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Creative Operations Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Empire Today LLC

Creative Operations Manager

Northlake, IL · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

The Creative Operations Manager serves as a senior creative contributor and operational partner to the Creative Director, supporting the planning, coordination, production, and execution of company ...

Empire Today

Creative Operations Manager

Northlake, IL

$90K - $105K/yr

The Creative Operations Manager serves as a senior creative contributor and operational partner to the Creative Director, supporting the planning, coordination, production, and execution of company ...

Braze

Senior Creative Operations Lead, Brand

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$116K - $183K/yr

As the Senior Creative Operations Lead, Brand, you own how work moves through the Brand organization. You design, evolve, and lead the operational systems that enable high-quality creative output ...

Cars

Creative Operations Specialist II

Chicago, IL

The Creative Operations Specialist II supports the optimization and coordination of design processes, workflows, and collaboration across the creative marketing organization. This role helps maintain ...

Braze

Senior Creative Operations Lead, Brand

Chicago, IL · On-site

$116K - $183K/yr

As the Senior Creative Operations Lead, Brand, you own how work moves through the Brand organization. You design, evolve, and lead the operational systems that enable high-quality creative output ...

James Hardie

Creative Project Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$84K - $114K/yr

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is eager to learn, and is passionate about creative operations and process excellence. What You'll Do: Project Coordination:

James Hardie

Creative Project Manager

Chicago, IL

$84K - $114K/yr

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is eager to learn, and is passionate about creative operations and process excellence. What You'll Do: Project Coordination:

James Hardie

Creative Project Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$84K - $114K/yr

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is eager to learn, and is passionate about creative operations and process excellence. What You'll Do: Project Coordination:

Programmanagers

Creative Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Brailsford & Dunlavey and PMA have integrated hiring operations after our recent merger. Explore all of our open opportunities below. Creative Director | Bring the Next Chapter of B&D's Brand to Life ...

New

Brailsford and Dunlavey

Creative Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

Brand Systems & Creative Operations * Establish and maintain brand standards, creative guidelines, templates, and scalable design systems that enable consistent execution across a national firm.

Brailsford and Dunlavey

Creative Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

Brand Systems & Creative Operations * Establish and maintain brand standards, creative guidelines, templates, and scalable design systems that enable consistent execution across a national firm.

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Creative Operations information

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How much do creative operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for creative operations in Chicago, IL is $20.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $23.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is creative operations?

Creative Operations refers to the processes, systems, and people involved in managing and streamlining creative projects within an organization. The role focuses on improving workflow efficiency, resource allocation, and collaboration between creative teams such as designers, writers, and marketers. By implementing best practices and using project management tools, Creative Operations ensures that creative work is delivered on time, within budget, and at the highest possible quality. Ultimately, it helps bridge the gap between creative vision and business objectives.

How does a creative operations professional collaborate with creative teams and stakeholders to streamline project workflows?

Creative Operations professionals play a central role in facilitating communication and ensuring that creative teams, project managers, and stakeholders are aligned throughout the project lifecycle. They are responsible for setting up efficient processes, coordinating timelines, managing resources, and providing tools that help creative teams focus on delivering high-quality work. By acting as a bridge between creative and business units, they proactively resolve bottlenecks, monitor progress, and introduce best practices to optimize workflow efficiency. This collaborative approach helps ensure that projects are delivered on time and meet organizational objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a creative operations professional?

To thrive as a Creative Operations professional, you need strong project management skills, organizational abilities, and experience with creative workflows, often supported by a background in marketing, design, or communications. Familiarity with project management tools like Asana or Trello, digital asset management systems, and sometimes certifications such as PMP are common requirements. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills help you coordinate teams and ensure smooth project delivery. These skills are crucial for efficiently managing resources, timelines, and creative output in fast-paced environments.

What is the difference between Creative Operations vs Creative Project Manager?

AspectCreative OperationsCreative Project Manager
Primary FocusStreamlining workflows, managing resources, and optimizing creative processesPlanning, executing, and delivering specific creative projects on time and within budget
ResponsibilitiesProcess improvement, team coordination, tool managementProject planning, task management, client communication
Required SkillsProcess management, organizational skills, familiarity with creative toolsProject management, leadership, communication skills
Work EnvironmentOperations teams, creative departments, cross-functional collaborationProject teams, clients, creative agencies

While both roles support creative teams, Creative Operations focuses on optimizing workflows and processes across the department, whereas a Creative Project Manager handles specific projects from initiation to completion. Understanding these distinctions helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and find suitable candidates.

What are the most commonly searched types of Creative Operations jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Creative Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Creative Operations jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Creative Operations jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Operations jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Creative Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Operations job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,496 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Creative Operations Manager

Empire Today LLC

Northlake, IL • On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Empire Today rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 51 rated home improvement retailers

Job description

Are you ready to grow your marketing career?Empire Today®is looking for a Creative Operations Manager to join ourMarketing team. The Creative Operations Manager serves as a senior creative contributor and operational partner to the Creative Director, supporting the planning, coordination, production, and execution of company-wide creative initiatives.
We offer:
  • Health benefits.
  • Paid time off and holiday pay.
  • Wellness program.
  • Professional development & career advancement opportunities.
  • Lots ofperks.

Compensation Information:
$90,000 - $105,000 annually
Responsibilities:
  • Design and produce high-quality creative assets across print, digital, web, video, social media, email, sales enablement, presentations, and omni-channel marketing initiatives.
  • Lead projects from concept through final execution while ensuring alignment with brand standards, creative direction, and business objectives.
  • Create illustrations, product visualizations, promotional materials, event graphics, presentations, logos, icons, and campaign assets.
  • Maintain excellence in typography, composition, color theory, visual storytelling, and overall design execution.
  • Support and enforce brand governance and creative consistency across all customer touchpoints and brands.
  • Manage incoming creative requests and assist in prioritizing workload across the creative team.
  • Coordinate project timelines, production schedules, resource allocation, and project deliverables.
  • Support continuous improvement of creative workflows, project intake processes, asset management systems, and operational efficiencies.
  • Assist the Creative Director with department planning, prioritization, and execution of creative initiatives.
  • Support all aspects of photo and video productions.
  • Perform advanced photo editing, retouching, color correction, compositing, motion graphics, and post-production editing.
  • Oversee file preparation, quality assurance, production specifications, preflight reviews, and delivery requirements for print and digital channels.
  • Explore, evaluate, and implement emerging creative technologies.
  • Contribute to campaign ideation, creative strategy discussions, brainstorming sessions, and marketing initiatives.
  • Identify opportunities to improve creative quality, workflow efficiency, production effectiveness, and overall business impact.
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality output.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, Fine Arts, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum of 8 years' professional experience in graphic design, creative services, agency, or in-house marketing environments.
  • Portfolio required.
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and After Effects.
  • Advanced proficiency in Figma and other collaborative design tools.
  • Strong knowledge of print production processes, digital marketing, branding, and creative operations.
  • Experience with photo and video production workflows, post-production editing, and content creation.
  • Strong illustration, visual storytelling, and creative problem-solving abilities.
  • Experience managing creative projects, production schedules, and cross-functional teams.
  • Exceptional communication, organization, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Strong understanding of file formats, production requirements, and platform specifications.
  • Experience utilizing project management systems and workflow tools.
  • Knowledge of AI-powered creative tools and emerging design technologies.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and design quality.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to work across Mac and PC environments.

Why Empire Today?
We empower our employees to strive for their unique goals. Within such an inclusive company with unlimited growth opportunities, how far you go is up to you.
We take care of our people. We start investing in you from day one. The perks and benefits we offer help you live well, both at work and at home.
We have an unmatched company culture. We've won multiple awards for employee and customer satisfaction, and we believe it all comes down to our culture of teamwork, creativity, and growth.
We're one of the nation's most recognizable brands. You'll enjoy the stability that comes with a national company and a sense of pride when you're a part of our team.
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