OPT Creative Manager Jobs
Creative Manager roles are a strong fit for OPT work authorization, typically requiring a degree in design, marketing, communications, or a related creative field. Most employers offer standard 12-month OPT, and STEM-adjacent roles in UX or creative technology may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.
About the Department
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Learning Center (RLC) is a platform for culturally responsive experiences that bring young people and the adults around them into dynamic and inspiring encounters with art. We celebrate curiosity and creativity, with the conviction that meaningful experiences with art and with the museum enrich people’s lives, connect people to one another, and build confidence and the capacity to imagine, create, and make sense of the world.
With an enduring commitment to equitable access, the Ryan Learning Center team engages children, teens, families, students, and educators through a wide array of programs, partnerships, and resources. These include guided gallery experiences, studio workshops, youth leadership opportunities, festivals and events, neighborhood-based engagements, and professional learning experiences. We serve all museum audiences through our free and accessible public learning space, the Ryan Learning Center. Through these experiences, learners can confidently engage with the museum as a resource, be critical thinkers and imaginative creators, and animate the museum as a place of insight, expression, and community.
By focusing on Chicago learners and centering civic partnerships in our work, the Ryan Learning Center activates and amplifies the museum’s civic role and strategic priorities to serve Chicago audiences; expand our presence within neighborhoods; and cultivate a visitorship that reflects our city.
Position Summary
As part of the Creative Spaces team, the Educator contributes to the design, production, facilitation, and evaluation of artmaking programs and installations in the Ryan Learning Center (RLC) enabling the museum to be creative, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for families and multigenerational audiences. This role has a special focus on the Art Exchange, the museum’s public hub for learning and creativity for audiences of all ages. The Educator regularly captains the space and supports daily direction of part-time staff, interns, and volunteers. The Educator ensures Creative Spaces programs operate effectively and efficiently by coordinating the resources, spaces, and projects that support program delivery. Additionally, the Educator contributes to the development of programs, like Family Days, and supports the presentation of interactive installations in the RLC.
Responsibilities
- Acts as Lead facilitator 2-3 shifts per week (back-up facilitator 1-2 shifts per week) in the Art Exchange which includes: daily maintenance, opening and closing procedures, cleaning and organizing, providing instruction and guidance for engagements, and supporting the direction of volunteers, part-time staff, and interns.
- Contributes to research, concepting, design, and coordination of the Artist Studio, the primary artmaking project that rotates seasonally and is available to visitors every day in the Art Exchange.
- With the Creative Spaces Senior Educator, co-develops family-friendly artmaking, performance, and engagements for Family Day and other large-scale events.
- Provides assistance, maintenance, and coordination support for Ryan Learning Center creative installations including the Trott Family Gallery, Multisensory Gallery, the McCormick Gallery, and the Art Exchange.
- Oversees daily maintenance including condition checking interactives and coordination of cleaning, repairs, and supply stocking in the Ryan Learning Center's Art Exchange and associated spaces.
- Assigns facilitators and volunteers to execute inventory, prep, and storage of supplies for the Art Exchange as well as for larger scale onsite and offsite events, as needed.
- Contributes to training and coaching Art Exchange volunteers, interns, and special services staff.
- Manages supply inventory and places orders for new supplies, books, installation materials, and cleaning products as needed.
- Leads artmaking engagements during Creative Spaces events and as needed for on and off site Ryan Learning Center programs.
- Provides administrative, coordination and evaluation support across Creative Spaces programs.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- 2 years’ experience working with students, children, or families; adult professional development; and/or in museums or informal education settings preferred.
- Knowledge of early learning and curriculum design for drop-in, multigenerational programs; an understanding of current informal education trends, assessment, documentation, evaluation, and methods for differentiated learning and instruction; working understanding of children’s developmental levels.
- Previous experience leading team workflows to ensure timely and successful delivery of projects.
- Previous experience with artistic practices, working with artists, designing curriculum, teaching with works of art, and/or developing art-related content.
- Familiarity with a variety of family-friendly artmaking materials and tools.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including ability to communicate with audiences of different backgrounds, levels of knowledge, and types of ability. Ability to function effectively as part of a team.
- Strong organization and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, respond to shifting priorities and support multiple aspects of program development and operational sustainability.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google Suite required; experience with remote work tools preferred.
- Familiarity with Chicago’s art education community.
- Spanish-language fluency is an asset in this position.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and move throughout the workday, including periods of up to 2–3 hours during peak attendance and program times.
- Occasionally lifts and moves program materials and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds, with rolling carts available as needed.
- With training, operates cutting equipment such as paper cutting guillotines, Xacto knives, and scissors.
- Ability to retrieve and set up materials at heights using ladders, step stools, or assistive equipment.
Compensation & Benefits
Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:
- Hiring Range
The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.
- Benefits
- PTO Overview
Job Classification: Exempt
Employment Category: Full time
Grade Level: 6
If you are accessing this listing from a third party, not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page for complete information.
Application Instructions
Please submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.
Union
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.
Accessibility
If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:
Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants
Equal Opportunity Statement
The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
About the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.
About the Department
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Learning Center (RLC) is a platform for culturally responsive experiences that bring young people and the adults around them into dynamic and inspiring encounters with art. We celebrate curiosity and creativity, with the conviction that meaningful experiences with art and with the museum enrich people’s lives, connect people to one another, and build confidence and the capacity to imagine, create, and make sense of the world.
With an enduring commitment to equitable access, the Ryan Learning Center team engages children, teens, families, students, and educators through a wide array of programs, partnerships, and resources. These include guided gallery experiences, studio workshops, youth leadership opportunities, festivals and events, neighborhood-based engagements, and professional learning experiences. We serve all museum audiences through our free and accessible public learning space, the Ryan Learning Center. Through these experiences, learners can confidently engage with the museum as a resource, be critical thinkers and imaginative creators, and animate the museum as a place of insight, expression, and community.
By focusing on Chicago learners and centering civic partnerships in our work, the Ryan Learning Center activates and amplifies the museum’s civic role and strategic priorities to serve Chicago audiences; expand our presence within neighborhoods; and cultivate a visitorship that reflects our city.
Position Summary
As part of the Creative Spaces team, the Educator contributes to the design, production, facilitation, and evaluation of artmaking programs and installations in the Ryan Learning Center (RLC) enabling the museum to be creative, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for families and multigenerational audiences. This role has a special focus on the Art Exchange, the museum’s public hub for learning and creativity for audiences of all ages. The Educator regularly captains the space and supports daily direction of part-time staff, interns, and volunteers. The Educator ensures Creative Spaces programs operate effectively and efficiently by coordinating the resources, spaces, and projects that support program delivery. Additionally, the Educator contributes to the development of programs, like Family Days, and supports the presentation of interactive installations in the RLC.
Responsibilities
- Acts as Lead facilitator 2-3 shifts per week (back-up facilitator 1-2 shifts per week) in the Art Exchange which includes: daily maintenance, opening and closing procedures, cleaning and organizing, providing instruction and guidance for engagements, and supporting the direction of volunteers, part-time staff, and interns.
- Contributes to research, concepting, design, and coordination of the Artist Studio, the primary artmaking project that rotates seasonally and is available to visitors every day in the Art Exchange.
- With the Creative Spaces Senior Educator, co-develops family-friendly artmaking, performance, and engagements for Family Day and other large-scale events.
- Provides assistance, maintenance, and coordination support for Ryan Learning Center creative installations including the Trott Family Gallery, Multisensory Gallery, the McCormick Gallery, and the Art Exchange.
- Oversees daily maintenance including condition checking interactives and coordination of cleaning, repairs, and supply stocking in the Ryan Learning Center's Art Exchange and associated spaces.
- Assigns facilitators and volunteers to execute inventory, prep, and storage of supplies for the Art Exchange as well as for larger scale onsite and offsite events, as needed.
- Contributes to training and coaching Art Exchange volunteers, interns, and special services staff.
- Manages supply inventory and places orders for new supplies, books, installation materials, and cleaning products as needed.
- Leads artmaking engagements during Creative Spaces events and as needed for on and off site Ryan Learning Center programs.
- Provides administrative, coordination and evaluation support across Creative Spaces programs.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- 2 years’ experience working with students, children, or families; adult professional development; and/or in museums or informal education settings preferred.
- Knowledge of early learning and curriculum design for drop-in, multigenerational programs; an understanding of current informal education trends, assessment, documentation, evaluation, and methods for differentiated learning and instruction; working understanding of children’s developmental levels.
- Previous experience leading team workflows to ensure timely and successful delivery of projects.
- Previous experience with artistic practices, working with artists, designing curriculum, teaching with works of art, and/or developing art-related content.
- Familiarity with a variety of family-friendly artmaking materials and tools.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including ability to communicate with audiences of different backgrounds, levels of knowledge, and types of ability. Ability to function effectively as part of a team.
- Strong organization and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, respond to shifting priorities and support multiple aspects of program development and operational sustainability.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google Suite required; experience with remote work tools preferred.
- Familiarity with Chicago’s art education community.
- Spanish-language fluency is an asset in this position.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and move throughout the workday, including periods of up to 2–3 hours during peak attendance and program times.
- Occasionally lifts and moves program materials and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds, with rolling carts available as needed.
- With training, operates cutting equipment such as paper cutting guillotines, Xacto knives, and scissors.
- Ability to retrieve and set up materials at heights using ladders, step stools, or assistive equipment.
Compensation & Benefits
Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:
- Hiring Range
The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.
- Benefits
- PTO Overview
Job Classification: Exempt
Employment Category: Full time
Grade Level: 6
If you are accessing this listing from a third party, not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page for complete information.
Application Instructions
Please submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.
Union
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.
Accessibility
If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:
Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants
Equal Opportunity Statement
The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
See all 594+ OPT Creative Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Creative Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Creative Manager
Lead with your portfolio, not your resume
Creative Manager roles are evaluated on output first. A strong portfolio showing campaign work, brand direction, or team projects signals capability before your visa status ever comes up. Make it the centerpiece of every application.
Target companies with established creative teams
Larger agencies, in-house brand teams at consumer companies, and tech firms with dedicated design functions are more likely to have HR infrastructure and prior OPT experience. Smaller studios often lack the bandwidth to navigate work authorization.
Frame your OPT timeline proactively
Address your authorization window early in recruiter conversations. Knowing you have 12 months available, with a potential STEM extension, gives hiring managers a concrete runway. Ambiguity about timelines creates hesitation that clarity resolves.
Highlight cross-functional leadership experience
Creative Manager roles require managing people and stakeholders, not just producing creative work. Emphasize examples where you led a team, managed vendor relationships, or drove a project through approval cycles. This differentiates you from individual contributors.
Identify OPT-friendly employers through disclosure data
Companies that have previously sponsored F-1 OPT workers are publicly documented. Prioritizing employers with that history dramatically improves your odds. On Migrate Mate, you can browse Creative Manager roles filtered by OPT sponsorship history.
Time your application around creative hiring cycles
Many brand teams and agencies hire Creative Managers in Q1 for spring campaigns and again in Q3 for fall projects. Aligning your applications with these cycles, rather than applying year-round indiscriminately, increases the likelihood of landing in an active search.
Creative Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Creative Manager on OPT?
Yes. Creative Manager is a qualifying specialty occupation for OPT purposes, typically supported by a degree in graphic design, marketing, communications, advertising, or a related field. Your degree must connect to the role's responsibilities. If your position involves UX strategy or creative technology, it may also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of authorized work without employer-sponsored visa processing.
Does a Creative Manager role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree and the specific role. A Creative Manager focused on UX design, digital product, or creative technology may qualify if your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, human-computer interaction, or information systems. A role centered on traditional brand management or print advertising typically would not. Check whether your degree program's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM OPT designated list.
What types of employers hire Creative Managers on OPT?
In-house brand teams at consumer goods companies, technology firms with product design functions, advertising agencies, media companies, and entertainment studios are among the most active hirers. Larger organizations tend to have more experience working with OPT candidates and are more willing to navigate the authorization paperwork. Migrate Mate lists Creative Manager roles specifically filtered for OPT-eligible candidates, so you can focus on employers already open to your situation.
How do I handle OPT authorization gaps when switching Creative Manager jobs?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment during your authorization period, but those days accumulate across all employers, not per job. When transitioning between Creative Manager roles, report your new employer to your DSO promptly and update your SEVIS record. Delays in reporting count against your unemployment allowance. Overlap your job search with your end date at your current employer rather than waiting until after your last day.
What should my OPT authorization documents show for a Creative Manager position?
Your EAD card authorizes employment in any qualifying role, but your employer will also need your I-20 with the OPT authorization page, your valid passport, and your visa stamp. For Creative Manager roles, your DSO may document the position as a specialty occupation tied to your degree field in your SEVIS record. Keep copies of all documents and your original offer letter, as some employers request them during onboarding compliance reviews.