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Creative Design Manager Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

... in design, manage external resources on an as-needed basis. • Collaborate across all company ... Strong creative vision with an understanding of business objectives. * Proven experience with ...

Create best-in-class visual brands, partake hands-on in design, manage external resources on an as ... Strong creative vision with an understanding of business objectives. * Proven experience with ...

Product Design Lead, Manager level

Mclean, VA · On-site

$191.10K/yr

Product Design Lead, Manager level We're currently seeking a Product Designer to join our ... If you're a creative innovator who embraces an environment where you can experiment, learn, and ...

Our design managers lead work streams, elevate creative outcomes, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the growth of the Brand practice area, advancing Gensler's mission to create a ...

Creative Director

Washington, DC · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Manage client projects from pitch to delivery across multiple client types, real estate sectors, and project typologies. Creative Direction & Collaboration * Oversee the Design and Visual Media teams ...

Creative Director

Rockville, MD · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

Establish and enforce design standards, templates, and brand consistency across all deliverables ... Experience guiding multidisciplinary teams and managing complex workflows. * Proficiency with ...

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Creative Design Manager information

See Reston, VA salary details

$43.7K

$119.1K

$209.6K

How much do creative design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative design manager in Reston, VA is $119,111.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,900.00 and $149,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

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 typically 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 are Creative Design Managers?

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 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.

What job categories do people searching Creative Design Manager jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Design Manager jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Creative Design Manager jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Creative Design Manager job openings:
Architect/Design Manager

Architect/Design Manager

Delaware Nation Industries

Arlington, VA • On-site

$192.10K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 hours ago


Job description

The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) directs the worldwide overseas building program for the U.S. Department of State. Working with other offices and bureaus, foreign affairs agencies, and Congress, OBO sets worldwide priorities for the design, construction, acquisition, maintenance, use, and sale of real properties and the use of sales proceeds. As the single real property manager for the U.S. government's diplomatic facilities overseas, OBO's portfolio spans 285 worldwide missions and over 80,000,000 square feet of functioning property. OBO's primary mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and support the Department's staff as they work to achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives abroad.
The Program Development, Coordination, and Support Directorate (PDCS) is responsible for the design, coordination, and management of OBO's construction and renovation programs.
The Office of Design and Engineering (DE) provides expertise in architecture; landscape architecture; space programming; space planning; interior design; graphic design; sustainability; civil structure, seismic, blast, geotechnical, electrical, and mechanical engineering; energy; telecommunications; and security. Working with Planning and Real Estate, DE develops and updates the Space Requirements Programs (SRP). DE directs design coordination of OBO's building program, managing designs from planning through construction. DE monitors the performance of the architecture-engineering contractors hired to execute OBO's projects. The office serves as the building code official, confirms the technical adequacy of construction documents, and issues building permits. The Energy group (NRG) provides multidisciplinary expertise for high performance buildings, planning, design, engineering, construction, utility management, and maintenance of OBO projects.
This position will support the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, Program Development, Coordination and Support Directorate, Office of Design and Engineering, Architectural Design Division (OBO/PDCS/DE/AD).
Job Duties:
  • Serves as a team member in the evaluation of new embassy sites; works in partnership with appointed real estate specialists in reviewing sites for conformance to facility requirements; makes technical recommendations based on examination of surveys, plans, and specifications; determines suitability for use, structural soundness, environmental value, and aesthetic appropriateness; prepares studies indicating how properties may be utilized or improved, and employs creative site design techniques to create more site acquisition opportunities on sites of limited size.
  • Acts as a technical coordinator of projects between the Department and the posts; reviews preliminary designs for program conformity, technical sufficiency, and general suitability; participates in guidance of design to acceptable solution of problem areas and recommends approval or modification necessary to obtain desired results; participates in value engineering studies' and recommends adjustments, as necessary.
  • Coordinates with other offices regarding architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and telecommunications requirements of projects and with interior design and furnishing groups regarding space planning, finish and color schedules, furniture, etc.; reconciles design issues among the design disciplines; reviews working drawings for conformity with good construction practices, use of materials, ease of maintenance, economy, and quality of appointments; oversees review of plans and specifications for fire protection, physical safety, and adherence with applicable building codes; and participates in Integrated Design Reviews.
  • Participates in the preparation of preliminary and final design of projects for which no contract architects are commissioned; prepares sketches illustrating possibilities for development of the work performed; and travels as required to inspect and consult when on-site knowledge of conditions is necessary.
  • Coordinates problems submitted from the construction field and provides recommendations to field supervisors (Project Directors), as necessary, on intent of drawings and specifications, substitutions, etc.; maintains active documentation on projects; and participates in post-occupancy evaluation as a member of an interdisciplinary review team.
  • Summarizes meetings and documents the record; participates in periodic meetings of presentations for the purpose of reviewing architectural and engineering contract work at key design stages; coordinates the attendance of any engineering or technical experts required, and the documentation of the meeting by appropriate OBO architects; and ensures that OBO management and other members or principals receive essential materials prior to meetings.
  • Remains abreast of the latest developments in architecture and interior design related disciplines by review of literature and by attending professional seminars, "state of the art" symposiums and other training programs to ensure that the latest interior design technologies are incorporated in the project definition, documentation and execution. These include, but are not limited to, research in the containment of contaminants, security, sustainable design, ergonomic technologies, ADA requirements, integrated building systems, fire and life safety codes, environmental studies, production/documentation techniques, electronic project management, CADD and imaging technology and furniture industry products and standards; technical conferences, professional society meetings, and discussions with industry representatives and other professionals; and evaluates new materials and designs with construction processes and techniques, discusses with project managers, and recommends solutions that meet the needs and requirements of the facility and the client.

Requirements
  • Must be a United States citizen.
  • Experience and capabilities to function as design managers for technical teams.
  • Mastery in the established concepts, principles, and architectural methods applicable to varied and complex design problems, projects, or studies, sufficient to enable the incumbent to perform recurring assignments of moderate difficulty {i.e., where methods and techniques are well established, apply to most situations encountered, and do not require significant deviation from established methods) or to perform discrete portions of more complex problems.
  • Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of professional architecture, combined with design development techniques and related construction techniques and criteria, in order to identify, analyze, design, and provide advice on unusual or complex issues; modify existing techniques and/or develop new methods and approaches to solve complex architectural problems; and provide expert advice on a wide range of Bureau projects.
  • Working knowledge of the principles and practices of related engineering fields such as civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical, sufficient to effectively consult, interface, and partner with fellow professionals engaged in related aspects of assigned projects.
  • Knowledge of Federal, Departmental, and Bureau contracting processes, procedures, and guidelines to assist in the contractor selection process and contract work at posts.
  • Ability to develop design, architectural, interior design, and related engineering criteria or instructions for specific facilities and ensure that new developments, methods, techniques, or experimental theories for improving designs, standardizing common facilities, and producing quality designs are examined to enable the Bureau to solve problems not readily treatable by standard, acceptable methods and carry out the Department's mission.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the mission, functions, and objectives of the Division, Office, Bureau, and Department and their interrelationships with one another to coordinate work efforts, ensure that work is performed successfully and in a cost-effective manner, and that work efforts are not duplicated.
  • Highly developed oral and written communications skills in order to confer with and advise employees, contractors, and officials throughout the Department on assigned projects; participate in and conduct lectures and briefings; articulate and defend recommendations and decisions; produce coherent reports, policy recommendations, guidelines, and instructions; offer expert technical advice on architectural systems and standards; and recommend solutions to complex, highly technical architectural problems.
  • Ability to interpret plans and specifications for a variety of large and complex building projects, and to investigate extensive changes in design specifications, construction and materials proposed by contractors or others to accommodate conditions at construction sites and to expedite construction.
  • Ability to understand engineering principles and practices in foreign countries, to ensure that OBO projects are designed and built to OBO standards without conflict with the host country, including knowledge of local building specifications and building codes.
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing on highly complex, controversial and time-sensitive matters to diverse audiences.
  • Experience and capabilities in the use of AutoCAD 2014, Revit 2014, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), and Microsoft Project.
  • A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and fifteen (15) years of related experience

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.