INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Creative Director positions are at a 11% growth rate, which is faster than average. With that said, there are currently 98,500 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 10,800 to 109,300 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Creative Director jobs was $97,270 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $54,530, and the highest 10% more than $199,250.
Our conclusion? The Creative Director job market is wide open for candidates.
Top creative director sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
How to write a creative director resume experience section
Creative director resume experience: checklist
- Use either chronological or reverse-chronological format when listing your previous jobs;
- Mention only relevant positions that add value to your resume;
- Briefly state the challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them;
- Highlight the results from your efforts (for bonus points, add numbers, percentage rates, etc.);
- Forget about buzzwords! Use power verbs instead.
Use the examples below to build your own experience section!
- Co-ran group responsible for the acquisition and retention creative across all channels for all American Express Cards and OPEN, Time Warner Cable, DHL, Jaguar, and Pfizer (Zoloft e-CRM and Relpax offline CRM)
- Won Best of Show and Best Campaign at CEBA awards for FM Global insurance
- Won Ogilvy 360º Award for DHL relaunch
- Named to O&M/OgilvyOne Joint Operating Board
- Leading the company from a start-up to becoming an online digital advertising leader.
- Securing dozens of leading local and global accounts, including: E-bay, PayPal, Lancôme, Panasonic, Hoodies, CTS, 7 Stars Mall, etc.
- Define corporate and project work and business plans.
- Defining personal and departmental objectives and goals, mentoring and supervising.
- Driving teams to reach ambitious and challenging goals, meet customer’s requirements and drive to satisfaction, loyalty and excellent performance.
- End-to-end project and account management.
- Optimizing budget and content – allocation of media purchase, media deployment – Facebook, Google, Mobile, Landing Pages, YouTube, relevant websites and affiliates.
- Managing international projects – working with global accounts and brands, adapting media strategy to global HQ guidelines.
- Conducting daily meetings, presentations and negotiations with senior level management of leading companies.
- Managing the company’s customer service array, customer satisfaction and retention.
- Producing amazing output and quality on restricted budget.
- Present campaigns and results to Board and C-suite Executives.
- Lead and inspire creativity for team and organization.
- Created the Creative Director role, Creative Service team and lead the organization for branding, campaigns, digital, print, radio and TV.
- Manage creative department, team of 8 (design, development and content strategy teams)
- Lead prospective pitches with clients direct (account expansion and new business). Quote and scope projects in-line with agency revenue targets and profitability
- Responsible for creative direction and approval for all levels of production relating to creative, content marketing and digital marketing campaigns
- Responsible for Builtvisible re-brand - New identity system, branding, website, sales/marketing collaterals and agency messaging
- Commercial forecasting for client and company profitability
- Thought leader to help manage client expectations and best practices
- Clients include: Very, Fairmont, Staysure, WeBuyAnyCar, Compare the Market, Feel Unique, Icelandair, Rightmove
- Responsible for being the overall strategic lead for Sitecore’s corporate and commercial and content including global localisation of campaigns
- Guardianship of Sitecore’s visual articulation, global branding, online and offline communications
- Align with 3rd party partners & clients for updates on progress and input
- Creative lead for digital product execution, app creation and web offerings
- Manage all stages of the project delivery process. Build relationships and collaborate with sales, product, social, PR and marketing teams
- Managed team of 6 Designers, developers, client /project managers
- Responsible for the creative output of the EU, International and EMEA digital advertising markets
- Design and build of custom developed cross-platform solutions, real-time marketing and Social & API generated user content-based units
- Collaborating with Sales, publisher solutions and product teams to define solutions based on advertiser KPI’s, Pricing models, objectives, Sales metrics and forecasts
- Clients include: Microsoft, Intel, IBM, BMW, Mercedes, Unilever, P&G, Sainsbury’s, Ford, Skoda, Vodafone, Sony, SKY
- Identify, build & create fresh new TV properties & long term brands for &TV weekend programming as per Channel vision in both Non Fiction (Shows & Events) & Fiction Genres
- Supervise the On Air Content right from Creative conceptualization to Execution as per Channel vision of the various projects
- Responsible for complete Project management & budgetary allocations (of individual projects) and commercial negotiations (in tandem with commercial team)
- Planning 360 degree strategies for all Weekend shows against Competition – in collaboration with marketing, sales, digital, on air promotions, consumer research and communication
- Synergize with the strategy team to cover all details of each project – time slot strategy, break strategy, etc. to increase the channel stickiness and counter slot competition
- Effectively managing the weekend team and allocation of individual responsibilities for seamless execution of projects
- Overall Supervision of Project IDS from Acts / Creative / Production / Reality & Post Production perspective to ensure the best On Air Content is delivered as per Star Plus requirement
- Content Conceptualization and Creative Direction of the Project DMD from Auditions to Gala episodes and finally the Grand Finale
- Supervising / Planning of Format / Ideation of Acts, Episodic RO’s, Reality Content and complete Post Production
- Conducted extensive market research to establish a well rounded marketing plan which produced astrategic advertising campaign tied together in IMC.
- Produced and directed a production team to create corporate videos, commercials, Internetbuzz-feed, and sales training videos.
- Art directed photography, storyboards,
- Joined the company as a creative director and speechwriter, bringing strong relationships with GM senior leadership
- Embedded with client for 2 years working with executive Sales, Service and Marketing communications team
- Developed and executed internal, dealer and press events for Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Hummer, Cadillac and Chevrolet
- Rebranded and re-designed site
- Increased conversion by 3%
- Managed a team of 12-17
- Launched in Hong Kong at the Christmas Gift Festival
- Product selection included among others limited edition items and interior design leather products
- Produced mainly for the export market
- Deliver 360º digital marketing campaign for global brand in APAC
- Instrumental in delivering value through ideas to fortune 500
- Manage digital marketing campaign cycle from creative to delivery
- Win client pitch for National Geographic Channel, FedEx, Sony, HP, Nikon and more
- Managed a team of developers and designers
- Creative lead for 100+ person, Nissan North America Account, providing strategic and creative direction to internal team as well as multiple Omnicom partner agencies throughout the Americas.
- Produced sales growth year after year despite an ongoing U.S. economic slowdown, reduced media spend, and diminishing marketing budgets.
- Won Nissan's social media account and grew it into a multi-million business.
- Developed buzz-generating campaigns like Amazon Giant Box, which successfully conquered internet’s black sheep platform reddit.
- Produced successful reality TV show “GT Academy” which takes video gamers and helps turn them into race car drivers for Nissan.
- Creative lead for 60+ person, $150MM Mitsubishi account, providing strategic and creative direction to internal team as well as multiple Omnicom partner agencies.
- Drove dealer leads (+89%), web traffic (+29%), higher income buyer (+$15M) and increased overall new car sales (+17%) in a declining market during the first six months of campaign.
- Re-launched Outlander brand exceeding sales objective by 42% and increasing sales by 7%.
- Produced an EMMY-winning campaign for DirecTV generating nearly $3.5MM in incremental production revenue.
- Implement and manage organization's rebrand for three campuses.
- Increased revenue for theatrical productions through marketing efforts by 20%.
- Web & Social Media • Lead all efforts related to the creation and development of Dream City Church websites. • Proactively work to make sure Dream City Church maintains an effective presence on the web including style/presence, search engines, new technology. • Manage ongoing social media messaging and communication strategies. • Creatively build followings on various social media outlets including but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Theatrical Productions Promotions • Develop system to organize, prioritize and communicate promotional items related to productions. • Create communication strategies to market, inform, and promote big events and other campaigns as assigned. • Oversee all written materials related to promotions. • Increase revenue through marketing efforts by 20%.
- Design & Brand Management • Lead efforts to design all art and promotional materials related to church-wide activities with a high standard of creativity, excellence, and effectiveness. • Network with paid and volunteer artists to develop graphic designs. • Monitor the look, vibe, and feel of all promotional materials representing Dream City Church. • Police the use of logos and images that represent Dream City Church. • Develop overall design and look annual campaigns, conferences and large events.
- Creative Arts • Work in tandem with Creative Arts team to create consistency in messaging from the front door to the back door. • Develop creative ways to communicate desired messages with the audience. • Join brainstorming and creative sessions in developing series and programs.
- Media Relations • Create positive relationships with local and national media. • Oversee efforts related to securing or responding to media attention. • Develop policy and procedures related to media relations.
- Built the agency from nothing to 14 people of the space of 4 years then sold the business to Whybin\TBWA
- Won 13 new competitive pitches on both retained and project clients and delivered 300K ebit in year 4
- Agency scope included small to medium clients in the advertising, PR and digital disciplines in both the B2C and B2B space
- Key Clients Include: Simplot, Vic Urban, Designed Blinds, MYOB, Stride Sports Marketing, AFL Hall of Fame
- Creative director. Management of all materials for printing.
- Development of 360º campaigns for two years for Teatro Español and Centro Cultural de la Villa.
- Creation and management of corporate intranet. CMS: OpenCMS/Java.
- Supervision and implementation of various TV commercial programs.
- Negotiate with various TV channels and production houses for product selling and service buyouts.
- Active involvement in the production and resource management.
- Direction and content editing and support script writing, program implementation.
PRO TIP
In writing your Creative Director resume, you will no doubt want to list your previous duties - as you should. But steer clear of just listing your duties, instead of your achievements. Make your resume stand out by communicating what you have done, and not merely what the job needed you to do.
Action verbs for your creative director resume
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Creative director resume: the skills section!
How to write a strong creative director resume skills section?
- Make sure to include all types of skills - soft, hard, technical;
- Focus on skills that show your expertise in the field;
- Check the job description for keywords and make sure to add them to your resume – this will help you pass ATS;
- Leave room for discussion – elaborate on some of your strongest skills in other sections of your resume
Top skills for your creative director resume
Adobe Suite
Microsoft Office Suite
Final Cut Pro
Adobe Creative Suite
Apple Final Cut Studio
Pro Tools
Communication
Active listening
Conflict resulotion
Stakeholder management
Empathy
Openmindedness
PRO TIP
When describing your experience, don’t go too far from its terminology. Recruiters use ATS systems to filter resumes based on them having certain keywords, so make sure you use at least a few keywords mentioned in the job description.
Recommended reads:
Creative director resume header: Tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your Creative Director resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads.":
PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have policies about identifying information like photos on your Creative Director resume. Be sure to check all the relevant rules before submitting yours. If you’re in doubt, you can always try contacting the company’s HR department to ask for their policy.
A career summary for your creative director resume
things to include in your creative director resume summary:
- Your total years of experience in the industry;
- 2-3 of your most remarkable achievements so far;
- How your experience relates to the position you’re applying for;
- A very brief description of your strengths.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Include a link to your portfolio in your resume header. Most companies will require that you include one in your resume, and even if they don’t, it’s an excellent opportunity to directly show them your proudest projects.
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Creative director resume: the education section
Things to include in your resume's education section:
- Your highest education degree – including course, year of graduation, institution;
- Awards received as part of your education;
- Extracurricular activities that have helped you gain relevant skills;
- Certifications that have helped you master new skills and increase your expertise;
- Entry-level applicants only: relevant courses and projects.
Top certifications for your creative director resume
VoiceQ Training for Directors
Learn the fundamentals of creative direction in using VoiceQ Software
Skyrocket Your Creativity and Get Better Ideas: 7 Easy Ways
Learn how you can develop your creativity muscles with basic but effective techniques to get better ideas in just 1 hour
Building a Creative Startup: Foundations of Entrepreneurship
A crash-course for entrepreneurs with a creative/technical background. Leadership, strategy, finance & company culture
Creative Thinking Exercises: Improve Your Creative Thinking
Creative exercises to boost your creativity and brainstorm new ideas with design thinking, writing & drawing exercises.
Create a Killer Online Portfolio To Get Your Dream Job
Super-charge Your Career & Learn the Secrets Top Creative Professionals Use to Get the Best Jobs & Clients
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PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Creative Director. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
Choosing the right format for your creative director resume
In general, there are three basic formats for your resume:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Some things to consider when choosing the right format for your Creative Director resume include the stage of your career, whether you have all the right skills required for the job or are looking for an industry change, and what field you’re looking to grow in.
The reverse-chronological resume format is the most common one. It lets you describe your most recent job and then move backward. This makes it great for people who have around or less than 10 years of experience and are looking to highlight only their work-related skills and qualities.
If you’re just starting your career journey and reverse-chronological resumes sound too demanding, go for the functional resume format. It’s ideal for showcasing your strengths, personal qualities, skills, education, and the courses you’ve taken, without putting too much pressure on experience and expertise.
Don’t worry if neither of these sounds suitable for you – the hybrid or combination resume format will surely match your needs. It’s similar to the reverse-chronological, but with a catchy twist. Combination or hybrid resumes are great for showcasing both your experience and work-related skills and your personal qualities. Add a “What my day looks like” section for enhancing the jaw-dropping experience!
Here are some more things worth remembering when it comes to formatting your Creative Director resume:
- Choose standard 1-inch resume margins;
- Go for traditional resume fonts sized 10-12p;
- Match the length of your Creative Director resume with your experience – choose a one-page template if you have less than 10 years of experience, and be careful with two-page templates – use them only when applying for executive positions;
- Save your resume in PDF to avoid formatting issues and potential unauthorized editing.
Tired of getting rejected? Check out this article on how to craft a resume that stands out!
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Sometimes you’ll want to go after a job which requires more experience than you have. Instead of using a typical Creative Director resume layout, you can use a creative layout. Getting noticed is the most important challenge and a creative resume layout might help you get invited for an interview as most of other accountants have boring resume designs.
Other sections suitable for your creative director resume
Depending on the position and the industry, you can spice your resume up by adding some more sections. They will help the recruiter get a glimpse of who you are as a person, besides all your job-related skills and qualities.
Here are some examples:
How to add creativity to your creative director resume
Gone are the days when creative resumes were frowned upon by recruiters!
What’s more, the right amount of creativity will make recruiters remember you and want to learn more about who you are – both as an individual and as a professional.
There are two ways to build a creative resume - add creative sections or go for a more creative design approach in general. Go for whatever suits you, the position, and the industry most!
What makes a great creative director resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
