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Creative Design Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Creative Design Intern

New York, NY · Hybrid

$16 - $20/hr

A Creative & Design Intern, currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a program in Graphic ... Endless Opportunities to Lead & Succeed * Keep on Shining: Ongoing Development Programs EEO ...

Director, Creative Design

Greenville, SC · Remote

$115K - $150K/yr

Lead all phases of custom design projects, from brainstorming and concept development to final production, providing creative direction and supervising designers on complex projects. * Create visual ...

Director, Creative Design

Greenville, SC · Remote

$115K - $150K/yr

Lead all phases of custom design projects, from brainstorming and concept development to final production, providing creative direction and supervising designers on complex projects. * Create visual ...

Creative Design Intern

New York, NY · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

A Creative & Design Intern, currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a program in Graphic ... Endless Opportunities to Lead & Succeed * Keep on Shining: Ongoing Development Programs EEO ...

Director, Creative Design

Greenville, SC · On-site +1

$115K - $150K/yr

Lead all phases of custom design projects, from brainstorming and concept development to final production, providing creative direction and supervising designers on complex projects. * Create visual ...

Creative Design Intern

New York, NY · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

A Creative & Design Intern, currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a program in Graphic ... Endless Opportunities to Lead & Succeed * Keep on Shining: Ongoing Development Programs EEO ...

The Design Lead will bring strong expertise in visual storytelling, brand expression, and art ... This role collaborates closely with creative leadership to concept and execute high-quality visual ...

Creative Design Intern

New York, NY · Hybrid

$16 - $20/hr

A Creative & Design Intern, currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a program in Graphic ... Endless Opportunities to Lead & Succeed * Keep on Shining: Ongoing Development Programs EEO ...

NATURE AND SCOPE Reporting to the Senior Manager, Creative Services, the Design Lead is responsible for providing creative direction and executing the development of marketing materials across ...

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Creative Design Lead information

See salary details

$47K

$104.6K

$158K

How much do creative design lead jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative design lead in the United States is $104,593.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,500.00 and $146,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Creative Design Lead, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Design Lead, you need a strong background in visual design, branding, and concept development, often supported by a degree in graphic design or a related field. Mastery of design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, proficiency in project management tools, and sometimes knowledge of UX/UI platforms are essential. Leadership, effective communication, and the ability to inspire and collaborate with cross-functional teams are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are vital to drive innovative creative solutions, ensure cohesive brand messaging, and lead design teams to deliver impactful results.

What are some common challenges faced by a Creative Design Lead when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

As a Creative Design Lead, one common challenge is balancing creative vision with practical constraints like deadlines and client requirements across several projects. This role often requires prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, and ensuring clear communication among team members to maintain consistency and quality. Navigating differing stakeholder expectations and providing constructive feedback to designers are also crucial, as these factors can impact project outcomes. Strong organizational skills and adaptability are key to successfully leading diverse teams and delivering projects on time.

How much does a design lead earn?

A Creative Design Lead typically earns between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles with extensive portfolios and leadership responsibilities may earn higher salaries, often supplemented with bonuses or benefits.

What is the salary for a creative lead?

The salary for a Creative Design Lead typically ranges from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles with extensive portfolios and leadership responsibilities may earn higher compensation, often supplemented with bonuses or benefits.

What is a creative lead designer?

A creative lead designer is a senior role responsible for guiding the visual and conceptual direction of design projects. They oversee design teams, develop creative concepts, and ensure the final output aligns with brand goals, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite and possessing strong leadership and communication skills.

What is a Creative Design Lead?

A Creative Design Lead is a senior professional responsible for overseeing the visual and conceptual development of creative projects within an organization. They guide design teams, set creative direction, and ensure that all designs align with the brand’s vision and goals. Creative Design Leads collaborate closely with clients, marketing teams, and other stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions that meet project requirements. Their role often includes mentoring designers, managing workflows, and staying updated on design trends to maintain a competitive edge.

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

AspectCreative Design LeadGraphic Designer
ResponsibilitiesOversees creative projects, leads design teams, develops conceptsCreates visual content, executes design tasks based on briefs
Required SkillsLeadership, strategic thinking, advanced design skillsProficiency in design software, creativity, technical skills
Work EnvironmentCollaborative, project management, client interactionDesign studios, marketing teams, freelance settings
Common UsageAdvertising agencies, corporate marketing, brandingPrint, digital media, advertising, branding

The main difference is that a Creative Design Lead manages and guides creative teams and projects, focusing on strategy and leadership, while a Graphic Designer primarily executes visual design tasks. The Lead role involves higher-level planning and coordination, whereas the Designer focuses on creating visuals based on project requirements.

What kind of jobs in media bring in $150,000 a year?

In media, roles such as Creative Design Lead, Senior Art Director, or Creative Director often earn $150,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite. These positions typically require a combination of creative expertise, project management, and a proven track record of successful campaigns or projects.
What job categories do people searching Creative Design Lead jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Design Lead jobs are:
Infographic showing various Creative Design Lead job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,593 per year, or $50.3 per hour.
Manager, Creative & Design

Manager, Creative & Design

[solidcore]

Arlington, VA

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

We are looking for a Manager, Creative & Design to drive creative execution and shape the visual direction of [solidcore] across all channels. You are both a creative leader and a strategic operator. You will help drive the creative content strategy and roadmap, own the brand's visual identity, build the systems that enable speed and consistency, and ensure every asset produced is rooted in a clear content plan that advances the brand. You will partner closely with Content and Brand Marketing team leads to keep creative and content aligned - from brief through delivery.

This role reports to the Director of Content and directly manages the Coordinator, Creative & Design.


 
Key Responsibilities:

Creative Leadership & Execution

  • Lead design execution from brief through final delivery across all formats and channels: including social, email, digital ads, print and in-studio signage, website, activation materials, and presentation decks

  • Own and evolve the [solidcore] visual identity, serving as the internal authority on brand standards, creative guidelines, and design systems following the "Stronger for it" brand platform launch

  • Execute design work, maintaining brand consistency and quality across all materials

  • In partnership with the Coordinator, drive and execute the creative vision for campaigns, programs and key brand moments 

  • Develop and maintain a scalable design process and system that enables speed and brand consistency across all channels and teams

Content Strategy & Planning

  • In partnership with the Director, support the creative content strategy and roadmap across the [solidcore] brand ecosystem: ensuring design and visual assets fuel a cohesive, omnichannel client experience across paid, owned and earned channels

  • Support in development of integrated content matrices in partnership with the Director and channel leads, identifying all content creation needs and translating brand strategy into clear design direction

  • Act as a thought leader within the Content team, sharing learnings and optimizations and conducting competitive landscape research to identify emerging content formats, consumer behaviors, and visual trends, communicating findings 

  • Establish and socialize best practices for creative content production, including briefing standards, approval workflows, and output requirements by channel

  • Audit creative output against content objectives and channel performance; iterate and optimize the production process accordingly

Creative Process & Ops Systems

  • Build and manage briefing, intake, and project management systems that create clarity and prioritization across the team and organization

  • Lead the management of creative requests from across the business - tracking, prioritizing, setting deadlines, and communicating proactively with cross-functional partners

  • Serve as the embedded design partner for cross-functional teams

  • In partnership with Brand Marketing, lead creative reviews with senior stakeholders, presenting work confidently and incorporating feedback constructively

Team Leadership

  • Directly manage and mentor the Coordinator, Creative & Design - providing creative direction, ongoing feedback, and a growth structure built to scale as creative needs expand

  • In partnership with the Director, proactively identify and explore new technology solutions, including AI tools, to accelerate design and creative output and keep the team at the leading edge

  • Champion a culture of craft, speed, and continuous improvement within the creative function

Qualifications:

Required

  • 6-9 years of design experience, with at least 2 years in a senior or lead role on an in-house brand or content team

  • Demonstrated experience owning brand identity and creative direction across multiple channels simultaneously

  • Proven ability to operate at the intersection of creative and content strategy — not just executing against a brief, but helping define what needs to exist and why

  • Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects) and Figma

  • Strong motion design and video editing skills — able to independently produce short-form social and paid media content

  • Experience managing creative operations: briefing systems, content calendars, project intake, asset management, and cross-functional workflows

  • Proven ability to manage up and influence without authority — comfortable presenting to senior leaders and navigating stakeholder feedback

  • Data-aware mindset: comfortable using performance insights to inform and evolve creative strategy

Preferred

  • BFA or equivalent in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or related field

  • Experience in a consumer brand, retail, fitness, or lifestyle company

  • Experience managing or mentoring junior talent

  • Familiarity with Canva for template creation and field team enablement

  • Experience working with or exploring AI tools for design and content acceleration

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Competitive starting salary, based on experience
  • Bonus eligibility based on performance
  • Monthly cell phone stipend
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid parental leave and parental pay benefits
  • Free telehealth services
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Pre-tax commuter benefits
  • Flexible PTO
  • Free drop-in classes at [solidcore]
  • And more!
[solidcore] is a national boutique fitness company with 100+ studios across the country. Our signature workout is 50 minutes of low-impact, high-intensity strength training: the lights are low and the music is loud. The coach guides the class through a series of slow & controlled movements that are sequenced to work muscles to failure. This class is accessible for all fitness levels and can be amplified or modified to accommodate individual goals. Class is as intense as our reviews suggest, but our instructors go above and beyond to provide a welcoming, supportive, empowering, and challenging experience for all. Please visit our website here to read more about our mission.

[solidcore] is firmly committed to social justice and promoting a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. You can click here to find out more about the actions we are taking to promote a more diverse and inclusive space for both our clients and our internal team.

[solidcore] is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. [solidcore] makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.