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Creative Retail Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

SALT XC

Creative Director, Portfolio

Chicago, IL · On-site

You're an enthusiastic presenter who wants to be the creative face of the agency to your Brand Teams, Retail Marketing partners and senior stakeholders. RESPONSIBILITIES * Inspire and lead ...

SALT XC

Creative Director, Portfolio

Chicago, IL · On-site

You're an enthusiastic presenter who wants to be the creative face of the agency to your Brand Teams, Retail Marketing partners and senior stakeholders. RESPONSIBILITIES * Inspire and lead ...

Omnicom

Creative Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

The ideal candidate has proven experience in commerce creative with an understanding of the techniques and strategies that major retail partners like Walmart, Target, Amazon, etc. employ to engage ...

Omnicom

Creative Director

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

The ideal candidate has proven experience in commerce creative with an understanding of the techniques and strategies that major retail partners like Walmart, Target, Amazon, etc. employ to engage ...

Omnicom

Creative Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $160K/yr

Experience in Shopper, Commerce, Retail a plus * 10+ year of experience * Innovative concepting skills and great presentation skills * Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite * Natural communicator with ...

Omnicom

Creative Director

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$150K - $160K/yr

Experience in Shopper, Commerce, Retail a plus * 10+ year of experience * Innovative concepting skills and great presentation skills * Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite * Natural communicator with ...

MERGE

Associate Creative Director - Design

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$129K/yr

Associate Creative Director (Design) As Associate Creative Director (Design), you will shape the digital and physical visual narrative for a fast-paced retail account [major Quick-Service Restaurant ...

MERGE

Associate Creative Director - Design

Chicago, IL · On-site

$129K/yr

Associate Creative Director (Design) As Associate Creative Director (Design), you will shape the digital and physical visual narrative for a fast-paced retail account [major Quick-Service Restaurant ...

Green Thumb

Social Media Manager, RYTHM

Chicago, IL · On-site

You'll work collaboratively with events & experiences, creative, retail marketing, sales, compliance, brand, and external partners to craft authentic moments of connection for our audience. We're ...

Green Thumb

Social Media Manager, RYTHM

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

You'll work collaboratively with events & experiences, creative, retail marketing, sales, compliance, brand, and external partners to craft authentic moments of connection for our audience. We're ...

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All JobsCreative Retail JobsCreative Retail Jobs in Chicago, IL

Creative Retail information

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How much do creative retail jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for creative retail in Chicago, IL is $20.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.31 and $22.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Creative Retail professional?

A Creative Retail professional is someone who combines creativity with retail expertise to enhance the shopping experience, develop engaging store layouts, and design innovative marketing and visual merchandising strategies. They are responsible for making retail spaces visually appealing, creating brand stories, and attracting customers through unique displays and promotional concepts. Their work is essential in differentiating brands in a competitive market and driving sales by connecting emotionally with shoppers.

How does a Creative Retail professional typically collaborate with other departments to enhance the in-store customer experience?

Creative Retail professionals frequently work alongside marketing, merchandising, and store operations teams to develop visually engaging displays and interactive experiences that align with brand messaging. They participate in regular planning meetings to ensure design concepts are feasible and support promotional campaigns. This cross-functional collaboration helps ensure that creative ideas are both practical and impactful, resulting in cohesive in-store presentations that drive customer engagement and sales.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Creative Retail professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Retail Professional, you need a strong background in visual merchandising, sales strategies, and customer service, often supported by experience in retail or a related field. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and digital design tools like Adobe Creative Suite is commonly required. Creative thinking, attention to detail, and excellent interpersonal communication help you design engaging displays and connect with customers. These skills drive sales, enhance the customer experience, and contribute to a store’s overall brand image and success.

What is the difference between Creative Retail vs Visual Merchandiser?

AspectCreative RetailVisual Merchandiser
Required CredentialsPortfolio, relevant design or marketing experienceDesign skills, fashion or retail background
Work EnvironmentRetail stores, marketing agencies, brand eventsRetail stores, display setups, trade shows
Employer & Industry UsageRetail brands, marketing firms, e-commerceFashion retailers, department stores, specialty shops

Creative Retail and Visual Merchandiser roles both focus on visual presentation and branding within retail environments. Creative Retail often encompasses broader marketing and branding strategies, while Visual Merchandisers specifically design in-store displays and layouts. Both require creative skills and industry experience, but Creative Retail may involve more strategic planning, whereas Visual Merchandisers focus on visual execution.

What creative retail jobs are in demand right now?

Creative retail jobs in demand include visual merchandisers, store designers, and brand experience specialists. These roles often require skills in graphic design, interior layout, and familiarity with retail branding tools, with many positions available in both full-time and freelance capacities.

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

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

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

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

Creative Retail jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Retail job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,961 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Creative Director, Portfolio

SALT XC

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

ROLE: CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PORTFOLIO
TEAM: THE KITCHEN NORTH AMERICA
LOCATION: TORONTO / CHICAGO (HYBRID)
COMPANY OVERVIEW
The Kitchen brings together a range of disciplines and capabilities. It's a team of creatives, producers, data analysts and social experts working together to deliver remarkable ideas that live in a variety of mediums, from everything from social to TV. This team moves at the speed of culture. It is built to respond to trends and events as they happen, coming up with ideas that transcend social media to capture the spirit of the moment, earn media impressions, and get the country talking.
Are you ready to join an award-ambitious team that's making waves in the advertising industry? Our incredible team has been recognized internationally by industry giants like Cannes, One Show and was named Campaign's Global 'In-House Agency of The Year', further solidifying our position as a leader in the industry. Join us and be a part of something truly special - a team that's dedicated to creating ground-breaking work and pushing limits.
At The Kitchen, we're not just looking for individuals who want to be a part of the advertising industry - we're looking for trailblazers who are ready to lead the way to the next big thing! We want individuals who are passionate about producing award-winning work and have an innate drive to their craft and are eager to generate innovative ideas both within and outside of the brief.
ROLE OVERVIEW
As the Creative Director, Portfolio you will lead multidisciplinary creative teams across a portfolio of iconic Kraft Heinz brands, partnering with Sr. Creatives, Designers, Accounts and Strategists to develop breakthrough ideas that extend seamlessly across every consumer touchpoint-from national campaign and social content to retail experiences and the moment of purchase. Unlike a traditional Creative Director role, this position requires someone who is equally comfortable developing breakthrough brand platforms as they are translating those ideas into compelling retail and shopper experiences.
As an experienced creative leader, you know how to have an impact on your team and ensure every project reaches its full potential-from integrated brand campaigns and cultural moments to retail experiences that drive shopper engagement. You champion platform-agnostic, consumer-centric ideas that create one connected brand experience.
You're more than a creative manager; you're a teacher to other creative managers and talent. You know how to help senior creatives get the most out of their teams while coaching junior talent to develop ideas they're passionate about. You are hands-on in contributing to ideas and producing great work.
You're always thinking about your team and its capabilities addressing skill gaps, developing talent and holding them to a high standard.
You're an enthusiastic presenter who wants to be the creative face of the agency to your Brand Teams, Retail Marketing partners and senior stakeholders.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Inspire and lead multidisciplinary teams of Sr. creative creatives, and Designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration and high performance while growing, motivating and retaining top talent across a portfolio of Kraft Heinz brands.
  • Champion integrated thinking across every consumer touchpoint-from TV, social and digital to experiential, OOH, retail, shopper marketing, and emerging platforms-ensuring cohesive, compelling brand experiences, visual excellence and message consistency.
  • Lead the development and execution of integrated creative across advertising, retail, shopper marketing, and brand experiences, managing multiple projects, workflows and brand portfolios while balancing long-term brand building with speed, agility and cultural relevance.
  • Lead teams to deliver bold, non-traditional creative solutions across integrated campaigns, collaborating closely with the Executive Creative Director to align creative vision with agency and brand's objectives.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS
  • Integrated Creative Leadership: Proven success leading integrated creative across advertising, digital, social, retail and shopper marketing, with 8+ years of experience in advertising, integrated marketing or medium-agnostic creative-or a track record that demonstrates exceptional advancement.
  • Creative Excellence: A strong portfolio showcasing originality, innovation and integrated thinking across brand campaigns, retail experiences and consumer touchpoints.
  • International Recognition: Experience creating world-class campaigns that have achieved international recognition or earned multiple international awards.
  • Leadership & Talent Development: An established leader with a proven ability to inspire, mentor and develop creative talent while elevating the creative output of multidisciplinary teams.
  • Strategic & Innovative Thinking: A big-picture thinker who consistently develops bold, unconventional ideas that extend beyond executional solutions and drive cultural and business impact.
  • Retail & Shopper Expertise: Experience translating brand ideas into compelling retail and shopper marketing experiences that strengthen brand equity and drive conversion.
  • Communication & Influence: Exceptional presentation, communication and storytelling skills, with experience influencing senior stakeholders and building trusted relationships.
  • Collaborative & Entrepreneurial Mindset: A positive, proactive and collaborative leader who takes initiative, brings forward new ideas and contributes to a strong team culture.
  • Production & Operational Excellence: Experience managing creative production, collaborating with photographers, directors and vendors, and delivering high-quality work within budget.
  • Organization & Adaptability: Strong organizational, time management and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

What Success Looks Like
  • Big ideas that inspire consumers across every touchpoint-from national campaigns to the moment of purchase.
  • Retail experiences that feel like an extension of the brand, not an afterthought.
  • High-performing creative teams that consistently produce outstanding work.
  • Strong partnerships with brand and retail stakeholders built on trust, creativity, and collaboration.
  • Creative that moves culture, wins at retail, and delivers measurable business impact.

The Kitchen and Kraft Heinz. are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting and retaining the most qualified employees regardless of race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, or disability
The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $145,000-$170,000. Individual compensation within this range is determined based on job-related factors such as experience, skills, level of responsibility, internal equity, and business needs. This range represents the expected base salary for this role and does not include other elements of The Kitchen's total rewards program.

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