π Core Information
πΉ Job Title: Manager, Creative Direction
πΉ Company: T-Mobile
πΉ Location: Bellevue, Washington
πΉ Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (3 days in office)
πΉ Category: Telecommunications
πΉ Date Posted: August 7, 2025
πΉ Experience Level: 5-10 years
πΉ Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
π Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving integrated storytelling and concept development across Retail for T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile brands
- Leading creative direction and execution across multiple channels and formats
- Collaborating with writers, designers, and studio managers to bring big, brand-defining work to life
- Mentoring creatives and helping elevate the teamβs thinking and output
- Staying curious about tools like AI and automation that can enhance creative thinking and speed
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong creative leader who can thrive in a fast-paced, high-collaboration culture where craft and speed both matter.
π Key Responsibilities
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Guide creative direction and execution across multiple channels and formats
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Concept and lead campaign development, brand storytelling, and content initiatives
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Collaborate with designers, copywriters, and studio managers to ensure creative alignment, clarity, and consistency
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Direct design mockups and story development for brand, seasonal, event, and campaign creative
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Partner with business leaders and creative stakeholders to translate ideas into powerful visual stories
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Help prepare and present creative concepts to internal leadership, including T-Studios leadership
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Mentor creatives across disciplines and help elevate the teamβs thinking and output
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Stay grounded in the T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile voice and visual system, while helping evolve it across new formats and ideas
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Stay curiousβespecially around tools like AI and automation that can enhance creative thinking and speed
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Thrive in a fast-paced, high-collaboration culture where craft and speed both matter
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a hands-on creative leader who can guide the creative process from insight to execution and collaborate effectively with various teams.
π― Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Fine Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 4-7 years of creative leadership experience in agency, in-house, or studio settings
Required Skills:
- Proven success leading and mentoring creative teams and guiding projects from brief to launch
- Experience with cross-functional collaboration and executive-level presentation
- Ability to translate strategy into concept and concept into execution
- Deep understanding of design, visual language, and creative systems
- Strong communication, organization, and leadership skills
- Curiosity around AI, automation, and how creative workflows are evolving
- Passion for collaboration and a builderβs attitude
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in the telecommunications industry
- Familiarity with AI-driven creative tools
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong portfolio showcasing their work and demonstrate the ability to lead teams and translate strategy into execution.
π° Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $91,600 - $165,300 (Based on the provided range and company size, this is a competitive salary for a mid-level creative management role in the telecommunications industry)
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible spending account
- 401(k) with company match
- Employee stock grants and purchase plan
- Paid time off and holidays
- Paid parental and family leave
- Family building benefits and childcare subsidy
- Tuition assistance and college coaching
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Voluntary life, accident, and long-term care insurance
- Mobile service and home internet discounts
- Pet insurance and commuter programs
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for a hybrid schedule (3 days in office)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is competitive for the role and experience level, and the benefits package is comprehensive and generous for a company of T-Mobile's size.
π Applicant Insights
π Company Context
Industry: Telecommunications. T-Mobile is a leading provider of wireless voice, messaging, and data services in the United States, operating under the T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile brands.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large corporation, T-Mobile offers extensive resources and opportunities for career growth and development.
Founded: 1990. T-Mobile has a rich history and has played a significant role in shaping the wireless industry.
Company Description:
- T-Mobile is a dynamic, innovative company that prioritizes creativity, collaboration, and disruption in the wireless industry.
- The company is known for its "Un-carrier" approach, which focuses on providing customers with value, quality, and an exceptional service experience.
- T-Mobile is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.
Company Specialties:
- IoT
- Retail
- 5G for All
- Future of 5G
- Business Sales
- Customer Care
- Business Wireless
- Consumer Wireless
- Technology
- Internships & Returnships
- DE&I
- Benefits & Perks
Company Website: T-Mobile
ASSUMPTION: T-Mobile is a well-established company with a strong brand and a reputation for innovation and disruption in the telecommunications industry.
π Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level management. This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the creative department and the broader organization.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Creative Director and oversees a team of creatives, including designers and copywriters.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in office). This role requires a balance of in-office collaboration and remote work.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a senior creative leadership role within the creative department
- Expansion into other areas of the business, such as marketing or product development
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and campaigns that drive brand awareness and customer engagement
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within a dynamic and innovative organization.
π Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid. This role requires a balance of in-office collaboration and remote work.
Office Location(s): Bellevue, Washington (with the option to work remotely up to 2 days per week)
Geographic Context:
- Bellevue is a thriving city located in the Seattle metropolitan area, offering a mix of urban and suburban living.
- The city is known for its strong job market, high quality of life, and abundant recreational opportunities.
- Bellevue is centrally located between Seattle and the Cascade Mountains, providing easy access to both urban amenities and outdoor activities.
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for a hybrid schedule (3 days in office)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work, providing flexibility and a better work-life balance.
πΌ Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- Creative brief presentation and portfolio review with the creative team
- Final interview with the Creative Director and other key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and presentation skills
- Leadership and management abilities
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Understanding of T-Mobile's brand voice and visual system
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative leadership experience and relevant skills
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your creative direction and execution across multiple channels and formats
- Practice presenting your creative brief and portfolio to the creative team
- Research T-Mobile's brand and understand their unique approach to the wireless industry
ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Creative Leadership, Storytelling, Campaign Development, Brand Management, Design, Visual Language, Collaboration, Communication, Organization, Mentoring, AI, Automation, Telecommunications
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's creative skills, leadership abilities, and cultural fit within the T-Mobile organization.
π οΈ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Sketch or Figma
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Project management tools (Asana, JIRA, Trello)
- AI-driven creative tools (optional)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard design tools and project management software is essential for this role. Experience with AI-driven creative tools is a plus but not required.
π Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Un-carrier Spirit: We challenge the status quo and never stop pushing forward
- Own It: We take responsibility, act with urgency, and deliver results
- In It Together: We collaborate, support, and celebrate each other
- For You: We put customers first and do what's right
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Innovative and disruptive
- Customer-focused and results-driven
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody the Un-carrier Spirit in your creative approach?
- Describe a time when you took ownership of a project and delivered exceptional results.
- How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment?
- How do you stay curious and adapt to new tools and technologies, such as AI and automation?
ASSUMPTION: T-Mobile values candidates who embody their core values, thrive in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, and demonstrate a strong customer focus.
β οΈ Potential Challenges
- The fast-paced nature of the role may require long hours and tight deadlines
- The hybrid work arrangement may present communication and collaboration challenges
- The role may require travel for on-site meetings and events
- The telecommunications industry is subject to regulatory changes and competitive pressures
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be mitigated with strong time management skills, effective communication, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
π Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Creative Director or Senior Art Director position in an advertising agency or in-house creative department
- However, this role is unique in its focus on the retail sector of the telecommunications industry
- Career progression in this role may lead to opportunities in marketing, product development, or other areas of the business
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other creative leadership positions, its unique focus on the retail sector of the telecommunications industry sets it apart.
π Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand style guide for T-Mobile's retail stores
- Conceptualizing and executing a high-profile campaign for a new product launch
- Collaborating with the marketing team to create targeted promotional materials for specific customer segments
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the breadth and depth of creative direction and execution required for this role.
β Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the creative process from brief to launch for a recent campaign?
- How does the creative team collaborate with other departments, such as marketing and product development?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the creative department in the next 12-24 months, and how can this role help address them?
- How does T-Mobile support the growth and development of its creative team members?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of creative campaigns, and how are they tracked and reported?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates better understand the role, the creative department, and the broader organization, allowing them to make an informed decision about their fit and potential for success.
π Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative leadership experience and relevant skills
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your creative direction and execution across multiple channels and formats
- Practice presenting your creative brief and portfolio to the creative team
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
β οΈ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.