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Creative Design Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Solace Health

Product Design Manager

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$231K/yr

About the Role As a Product Design Manager at Solace, you'll lead a team of talented product ... While Solace is remote-first, we're intentionally investing in in-person creative leadership to ...

TikTok

Design Technologist, Ads

San Jose, CA · On-site

$121K - $272K/yr

We achieve this through design systems, creative design, and design technology: - Design System ... managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to ...

Apple

Design Manager, Content - Health

Cupertino, CA

$237K - $356K/yr

You'll join a growing creative team - working alongside clinical experts and world-class ... Description The Design Manager will own the creative direction of content across all media formats ...

Hyundai Capital

UX/UI Design Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120 - $170/hr

Overview UX/UI Design Manager - (260000JU). Hyundai Capital America (HCA) helps people move forward ... Manage relationships with external creative agencies and vendors to ensure deliverables align with ...

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All JobsCreative Design JobsCreative Design Manager JobsCreative Design Manager Jobs in California

Creative Design Manager information

See California salary details

$41.5K

$113K

$198.9K

How much do creative design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative design manager in California is $112,992.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,400.00 and $142,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a creative design manager?

Creative Design Managers are professionals responsible for leading and overseeing creative projects within organizations, such as advertising campaigns, branding, and visual content creation. They manage teams of designers, ensuring creative output aligns with company goals and brand identity. Their role involves project management, creative direction, collaboration with other departments, and maintaining high standards of design quality. Creative Design Managers also stay up-to-date with design trends and often mentor junior staff.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a creative design manager?

To thrive as a Creative Design Manager, you need strong visual design expertise, leadership experience, and a relevant degree in design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard design software such as Adobe Creative Suite and project management tools is typically required. Excellent communication, team collaboration, and creative problem-solving are standout soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the delivery of innovative, high-quality design solutions while effectively leading and motivating creative teams.

How does a creative design manager balance creative vision with client or stakeholder requirements?

As a Creative Design Manager, you'll often navigate the challenge of aligning your team's innovative ideas with client or stakeholder expectations. This involves active listening, clear communication, and presenting creative solutions that address both aesthetic goals and practical needs. You'll facilitate brainstorming sessions, provide constructive feedback, and ensure that the design output meets brand guidelines, project timelines, and business objectives. Strong collaboration with marketing, product, and leadership teams is key to achieving successful outcomes while maintaining creative integrity.

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

AspectCreative Design ManagerGraphic Designer
ResponsibilitiesOversees creative projects, manages design teams, develops concepts, and ensures brand consistency.Creates visual content, designs layouts, and produces graphics based on project briefs.
Required SkillsLeadership, project management, advanced design skills, and strategic thinking.Proficiency in design software, creativity, and technical skills.
Work EnvironmentCollaborative teams, client meetings, and project planning.Design studios, freelance work, or in-house departments.
Common CertificationsDesign degrees, Adobe certifications, leadership training.

The main difference is that a Creative Design Manager leads and oversees creative projects and teams, focusing on strategy and management, while a Graphic Designer primarily executes visual designs and creates graphics. Both roles require strong design skills, but the manager role involves more leadership and project coordination.

Is a creative design manager a stressful job?

A creative design manager often faces stress related to tight deadlines, managing multiple projects, and balancing client or stakeholder expectations. The role requires strong organizational skills, leadership, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations, which can contribute to job stress.

What does a creative design manager do?

A creative design manager oversees the development and execution of visual concepts for projects such as branding, advertising, and product design. They lead a team of designers, coordinate with other departments, and ensure that creative work aligns with brand goals and client needs, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills are essential in this role.

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 Manager jobs in California?

For Creative Design Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Design Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Design Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Creative Design Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Creative Design Manager job openings:

Creative Design Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Design Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,992 per year, or $54.3 per hour.

Product Design Manager

Solace Health

Redwood City, CA • On-site

$231K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

About Solace
Healthcare in the U.S. is fundamentally broken. The system is so complex that 88% of U.S. adults do not have the health literacy necessary to navigate it without help. Solace cuts through the red tape of healthcare by pairing patients with expert advocates and giving them the tools to make better decisions-and get better outcomes.
We're a Series C startup, founded in 2022 and backed by Inspired Capital, Craft Ventures, Torch Capital, Menlo Ventures, Signalfire, and IVP. Our U.S. based team is lean, mission-driven, and growing quickly.
Solace isn't a place to coast. We're here to redefine healthcare-and that demands urgency, precision, and heart. If you're looking to stretch yourself, sharpen your edge, and do the best work of your life alongside a team that cares deeply, you're in the right place. We're intense, and we like it that way.
Read more in our Bloomberg funding announcement here.
About the Role
As a Product Design Manager at Solace, you'll lead a team of talented product designers while remaining deeply involved in the craft yourself.
This isn't a role for someone who wants to step away from design. We believe the best design leaders stay close to the work - partnering with Product and Engineering to solve complex problems, coaching designers through ambiguity, and raising the quality of everything the team ships.
You'll own a portfolio of product areas, helping shape both the product experience and the designers responsible for bringing it to life. You'll balance strategic thinking with hands-on design leadership, creating an environment where designers can do the best work of their careers.
This is an in-office leadership role. While Solace is remote-first, we're intentionally investing in in-person creative leadership to strengthen collaboration, mentorship, and design culture.
What You'll Do
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of Product Designers through regular feedback, mentorship, and career development
  • Partner closely with Product Managers and Engineering leaders to shape product strategy and define thoughtful user experiences
  • Raise the quality of product design across your domain through strong creative direction, critique, and hands-on design leadership
  • Stay closely connected to the work, contributing to complex initiatives and helping teams navigate ambiguity
  • Establish and reinforce design standards, systems thinking, and interaction patterns across multiple product areas
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and continuous improvement within the Product Design team
  • Help scale the organization by contributing to hiring, onboarding, team rituals, and design processes

What You Bring to the Table
  • Significant experience designing complex digital products, with experience leading designers or design teams
  • A portfolio demonstrating exceptional product design craft and strategic thinking
  • Experience partnering closely with Product Management and Engineering in fast-paced environments
  • Strong systems thinking and the ability to connect individual features to a cohesive product experience
  • Excellent coaching, communication, and feedback skills
  • A hands-on approach to leadership-you enjoy designing as much as you enjoy developing people
  • Comfort navigating ambiguity and helping teams make thoughtful decisions without having all the answers
  • Experience building healthy, collaborative design cultures where people grow and produce exceptional work

Who We Are
We are a team of ambitious individuals who are passionate about putting healthcare back into the hands of patients. At Solace, you'll have a steep learning curve and an unparalleled opportunity to help shape one of the fastest-growing healthcare startups in the U.S.
The work you do here won't just influence the product. It will influence the designers building it, the culture surrounding it, and ultimately the experience of thousands of patients navigating healthcare.
Applicants must be based in the United States.
Up for the Challenge?
We look forward to meeting you.
Fraudulent Recruitment Advisory: Solace Health will NEVER request bank details or offer employment without an interview. All legitimate communications come from official solace.health emails only or ashbyhq.com. Report suspicious activity to recruiting@solace.health or advocate@solace.health.

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