About You As the Creative Director, you inspire creativity by leading creative strategy, thinking, and execution that motivates people to act. You combine strong creative instincts with analytical thinking, attention to detail, authenticity, communication skills, and leadership to differentiate the Noodles & Company brand.
Reporting to the Vice President, Marketing, this role leads brand messaging and creative expression across all channels, including digital, broadcast, print, photography, in-restaurant collateral, promotional materials, website, mobile apps, email communications, social creative, and brand guidelines. You lead an in-house creative team and partner closely with external agencies, freelancers, and vendors to deliver culturally resonant, high-quality creative work, from large-scale brand campaigns to nimble social storytelling.
About Noodles
At Noodles & Company, we believe great food can spark meaningful connections. That’s why we’re on a mission to reintroduce the world to noodles—not just as a meal, but as an experience worth craving. As we evolve our brand to meet the modern guest, we’re focused on creating moments that surprise, delight, and shift perceptions of what fast-casual can be.
Every bowl we serve is rooted in global flavors, fresh ingredients, and intentional hospitality that makes guests feel seen and valued. Our values—We Care, We Show Pride, We Are Passionate, and We Love Life—guide how we show up for our guests, our team members, and each other.
Benefits Careers at Noodles are served with a side of:
Pay range: $110,000-$150,000 annual salary
Eligible for annual performance bonus up to 20%
Flexible paid time off
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) and stock purchase discounts
Paid maternity and paternity leaves, adoption, and surrogacy benefits
Noodles Resource Groups – inclusive communities that foster belonging, build connections, and support your personal and professional growth
Scholarship opportunities through Noodles Foundation
Translate brand direction, objectives, and business goals into compelling creative and communication executions.
Support restaurant design, internal, corporate, franchise, and external marketing and branding needs.
Lead and oversee an in-house creative team.
Use internal and external resources to translate business imperatives into clear, engaging creative output.
Direct the development, review, production, and execution of creative work in alignment with brand strategies, standards, and business priorities.
Ensure all brand communications adhere to brand, legal, and trademark requirements.
Oversee internal and agency processes related to creative development and production.
Manage production calendars to ensure prioritization, efficiency, and on-time delivery of marketing materials.
Oversee restaurant merchandising strategy and execution.
Drive brand creativity across functions.
Identify practical, innovative opportunities to strengthen and evolve the brand.
Support creative collaboration across departments, including messaging, design, and training.
Oversee creative and project budgets.
Manage the creative team through coaching, training, prioritization, accountability, and performance management.
Optimize creative workflows, systems, and tools to improve efficiency and output.
Establish quality benchmarks, review processes, and feedback loops to maintain creative excellence.
Leverage insights, testing, and performance data to refine creative strategy and execution.
What You Bring to the Team
Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
10+ years of experience managing creative teams
Experience in a corporate in-house environment, with a mix of agency and corporate experience preferred
Strong leadership and people management skills
Thoughtful leader who can receive, synthesize, and apply input from multiple stakeholders
Proven ability to build, mentor, and motivate creative teams
Strong background in design and creative production
Deep understanding of traditional and digital production processes and design principles
Ability to clearly communicate design rationale, process, and methods across traditional, digital, and AI-enabled formats
Proven ability to manage multiple creative projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Hands-on, collaborative team player
Excellent communication and presentation skills with strong attention to detail
Demonstrated excellence across marketing communications and creative delivery, including branding, promotional collateral, broadcast, print, websites, presentations, event graphics, restaurant design, advertising, social content, AI-enabled creative, and digital campaigns
Strong problem-solving skills with a creative, solutions-oriented mindset
Flexible and open approach to work
Experience across photography, digital design, videography, art direction, copywriting, broadcast production, web design, digital messaging, point-of-sale, and print
Proficiency in InDesign, Photoshop, Figma, and AI-enabled creative tools
This is a hybrid role with 2-3 days per week in our Support Office in Broomfield, Colorado. We’re seeking candidates who either reside locally or are open to relocating.
Noodles & Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Military Friendly workplace. We encourage Veterans and their spouses to apply. We are proud to be recognized on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ Best Employers for Women, and Forbes’ Best Employers for Company Culture lists, and are committed to creating a workplace where Noodlers feel supported, respected, and able to bring their full self to work.
Application Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by role, but all positions at Noodles & Company remain open for applications for at least 3 days from the posting date. This role is currently open and accepting applications.
