Creative Operations Manager, Assistant Director Job at EY in Chicago

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Location: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta, Cleveland

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence. We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help to build a better working world.

Creative Operations Manager, Assistant Director

As a member of our US Creative Services team, you’ll join a high-performing in-house creative agency with a digital‑first focus. In a culture that is agile and inspires you to be your best self every day, you’ll manage day-to-day operations within your team, developing innovative solutions that help drive our clients’ business in a fast‑paced world.

The opportunity

You lead a multi‑disciplinary virtual team of 20‑30 members, helping internal clients develop go‑to‑market materials that contribute to growth and revenue. You’ll bring prior management experience, leadership insight, and industry background to drive success.

Your Key Responsibilities

Accountable for people management—staffing, training, supervising, coaching, developing, and performance management to achieve a high‑performing team. Manage creative personnel, set and drive team goals, identify training opportunities, and provide day‑to‑day direction. Serve as a knowledge resource on operational, procedural, and administrative matters. Manage KPIs that support financial and operational performance, analyzing team metrics and dashboards to make sound business decisions. Collaborate with the account manager on operational account strategy, understanding business objectives and delivering exceptional service. Support various business units across the organization.

Skills and Attributes for Success

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to model by example
• Ability to build and leverage relationships and exercise influence across all levels of the organization
• Excellent communication skills, active listening, and diplomacy
• Ability to analyze data and KPIs to make sound business decisions
• Proactive and independent thinker, strong problem‑solving skills, and a growth mindset
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a high‑performing culture

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, digital media, or a related discipline, or equivalent training and work experience
• Eight-plus years of creative management experience in a fast‑paced, matrixed agency or in‑house team environment
• Five-plus years of supervisory experience leading and counseling a team of creatives
• Strong conflict resolution, negotiation, influencing, and persuasion abilities
• Demonstrated business acumen and strategic thinking skills
• Experience with Mac and PC environments, Microsoft Office, Teams, Outlook, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Workfront or another project‑tracking tool
• Comprehensive knowledge of creative industry practices, digital trends, innovation, and technology
• Experience working in a virtual environment with flexibility for a hybrid arrangement, remotely or at a local EY office as required by business needs

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Experience managing and leading people in a virtual environment
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and thrive in a time‑sensitive environment
• Proven ability to problem‑solve and navigate a highly matrixed organization

What We Look For

Engaging communicators with executive presence, bold leadership through conflict and challenging situations, strategic, collaborative, and consultative thinkers with a growth mindset and creative problem‑solving aptitude.

What We Offer You

We’ll develop you with future‑focused skills and worldwide experiences, empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams.

• A comprehensive compensation and benefits package; base salary range $93,300‑$174,500 (all US locations), $112,000‑$198,300 for New York City, Washington and California (excluding Sacramento). Total Rewards include medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k), and paid time off.
• Hybrid model: most external, client‑serving roles will work together in person 40‑60% of the time during engagements.
• Flexible vacation policy allowing you to decide how much vacation time you need, along with time off for EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.

EY accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis.

This posting includes the following equal‑employment‑opportunity statement: EY provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law. EY is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities, including veterans.