Creative Services Manager

Freeman•Columbia, WA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Creative Services Manager keeps creative production moving from approved core creative through campaign execution, ensuring work is completed on time and on budget. This solution-oriented collaborator owns project assignments, tracks capacity across the creative team, and manages rush requests and shifting priorities by resequencing work. The manager guides production processes, standards, handoffs, and freelancer decisions to make campaign execution efficient and streamlined. Trafficking is a core focus during the next phase of operations; over time, the role will shift toward production efficiency and improved workflows. This is not a hands-on design or people-management role. The position supports the Operations & Strategy team and is eligible for a hybrid schedule, generally requiring in-office and/or show-site work 2–3 days per week. The ideal candidate is located in Washington, DC. Travel may be required up to 25%.

Requirements

At least 5 years of agency experience trafficking and producing creative work across design, copy, and production for multiple clients and competing deadlines.
Hands-on expertise with a work management platform, including building boards, rules, and automations.
Thorough understanding of pre-production planning and processes, including the ability to estimate project scopes and task durations.
Demonstrated ability to identify process problems and recommend practical fixes.
Strong organization, time management, problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills, including the ability to push back tactfully and uphold processes.
Ability to multitask effectively and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Working knowledge of creative production across design, print, digital, and copy sufficient to review work, set production standards, and guide freelancers.
Comfort supporting process change and building buy-in across teams.
Positive, solution-oriented attitude.

Nice To Haves

Asana experience is strongly preferred; experience with Workfront, Monday.com, Workamajig, or a similar platform will also be considered.
Experience evaluating, managing, and negotiating with freelancers.
Experience in a full-service agency where creative works alongside other disciplines, such as strategy, web, and social, and collaborates across departments.
Experience partnering with Operations to build or improve creative workflows and production standards.
Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, project management, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Manage project intake, assignments, and scheduling in Asana from request through delivery.
Maintain Asana workflows, templates, and processes.
Partner with creative, account, and department leads to prioritize work and manage changing deadlines.
Recommend outsourcing solutions when needed.
Assign designers, copywriters, and production staff based on workload and skill set.
Monitor team capacity, workload distribution, and resource gaps; coordinate freelancer support during high-volume periods.
Track project status, bandwidth needs, and rush-work trends.
Lead weekly trafficking meetings to review assignments and resolve conflicts.
Partner with project managers and account teams to adjust timelines and priorities; serve as the main liaison for workflow and resourcing issues.
Escalate priority conflicts and deadline risks when necessary.
Source, onboard, and assign freelancers; determine when to outsource work; track freelancer utilization, hours, and budget performance; and maintain a reliable freelance network.
Help establish and maintain production standards for file organization and naming, version control, asset management, and templates and specifications for deliverables such as HTML5, GIFs, email, and ads.
Help the team follow production standards and serve as the first stop for production and process questions and as the creative production subject matter expert.
Work with Operations and creative leadership on standards; resolve quality issues involving specifications, deadlines, completeness, and errors.
Flag creative execution issues to creative leadership and Operations; review and update production templates as operational updates roll out.
Identify and address recurring production inefficiencies and recommend changes to work, tools, or processes.
Maintain production process documentation and SOPs in alignment with Operations leadership.
Partner with Operations to improve creative workflows, intake processes, and automation.
Manage handoffs from creative concepting to production and train teams on workflow expectations and best practices.
Analyze project metrics and recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and quality.