ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Creative Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TUX Creative Co.

Creative Director

Culver City, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

While an CD can rely on the support of their Creative Director for deeper strategic direction, it is important that they demonstrate a strong understanding of how brand strategy, production, and ...

New

AppJaxx

Creative Director

Los Angeles, CA

Position Overview The Creative Director will be responsible for shaping and overseeing the creative direction across all marketing initiatives, campaigns, and brand assets. This role focuses on ...

INSPYR Solutions

Creative Director

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$80 - $110/hr

Creative Director Location: Remote Duration: 12 months + extensions Compensation: $80 - $110/hr Work Requirements: US Citizen, GC Holders or Authorized to Work in the U.S. Overview We are seeking an ...

Fellow

Creative Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Creative Director will drive the brand's success by leading the visioning, development, and execution of inspiring and aspirational creative, marketing, content, and packaging that reflects the ...

INSPYR Solutions

Creative Director

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Creative Director x2 (1 copy 1 art) Location: Remote US Duration: quarterly extensions Compensation: $100- $125 Work Requirements: US Citizen, GC Holders or Authorized to Work in the U.S. Our vision ...

Team Liquid

Creative Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $170K/yr

As the Creative Director, you are the visionary anchor for Liquid Media. You will be responsible for all creative output and help shape the agency's long-term creative directionr. Reporting to the ...

33Usa

Creative Director

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

Position Summary As the Creative Director, you will lead the creative heart of 33 USA. Your mission is to translate iconic Japanese IP into resonant brand experiences for North American audiences.

33Usa

Creative Director

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

Position Summary As the Creative Director, you will lead the creative heart of 33 USA. Your mission is to translate iconic Japanese IP into resonant brand experiences for North American audiences.

Asian Art Museum

Creative Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Creative Director POSITION SUMMARY The Creative Director leads the visual and conceptual direction of the museum's branding, marketing campaigns, and products, integrating design with the museum ...

Team Liquid

Creative Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

As the Creative Director, you are the visionary anchor for Liquid Media. You will be responsible for all creative output and help shape the agency's long-term creative directionr. Reporting to the ...

Full Swing Golf Inc

Creative Director

Carlsbad, CA · Hybrid

$140K - $190K/yr

We are seeking a visionary Creative Director to lead the strategic and creative development of the Full Swing brand across all touchpoints. This role will drive the creative vision, ensuring all ...

Crown + Conquer

Creative Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100 - $150/hr

Job Overview The Creative Director at Crown + Conquer is a visionary leader responsible for shaping the creative voice of the agency and driving bold, culturally relevant work across brand ...

Crown + Conquer

Creative Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Job Overview The Creative Director at Crown + Conquer is a visionary leader responsible for shaping the creative voice of the agency and driving bold, culturally relevant work across brand ...

MINDGRUVE

Creative Director

San Diego, CA · On-site

$125 - $140/hr

As the Creative Director you will be both a concepting partner to a copy-side ECD, and a leader who coaches a team of creatives in bringing those 360 ideas to life. What You'll Do Here: * Drive the ...

New

Northwoodspace

Creative Director

Torrance, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

We are looking for a Creative Director to define how Northwood shows up in the world. You will partner closely with the CEO, founding team, and Head of Communications to build and execute our visual ...

Actalent

Creative Director

South San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

Creative Director - Medical Content The Creative Director - Medical Content leads a dedicated medical content track at the intersection of creative craft and scientific rigor. In this role, you set ...

Fellow

Creative Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Who You Are Fellow is looking for a Creative Director to translate the essence of our brand into a Creative Vision that brings to life our brand identity across every internal and external touchpoint.

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCreative JobsCreative Director JobsCreative Director Jobs in California

Creative Director information

See California salary details

$42.4K

$127.6K

$213.7K

How much do creative director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative director in California is $127,637.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,200.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do you get a job as a creative director?

To become a creative director, candidates typically need a strong portfolio demonstrating leadership in creative projects, extensive experience in design, advertising, or related fields, and skills in team management and strategic thinking. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as graphic design, marketing, or communications is often required, and advanced experience or a master's degree can enhance prospects.

What does a creative director do?

A Creative Director is responsible for leading the creative vision and direction of a company, project, or campaign. They oversee the work of designers, copywriters, and other creative professionals to ensure that all creative output aligns with the brand and meets business objectives. Creative Directors often guide brainstorming sessions, approve concepts, and present ideas to clients or stakeholders. Their role requires a combination of leadership, artistic insight, and strategic thinking.

What jobs does a creative director do?

A creative director oversees the visual and conceptual aspects of projects such as advertising campaigns, films, or product designs. They develop creative strategies, lead creative teams, and ensure the final output aligns with the brand or project goals, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. Strong leadership, communication skills, and a background in design or marketing are essential for this role.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a creative director?

To thrive as a Creative Director, you need a strong background in visual design, branding, and concept development, often supported by a degree in design, marketing, or related fields. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, project management software, and familiarity with digital marketing platforms is typically required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and vision are crucial soft skills that help guide creative teams and inspire innovative solutions. These skills ensure cohesive brand storytelling, effective team collaboration, and successful execution of creative projects.

What qualifications do you need to be a creative director?

A creative director typically needs a bachelor's degree in design, marketing, or a related field, along with several years of experience in creative roles such as graphic design, advertising, or branding. Strong leadership, communication skills, and proficiency with design tools like Adobe Creative Suite are also important, and some roles may prefer a master's degree or industry-specific certifications.

Are creative directors paid well?

Creative directors typically earn high salaries due to their leadership role in overseeing creative projects and teams. Salaries vary by industry, experience, and location but generally range from $80,000 to over $200,000 annually, with senior positions and those in large companies earning more.

How does a creative director balance creative vision with client or stakeholder expectations?

A Creative Director often acts as the bridge between the creative team and clients or stakeholders, ensuring that the final output aligns with both artistic vision and business objectives. This involves interpreting briefs, leading brainstorming sessions, and providing clear feedback to maintain consistency with the brand message. Regular communication and presentations help manage expectations and incorporate feedback, while strong leadership ensures that the team remains motivated and focused. Balancing creativity with practicality is a key challenge, but it’s also what makes the role dynamic and rewarding.

What does a creative director do?

A creative director guides, directs, and approves all creative projects for marketing, graphic design, advertising, and other firms. Also, a creative director strategizes a company’s artistic direction, accepts design samples, devises marketing plans, and leads teams in creating unique fashion, art, music, game, or film concepts. A core duty of a creative director is to collaborate with designers, writers, and marketing associates to develop visuals that align with the company brand and mission.

What is the difference between Creative Director vs Graphic Designer?

AspectCreative DirectorGraphic Designer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in design, marketing, or related field; extensive portfolioBachelor's degree in graphic design or related field; strong portfolio
Work EnvironmentLeads creative teams, oversees projects, collaborates with clientsDesigns visual content, works independently or in small teams
Industry UsageUsed across advertising, media, branding agencies, and large corporationsCommon in marketing firms, publishing, advertising, and freelance work

The main difference is that a Creative Director oversees the entire creative process and manages teams, while a Graphic Designer focuses on creating visual content. Creative Directors have broader responsibilities and strategic input, whereas Graphic Designers execute specific design tasks.

More about Creative Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Creative jobs in California? The most popular types of Creative jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Creative Director jobs in California? For Creative Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Creative Director jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Director jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Creative Director jobs? Cities in California with the most Creative Director job openings:
Creative Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,637 per year, or $61.4 per hour.

Creative Director

TUX Creative Co.

Culver City, CA • On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

At TUX, CD act as the main day-to-day creative contact for clients. They are hands‑on in the creative work and have the ability to elevate strategic thinking from both a creative and business perspective. They are responsible for maintaining a constant “I’ve got you” feeling with clients.

In most cases, CD are responsible for bridging the gap between pitch and masterplan to execution, thoughtfully expanding the agency’s POV across all touchpoints. An CD should continuously help teams elevate their thinking and craft beyond simple rollout execution. We are always on the lookout for thoughtful visual innovation.

At TUX, CD require a solid understanding of all facets of creative craft (design, still and motion art direction, copy), as they are tasked with finding, creating, and maintaining the creative spark of a brand platform or campaign. Depending on the scale of the project, this thoughtful assembly of copy, design, and art direction can be handled directly by the CD or in collaboration with a team (copywriter, designer, art director).

While an CD can rely on the support of their Creative Director for deeper strategic direction, it is important that they demonstrate a strong understanding of how brand strategy, production, and media planning intersect. They should be able to think holistically about how these elements influence one another and shape the final output. The CD is the first line of creative responsibility for timelines, deliverables, and budgets.

Core Competencies
  • Inquisitive about a client’s business challenges
  • Ability to have dynamic business conversations
  • Ability to provide strategic creative guidance
  • Ability to build strong, long‑term client relationships
  • Ability to manage teams with empathy
  • Positive, motivating leadership skills
  • High level of autonomy
  • Strong self‑learning mindset (especially with AI)
  • Dynamic and engaging presentation skills
Craft & Execution
  • Very strong art direction skills (Most important. Ability to flex across multiple styles and contexts)
  • Ability to structure and deliver extensive presentations
  • Ability to structure long‑term projects
  • Ability to manage large‑scale deployment campaigns
  • Production experience (still and motion; AI and 3D are a plus)
  • Comfortable with graphic design
What we offer
  • A 4‑day work week with competitive compensation
  • Offices in Los Angeles (Culver City) and Montreal
  • A diverse set of international brands and campaigns
  • Strong in‑house production capabilities
  • A sharp, culturally aware team
  • A company that’s the right size (not too big, not too small)
  • A people‑first management approach based on collaboration, empathy, and tailored development

Working with us means joining talented, passionate, and supportive teams. It also means thriving in a company culture that values and nurtures curiosity. Yes, you’ll have access to tools and resources to keep learning year‑round, but you’ll also dive into offbeat, out‑of‑the‑box projects—perfect for sparking inspiration. Speaking of which: we work a four‑day week. Because great ideas don’t just happen at the office between 9 and 5. Oh, and we’re idealists. We’re counting on you to help us build a company that’s more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. If this resonates with you, let’s connect!

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply