Generating opportunities and clearing roadblocks
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I am a CREATIVE MANAGER
WHAT do YOU DO?
My career as a creative manager has required creativity in ideas and the ability to implement. It was my job to ensure the vision is created and enacted on time, on budget and I managed the people, processes, and technology that made it happen.
BUT HOW?
I create roadmaps for implementing whatever the creative idea was; it could be live brand activation at a conference, international interview capture managed remotely, or seamless animation project that is able to be played in sections or in whole. I delegate tasks and map out budgets, timelines, and all the big-picture details. Then I manage a team of creative professionals that could include web developers, designers, video producers/directors, content writers and more. As drafts are generated, I will bring the client or other stakeholders back to the table to get their feedback; I hold regular meetings with teams and stakeholders. This process will continue until the creative “product” is complete. Finally, the I lead internal teams in a project post-mortem analyzing what went well and what needs improvement. I also do this with the client to get a whole picture of the process, learning the ins and outs of what to expect next time we work with them or an adjacent team.
SOUNDS COMPLEX. CAN YOU BREAK IT DOWN SOME MORE?
My typical day in the life of a Creative Manager often would include:
Reviewing developing service proposals and creative briefs
Meeting with client and project managers to determine need
Facilitating creative project kickoffs
Leading brainstorming sessions with creative teams on client and agency side
Supervising, pushing, and encouraging creative team
Benchmarking budget expenses against projections
Overseeing daily tasks tied to creative productions
Troubleshooting issues that could slow down the process
Providing analysis to ensure the project stays within brand standards
Suggesting changes to workflows in order to improve efficiencies and cut costs
Presenting drafts to the client or other stakeholders
Spot-checking client bill to ensure accuracy
IS THAT ALL?
Many times I will report to a VP of Marketing or other leadership on the client side. In the agency setting, I work closely with traffic coordinators and art directors. I produce reports or analyze data in order to spot industry or competitor trends that will affect the creative goal, vision, or audience reception. The bottom line is that I handle the people behind the creative output, whatever it may be.
COOL. GIVE ME SOME BUZZWORDS OF OTHER THINGS ABOUT YOU.
Creative
An amazing storyteller
Analytical and insightful attention to detail
Flexible yet able to stay on point
Works without supervision
Organized and efficient multitasker
Expert communicator cool under pressure
Collaborator that knows the whole is greater than the sum of its parts
Skills in graphic design, video editing with a good sense of layout and narrative flow best practices
Digital production expert
Sales and customer service experience
Strong, decisive decision maker
People person with excellent interpersonal skills
Project management expert
Excellent change manager
Jack-of-all creative trades and master of even more
Able to handle the stress of multiple high-pressure deadlines