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Creative Director Jobs in Manchester, CT (NOW HIRING)

Cronin and Company

Art Director

Glastonbury, CT

$120K - $126K/yr

ART DIRECTOR About Us Cronin is a growing, fully integrated advertising and marketing agency based ... We're known for combining visionary thinking with award-winning creative execution to deliver work ...

EZ 4X4, LLC

Be Seen First

Social Media Manager

Waterbury, CT · On-site

... the Creative Director, Marketing, Digital, Sales, and Product Development teams. · Monitor SEO and user engagement, offering suggestions for content optimization. · Engage with industry ...

ESPN

Senior Concept Artist

Hartford, CT · On-site +1

$112K - $154K/yr

Direct strategic creative systems, visual toolkits, and design frameworks engineered for consistency, scalability, and long-term success. * Lead advanced motion design and animation builds while ...

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All JobsCreative JobsCreative Director JobsCreative Director Jobs in Manchester, CT

Creative Director information

See Manchester, CT salary details

$43.4K

$130.6K

$218.7K

How much do creative director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative director in Manchester, CT is $130,623.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,500.00 and $153,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

Is a creative director a good career?

A creative director is a senior role responsible for overseeing the visual and conceptual aspects of projects in advertising, media, or design industries. It often requires strong leadership, creative skills, and experience, with opportunities for high-level influence and compensation. Career growth depends on industry demand, portfolio quality, and networking.

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 require a portfolio demonstrating previous work.
More about Creative Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Creative jobs in Manchester, CT?

The most popular types of Creative jobs in Manchester, CT are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Director jobs in Manchester, CT look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Director jobs in Manchester, CT are:

What cities near Manchester, CT are hiring for Creative Director jobs?

Cities near Manchester, CT with the most Creative Director job openings:

Creative Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Director job openings in Manchester, CT as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 81% In-person, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,623 per year, or $62.8 per hour.

Art Director

Cronin and Company

Glastonbury, CT

$120K - $126K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

ART DIRECTOR
About Us
Cronin is a growing, fully integrated advertising and marketing agency based in Connecticut. We leverage the power of creativity to differentiate brands and drive sales. We’re known for combining visionary thinking with award-winning creative execution to deliver work that drives measurable impact. We’re an independent agency with global, national, and regional clients and part of a global network of 60 independent agencies. Our team is talented, committed, ambitious, and real – we’re invested in the work and each other. A key point of difference is our leadership model – our leaders empower and enable your growth. Learn more at www.cronin-co.com.
About You

You’re an art director that loves coming up with big ideas. Concept is king in your world. You’re comfortable working on a team with a writer and have experience working with production to make cool stuff. You care about the craft – type, color, composition – and you know the details matter. You work well with others, take feedback in stride and understand that every assignment is an opportunity to be creative.

You're not precious about your work — you're passionate about the outcome. And you understand that great art direction isn't just beautiful, it's effective.

Position Overview
Cronin is looking for a Art Director who brings both craft and curiosity to everything they create. You'll work across a wide range of clients and categories — concepting, designing, and producing work that is visually compelling, strategically grounded, and built to perform. This is a hands-on creative role with real ownership and visibility, working closely with our creative leadership, copywriters, and account teams to deliver exceptional work from brief to final file.
Job Responsibilities
Design amp; Concepting
  • Working with a writer, concept and execute original design solutions across brand, digital, print, social, and campaign work
  • Translate creative briefs into compelling visual ideas that solve real business problems
  • Develop design systems, visual identities, and brand guidelines that are consistent and scalable
  • Bring a strong point of view to every project while remaining open to collaboration and feedback
  • Contribute ideas in brainstorms and creative reviews — your voice matters here
Production amp; Execution
  • Take projects from concept through final production — including print, digital, social, and out-of-home
  • Prepare and deliver final files to spec for a variety of vendors, platforms, and formats
  • Ensure all work meets quality standards before it leaves the agency
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously with a keen eye for detail and a respect for deadlines
Collaboration amp; Leadership
  • Work closely with copywriters, creative directors, and account teams throughout the creative process
  • Ability to provide art direction and guidance to junior designers and production artists, if needed
  • Contribute to a collaborative, respectful creative environment where ideas can thrive
  • Communicate design decisions clearly and confidently to internal teams and clients when needed
Qualifications amp; Skills
Required:
  • 5+ years of design experience, preferably within an advertising, marketing, or creative agency environment
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating a range of work across brand, campaign, digital, and print
  • Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite — Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
  • Strong understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and visual storytelling
  • Experience designing for multiple channels and formats — digital, social, print, OOH, and more
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously without sacrificing quality
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
  • Experience providing direction or mentorship to junior team members

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with motion graphics or video editing (After Effects, Premiere)
  • Familiarity with UX/UI design principles and tools such as Figma
  • Experience presenting creative work to clients or senior leadership
  • Understanding of print production processes and vendor specifications
  • Familiarity with social media platform specs and best practices

What Sets You Apart
  • You concept as naturally as you execute
  • You ask questions before you open Illustrator
  • You care about the strategy behind the work, not just the aesthetic
  • You make everyone around you better
  • You're as proud of the thinking as you are of the design

Reporting Relationship
Reports to Executive Creative Director
We're an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
This is an exempt role.
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