Creative Production Manager

Advoc8

2d•$95,000 - $105,000•Remote

About The Position

The Creative Production Manager owns the end-to-end creative production lifecycle across multiple concurrent programs, turning approved designs into finished assets. The role manages graphics tracking, creative timelines, proofs, quality control, print production, fabrication and swag vendors to ensure assets are on brand, on specification, delivered on time and within budget. The position coordinates designers, producers, freelancers and vendors, and ensures work is reviewed before it is sent to clients or vendors. This role builds and maintains graphics grids and client visual identity asset libraries, coordinates creative deadlines and approval rounds, verifies production files, manages vendor communications and costs, and supports onsite graphics and signage installation as needed. It also sources and manages freelance creative talent, improves production systems and checklists, and serves as a first-level operational contact for client design teams. The role is fully remote and full-time, based anywhere in the U.S., with onsite travel as needed. Standard business hours apply, with occasional flexibility for event timelines; the position may require some nights and weekends and approximately 15% travel.

Requirements

4–7+ years of experience in creative production, print production or creative traffic management within an agency, experiential or brand environment; experiential or event experience is strongly preferred.
Deep working knowledge of print production and prepress, including CMYK, bleed, trim, dielines, outlined type, proofing and color.
Enough fluency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat to assess whether a file is ready for a vendor.
Proven experience managing print, signage, large-format, fabrication and swag vendors from quote through delivery, including tracking costs against budget and managing scope changes.
Demonstrated experience building and maintaining creative timelines and written approval workflows across multiple concurrent programs.
Experience sourcing, scoping and managing freelance creative talent.
Strong organization, systems thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to anticipate production issues before they reach a vendor.
Clear, confident client-facing communication skills and a collaborative, proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft PowerPoint and Word, and Acrobat; hands-on experience with tools such as Slack and Productive.
Ability to work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends.
Comfort with approximately 15% travel for onsite graphics and signage installation checks.
Ability to remain in a stationary position for an extended period of time.
Ability to lift and/or move boxes and equipment up to 50 lbs. with assistance.
Ability to position oneself under tables or stages and/or lower oneself to the floor.
Passion for experiential marketing, events, brand activations and the craft of making things.
Commitment to ADVOC8’s core values and representing them in daily work.
Successful completion of applicable background checks.

Nice To Haves

Experiential or event experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Build and own the Graphics Grid for each program, linked to the workback, as the source of truth for status, specifications, files, proofs and approvals.
Build and maintain a Visual Identity Asset Library for each client, and organize shared drives and Released Files according to established naming and storage practices.
Set creative deadlines and approval rounds with the Executive Producer and Production, and keep them current in the master production schedule as plans change.
Run approval rounds through written sign-off and log the approver and date.
Co-lead the weekly creative review with the Art Director.
Gather vendor templates, dielines and specifications, and notify designers when items are ready for design.
Prepare build kits with the Art Director and present production routes, including materials, scale, pricing and lead time, with Production.
Confirm files are print-ready and internally reviewed before they are sent to a client or vendor.
Log revision rounds against print deadlines and coordinate final release with the responsible Production lead.
Own vendor communication for print, signage, fabrication and swag from quote through delivery, partnering with the in-house gifting and merch team on attendee gifts, executive kits and event swag.
Track creative production costs against budget and route scope changes to the Account Manager before committing.
Support onsite graphics and signage installation checks and last-minute print and swag needs as required.
Source, vet and schedule freelance creative talent with the Head of Creative, and maintain a roster of vetted partners including specialties, rates and performance feedback.
Define contractor scope, deliverables, hours, rates and deadlines before work begins; coordinate agreements and NDAs; and onboard contractors to ADVOC8 ways of working.
Track contractor hours and spend, flag out-of-scope requests early, and ensure files are complete and organized at project close.
Act as the first-level creative escalation contact with client design teams, resolving operational questions and escalating creative decisions to the Art Director.
Communicate risks, dependencies and needed decisions early across Creative, Production and Growth.
Standardize and improve the Grid, workbacks, intake and QC checklists across accounts to reduce revision rounds and reprints.
Stay up to date on print, signage, fabrication, materials and production technology.
Complete applicable background checks successfully.