ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Creative Design Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Childhood Cancer Society

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Direct collaboration with the Founder and executive leadership * Ownership of real-world creative ... Strong design or creative foundation * High attention to detail and visual taste * Ability to ...

Childhood Cancer Society

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Direct collaboration with the Founder and executive leadership * Ownership of real-world creative ... Strong design or creative foundation * High attention to detail and visual taste * Ability to ...

Childhood Cancer Society

$14.25 - $19/hr

Direct collaboration with the Founder and executive leadership * Ownership of real-world creative ... Strong design or creative foundation * High attention to detail and visual taste * Ability to ...

Childhood Cancer Society

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Direct collaboration with the Founder and executive leadership * Ownership of real-world creative ... Strong design or creative foundation * High attention to detail and visual taste * Ability to ...

Childhood Cancer Society

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Direct collaboration with the Founder and executive leadership * Ownership of real-world creative ... Strong design or creative foundation * High attention to detail and visual taste * Ability to ...

Childhood Cancer Society

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Direct collaboration with the Founder and executive leadership * Ownership of real-world creative ... Strong design or creative foundation * High attention to detail and visual taste * Ability to ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCreative Design JobsCreative Design Director JobsCreative Design Director Jobs in Iowa

Creative Design Director information

See Iowa salary details

$40.4K

$112.8K

$169.1K

How much do creative design director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative design director in Iowa is $112,765.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,200.00 and $140,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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.

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.

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. Employment opportunities often require strong leadership skills, proficiency in design tools, and a portfolio demonstrating strategic vision, with growth driven by digital transformation and branding efforts.

What does a creative design director do in design?

A creative design director leads the visual and conceptual aspects of design projects, overseeing creative teams to develop innovative concepts that align with brand goals. They review and approve designs, set creative standards, and collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure the final product meets strategic objectives. Strong leadership, communication skills, and proficiency with design tools like Adobe Creative Suite are essential in this role.

What qualifications do I need to be a creative design director?

A creative design director typically needs a bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual arts, or a related field, along with extensive experience in design and creative leadership. Strong skills in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, excellent communication, and project management abilities are also essential, often complemented by a portfolio demonstrating leadership in successful projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Creative Design jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Creative Design jobs in Iowa are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Design Director jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Design Director jobs in Iowa are:

Creative Design Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Design Director job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 84% In-person, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,765 per year, or $54.2 per hour.

Creative Art Director

Des Moines, IA • On-site

Lifted, an Upwork Company™
Software Development • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Lifted, an Upwork Company™external

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Company Description

About Lifted

Lifted partners with enterprise companies to help them scale smarter. We offer a single solution designed to source, contract, manage, and pay contingent talent. For talent in our network, Lifted provides access to enterprise-level projects while handling engagement setup, contracting, compliance, and payments in the background, so you can focus on delivering high-quality work.

Job Description

Why We’re Building a Talent Pool

We’re continuously building our network of experienced talent across Creative Art Directors who are interested in being considered for full or part-time employment engagements with assignments to work with our enterprise partners. While this is not tied to one specific project, selected candidates may be matched to future employment opportunities based on experience, availability, and alignment with project needs.

Qualifications

What We Look For

  • Lead creative vision, concept development, and brand expression across campaigns and channels
  • Translate business strategies and consumer insights into compelling creative platforms
  • Direct multidisciplinary creative teams (design, copy, motion, production) through concepting to execution
  • Review and approve creative work to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to brand standards
  • Partner with marketing, product, global/regional creative, and leadership to align on strategy and creative direction
  • Manage creative presentations, storytelling, narrative frameworks, and pitch development
  • Mentor and elevate talent; set craft standards and creative culture expectations
  • Make final decisions on creative concepts, visual tone, and brand identity evolution
  • Develop visual concepts, storyboards, and creative territories for campaigns and content
  • Guide designers, photographers, videographers, and copy partners in executing visual direction
  • Oversee composition, typography, color, layout, and brand visual identity application
  • Provide on-set art direction during photo/video shoots
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure brand consistency across deliverables
  • Present creative work internally and incorporate feedback
  • Ensure all assets meet brand style guidelines and quality standards

Additional Qualifications (if relevant)

  • Background in Senior creative leadership overseeing visual direction & concept development.

Apply