Manager, Creative Design

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The Creative Design Manager is a hands‑on creative leader built for a fast‑paced, transformational marine omni‑channel retail environment—one where creativity, speed, and constant evolution matter more than rigid rules, static guidelines, or “the way it’s always been done.” This role blends big‑picture conceptual thinking with deep executional expertise, owning creative design and production from initial ideation through final delivery. The Creative Design Manager doesn’t just follow best practices—they help define them, evolve them, and know when to break them in service of stronger ideas and better outcomes.

Thriving at the intersection of creativity, collaboration, and execution, this role requires a self‑starter with a strong point of view and a bias toward action. The ideal candidate is an autonomous producer who can confidently operate within a corporate environment while pushing it forward—championing innovation, elevating creative standards, and rallying diverse cross‑functional teams around smart, bold solutions.

Equal parts designer, producer, collaborator, and influencer, this individual gets things done with optimism and energy—building trust, removing obstacles, and moving work forward with a collaborative, solutions‑first mindset. They lead with confidence and empathy, foster partnership over friction, and bring a smile and momentum to every room they’re in.

This role works cross‑functionally with Marketing, Merchandising, eCommerce, and other partners to deliver impactful creative that supports strategic business objectives. The Creative Design Manager reports to the Sr. Director of Creative and partners closely in a highly collaborative, hands‑on relationship—sharing ownership of creative outcomes and flexing between dividing responsibilities, co‑creating, and leading art direction as needed.

Primary Responsibilities

• Creative Concepting & Execution (40%)
• Creative ideation, design and production from concept to completion, ensuring work is bold, relevant, and executable in a high‑speed marine retail environment.
• Remain deeply hands‑on in design, production, and creative problem‑solving—stepping in wherever needed to maintain momentum.
• Translate evolving business goals, strategic direction, and loosely defined briefs into clear, compelling creative solutions.
• Establish, evolve, and model creative best practices that balance brand consistency with innovation and speed.
• Raise the creative bar while embracing experimentation, iteration, and continuous improvement.
• Project Steward & Agile Workflow (20%)
• Partner closely with Marketing, traffic, and cross‑functional teams to shape incoming creative work—assessing scope, priority, and approach in real time.
• Adhere to timelines and deliverables with a bias toward action, finding smart paths forward even when constraints are unclear or shifting.
• Proactively monitor creative workflow, anticipate challenges, and adapt quickly as business needs evolve.
• Approach every challenge with a “there’s always a solution” mindset, keeping teams aligned and energized.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Influence (30%)
• Act as a trusted creative partner across departments—building alignment, influencing without authority, and guiding teams toward the strongest possible outcome.
• Confidently present ideas, sell creative thinking, and advocate for progressive, disruptive approaches when appropriate.
• Foster collaboration over conflict, prioritizing shared goals and business impact over personal wins.
• Create an open, energetic working environment that encourages partnership, experimentation, and shared ownership.
• Creative Culture, Player/Coach & Accountability (10%)
• Lead by example, setting the tone for creativity, accountability, and momentum.
• Provide creative direction and informal coaching/collaboration to partners.
• Hold high standards for quality and execution while moving fast.
• Contribute to a culture that values creativity, adaptability, and continuous evolution.

Education, Experience & Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Communication Arts, Marketing, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• Proven experience with hands‑on creative work in a fast‑paced retail environment.
• Strong background in design and creative production, with demonstrated ability to take ideas from concept through execution.
• Experience partnering cross‑functionally within a matrixed or enterprise organization undergoing change or transformation.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Highly conceptual thinker with exceptional executional follow‑through.
• Strong point of view paired with a collaborative, low‑ego approach.
• Self‑starter with a bias toward action and a comfort with ambiguity.
• Ability to create structure where needed—and break it when better ideas demand it.
• Confident, persuasive communicator who builds trust and momentum.
• Comfortable working with diverse teams, personalities, and functions.
• Detail‑oriented without losing sight of the big picture.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Adobe Creative Suite and Figma required. Familiarity with social media, video platforms, and project management tools is a plus.

Seniority level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Management

Industries

• Retail, Marketing Services, and Design Services