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Creative Planning Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Creative Associate

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

The Creative Associate oversees project tracking, service planning logistics, and communication through tools like Planning Center Online and Asana, ensuring clarity and alignment between central and ...

Creative Director

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $150K/yr

Oversee capacity planning and staffing to align with evolving client needs. * Facilitate ongoing ... Lead creative product development, structured innovation, knowledge-sharing, and brainstorms.

The Creative Director will drive the brand's success by leading the visioning, development, and ... Manage functional budget including annual budget planning, spend tracking, and end of month close ...

The Creative Directorwill drive the brand's success by leading the visioning, development, and ... Manage functional budget including annual budget planning, spend tracking, and end of month close ...

Creative Director

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$105K - $115K/yr

Profound understanding of creative best practices, strategic planning, compliance, project management, and operational leadership. * A visionary leader with a proven ability to build strong team ...

Direct studio and on-location photo/video shoots from planning through final delivery. * Produce creative assets for digital marketing, social media, email campaigns, websites, sales materials, and ...

Creative Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $170K/yr

As the Creative Director, you are the visionary anchor for Liquid Media. You will be responsible ... Ability to travel domestically approximately 25% for client meetings, cross-functional planning ...

Producer, Social Creative

San Diego, CA · On-site

$50.48 - $52.89/hr

They will drive the successful planning, execution, and delivery of social-first creative across Qualcomm's portfolio of brands, including Snapdragon and emerging growth businesses. Partnering ...

Dir, Brand Creative

Cypress, CA · On-site

$158K - $245K/yr

Support planning, logistics, and execution of photo and video production * Partner with freelance talent and external partners as needed * Ensure creative assets meet quality standards across both ...

... planning, and preparing a strategic development plan for creating the agency's marketing strategies, branding functionalities, and business development plans ● Managing external agents like ...

Dir, Brand Creative

Cypress, CA · Hybrid

$158K - $245K/yr

Support planning, logistics, and execution of photo and video production * Partner with freelance talent and external partners as needed * Ensure creative assets meet quality standards across both ...

Creative Strategist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$100K - $125K/yr

As a Creative Strategist, you'll shape O Positiv's performance marketing creative strategies across ... Experience with pre-production including scripting and planning * Interpersonal: * Adaptable to new ...

Creative Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

As the Creative Director, you are the visionary anchor for Liquid Media. You will be responsible ... Ability to travel domestically approximately 25% for client meetings, cross-functional planning ...

Contribute to campaign planning by shaping creative direction from early stages. * Align creative concepts with brand voice, positioning, and long-term vision. Creative Leadership & Mentorship

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Showing results 1-20

Creative Planning information

See California salary details

$19.2K

$66.2K

$97.2K

How much do creative planning jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative planning in California is $66,178.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,800.00 and $79,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is creative planning?

Creative planning is the process of developing innovative strategies and ideas to achieve specific goals, often within marketing, advertising, or content creation industries. It involves brainstorming, research, and collaboration to generate concepts that resonate with target audiences and align with brand objectives. Creative planners analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitor activities to inform their recommendations. Their work helps ensure that campaigns and projects are both original and effective, maximizing impact and engagement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in creative planning, and why are they important?

To excel in Creative Planning, you need strong conceptual thinking, project management abilities, and a background in marketing, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with digital design tools (like Adobe Creative Suite), project management software, and data analytics platforms is typical. Excellent communication, collaboration, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for aligning creative ideas with business objectives. These competencies ensure that innovative concepts are effectively developed, delivered on time, and resonate with target audiences.

How does a creative planner typically collaborate with other departments during a campaign development process?

As a Creative Planner, you will work closely with account managers, strategists, and creative teams to ensure that campaign concepts align with client objectives and audience insights. Collaboration often involves leading brainstorming sessions, synthesizing research findings, and translating strategic direction into creative briefs. Regular meetings and open communication with multiple departments are essential to keep projects on track and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned with the campaign vision. This cross-functional teamwork is crucial for producing cohesive, effective campaigns that meet both creative and business goals.

What is the difference between Creative Planning vs Creative Strategist?

AspectCreative PlanningCreative Strategist
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in marketing, advertising, or related fieldsOften holds similar degrees, with additional emphasis on market research and consumer insights
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with creative teams, account managers, and clients in advertising agencies or marketing firmsWorks closely with marketing teams, clients, and creative departments to develop strategic campaigns
Industry UsageCommonly found in advertising, marketing, and media agenciesPrimarily used in advertising, branding, and digital marketing sectors

Creative Planning and Creative Strategist roles often overlap in skills and industry settings. Creative Planning focuses on developing campaign concepts and planning strategies, while Creative Strategists emphasize market research and consumer insights to guide creative development. Both roles are essential in creating effective marketing campaigns, but their primary focus and responsibilities differ slightly.

Does Creative Planning pay well?

Creative Planning professionals' salaries vary based on experience, location, and role, but generally, they earn competitive wages within the industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced planners or those with specialized skills can earn higher compensation, often supplemented with bonuses or incentives.

How to get a job at Creative Planning?

To get a job at Creative Planning, candidates should review the company's career opportunities on their official website or job boards, prepare a tailored resume highlighting relevant financial planning or advisory experience, and demonstrate strong interpersonal and analytical skills during the interview process. Relevant certifications such as CFP or CFA can enhance candidacy, and understanding the company's client-focused approach is beneficial.

What does creative planning do?

Creative planning involves developing innovative strategies and concepts to achieve marketing, advertising, or branding goals. Professionals in this role analyze target audiences, brainstorm ideas, and collaborate with teams to create effective campaigns using tools like design software and project management platforms.

What are the most commonly searched types of Creative Planning jobs in California?

The most popular types of Creative Planning jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Creative Planning jobs in California?

For Creative Planning jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Planning jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Planning jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Creative Planning jobs?

Cities in California with the most Creative Planning job openings:

Infographic showing various Creative Planning job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,178 per year, or $31.8 per hour.

Creative Associate

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

Menlo Church
Religious Organizations • 51 - 200 employees

$75K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

About Menlo Church
Founded in 1873, Menlo Church has a rich history of serving the spiritual needs of our community and is a vibrant spiritual and social center in Menlo Park. Our journey has led us to expand across the Bay Area, with campuses in San Mateo, Mountain View, Menlo Park, and Saratoga.
Menlo's mission is to bring hope to everyone by living out our identity in Christ every day. As we navigate the unique challenges of today's culture, we are committed to being an endearing gospel presence in a region where many are skeptical. With a talented & dedicated staff, we envision a Bay Area that awakens to the freedom found in Christ, through meaningful and practical support.
Join us as we strive to equip our community to bring the gospel into every aspect of life. Together, we can make a lasting impact in the Bay Area and beyond.
Position Summary
The Creative Associate plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the Creative Department by ensuring systems, communication, and resources are organized, aligned, and effectively executed across all campuses. This role is highly administrative and serves as a central hub for coordinating creative projects, managing workflows, and resourcing teams to bring weekend services, digital content, and ministry initiatives to life.
The Creative Associate oversees project tracking, service planning logistics, and communication through tools like Planning Center Online and Asana, ensuring clarity and alignment between central and campus teams. They manage creative asset organization and distribution, support digital and social media coordination with external partners, and oversee scheduling across key platforms and resources.
This role also coordinates volunteer scheduling and communication, helping create a structured and supportive environment for creative teams to serve effectively. Additionally, the Creative Associate manages studio logistics and production coordination, including the Menlo midweek podcast and other film projects, ensuring all details-from scheduling to post-production-are executed with excellence.
Working closely with the Creative Director and team, this person brings a high level of organization, follow-through, and communication to ensure creative ideas are translated into clear plans and delivered with consistency across all environments.
Essential Functions
  • Serve as a central point of coordination for the Creative Team, aligning day-to-day operations and ensuring alignment between central and campus teams. Manage workflows, timelines, and communications to keep creative projects moving efficiently from request to execution.
  • Oversee the intake, tracking, and execution of creative requests using tools like Asana. Partner with designers, stakeholders, and external vendors to ensure projects are clearly scoped, properly resourced, and delivered on time.
  • Organize and distribute creative assets to campuses, ensuring files are properly named, stored, and easily accessible. Maintain consistency and clarity in resources to support strong execution across all locations.
  • Manage weekly worship service workflows in Planning Center Online (PCO), including scheduling, communication, and documentation between central and campus teams. Ensure all service elements are clearly communicated.
  • Recruit, schedule, and communicate with creative volunteers using Planning Center Online. Support their growth through consistent encouragement, training, and integration into Menlo's leadership pipeline.
  • Oversee scheduling and organization of digital platforms and content calendars, including coordination with external partners (e.g., Missional Marketing, social sermons) for communications and social media needs.
  • Manage Menlo Studio scheduling and logistics, serving as the primary liaison between departments and production teams. Coordinate all aspects of film production, including shoot scheduling, vendor communication, call sheets, and post-production workflows.
  • Oversee scheduling and logistics for recurring productions such as the Menlo midweek podcast, ensuring smooth planning, filming, and delivery.
  • Participate in Creative Team meetings and weekend planning gatherings, contributing to service design and creative planning. Build strong relationships across teams by embodying staff values and fostering a collaborative, solutions-oriented environment.
  • Take on special projects and other duties as assigned by the Creative Director.

Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
  • College degree or 2 yrs equivalent work experience
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong administrative and operational skills, with the ability to support both creative and logistical execution.
  • Demonstrated creative thinking with the ability to translate ideas into practical outcomes.
  • Proven experience recruiting, training, and developing volunteer teams.

Preferred Education and Experience
  • Experience in church production and/or worship environments
  • Multi-site church experience preferred
  • Familiarity with Menlo Church culture and systems

Knowledge and Skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Knowledge of worship production environments and best practices
  • Ability to work effectively in collaborative, cross-functional environments
  • Proficient in common production and office tools (e.g., ProPresenter, Planning Center Online, Resi, Google Workspace, & MailChimp)
  • Familiarity with creative and project management platforms (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Asana)
  • Comfortable working across Mac and Windows (iOS/macOS and Windows) environments
  • Understanding of creative planning processes and workflows

Physical Demands
  • Stand for prolonged amounts of time
  • Walk, bend, twist, and kneel
  • Climb up and down stairs
  • Ability and comfort performing work up high, using the bucket/scissor lifts and tall ladders, not afraid of heights
  • Finger and hand dexterity to operate cameras, computers, and lighting and production gear
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color vision, and peripheral vision; and the ability to adjust focus
  • Lift and carry up to 50 pounds with or without assistance

Work Conditions
  • This position typically operates in a professional office or church environment with standard office equipment such as computers, printers, filing cabinets, and telephones
  • This position works in a setting with lots of large and small equipment, cables, stage lights, and other visual stimuli
  • Days of work are onsite Sunday-Thursday with occasional Friday, Saturday, and evenings, as needed

Menlo Church Spiritual Requirements
  • Live out their personal relationship with Jesus Christ by growing more in His likeness, eager to share and see others come to know true hope.
  • Demonstrate active engagement as a member of Menlo Church by: Regularly attending and inviting others to services, connecting in community through groups, volunteering in a ministry, and committing to giving to the mission and vision of Menlo Church.
  • Holds themself and others accountable to live and love others with integrity and diligence in light of their identity in Christ.
  • Hold compatible theological beliefs in alignment with the essential tenets of ECO, as outlined on their website (https://eco-pres.org/).

The pay range for this role is:
75,000 - 85,000 USD per year (Menlo Park)