Senior Creative Director

Adobe · San Francisco, CA

On site
Full-time
$259,800 / year
San Francisco, CA

Job highlights

Lead creative strategy for global brand campaigns.
Manage and mentor multidisciplinary creative teams.
Develop cohesive creative vision aligned with goals.
Present to C-suite and executive partners.
Drive innovation and creative excellence across Adobe.

About the role

Senior Creative Director

Adobe Studio is seeking a visionary Senior Creative Director to lead world-class creative strategy and execution across our global brand ecosystem. In this role, you’ll champion bold ideas, elevate creative excellence, and guide multidisciplinary teams in crafting the visual and narrative expression of Adobe’s most influential campaigns. You’ll partner closely with marketing, product, and executive partners to bring innovative storytelling to life—setting the creative bar for one of the world’s most iconic software brands.

What You'll Do

Guide and support a multidisciplinary group of creative professionals, including people managers (designers, copywriters, art directors, etc.).
Encourage an environment of collaboration, creativity, and excellence.
Develop a bold, cohesive creative vision that aligns with the company’s brand and strategic goals.
Set long-term creative strategies and ensure they’re coordinated across marketing, branding, and product initiatives.
Lead presentations to executive audiences, including C-Suite.
Clearly communicate creative ideas, project goals, and intended results.
Frame the message to align with the interests and concerns of executive partners.
Take charge of key creative decisions, assessing potential risks and proactively addressing concerns from collaborators to maintain project alignment with strategic goals.
Coordinate visual and messaging consistency across all touchpoints.
Ensure that all creative outputs maintain high standards, follow brand guidelines, and reflect the brand’s identity and voice.
Cultivate positive, proactive relationships with business units, working closely with senior leaders to define and implement communication strategies that support overarching business goals.
Stay on top of industry trends, new technologies, and market insights to keep creative efforts relevant and competitive.
Encourage the team to experiment and innovate.
Promote a culture of innovation and motivate team members to contribute creatively, pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas.

What You Need To Succeed

10+ years' experience in related roles, with 3+ years in a leadership capacity managing teams.
Expertise leading creative projects and initiatives from concept through execution across fields (web, print, interactive, etc.).
Experience playing a meaningful role in the development and delivery of new technology or major innovations.
Strong presentation and communication skills.
Ability to work effectively in a fast paced setting, anticipate issues, and think big-picture.
A positive, achievement-focused outlook.

About Adobe

Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.

Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.

Let’s Adobe together

At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.

Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.

Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email accommodations@adobe.com or call +1 408-536-3015.

AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:

Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.

At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.

Expected Pay Range:

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $118,300 -- $259,800 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.

In California, the pay range for this position is $179,400 - $259,800 In New York, the pay range for this position is $179,400 - $259,800 In Illinois, the pay range for this position is $137,500 - $199,150 In Washington, the pay range for this position is $154,000 - $223,000

At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).

In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.

State-Specific Notices:

California:

Fair Chance Ordinances

Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.

Colorado:

Application Window Notice

Apr 02 2026 12:00 AM

If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.

Massachusetts:

Massachusetts Legal Notice

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Key skills/competency

Creative Direction
Brand Strategy
Team Leadership
Campaign Execution
Storytelling
Visual Design
Cross-functional Collaboration
Executive Presentations
Innovation
Brand Consistency

Skills & topics

Senior Creative Director
Creative Strategy
Brand Management
Team Leadership
Campaign Development
Visual Storytelling
Marketing
Adobe
Digital Media
Advertising

How to get hired

Tailor your resume: Highlight 10+ years of creative experience and 3+ years managing teams, emphasizing concept-to-execution leadership.
Showcase innovation: Detail your experience in developing new technologies or major innovations.
Demonstrate communication skills: Prepare examples of presenting to executives and framing messages effectively.
Highlight strategic thinking: Emphasize your ability to think big-picture and anticipate issues in fast-paced environments.
Understand Adobe's culture: Research Adobe's mission, values, and commitment to empowering creativity and innovation.

Technical preparation

Prepare a portfolio showcasing diverse creative projects.,Familiarize yourself with Adobe's product suite and brand.,Study current industry trends and emerging technologies.,Practice articulating creative concepts and strategies.

Behavioral questions

Describe leading a major creative campaign.,How do you foster team creativity and collaboration?,Share an example of influencing executive decisions.,How do you handle creative risks and challenges?

Frequently asked questions

What is the expected pay range for a Senior Creative Director at Adobe?: The U.S. pay range for this Senior Creative Director position at Adobe is $118,300 - $259,800 annually. Specific pay depends on factors like work location, experience, and skills. For instance, in California and New York, the range is $179,400 - $259,800.
What are the key responsibilities of a Senior Creative Director at Adobe?: As a Senior Creative Director at Adobe, you will lead creative strategy and execution for global brand campaigns, develop a cohesive creative vision, manage and mentor creative teams, present to executive audiences, ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints, and foster a culture of innovation.
What experience is required for the Senior Creative Director role at Adobe?: To be considered for the Senior Creative Director role at Adobe, you need at least 10 years of related experience, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership capacity managing teams. Experience leading creative projects from concept to execution and involvement in new technology development is also crucial.
How does Adobe approach AI in its hiring process for the Senior Creative Director position?: Adobe encourages innovation with AI but restricts its use during live interviews unless explicitly permitted or for approved accommodations. Misrepresenting your work with AI tools may affect your application for the Senior Creative Director role.
How can I ensure my application stands out for the Senior Creative Director position at Adobe?: To stand out for the Senior Creative Director role at Adobe, tailor your resume to highlight leadership, strategic vision, and innovative project experience. Prepare strong examples of executive presentations and demonstrate your understanding of Adobe's brand and commitment to creativity.
What is the work environment like at Adobe for a Senior Creative Director?: Adobe fosters a culture where employees are empowered to make an impact, encouraging collaboration, creativity, and innovation. As a Senior Creative Director, you'll work in a fast-paced setting, leading multidisciplinary teams and partnering with various business units.
Does Adobe consider candidates with arrest or conviction records for the Senior Creative Director role?: Yes, Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and 'fair chance' ordinances, including in California.
What are Adobe's diversity and inclusion policies relevant to the Senior Creative Director application?: Adobe is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. They do not discriminate based on protected characteristics and strive to make their recruiting process accessible to all users.

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About the role

Senior Creative Director

What You'll Do

Guide and support a multidisciplinary group of creative professionals, including people managers (designers, copywriters, art directors, etc.).
Encourage an environment of collaboration, creativity, and excellence.
Develop a bold, cohesive creative vision that aligns with the company’s brand and strategic goals.
Set long-term creative strategies and ensure they’re coordinated across marketing, branding, and product initiatives.
Lead presentations to executive audiences, including C-Suite.
Clearly communicate creative ideas, project goals, and intended results.
Frame the message to align with the interests and concerns of executive partners.
Take charge of key creative decisions, assessing potential risks and proactively addressing concerns from collaborators to maintain project alignment with strategic goals.
Coordinate visual and messaging consistency across all touchpoints.
Ensure that all creative outputs maintain high standards, follow brand guidelines, and reflect the brand’s identity and voice.
Cultivate positive, proactive relationships with business units, working closely with senior leaders to define and implement communication strategies that support overarching business goals.
Stay on top of industry trends, new technologies, and market insights to keep creative efforts relevant and competitive.
Encourage the team to experiment and innovate.
Promote a culture of innovation and motivate team members to contribute creatively, pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas.

What You Need To Succeed

10+ years' experience in related roles, with 3+ years in a leadership capacity managing teams.
Expertise leading creative projects and initiatives from concept through execution across fields (web, print, interactive, etc.).
Experience playing a meaningful role in the development and delivery of new technology or major innovations.
Strong presentation and communication skills.
Ability to work effectively in a fast paced setting, anticipate issues, and think big-picture.
A positive, achievement-focused outlook.

About Adobe

Let’s Adobe together

AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:

Expected Pay Range:

In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.

State-Specific Notices:

California:

Fair Chance Ordinances

Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.

Colorado:

Application Window Notice

Apr 02 2026 12:00 AM

Massachusetts:

Massachusetts Legal Notice

Key skills/competency

Creative Direction
Brand Strategy
Team Leadership
Campaign Execution
Storytelling
Visual Design
Cross-functional Collaboration
Executive Presentations
Innovation
Brand Consistency

How to get hired

Tailor your resume: Highlight 10+ years of creative experience and 3+ years managing teams, emphasizing concept-to-execution leadership.
Showcase innovation: Detail your experience in developing new technologies or major innovations.
Demonstrate communication skills: Prepare examples of presenting to executives and framing messages effectively.
Highlight strategic thinking: Emphasize your ability to think big-picture and anticipate issues in fast-paced environments.
Understand Adobe's culture: Research Adobe's mission, values, and commitment to empowering creativity and innovation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the expected pay range for a Senior Creative Director at Adobe?

The U.S. pay range for this Senior Creative Director position at Adobe is $118,300 - $259,800 annually. Specific pay depends on factors like work location, experience, and skills. For instance, in California and New York, the range is $179,400 - $259,800.

What are the key responsibilities of a Senior Creative Director at Adobe?

As a Senior Creative Director at Adobe, you will lead creative strategy and execution for global brand campaigns, develop a cohesive creative vision, manage and mentor creative teams, present to executive audiences, ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints, and foster a culture of innovation.

What experience is required for the Senior Creative Director role at Adobe?

To be considered for the Senior Creative Director role at Adobe, you need at least 10 years of related experience, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership capacity managing teams. Experience leading creative projects from concept to execution and involvement in new technology development is also crucial.

How does Adobe approach AI in its hiring process for the Senior Creative Director position?

Adobe encourages innovation with AI but restricts its use during live interviews unless explicitly permitted or for approved accommodations. Misrepresenting your work with AI tools may affect your application for the Senior Creative Director role.

How can I ensure my application stands out for the Senior Creative Director position at Adobe?

To stand out for the Senior Creative Director role at Adobe, tailor your resume to highlight leadership, strategic vision, and innovative project experience. Prepare strong examples of executive presentations and demonstrate your understanding of Adobe's brand and commitment to creativity.

What is the work environment like at Adobe for a Senior Creative Director?

Adobe fosters a culture where employees are empowered to make an impact, encouraging collaboration, creativity, and innovation. As a Senior Creative Director, you'll work in a fast-paced setting, leading multidisciplinary teams and partnering with various business units.

Does Adobe consider candidates with arrest or conviction records for the Senior Creative Director role?

Yes, Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and 'fair chance' ordinances, including in California.

What are Adobe's diversity and inclusion policies relevant to the Senior Creative Director application?

Adobe is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. They do not discriminate based on protected characteristics and strive to make their recruiting process accessible to all users.