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Creative Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Posted today

We provide next-generation creative and media services, enterprise solutions and data analytics services for clients. We get fired up when people talk about getting-and staying-healthy. That's where ...

Creative Director, Art

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130 - $210/hr

We provide next-generation creative and media services, enterprise solutions and data analytics services for clients. We get fired up when people talk about getting--and staying--healthy. That ...

Creative Project Manager

Chicago, IL

$84K - $114K/yr

Summary The Creative Project Manager supports the Senior Creative Project Manager in executing creative production strategies and managing day-to-day project workflows. This role helps coordinate ...

Creative Project Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$84K - $114K/yr

Summary The Creative Project Manager supports the Senior Creative Project Manager in executing creative production strategies and managing day-to-day project workflows. This role helps coordinate ...

Remote - Creative Manager l

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$125K - $135K/yr

The Creative Manager will work closely with internal teams and stakeholders to transform ideas into compelling creative projects across digital, marketing, branding, social media, and other ...

Posted today

Creative Project Manager

Chicago, IL

$84K - $114K/yr

Summary The Creative Project Manager supports the Senior Creative Project Manager in executing creative production strategies and managing day-to-day project workflows. This role helps coordinate ...

Showing results 41-60

Creative information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$48.5K

$107.8K

$162.9K

How much do creative jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative in Chicago, IL is $107,831.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,700.00 and $151,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are creative jobs?

Creative jobs are jobs that require artistic talent or a creative mindset, and they usually refer to jobs in the advertising, marketing, graphic design, apparel manufacturing, literary, and film industries. The specific qualifications for creative jobs vary by field and position. For example, if you want to work in the art department at an ad agency, you need to have strong visual skills, a talent for graphic or fine art, and excellent drawing and drafting skills. Meanwhile, as a copywriter, you need to have strong written communication skills. Your duties and responsibilities also vary depending on the type of creative work you do.

What is a creative?

Creatives are professionals involved in generating original ideas and producing content across various fields, such as advertising, marketing, design, writing, and the arts. Their main role is to develop visually appealing, engaging, or thought-provoking materials that help communicate messages, promote brands, or entertain audiences. Creatives can include graphic designers, copywriters, art directors, illustrators, and more, often working in teams or agencies to bring concepts to life.

How does a creative professional typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

Creative professionals often work closely with teams such as marketing, product management, and development to ensure their concepts align with overall business goals. Collaboration usually involves brainstorming sessions, regular feedback meetings, and iterative revisions based on input from key stakeholders. This cross-functional teamwork helps to refine ideas, maintain brand consistency, and deliver effective campaigns or products. Being open to feedback and adaptable to changes are important qualities for success in this collaborative environment.

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

To thrive as a Creative, you need a strong portfolio showcasing artistic ability, innovative thinking, and proficiency in design or content creation, often supported by a degree in a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or other digital media platforms is typically required. Standout soft skills include adaptability, collaboration, and effective communication to convey ideas and work with diverse teams or clients. These skills and qualities are essential to producing compelling work that meets project goals and adapts to evolving creative trends.

What is the difference between Creative vs Graphic Designer?

AspectCreativeGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsPortfolio, sometimes a degree in arts or related fieldDegree or certification in graphic design or visual arts
Work EnvironmentAdvertising agencies, media companies, marketing teamsDesign studios, marketing departments, freelance
Industry UsageBroader creative roles including advertising, branding, content creationPrimarily visual communication through graphics
Search & ComparisonBroader, encompassing various creative rolesMore specific to visual design tasks

While both Creative and Graphic Designer roles involve visual work, Creative is a broader term that includes various creative functions like branding, advertising, and content creation. Graphic Designers focus specifically on visual communication through graphic elements. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are some creative careers?

Creative careers include roles such as graphic designer, writer, photographer, animator, and art director. These jobs often require strong artistic skills, proficiency with design or editing software, and a portfolio to showcase work. They can be found in industries like advertising, media, entertainment, and publishing.

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

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

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

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

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Creative jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Creative job openings:

Infographic showing various Creative job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $107,831 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

Creative Operations Manager

Empire Today

Northlake, IL • On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 19 hours ago

Posted today


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 our Marketing 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 of perks.

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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