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Creative Director Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

ZO Skin Health, Inc.

VP - Global Creative

Irvine, CA · On-site

Creative Leadership & Brand Vision * Develop and articulate the overarching creative vision and ... Supervisory Responsibilities: 3-4 Direct Reports Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is ...

eJam

Creative Strategist

Santa Ana, CA

Set creative direction that balances brand consistency with direct-response effectiveness. Lead Cross-Functional Creative Execution * Act as the strategic lead for a pod consisting of video editors ...

WATER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH

Creative Lead

Fontana, CA · On-site

$26.19 - $29.79/hr

Partner with the Director to translate ministry vision into compelling creative strategies * Ensure consistency in messaging, tone, and design across all platforms Design Team Leadership ...

JAMS, Inc.

Director, Creative & Brand Marketing

Irvine, CA · On-site

$145K - $191K/yr

A Brief Overview The Director, Creative & Brand Marketing ("DCBM") leads the development and execution of the JAMS brand and advertising efforts to grow brand awareness and support business growth.

AFTCO MFG CO, INC

Be Seen First

Graphic Designer: Hat & T-Shirt Lead

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

You'll work closely with AFTCO's Creative Director, Marsh Wear's Founder and Creative Director, the Art Director, President, Development team, Graphic Artists, and Sportswear team to ensure strong ...

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All JobsCreative JobsCreative Director JobsCreative Director Jobs in Riverside, CA

Creative Director information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$44.9K

$134.9K

$225.9K

How much do creative director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative director in Riverside, CA is $134,926.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,800.00 and $158,600.00 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 Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Creative jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What job categories do people searching Creative Director jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Director jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Creative Director jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Creative Director job openings:
Creative Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Director job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,926 per year, or $64.9 per hour.

Associate Creative Director, Design (Remote)

Weedmaps

Irvine, CA • On-site, Remote

$143K - $169K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Associate Creative Director, Design (Remote) - Temp to Hire

Overview:

Weedmaps is seeking an Associate Creative Director, Design to help define and evolve the visual future of the Weedmaps brand across campaigns, social media, editorial content, lifecycle marketing, product storytelling, and emerging AI-enabled creative systems. This role combines creative leadership, visual storytelling, and systems thinking. The Associate Creative Director, Design will lead concept development, establish scalable design frameworks, mentor creative talent, and partner cross-functionally to ensure Weedmaps delivers visually distinctive, culturally relevant, and high-performing creative work across every consumer touchpoint.

The impact you'll make:

  • Lead visual creative development across brand campaigns, social media, editorial content, lifecycle marketing, creator partnerships, and product storytelling initiatives.
  • Establish and evolve Weedmaps' visual identity and design standards across channels and platforms.
  • Develop campaign concepts, visual systems, and creative frameworks that drive audience engagement and business impact.
  • Ensure creative work demonstrates exceptional craft, consistency, and cultural relevance.
  • Partner with Editorial, Social, Lifecycle, Growth, Product Marketing, and Studio teams to translate strategic objectives into compelling visual solutions.
  • Build scalable design systems and modular creative frameworks that support rapid iteration and cross-channel deployment.
  • Guide social-first creative optimized for Instagram, TikTok, short-form video, and emerging platforms.
  • Partner with Production teams to improve creative workflows and operational efficiency.
  • Explore and implement AI-assisted design workflows that improve speed, scalability, and creative effectiveness.
  • Maintain awareness of design trends, internet culture, platform behaviors, and emerging technologies.
  • Provide creative leadership and direction to designers, freelancers, contractors, and production partners.
  • Mentor and develop creative talent through coaching, feedback, and professional development.
  • Review and approve creative work to ensure alignment with brand standards and strategic objectives.
  • Help establish team processes, creative standards, and quality control mechanisms.
  • Collaborate with Creative Leadership on resource planning, staffing needs, and workflow prioritization.
  • Foster a culture of creative excellence, innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
  • Contribute to long-term creative vision and organizational development initiatives.

What you've accomplished:

  • 8+ years of experience in design, art direction, or creative leadership roles.
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence across campaigns, social content, digital storytelling, and brand systems.
  • Experience leading multidisciplinary creative projects across multiple channels and platforms.
  • Strong understanding of typography, layout, motion, visual storytelling, and modern design systems.
  • Experience collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders in fast-paced creative environments.
  • Strong knowledge of social-first creative development and platform-native content creation.

Bonus points: 

  • Experience developing scalable design systems and creative frameworks.
  • Familiarity with AI-assisted creative tools and workflows.
  • Experience working within lifestyle, entertainment, media, technology, or cannabis-related brands.
  • Strong understanding of creator ecosystems, internet culture, and audience behavior.
  • Motion design, video storytelling, and creative production experience.
  • Passion for cannabis culture, community, and emerging consumer trends.

The base pay range for this position is $143,000 - $169,229 per year

 2026 US Benefits for Full Time, Regular Employees:

  • Physical Health (Medical, Dental & Vision)
    • 100% employer-paid premium for employees
    • Up to 80% coverage for dependents
    • Company HSA contribution with the High Deductible Health Plan
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan (employer will match contribution up to 3.5% of employee contribution)
  • Basic Life, Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance options
  • Supplemental, voluntary benefits
    • Student Loan Repayment/529 Education Savings with a monthly company contribution
    • FSA (Medical, Dependent, Transit and Parking)
    • Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
    • Critical Illness Insurance
    • Accident Insurance
    • Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance
    • Pet Insurance
    • Identity theft protection
    • Legal access to a network of attorneys
  • PTO, paid sick leave, and company holidays (including a 2026 holiday shutdown)
  • Paid parental leave

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