Senior Creative Operations Project Manager (Retail / Print)
Location: Phoenix, AZ (local candidates only) – Hybrid, 4 days/week onsite
Schedule: 40 hours/week
Employment Type: Freelance / Contract (through January 2027, potential extension)
The Creative Operations Project Manager will oversee a high volume of print, in-store signage, and studio projects from brief through final production and vendor hand-off. This role brings structure, clarity, and accountability to a fast-paced retail creative environment, ensuring all assets are delivered on time, on brand, and on budget.
Key Responsibilities
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In-store & print production
- Manage end-to-end workflow for store signage, POP, and other retail print materials.
- Translate creative concepts into actionable timelines, production specs, and deliverables.
- Coordinate with print partners on estimates, schedules, proofs, and quality control.
- Maintain organized documentation of specs, templates, and version history.
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Photography & studio coordination
- Plan and manage product, lifestyle, and in-store content shoots from brief to delivery.
- Align shoot shot lists and deliverables with both print and digital asset needs.
- Track asset intake, naming, and routing to ensure timely delivery to creative teams.
- Partner with photographers, stylists, and studio teams to keep production on schedule.
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Project management & operations
- Build and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and status reports.
- Use project management tools (e.g., Workfront, Asana, Monday.com, or similar) to assign tasks, track progress, and manage approvals.
- Facilitate kickoff meetings, check-ins, and review sessions with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Communicate updates, risks, changes, and dependencies clearly and proactively.
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Process improvement, risk management & vendors
- Identify potential issues early and drive solutions to keep work on track.
- Recommend and help implement process improvements within creative operations.
- Initiate purchase orders, track invoices, and manage basic budget documentation for print and studio work.
- Partner closely with external vendors to uphold quality, timelines, and brand standards.
What We’re Looking For
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Experience
- 10+ years in creative project management within an in-house creative team or agency.
- Proven experience managing print, POP, and in-store display workflows end-to-end.
- Photography or studio production management experience strongly preferred.
- Background supporting retail or multi-location initiatives is a plus.
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Skills & mindset
- Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Workfront, Asana, Monday.com, SmartSheet, or similar).
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail across multiple concurrent projects.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to bridge creative, marketing, and production partners.
- Comfort reviewing proofs, layouts, and production files (familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite a plus).
- Calm, proactive, solutions-oriented, and comfortable working amid ambiguity and shifting priorities.
Requirements
- Based in the Phoenix metro area.
- Available to work onsite 4 days per week (no relocation support or fully remote option).
- 10+ years of relevant creative project or production management experience.
- Demonstrated success managing print/POP/in-store display projects from brief through production.
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally with marketing, creative, and external vendor partners.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field (marketing, communications, design, or similar) preferred, or equivalent work experience.
This freelance role offers the opportunity to lead high-visibility retail and print initiatives within a dynamic in-house creative environment, with significant ownership of schedules, processes, and vendor coordination.
