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Creative Director Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Gradial

Creative Director

Seattle, WA · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

The Role As Creative Director at Gradial, you'll own and shape our visual and brand identity across every brand surface, from website and product marketing to motion, social, decks, and everything in ...

Gradial

Creative Director

Seattle, WA · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

The Role As Creative Director at Gradial, you'll own and shape our visual and brand identity across every brand surface, from website and product marketing to motion, social, decks, and everything in ...

Touch Worldwide

Executive Creative Director

Seattle, WA · On-site

$175K/yr

Job Purpose The Executive Creative Director is the creative leader of Touch and the owner of the firm's creative vision, standards, and output. Responsible for elevating the quality and impact of ...

Tin Can

Associate Creative Director

Seattle, WA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

The Role We're looking for an Associate Creative Director who's equal parts creative leader, systems thinker, and hands-on maker. This person is the right hand to the Head of Creative, helping ...

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All JobsCreative JobsCreative Director JobsCreative Director Jobs in Seattle, WA

Creative Director information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$48.9K

$147.2K

$246.4K

How much do creative director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative director in Seattle, WA is $147,181.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,200.00 and $173,000.00 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.

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 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 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.
More about Creative Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Creative jobs in Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Creative jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What are popular job titles related to Creative Director jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Creative Director jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Director jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Director jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Creative Director jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Creative Director job openings:

Creative Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Director job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,181 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Executive Creative Director

Touch Worldwide

Seattle, WA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

The Touch Vision & Purpose

To build the most trusted and desirable agency in the industry.


To create a sustainable, growing business and culture that supports a group of passionate, talented people doing smart, creative, and meaningful work for the best clients in the world.


Job Purpose

The Executive Creative Director is the creative leader of Touch and the owner of the firm's creative vision, standards, and output. Responsible for elevating the quality and impact of work across every client, project, and discipline, this role leads by example as a hands-on maker, actively shaping ideas, developing concepts, and helping teams bring exceptional work to life.

As a member of the Steering Team, the Executive Creative Director partners across Growth, Strategy, Client Experience & Delivery, and the Creative Studio to ensure Touch's work remains ambitious, distinctive, and effective. Through creative leadership, collaboration, and craft, this role inspires teams and helps drive the firm's reputation and growth.


Creative Standard & Craft

  • Set the creative standard for the firm and lead by active collaboration on the work. Concept, shape, and build alongside the teams.
  • Hold the creative bar across every client, project, discipline and modality. Define what good looks like and raise the work to meet it.
  • Coach and elevate craft by working next to designers, producers, strategists, and video teams, growing people's experience, expertise, skills, and passion through the work itself.
  • Stay ahead of where experiential, design, technology, and brand storytelling are going, and bring that perspective/vision/ point-of-view forward into Touch's work.


Creative Leadership

  • Serve as a member of the Steering Team, representing creative in firm-level decisions on direction, capability, and growth.
  • Set, champion and lead the creative point of view across all groups and keep the firm's work coherent and distinctive across them.
  • Develop creative talent across the firm, growing the next level of creative leaders regardless of which group they sit in.
  • Champion a creative culture that is ambitious, collaborative, and held to a high standard.


Client & New Business

  • Lead creative in new business pitches and serve as the primary creative force behind business development efforts.
  • Carry the firm's creative point of view into senior-level client conversations, shaping how clients understand Touch's capabilities and the value to them, their organization, and audiences that matter most.
  • Partner with Growth to turn creative ambition into won work, and to open new lines of work inside existing clients.
  • Represent Touch's creative reputation externally.


Cross-Group Partnership

  • Work across Growth, Strategy, Client Experience & Delivery, and the Creative Studio as an equal partner.
  • Partner with the Creative Studio to bring the firm's elevated creative standard into how work gets made.
  • Partner with Client Experience & Delivery so creative ambition and delivery reality meet on every project.
  • Partner with Strategy so the creative product is grounded in insight and built to drive outcomes.


Skills & Qualifications

An Executive Creative Director at Touch brings a wide range of skills, including:

  • A minimum of 12 to 15 years in experiential, brand, or related creative fields
  • Proven track record leading large-scale experiential and brand programs at the highest level of craft
  • A hands-on maker who sets the standard by actively doing the work
  • Recognized expertise in outcome-driven, brand-inspired creative experiences that pair strategy and insight with exceptional craft and production delivery
  • Genuine curiosity and a love of making ambitious work across live, virtual, and hybrid experiences
  • Recognized expertise in video process, terminology, and trends.
  • Excellent presentation, communication, and client-facing skills, comfortable with everyone from executives to vendor staff
  • Strong creative judgment under real constraints of budget, timeline, and production


Scope of Creative Authority

  • This role has no direct reports. Its authority comes from craft and hands-on creative leadership, not a reporting line.
  • The Executive Creative Director influences and elevates creative work across all four groups and the full roster of Touch clients and projects.


Employment Expectations

  • This is a salaried, full-time, exempt position
  • Physical presence in the office at least two days a week is required, per Touch's hybrid work policy
  • Occasional onsite project support and travel is required
  • Touch-supported professional growth and development is encouraged and supported
  • Show up, work hard, be nice to people


Work Environment and Conditions

  • This role, by the nature of the industry, requires some travel and at times working varying schedules including weekends, nights, extended shifts (10+ hours), and holidays based on project requirements
  • Position is split between working from the office and working remotely
  • Our industry often requires fast turnarounds and agility


Physical Requirements

  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds is sometimes required for onsite work
  • Ability to work on feet for extended periods
  • On-site and event work can include long hours


Significant Collaborations

  • Direct interaction with project teams across strategy, design, production, motion, video, outside vendors, and clients
  • Leading and supporting creative briefings, direction, brainstorms, and design critiques


What We Offer

Industry competitive compensation package including:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance (Regence Gold Plan, $2,000 deductible) with 100% company paid premiums for employee and immediate family
  • Contribution of $2,000 to FSA account
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • SIMPLE IRA (full vesting on hire)
  • Discretionary Profit Participation Program (vesting required)
  • Family Leave Benefits (vesting required)
  • Education Expense Reimbursement
  • Generous PTO Policy


If you are passionate about making ambitious work with some of the most talented strategists and creatives in the business for incredible clients, let's meet. Qualified applicants should submit a resume and cover letter outlining relevant past work.


Touch is located in Seattle, Washington, and our preference is to hire people in the Greater Seattle area or who are willing to relocate.


Touch is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


Apply