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Creative Development Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Kodiak

Creative Lead

Mountain View, CA · Hybrid

Guide creative development across web, social, presentations, paid media, events, partner ... Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity, make decisions, and keep work moving * Experience ...

Kikoff

Senior Creative Strategist

San Francisco, CA

What You'll Do * Lead the ideation, scripting, and creative development of high-performing ... Comfortable leading brainstorms, managing timelines, and collaborating across creative and growth ...

TikTok

Product Manager, Creative AIGC Products

San Jose, CA · On-site

$151K - $311K/yr

... creative development, media acquisition, and advertising optimization This role is critical in ... Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: - 3+ years of Product Management experience in AIGC products ...

ZO Skin Health, Inc

VP - Global Creative

Irvine, CA

Manage relationships with external agencies, production partners, and freelance creative talent. Digital-First Content Creation * Lead development of social-first content strategy across TikTok ...

ZO Skin Health

VP - Global Creative

Irvine, CA · On-site

Manage relationships with external agencies, production partners, and freelance creative talent. Digital-First Content Creation * Lead development of social-first content strategy across TikTok ...

ZO Skin Health, Inc.

VP - Global Creative

Irvine, CA · On-site

Manage relationships with external agencies, production partners, and freelance creative talent. Digital-First Content Creation * Lead development of social-first content strategy across TikTok ...

Meta

Creative Director, Meta.com

Menlo Park, CA

$177K/yr

Drive creative development for GTM experiences across the site, including campaign landing pages ... Partner with product management, design, and marketing teams to define GTM creative strategy ...

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All JobsCreative Development JobsCreative Development Manager JobsCreative Development Manager Jobs in California

Creative Development Manager information

See California salary details

$32.6K

$76.4K

$131.3K

How much do creative development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative development manager in California is $76,424.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,700.00 and $89,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Creative Development Manager balance creative vision with project deadlines and client expectations?

A Creative Development Manager often serves as a bridge between creative teams, clients, and stakeholders. Balancing creative vision with deadlines and expectations requires strong project management skills, clear communication, and the ability to set realistic milestones. Regular check-ins with both the creative team and clients help ensure alignment and address any challenges early. By fostering a collaborative environment and prioritizing tasks, the manager can support innovative ideas while still delivering projects on time and within scope.

What does a creative development manager do?

A creative development manager oversees the development of creative projects, such as advertising campaigns, media content, or product designs. They coordinate teams, manage project timelines, and ensure the creative vision aligns with client or company goals, often using tools like project management software and requiring strong leadership and communication skills.

What jobs are ADHD people good at?

Creative Development Managers often excel in roles that require high energy, innovative thinking, and adaptability, which can align well with the strengths of individuals with ADHD. They may thrive in dynamic environments that allow for creative problem-solving, multitasking, and flexible schedules. Skills such as brainstorming, visual thinking, and working under pressure are valuable in this role.

What is the difference between Creative Development Manager vs Creative Producer?

AspectCreative Development ManagerCreative Producer
Primary FocusOversees the development of creative concepts, manages creative teams, and guides project visionExecutes creative projects, manages production schedules, and coordinates resources
Required SkillsCreative leadership, project management, industry knowledgeProduction management, budgeting, communication skills
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, collaborative with creative teamsOn-site or remote, involved in production phases
Common Industry UsageAdvertising, media, entertainmentFilm, television, advertising

The Creative Development Manager focuses on conceptualizing and guiding creative projects from inception, while the Creative Producer handles the execution, production, and delivery. Both roles require strong creative and project management skills but differ in their primary responsibilities and involvement in the project lifecycle.

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

To thrive as a Creative Development Manager, you need expertise in project management, creative direction, and content strategy, often supported by a degree in marketing, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), project management tools (such as Asana or Trello), and digital marketing platforms is typically required. Outstanding communication, leadership, and collaboration skills help you guide creative teams and foster innovation. These abilities are vital to delivering effective campaigns, driving team performance, and meeting organizational goals in a dynamic creative environment.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In the US, high-paying roles such as executive-level positions like CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite executives can earn $500,000 or more annually. Certain specialized professions like top-tier surgeons, successful entrepreneurs, and senior investment bankers also reach or exceed this income level, often requiring extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities.

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

In media, roles such as Creative Development Managers, senior producers, and executive producers often earn $150,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, strong industry networks, and leadership skills. These positions typically require advanced knowledge of content creation, project management, and industry tools, and may involve overseeing large teams or high-budget projects.
What are the most commonly searched types of Creative Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Creative Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Creative Development Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Creative Development Manager job openings:
Creative Development Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Development Manager job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,424 per year, or $36.7 per hour.
Creative Lead

Creative Lead

Kodiak

Mountain View, CA • Hybrid

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Role Summary

Kodiak is hiring a Creative Lead to help elevate the quality, consistency, and speed of our marketing output across every major touchpoint. This is a senior, hands-on creative role for someone who can lead campaign thinking, shape both visual and verbal storytelling, guide the work of others, and step in to execute when needed.

In the near term, this role will help distribute ownership away from a single centralized bottleneck by taking on creative direction across campaigns and channels, setting messaging and storytelling standards, and overseeing the output of existing team members. This person will play a critical role in improving creative quality, increasing throughput, and helping build a stronger, more independent marketing function over time.

What You'll DoCreative Direction and Campaign Development
  • Lead creative direction across major marketing initiatives, campaigns, launches, and company moments
  • Develop strong campaign concepts and translate them into effective execution across channels
  • Shape how the Kodiak brand shows up visually and verbally across marketing work
  • Establish and maintain a high bar for creative quality, consistency, and clarity
  • Build ideas that can scale from larger brand and campaign efforts into smaller day-to-day executions
Cross-Channel Creative Leadership
  • Guide creative development across web, social, presentations, paid media, events, partner storytelling, and other marketing materials
  • Ensure work is on-brand, channel-appropriate, and aligned to business priorities
  • Partner closely with marketing leadership to translate strategy into clear, compelling creative output
  • Help define and refine messaging and copy standards across content
Team Guidance and Output Oversight
  • Oversee and elevate the output of the current designer and content producer
  • Provide clear creative direction, actionable feedback, and strong quality control
  • Help keep projects moving by making decisions, unblocking work, and maintaining momentum
  • Support a more distributed and effective creative operating model by increasing ownership and reducing dependency on a single approver
Hands-On Execution
  • Step in directly to concept, write, design, edit, or refine work when needed, especially early on
  • Contribute to both polished campaign work and faster, scrappier executions
  • Support production planning, creative reviews, and photo/video direction as needed
  • Work with urgency and sound judgment, knowing when to push and when to move
What You'll Bring
  • 8+ years of experience in creative, brand, design, or campaign-focused roles
  • Experience at an agency and/or in-house brand team known for high output and a high creative bar
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating brand identity work, campaign development, and cross-channel creative execution
  • Demonstrated strength in both visual and voice storytelling
  • Experience guiding creative direction while also contributing hands-on to the work
  • Strong instincts for typography, composition, layout, storytelling, and brand expression
  • Ability to move fluidly between big-picture thinking and execution detail
  • Comfort operating in a fast-moving environment with shifting priorities and multiple active projects
  • Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity, make decisions, and keep work moving
  • Experience providing creative feedback and guiding the work of others
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Google Workspace, and common creative/collaboration tools
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience helping create, evolve, or sharpen a brand identity
  • Experience building campaigns from concept through rollout
  • Experience across B2B and/or B2C brands
  • Tech experience is a strong plus
  • Experience with photo and video direction or production support
  • Motion, video, or editorial sensibility
  • Comfort working on a lean team where speed, adaptability, and ownership matter
Work Environment

Hybrid role

Expected to spend regular time in the office to build presence, collaborate closely with the team, experience the culture, generate ideas, and help capture content as needed

Why This Role Matters

Today, too much creative ownership is centralized. This role is intended to change that by bringing stronger creative leadership, sharper storytelling, and more day-to-day momentum to the marketing function. The Creative Lead will help raise the quality of the work, improve speed and consistency, and guide the evolution of a more effective creative team structure.

What we offer:

  • Competitive compensation package including equity and biannual bonuses
  • Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
  • Flexible PTO and generous parental leave policies
  • Our office is centrally located in Mountain View, CA
  • Office perks: dog-friendly, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging
  • Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance
  • Wellbeing Benefits - Headspace, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health
  • Fidelity 401(k)
  • Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA
  • Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)

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