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Creative Project Manager Jobs in San Rafael, CA (NOW HIRING)

We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams ... Analyzes project reports and proactively manages the profitability of a project. * Participates ...

If your background is primarily in software product management or creative agency/marketing PM work, this role will NOT be the right fit. Education / Experience * 10+ years of experience in project ...

Project Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$110K - $128K/yr

Creative problem solving and sound judgment across a range of projects * Strong written and verbal communication skills * Strong client service and relationship management skills * Commitment to ...

Project Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$110K - $128K/yr

Creative problem solving and sound judgment across a range of projects * Strong written and verbal communication skills * Strong client service and relationship management skills * Commitment to ...

Senior Project Manager

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$145K - $165K/yr

If your background is primarily in software product management or creative agency/marketing PM work, this role will NOT be the right fit. Education / Experience * 10+ years of experience in project ...

Support a hybrid creative project management methodology in tandem with an Agile software development approach, moving with ease between organizational systems * Manage product qualitative research ...

Senior Project Manager

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

... reverence for the creative process and the ability to greet challenges with a smile ... project status regularly to teams, management and clients Qualifications: - Proven ability to keep ...

Showing results 41-60

Creative Project Manager information

See San Rafael, CA salary details

$42.4K

$107.7K

$146.6K

How much do creative project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative project manager in San Rafael, CA is $107,723.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,400.00 and $123,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a creative project manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

A Creative Project Manager serves as a bridge between creative teams, such as designers and copywriters, and other departments like marketing, product, and client services. They facilitate communication by clearly outlining project goals, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring everyone is aligned. Regular check-ins, status updates, and collaborative meetings are common, allowing the manager to address any blockers quickly and keep the project on track. This collaborative structure fosters a dynamic environment where feedback and ideas flow openly, ensuring that creative outputs meet both strategic objectives and client expectations.

What is the difference between Creative Project Manager vs Graphic Designer?

AspectCreative Project ManagerGraphic Designer
Required credentialsBachelor's in marketing, communications, or related field; project management certifications often preferredBachelor's in graphic design, visual arts, or related field; design software proficiency
Work environmentCollaborates with teams, manages timelines, oversees projects from concept to completionFocuses on creating visual content, working primarily in design studios or freelance settings
Employer and industry usageUsed in advertising agencies, media companies, marketing departmentsCommon in design firms, advertising agencies, freelance work

The Creative Project Manager oversees the entire project lifecycle, coordinating teams and managing deadlines, while the Graphic Designer focuses on creating visual content. Both roles require creative skills, but the project manager emphasizes organization and leadership, whereas the designer emphasizes technical design expertise.

What is a creative project manager?

A creative project manager oversees all the elements of a creative project. These creative projects usually fall under the marketing department, but there are opportunities in other sections of a company. As a creative project manager, your job duties are to shape the ideas of the project, define clear goals and objectives in consultation with other departments, organize your team, and keep them on task. The creative project manager needs to maintain a balance between allowing the creative talent freedom to explore ideas while still making sure the team meets deadlines and creates a strong project, so you need excellent interpersonal and negotiations skills for this career.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a creative project manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Project Manager, you need strong project management abilities, experience in creative industries, and typically a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools like Asana, Trello, or Wrike, and design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, is highly valued. Exceptional communication, organization, and leadership skills help you coordinate teams and manage client expectations effectively. These competencies are crucial for delivering high-quality creative projects on time and within budget while maintaining strong team collaboration.

What job categories do people searching Creative Project Manager jobs in San Rafael, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Project Manager jobs in San Rafael, CA are:

What cities near San Rafael, CA are hiring for Creative Project Manager jobs?

Cities near San Rafael, CA with the most Creative Project Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Creative Project Manager job openings in San Rafael, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,723 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things.
Success at SOM Means
  • Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.
  • Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.
  • Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.
  • Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.
  • Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.
  • Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Position Responsibilities
  • Actively leads a project or distinct portions of a project with periodic supervision by Project Leadership to achieve design, technical and financial success.
  • Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at an overall project level.
  • Envisions and develops diagrams, renders site plans, and contributes to all manner of graphic and visual production.
  • Demonstrates an advanced understanding of planning and urban design concepts, building typologies, critical dimensions and systems, utility and infrastructure systems, land development imperatives and planning / zoning codes, and phasing and implementation techniques.
  • Prepares, with Leadership input, quality agreements with clients including letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, and professional service agreements. Executes additional service agreements and gains authorization by phase.
  • Collaborates with Partners and senior team to prepare, issue, and manage compliance plans to align project goals including budget, deliverables and schedule. Gains agreement with the senior team for labor allocation. Chairs weekly team meetings to address variances from the project plan.
  • Administers internal control procedures with Project Accountant including billing, collections, percent complete, expense management, and year-end activities. Analyzes project reports and proactively manages the profitability of a project.
  • Participates actively in project design and technical discussions and decision making.
  • Communicates actively through chairing weekly meetings, issuing meeting minutes, accurate project record keeping and sharing project information and correspondence.
  • Assists in Managing the owner/client relationship and expectations to allow SOM and team to work effectively, efficiently and collaboratively.
  • Participated in new business and marketing efforts including responses to marketing requests and maintenance of firm relationships.
  • Initiates, monitors and maintains project schedule and work plan including schedule of meetings and presentations.
  • Schedules and leads internal team weekly project meetings; develops the meeting agenda and project status update.
  • Initiates, monitors and maintains project plan and financial performance of project.
  • Initiates and maintains SOM-Client Services Agreement, SOM Sub-Consultant Agreements and requests for additional services.
  • Monitors scope for contract compliance and potential additional services.
  • Actively engages in project risk management through close collaboration with SOM Partners and legal group.
  • Manages time and workload of own work efforts and those of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with occasional interaction and direction from team leaders while guiding and teaching less experienced staff.

Leadership Responsibilities
  • Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members' recognized abilities and potential.
  • Directly supervises staff and is committed to direct reports' professional development.
  • Develops and engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review and interviews.
  • In collaboration with team members, develops a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.
  • Actively engages in internal and external professional development opportunities.
  • Contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
  • Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures.
  • Protects SOM from financial and legal risk.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Professional Degree in Architecture, Urban or City Planning, Urban Design, or Landscape Architecture.
  • Professional licensure process is close to completion; LEED accreditation preferred.
  • Minimum 6 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
  • Experience in large-scale planning, mixed-use and transit-oriented development in North America, and demonstrated facility working in a fast-paced and intensely collaborative professional environment. International project experience is a plus.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully lead project teams and manage project schedule, budget and program.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • General understanding of both urban planning / design and sustainable strategies and principles including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems.
  • Demonstrates expertise in Microsoft Office, Smartsheets, Adobe Suite and Google Workspace, as well as AutoCAD, Rhino, Grasshopper, Enscape, Lumion, parametric and rendering software, and other graphic software.
  • Familiarity with Deltek Vision and Salesforce are highly desirable.
  • International travel will be required.

Are you ready to join a team of creative professionals working on transformational projects around the world? Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to build a better future with SOM.
Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $90,000 to $120,000.
For more about SOM: www.som.com
Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, etc).Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.