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Creative Lead Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Ita-Group-Inc

Events Creative Director

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Events Creative Director Full Time Professional West Des Moines, IA, US 4 days ago Requisition ID ... Lead and inspire designers, writers, and freelancers to produce bold, effective, and beautiful work

Hills & Dales

Childcare - Lead Teacher

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$14.25 - $18.75/hr

Hills and Dales Lead Teacher The Lead Teacher's responsibilities include planning and implementing creative learning experiences through Creative Curriculum in art, outdoor activities, dramatic play ...

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All JobsCreative Lead JobsCreative Lead Jobs in Iowa

Creative Lead information

See Iowa salary details

$44.1K

$98.2K

$148.4K

How much do creative lead jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative lead in Iowa is $98,240.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,200.00 and $137,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a creative lead?

Creative leads are responsible for driving the design and creative aspects of a project. You find creative leads in a variety of industries, such as film, television, music, advertising, and video game development. As a creative lead, your job duties include developing the overall design elements of a project, overseeing the creation of art elements, and ensuring that the final product matches the original design concept. The become a creative lead on a project, you need a bachelor’s degree in art, graphic design, or a related field and several years of industry experience.

How does a creative lead typically collaborate with other departments to ensure cohesive project outcomes?

A Creative Lead works closely with cross-functional teams, such as marketing, product management, and development, to align creative vision with business objectives. They facilitate regular meetings to gather input, provide feedback, and ensure that creative concepts are integrated seamlessly into broader campaigns or product launches. This role often involves translating complex ideas between creative and non-creative stakeholders to maintain both brand consistency and project timelines. Effective communication and adaptability are key to managing these collaborations and delivering successful results.

What is the difference between Creative Lead vs Graphic Designer?

AspectCreative LeadGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in design, marketing, or related field; experience in leadership rolesBachelor's degree in graphic design or related field; strong portfolio
Work EnvironmentLeads creative teams, collaborates with clients, oversees projectsDesigns visual content, works independently or in small teams
Employer & Industry UsageAdvertising agencies, marketing departments, media companiesDesign studios, marketing teams, corporate branding
Common Search & ComparisonCreative Lead vs Graphic Designer

The main difference between a Creative Lead and a Graphic Designer lies in their responsibilities and experience level. A Creative Lead oversees creative projects and manages teams, requiring leadership skills and strategic vision. In contrast, a Graphic Designer focuses on creating visual content, often working independently or within a team. Both roles require design skills and relevant education, but the Creative Lead typically has more experience and a broader scope of responsibilities.

More about Creative Lead jobs

What are popular job titles related to Creative Lead jobs in Iowa?

For Creative Lead jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Lead jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Lead jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Creative Lead jobs in IA?

For Creative Lead jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Creative Lead jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Lead job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,240 per year, or $47.2 per hour.

General Manager - College and University Food Service

Creative Dining Services

Sioux Center, IA • On-site

$97K - $103K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New

Creative Dining Services rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

31st of 68 rated caterers

Job description

Be Creative. Lead with Purpose. Make an Impact.

Creative Dining Services is seeking an experienced and energetic General Manager to lead our dining services team at Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA!

Are you a people-focused leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment? Do you enjoy building relationships, delivering exceptional customer service, and creating memorable experiences for students? If you’re ready to lead a team and make a difference in a vibrant college community, we want to hear from you!

As the General Manager, you’ll oversee the daily dining operations at Dordt University while serving as a key partner to the university and the Creative Dining Services team. You’ll have the opportunity to lead, develop, innovate, and connect with students while ensuring a high-quality dining experience and strong operational performance.

What You’ll Do
  • Lead with purpose: Provide strong leadership and direction to the dining services team, creating a positive, professional, and engaging work environment.
  • Create exceptional experiences: Build relationships with students, university partners, and employees while ensuring outstanding customer service.
  • Drive operational success: Manage daily dining operations, budgets, purchasing, quality standards, and financial performance.
  • Develop your team: Recruit, train, coach, and develop employees to help them reach their full potential.
  • Be visible and engaged: Spend time in the operation interacting with students, listening to feedback, and identifying opportunities to improve their dining experience.
  • Champion quality: Ensure food safety, sanitation, sustainability, and company standards are consistently met.
  • Think creatively: Identify opportunities to improve menus, merchandising, marketing, and the overall dining experience.
  • Build partnerships: Collaborate with university leadership and Creative Dining Services leaders to achieve shared goals and deliver an exceptional campus dining program.
What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a strong, confident, and approachable leader who enjoys working with people and takes pride in providing excellent customer service.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Management, Hospitality, or a related field preferred
  • 5+ years of successful management experience
  • ServSafe Certification.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
  • A passion for hospitality and creating exceptional customer experiences.
  • The ability to build strong relationships with students, employees, and university partners.
  • A hands-on leadership style and a desire to be actively involved in the daily operation.
We Take Care of Our Team

At Creative Dining Services, we believe our employees deserve to be supported and rewarded. We offer:

  • Competitive pay
  • Daily Pay – access your earned wages when you need them
  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Bonus opportunities
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off
  • Career growth and development opportunities
  • And much, much more!
Why Creative Dining Services?

Creative Dining Services partners with colleges and universities, Fortune 100 companies, senior living communities, conference centers, and K-12 schools and camps to provide a different kind of hospitality experience—one that’s fun, innovative, and focused on community.

At Dordt University, you’ll have the opportunity to be more than a manager. You’ll be a visible leader, a trusted partner, and an important part of the student experience.

If you’re a passionate hospitality leader who loves people, service, and making a difference, bring your creativity and leadership to Creative Dining Services!

Apply today and be part of something creative!

Creative Dining Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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