Creative Manager - Contract (Charlotte-based)

***You must be Charlotte-based or within commuting distance to Charlotte***

About Us:
Blueprint Creative Group is a strategic communications agency supporting state, local, and federal government agencies with enterprise-wide communications, public affairs, and program management.

Position Overview:
Blueprint seeks a contract Creative Manager to lead creative development and production for our customer's marketing campaigns. The Creative Manager translates approved concepts into high-quality, brand-compliant assets across print, digital, social, OOH and experiential channels and ensure multilingual, ADA-accessible deliverables are produced on schedule and within budget.

Core Responsibilities

1. Daily Creative Operations – Collaborate with the client to develop creative strategy, assign design/edit tasks, and traffic assets through review gates (brand, accessibility, translation).

2. Asset Production & Adaptation – Design or oversee production of static, motion, and short-form video assets.

3. Vendor & Freelancer Management – Source and supervise local photographers, videographers, illustrators, printers, and sign shops; negotiate quotes and timelines.

4. Quality Assurance – Conduct pre-flight checks for brand accuracy, WCAG/508 compliance, resolution, and file integrity before release.

5. Real-Time Content Capture – Coordinate on-site shoots of events, bus-stop activations, and rider testimonials; expedite same-day edits for social channels.

6. Metrics and Performance – Meet weekly with Analytics to review creative KPIs (VTR, CTR, engagement) and apply learnings to A/B iterations.

7. Resource & Budget Tracking – Maintain hours and expense logs against task-order budgets; flag overages early.

8. Customer Meetings – Be available to meet with the client onsite as needed.

Qualifications & Skills

• 6+ years in art direction, graphic design, or content production for consumer or public-sector brands; transportation or civic experience preferred.

• Expert in Adobe CC (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere/After Effects) and Figma or equivalent.

• Proven record of shepherding high-volume, multi-language campaigns from concept to delivery.

• Working knowledge of WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards and file prep for print & digital signage.

• Strong vendor-management and budgeting skills; familiar with union and PAI requirements for shoots.

• Comfortable working evenings/weekends during service changes or major events.