- Job Title: Creative Director
- Company: Cboe Global Markets
- Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Category: Marketing & Creative
- Date Posted: May 13, 2025
- Experience Level: 10+ years of experience
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and mentoring a team of graphic designers to develop and execute Cboe's visual strategy.
- Collaborating with various teams to deliver innovative and impactful creative solutions.
- Ensuring brand consistency, clarity, and excellence across all channels and touchpoints.
- Partnering with external agencies to drive excellence in fast-paced, high-impact creative projects.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and creative thinker with a proven track record in leading teams and driving visual brand strategy.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Lead, inspire, and mentor a team of designers through thoughtful guidance, regular design reviews, and individual development opportunities.
- Oversee team operations, including hiring, workload management, performance evaluations, and career development planning, to foster a high-performing and growth-oriented team.
- Develop and implement a best-in-class creative vision that aligns with business objectives, brand identity, and industry trends.
- Lead the end-to-end creative process, from ideation to execution, ensuring deliverables are innovative, on-brand, and resonate with the intended audience.
- Champion consistency, clarity, and excellence in maintaining the integrity of the company’s visual identity across all channels and brand expressions.
- Partner with product marketing and UX teams to create optimal design solutions that enhance user experience across platforms.
- Collaborate with external agencies to drive excellence in fast-paced, high-impact creative projects.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and exceptional design skills to drive brand consistency and excellence across all touchpoints.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Fine Arts, or a related field.
Experience:
- 10+ years of experience in creative roles, with a focus on producing standout work for global brands.
Required Skills:
- Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and Frontify.
- Expertise in video production, web design, and UX/UI principles.
- Strong conceptual and strategic design development skills.
- Demonstrated expertise in conceptual and strategically-led design development.
- Exceptional ability to foster cross-functional collaboration and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- In-depth understanding of brand strategy and its influence on creative development and perception.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with 3D design and animation tools.
- Familiarity with the financial services industry.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong portfolio showcasing their ability to lead and execute creative projects that align with brand strategy and industry trends.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $165,750 - $204,750 (USD) annually, plus variable pay and benefits.
- Benefits:
- Fair and competitive salary and incentive compensation packages with an upside for overachievement.
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, personal days, sick days, and annual community service days.
- Flexible, hybrid work environment, where you choose where and how you work.
- Health, dental, and vision benefits, including access to telemedicine and mental health services.
- 2:1 401(k) match, up to 8% immediately upon hire.
- Discounted Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
- Tax Savings Accounts for health, dependent, and transportation.
- Employee referral bonus program.
- Volunteer opportunities to help you give back to your communities.
- Paid tuition assistance and education opportunities.
- Generous charitable giving company match.
- Paid parental leave and fertility benefits.
- On-site gyms and discounts to other fitness centers.
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the national new hire base pay range and may vary depending on the location and specific geographic differentials. The total rewards package includes an annual variable pay program and comprehensive benefits.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Financial Services
- Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
- Founded: 1973
- Company Description: Cboe Global Markets is the leading exchange network for global derivatives, foreign exchange, digital asset, and securities trading solutions. We’ve been building trusted, inclusive markets for over 50 years, but we’ve only just begun. We inspire our people to solve complex challenges together because what we do matters: providing the financial infrastructure that helps power the global economy. We create the space for investors of all backgrounds to participate in our markets as well as opportunities for our people to grow while pursuing big ideas. Our solutions help people build a sustainable financial future. And our people are making that future brighter, not only through their work but in the ways they give back to their communities.
- Company Specialties: Options, SPX, VIX, Futures, Equities, Derivatives, ETPs, Clearing, Financial Education, and Global FX.
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Senior-level, strategic role with significant impact on the company's visual identity and brand perception.
- Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the VP of Brand and Corporate Marketing.
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with flexibility to choose where and how you work.
- Growth Opportunities: Potential to grow into a leadership role within the marketing department or expand into other areas of the business.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to shape the company's visual identity and drive brand excellence across various channels and touchpoints.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Hybrid, with offices in Chicago, IL, and New York, NY.
- Office Location(s): 433 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, US, and 17 State Street, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10004, US.
- Geographic Context: Both locations offer vibrant urban environments with easy access to public transportation, dining, and entertainment options.
- Work Schedule: Flexible, with core hours between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and the ability to work remotely as needed.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a healthy work-life balance, with the option to work from home or in the office as needed.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: Phone or video screening, followed by multiple on-site or virtual interviews with stakeholders, including the hiring manager and team members. A final round may include a presentation or case study.
- Key Assessment Areas: Creative portfolio, strategic thinking, leadership skills, and cultural fit.
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Showcase your portfolio demonstrating your ability to lead and execute creative projects that align with brand strategy and industry trends.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
- Figma
- Frontify
- Video production software (e.g., Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro)
- Web design and UX/UI tools (e.g., Sketch, InVision, Webflow)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA, Trello)
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, and Excellence.
- Work Style: Fast-paced, dynamic, and collaborative, with a focus on driving results and continuous improvement.
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How have you successfully led a team to develop and execute a comprehensive visual strategy for a global brand?
- Describe your experience working with external agencies to drive excellence in high-impact creative projects.
- How do you ensure brand consistency and excellence across all touchpoints, and how do you measure success?
ASSUMPTION: Cboe values candidates who are strategic thinkers, strong leaders, and exceptional designers, with a proven track record in driving brand excellence and innovation.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing the needs of various stakeholders, including internal teams and external agencies.
- Managing a team of designers with diverse skill sets and personalities.
- Keeping up with industry trends and evolving design standards while maintaining brand consistency.
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that requires flexibility and adaptability.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, effective communication, and a deep understanding of the brand and its target audience.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Creative Director (In-House) vs. Creative Director (Agency): In-house roles offer more direct influence on brand strategy and a deeper understanding of the company's internal workings. Agency roles provide exposure to a wider range of clients and industries but may have less control over the creative process.
- Creative Director (Financial Services) vs. Creative Director (Other Industries): Financial services roles require a strong understanding of the industry, its regulations, and its target audience. Other industries may have less stringent compliance requirements and offer more creative freedom.
- Creative Director (Global Brand) vs. Creative Director (Local Brand): Global brands offer more exposure and the opportunity to work with diverse teams and stakeholders. Local brands may provide more intimate and hands-on creative experiences.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience in a relevant industry and a strong understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working on a global brand.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive visual strategy for a global financial services brand, including brand guidelines, logo redesign, and campaign creative.
- Leading a team to create a series of animated explainer videos that simplify complex financial concepts for a target audience.
- Collaborating with product marketing and UX teams to design and launch a new mobile trading app, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the candidate's ability to lead and execute creative projects that align with brand strategy and industry trends.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its creative team members?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does the company measure the success of its creative initiatives, and how is that data used to inform future projects?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does that manifest in its creative work?
- How does the company collaborate with external agencies, and what is the ideal candidate's experience working with agencies?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help the candidate better understand the role, the company's culture, and the expectations for success in this position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
- To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the provided link: [Application URL]
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your ability to lead and execute creative projects that align with brand strategy and industry trends.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role.
- If you are selected for an interview, research the company and its industry to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the opportunity.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
