Creative roles you might not have heard of
Newsflash: The creative industry isn’t just made up of artists, designers, and writers. There’s a whoooole host of roles that don’t always get the spotlight, but are just as essential (and sometimes better paid) than the titles you hear flying around all the time.
Ff you’re thinking of breaking into the creative world but don’t see yourself as a writer, designer or artist - read on. We’ve lined up some creative jobs you maybe didn’t even know to look for - and a few that are emerging thanks to new tech, formats and platforms.
💡 Creative Producer
Fun fact: if you ask a producer what they do day to day, they are usually unable to succinctly describe the role thanks to its all-encompassing nature 😀 but we will do our best here.
Not just a glorified PA, producers make creative projects actually happen - from shoots and brand campaigns to podcasts and exhibitions. They’re brilliant at timelines, budgets, logistics, and wrangling everyone from clients to talent. Think of them as the glue that holds the whole thing together.
Skills: Project management, communication, calm-under-pressure vibes.
Where it’s heading: Huge growth in freelance and specialist producers, from podcast producers to “culture producers” who help shape brand storytelling.
🎙️ Podcast Pitch Consultant
Yep, it’s a real job. With podcasts booming, there’s now a need for people who know how to shape, pitch and sell a show, especially for branded content or big networks like Spotify and Acast. Some work in-house at agencies, others freelance for creators or brands looking to break into the podcast space.
Skills: Writing, trendspotting, media contacts, storytelling.
Where it’s heading: As brands invest more in audio, podcast strategists and format consultants will be increasingly in demand.
✍️ Treatment Designer
You know those beautiful decks that sell in a creative idea before it’s made? Someone has to design them. Treatment designers are part graphic designer, part storyteller, helping directors, photographers, and agencies visually explain their creative vision.
Skills: Graphic design, InDesign, speed, style.
Where it’s heading: Already a must in film, fashion and advertising - and now growing in content and influencer spaces too.
🎨 Creative Researcher
These are the people who use research to inspire and inform creative projects, often within fields like design, advertising, or media.
Skills: Research, curation, negotiation, visual taste.
Where it’s heading: As more brands focus on authentic and inclusive representation, art buyers are becoming key to how campaigns look and feel.
💼 Influencer Talent Agent
Behind every successful influencer is a very organised agent. Talent agents manage brand deals, negotiate contracts, shape long-term careers, and increasingly help talent move into new areas like podcasting, live events or product lines.
Skills: Negotiation, relationship-building, understanding of the internet.
Where it’s heading: Expect more niche agents focusing on creators in fashion, fitness, gaming, activism, or even pets.
🧠 Cultural Strategist
Somewhere between a trend forecaster and a creative strategist, this person helps brands understand what’s going on in culture - and what’s coming next. They might use social listening tools, commission research, or just have their ear to the ground in the right groups, but they can pull it all together strategically and create a ‘north star’ for brands/people to follow.
Skills: Research, insight, communication, curiosity.
Where it’s heading: Brands want to act fast and stay relevant. These people help them do both, so demand is growing.
🖥️ Digital Asset Manager
Not the sexiest job title, but very necessary. These are the people who make sure all the content and assets a brand owns (think images, videos, logos, etc.) are organised, tagged, and findable. Especially important for global companies or brands producing a ton of content each week.
Skills: Organisation, systems thinking, file naming excellence.
Where it’s heading: As AI enters asset management, this role will shift towards curation and tagging for machine learning. Nerdy, but important.
🔍 Creative QA / Proofing Lead
In big creative studios, there’s usually someone who checks everything before it goes live. That could mean checking layouts, proofreading, ensuring everything matches brand tone, or making sure all versions are correct. It’s not pedantry - it’s quality control.
Skills: Eye for detail, brand knowledge, patience of a saint.
Where it’s heading: With more content being created faster than ever, these roles are essential. Expect to see more hybrid roles that mix creative thinking with rigorous QA.
There’s more to creative careers than what you see on Instagram. So if you’re feeling a bit “I love the industry but I don’t want to be a designer”, know that there are loads of roles where your skills - from organisation to strategy to research - can shine.
We’ll keep shouting about the lesser-known roles out there. But in the meantime, keep asking questions, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to chart your own path.