelling, visual expression with a focus on Go-to-Market efforts. You will partner with product designers, content designers, industrial designers, motion designers, creative technologists, and engineers to ship high-quality digital retail experiences for our expanding hardware portfolio. You understand how to balance compelling creative with conversion. You are focused on execution, quality, and are experienced in integrating generative AI tools into creative workflows to drive innovation and efficiency at scale.
Creative Director, Design Responsibilities:
  • Partner within CX creative, design, marketing, product management teams to define GTM creative strategy, ensuring clarity of message, strong storytelling, and consistent brand expression across the site and supporting channels
  • Define and evolve a cohesive, creative vision that balances premium brand expression with usability and accessibility
  • Create compelling design proposals and narratives that demonstrate the impact of creative direction, experience strategy, and content systems
  • Collaborate cross-functionally, balance the needs of stakeholders, and break down complex requirements into clear, actionable solutions
  • Establish and maintain high standards for creative output by defining quality benchmarks, conducting regular design reviews, and providing actionable feedback
  • Collaborate with product and engineering teams to identify opportunities for product enhancements that elevate brand expression
  • Lead creative direction of photo, video, and 3D renders production supporting GTM and evergreen needs, including on-set creative direction, brief writing, setting standards, reviewing work, and ensuring quality and consistency across markets and channels
  • Establish scalable systems for product storytelling (imagery and motion) that build trust, improve comprehension, and support confident purchase decisions
  • Lead the development of core creative for multiple global markets, ensuring that it feels relevant and useful

Minimum Qualifications:
  • 10+ years of experience in creative direction, interaction design, motion, UX, and visual design with proficiency in graphic systems
  • 10+ years of experience working cross-functionally with product, design, engineering, user research, brand, marketing, merchandising, and content/production teams
  • Experience leading design direction across multidisciplinary teams and identifying experience and visual design opportunities that elevate product experiences and brand expression
  • Experience in using AI tooling to support concept generation, ideation, and scaled image generation asset pipelines
  • Experience building and shipping e-commerce and/or consumer product experiences across a variety of platforms, including systems that scale across large catalogs, multiple regions, and frequent GTM cycles
  • Knowledge of design principles related to design systems and brand
  • Experience working across various styles and mediums including photography/art direction, motion/animation, and brand design
  • Experience owning creative direction for production workflows (photo/video/3D renders), including working with agencies, freelancers, and external partners

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience coordinating, directing, and providing creative direction to contractors, agencies, and in-house teams
  • Track record of operating independently, demonstrating creative leadership, being detail-oriented, and delivering results in a highly organized manner
  • Experience bringing clarity to complex, sometimes ambiguous projects and processes, proactively working towards solutions
  • Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
  • Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
  • Experience prioritizing across multiple concurrent projects based on impact, deadlines, and stakeholder needs, including independent time management and adapting to shifting requirements

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$177,000/year to $248,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

What Meta employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply