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Managing Creative Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Microsoft

Creative Director

New York, NY · On-site

$188K - $331K/yr

... management experience (e.g., serving as a Lead Artist, Art Manager, Creative Director, etc.). Additional or preferred qualifications * Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Design, Fine Arts, Human ...

Pixel

Creative Director

Hayward, CA · On-site +1

We're hiring a Creative Director with exceptional conceptual thinking, creative leadership ... Manage creative team staffing, performance standards, and growth. * Balance big-picture thinking ...

New

Pixel

Creative Director

Mundelein, IL · On-site +1

We're hiring a Creative Director with exceptional conceptual thinking, creative leadership ... Manage creative team staffing, performance standards, and growth. * Balance big-picture thinking ...

New

Pixel

Creative Director

Alameda, CA · On-site +1

We're hiring a Creative Director with exceptional conceptual thinking, creative leadership ... Manage creative team staffing, performance standards, and growth. * Balance big-picture thinking ...

New

Pixel

Creative Director

Santa Clara, CA · On-site +1

We're hiring a Creative Director with exceptional conceptual thinking, creative leadership ... Manage creative team staffing, performance standards, and growth. * Balance big-picture thinking ...

New

Pixel

Creative Director

Fremont, CA · On-site +1

We're hiring a Creative Director with exceptional conceptual thinking, creative leadership ... Manage creative team staffing, performance standards, and growth. * Balance big-picture thinking ...

New

Pixel

Creative Director

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site +1

We're hiring a Creative Director with exceptional conceptual thinking, creative leadership ... Manage creative team staffing, performance standards, and growth. * Balance big-picture thinking ...

New

Serino Coyne

Creative Director

New York, NY

$95K - $130K/yr

The Creative Director will be responsible for leading the creative conversation. Must be able to ... Must manage creative guidelines while driving the development process with the creative team ...

Pixel

Creative Director

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site +1

We're hiring a Creative Director with exceptional conceptual thinking, creative leadership ... Manage creative team staffing, performance standards, and growth. * Balance big-picture thinking ...

New

Pixel

Creative Director

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

We're hiring a Creative Director with exceptional conceptual thinking, creative leadership ... Manage creative team staffing, performance standards, and growth. * Balance big-picture thinking ...

New

Pixel

Creative Director

Sonoma, CA · On-site +1

We're hiring a Creative Director with exceptional conceptual thinking, creative leadership ... Manage creative team staffing, performance standards, and growth. * Balance big-picture thinking ...

New

Pixel

Creative Director

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

We're hiring a Creative Director with exceptional conceptual thinking, creative leadership ... Manage creative team staffing, performance standards, and growth. * Balance big-picture thinking ...

New

Pixel

Creative Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

We're hiring a Creative Director with exceptional conceptual thinking, creative leadership ... Manage creative team staffing, performance standards, and growth. * Balance big-picture thinking ...

New

De Circle

M0 Labs - Creative Director

New York, NY · On-site +1

Oversee the execution of creative initiatives by managing the existing design team and the use of ... Director, Head of Brand, or equivalent). * A portfolio of category-defining brand and narrative ...

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Managing Creative Director information

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$43K

$129.3K

$216.5K

How much do managing creative director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for managing creative director in the United States is $129,330.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,500.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is there a demand for creative directors?

The demand for creative directors remains strong across industries such as advertising, media, and entertainment, driven by the need for innovative branding and marketing strategies. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as companies prioritize visual storytelling and brand identity, often requiring skills in leadership, project management, and familiarity with design tools like Adobe Creative Suite.

What is the highest paid creative job?

The highest paid creative job is often that of a Chief Creative Officer (CCO) or Creative Director in large corporations, with salaries reaching into the high six or seven figures depending on the industry, company size, and location. These roles require extensive experience, leadership skills, and a strong portfolio, often complemented by advanced degrees or certifications in design, marketing, or related fields.

How does a Managing Creative Director typically balance creative vision with business objectives in daily operations?

A Managing Creative Director often faces the challenge of aligning innovative concepts with the company’s strategic goals and client expectations. This involves leading creative teams through brainstorming and development while ensuring projects adhere to timelines, budgets, and brand guidelines. Regular collaboration with project managers, marketing leads, and executive leadership is essential to maintain both creative integrity and commercial viability. Successful Managing Creative Directors foster open communication, provide constructive feedback, and prioritize adaptability to balance creativity with business needs.

What is a Managing Creative Director?

A Managing Creative Director is a senior leader responsible for overseeing the creative vision and direction of a company or agency. They manage creative teams, guide the development of concepts, and ensure that all creative work aligns with the brand’s objectives and standards. In addition to leading brainstorming sessions and approving final designs, they often collaborate closely with other departments and clients. Their role combines creative expertise with strong leadership and project management skills to deliver impactful campaigns and projects.

What is the difference between Managing Creative Director vs Creative Director?

AspectManaging Creative DirectorCreative Director
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, manages teams, and aligns creative strategies with business goalsFocuses on leading specific creative projects, developing concepts, and guiding creative teams
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in design, marketing, or related fields, with extensive experienceRequires similar educational background and experience, often with a focus on creative execution
Work EnvironmentSenior leadership in agencies or corporate marketing departmentsCreative teams within agencies, studios, or corporate settings

The Managing Creative Director holds a broader leadership role, overseeing multiple projects and teams, while the Creative Director concentrates on the creative vision and execution of specific projects. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, but the Managing Creative Director has greater strategic and managerial responsibilities.

What is the highest salary for a creative director?

The highest salaries for a managing creative director can exceed $200,000 annually, especially in large corporations or high-cost-of-living areas. Compensation often includes bonuses, profit sharing, and benefits, reflecting experience, industry, and company size.

How much does a creative director get paid?

A creative director's average salary varies by industry and experience but typically ranges from $90,000 to $180,000 annually. Senior creative directors with extensive experience and leadership responsibilities can earn higher compensation, often exceeding $200,000. Salaries are influenced by factors such as location, company size, and skill set in areas like branding, design, and project management.

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

To thrive as a Managing Creative Director, you need a strong background in visual design, creative strategy, and leadership, often supported by a degree in design, marketing, or a related field. Expertise with industry-standard design software (such as Adobe Creative Suite), project management tools, and sometimes certifications in creative leadership are highly valued. Exceptional communication, team management, and the ability to inspire and guide creative teams are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities ensure the delivery of innovative, cohesive creative work that aligns with strategic business goals and fosters a productive, motivated team.
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Managing Creative Director jobs near you
Creative Director

Creative Director

Microsoft

New York, NY • On-site

$188K - $331K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Microsoft rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 125 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 188 rated software companies

Job description

Overview
As a Creative Director in Microsoft's Design Studio for the Social & Creative organization, you will lead the creative vision and execution across a portfolio of initiatives that span customer, partner, media, and marketer experiences. You will shape how Microsoft's commercial brands show up in the world-visually, emotionally, and experientially-through bold, culturally resonant creative that drives advocacy, usage, and pipeline. This role places a premium on visual & motion design as foundational tools for brand expression and systems design. You will define visual systems that communicate identity, and bring clarity to complex ideas at scale leveraging AI tools. You'll lead the development of visual systems that scale across platforms and audiences, ensuring consistency, flexibility, and emotional resonance. You will guide a multidisciplinary team of designers, motion artists, and producers to deliver high-fidelity creative across omni-channel campaigns, product demos, and brand activations. You'll champion systems-driven design, AI-enhanced workflows, and storytelling that connects emotionally with priority audiences. You'll also collaborate across marketing, product, and engineering teams to ensure creative excellence and consistency across every touchpoint.
Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.
Job Location: The primary location for this position is NY,NY. Additionally, this role can also be based in Redmond, WA. Candidates who do not reside in one of these two areas will be relocated
Responsibilities
  • Set and evolve the creative direction for Social & Creative initiatives, with a focus on brand expression across photography, motion, copywriting, and digital renderings.
  • Lead the development of scalable visual & motion design systems that reinforce brand identity and enhance user experience across platforms.
  • Define principles that support visual direction, storytelling, interaction, and emotional engagement.
  • Develop and maintain brand guidelines and creative playbooks that empower internal teams and external partners to deliver consistent, high-quality work.
  • Translate complex technologies into intuitive, inspiring experiences in collaboration with product and marketing teams.
  • Lead creative reviews, provide actionable feedback, and foster a culture of craft, curiosity, and innovation that elevates design work across our team and organization.
  • Represent the Design Studio in strategic conversations across the organization, advocating for design excellence and user empathy.

Embody our culture and values.
Qualifications
Required/minimum qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Design, Fine Arts, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Communications or related art field AND 8+ years experience in art design or a related art field working on computer games or entertainment OR equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years people management experience (e.g., serving as a Lead Artist, Art Manager, Creative Director, etc.).

Additional or preferred qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Design, Fine Arts, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Communications or related art field AND 15+ years experience in art design or a related art field working on computer games or entertainment OR equivalent experience.
  • 8+ years people management experience (e.g., serving as a Lead Artist, Art Manager Creative Director, etc.).
  • 12+ years experience using related software and packages (e.g., Maya, 3DS Max, Photoshop/Adobe suite, Mental Ray, Substance Designer/Painter/Zbrush, SideFX Houdini, After Effects, Unity, Softimage).
  • Experience shipping 2+ multiple projects or products end to end.

#EandEJobs
Art M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $296,400 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000 - $331,200 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

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About Microsoft

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Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and 1 million servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our datacenter design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Redmond, WA, US

Year founded

1975

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