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Creative Operator Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Northern Trust

Creative Execution Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

Champion creative excellence while operating within real-world constraints. Mindset Behaviors & Attributes * Execution-focused and decisive: able to move work forward, make informed decisions, and ...

Northern Trust

Creative Execution Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

Champion creative excellence while operating within real-world constraints. Mindset Behaviors & Attributes * Execution-focused and decisive: able to move work forward, make informed decisions, and ...

James Hardie

Creative Project Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$84K - $114K/yr

S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities ... Summary The Creative Project Manager supports the Senior Creative Project Manager in executing ...

James Hardie

Creative Project Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$84K - $114K/yr

S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities ... Summary The Creative Project Manager supports the Senior Creative Project Manager in executing ...

James Hardie

Creative Project Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$84K - $114K/yr

S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities ... Summary The Creative Project Manager supports the Senior Creative Project Manager in executing ...

Roman Inc

Director of Creative Services

Bloomingdale, IL · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Among the largest privately owned and operated firms in the giftware industry, ROMAN is able to ... The Director of Creative Services leads the visual identity, studio operations, and production ...

EVERSANA

Program Manager - AI Agency

Chicago, IL · On-site

You will own the day-to-day orchestration of client work - coordinating Strategic Operators, Creative Operators, Activation Directors, and platform teams to deliver unified outcomes. You will ...

Eversana

Program Manager - AI Agency

Chicago, IL

You will own the day-to-day orchestration of client work - coordinating Strategic Operators, Creative Operators, Activation Directors, and platform teams to deliver unified outcomes. You will ...

Braze

Senior Creative Operations Lead, Brand

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$116K - $183K/yr

You operate as a highly senior individual contributor and strategic operator, acting as a trusted partner to Creative Directors, Associate Creative Directors, and Marketing leadership. Your work ...

Braze

Senior Creative Operations Lead, Brand

Chicago, IL · On-site

$116K - $183K/yr

You operate as a highly senior individual contributor and strategic operator, acting as a trusted partner to Creative Directors, Associate Creative Directors, and Marketing leadership. Your work ...

pregis

Operator I (Assistant Operator)

Roselle, IL

$22 - $26/hr

Job Title: Operator I Classification: Hourly Reports To: Pilot Production and Site Manager ... Provide innovative / creative solutions for opportunities and/or improvements. Essential Functions ...

Pregis

Operator I (Assistant Operator)

Roselle, IL · On-site

$22 - $26/hr

Job Title: Operator I Classification: Hourly Reports To: Pilot Production and Site Manager ... Provide innovative / creative solutions for opportunities and/or improvements. Essential Functions ...

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All JobsCreative Operator JobsCreative Operator Jobs in Chicago, IL

Creative Operator information

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How much do creative operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for creative operator in Chicago, IL is $20.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.36 and $22.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges creative operators face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Creative Operators often juggle several projects at once, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively. One of the main challenges is balancing creative quality with tight deadlines and shifting client needs. Additionally, frequent collaboration with designers, copywriters, and account managers means adapting to various workflows and communication styles. Successful Creative Operators use project management tools and proactive communication to keep projects on track while maintaining a high standard of creative output.

What is a creative operator?

A Creative Operator is a professional who supports the creative process within industries such as advertising, media, and design. They are responsible for managing creative assets, ensuring projects run smoothly, and often bridging the gap between creative teams and production. This role often involves technical proficiency with creative software, organizational skills, and problem-solving abilities. Creative Operators help ensure that creative ideas are executed efficiently and meet quality standards.

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

To excel as a Creative Operator, you need a solid grasp of creative production processes, project management, and a relevant background in media, design, or advertising. Familiarity with digital content creation tools (such as Adobe Creative Suite), asset management systems, and workflow platforms is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you coordinate projects and collaborate with diverse teams. These abilities ensure timely, high-quality creative output and smooth project execution in fast-paced environments.

What is the difference between Creative Operator vs Graphic Designer?

AspectCreative OperatorGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsTypically a high school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer certifications in digital media or designBachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or related field
Work EnvironmentMedia production studios, advertising agencies, digital content teamsDesign studios, marketing departments, freelance settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in media, advertising, and digital content industries for operational supportUsed across advertising, publishing, branding, and digital media for visual creation

The main difference is that Creative Operators focus on executing and supporting creative projects often with technical skills, while Graphic Designers primarily create visual concepts and designs. Creative Operators tend to handle technical tasks and production support, whereas Graphic Designers focus on designing visuals from concept to completion.

What are popular job titles related to Creative Operator jobs in Chicago, IL? For Creative Operator jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Creative Operator jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Operator jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Creative Operator jobs near you

Creative Execution Lead

Northern Trust

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Northern Trust rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

About Northern Trust
As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world's most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.
Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.
With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world's most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
The Creative Execution Lead is a senior, hands-on leadership role responsible for driving the end-to-end delivery of creative production and integrated campaigns into market . This is a true player-coach role that balances direct involvement in the work with leadership of the team delivering it. Sitting at the intersection of creative craft, production excellence and team leadership, and reporting to the Head of Creative, you will personally lead and contribute to execution across multiple channels while mentoring, coaching, and developing the creative team responsible for day-to-day delivery.
This leader ensures that creative ideas are translated into high-quality, on-brand, and on-time executions across digital, social, video, print and emerging platforms. You will partner closely with Marketing strategists , Digital , Compliance, and external vendors to operationalize campaigns efficiently while maintaining a high creative bar. This is a pivotal role in scaling creative output, strengthening production rigor, and building a confident, capable execution team.
What You'll Do :
Lead Creative Execution & Marketing Delivery
  • Own the executional delivery of creative production for campaigns from concept handoff through final launch.
  • Translate creative strategy and direction into actionable production plans and timelines.
  • Ensure campaigns are delivered on time, on brief, and ready for market across all required channels.
  • Act as the primary executional lead for integrated campaigns, coordinating across teams and partners.
Build, Mentor & Coach the Creative Team
  • Lead, mentor, and coach designers and production-focused team members.
  • Provide clear direction, constructive feedback, and growth-oriented coaching to elevate craft and confidence.
  • Support career development by identifying strengths, skill gaps, and learning opportunities.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team.
Oversee Production Across Channels
  • Oversee the production of digital, social, video, print and experiential assets.
  • Ensure creative output aligns with brand standards, campaign objectives , and channel specifications.
  • Guide motion design, animation, and video execution in partnership with the internal and external teams.
  • Manage multiple workstreams and priorities while maintaining quality and consistency.
Drive Operational Excellence & Process Rigor
  • Establish and refine production workflows, resourcing models, and delivery standards.
  • Identify risks, dependencies, and bottlenecks early and proactively resolve them.
  • Balance speed, quality, and efficiency across concurrent campaigns and initiatives.
  • Continuously improve executional processes, templates, and ways of working.
Collaborate Across Creative, Marketing & External Partners
  • Coordinate with production partners and vendors to scale delivery as needed.
  • Present work-in-progress and final executions clearly, articulating rationale and trade-offs.
  • Ensure alignment across stakeholders while protecting creative integrity and executional quality.
Ensure Quality & Brand Consistency
  • Uphold brand standards across all executions and touchpoints.
  • Conduct quality reviews to ensure accuracy, consistency, and readiness for market .
  • Ensure final assets meet technical, legal, and compliance requirements prior to launch.
  • Champion creative excellence while operating within real-world constraints.
Mindset Behaviors & Attributes
  • Execution-focused and decisive: able to move work forward, make informed decisions, and deliver results.
  • People-centered leader : invested in coaching, mentoring, and developing others.
  • Highly organized and adaptable: comfortable managing complexity, shifting priorities, and tight timelines.
  • Calm under pressure: solutions-oriented and resilient in fast-paced environments.
  • Collaborative and pragmatic: balances creative ambition with operational reality.
What You Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in Design , Fine Arts, Communications, or equivalent experience
  • 10+ years of experience leading a creative team of 8+ people (agency or in house)
  • Strong understanding of production workflows across digital, social, video, and print
  • Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud; experience with production management tools a plus
  • Ability to partner effectively with cross-functional teams and external vendors
  • Strong communication , organization, and problem-solving skills
  • Experience working in large organizations or regulated industries is a plus
  • A portfolio demonstrating strong executional craft across channels
Salary Range:
$137,400 - 240,400 USD
Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.
Work Authorization
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).
Working with Us
As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.
Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust's history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.
Reasonable Accommodation
Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com , or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.

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