Creative Strategist (Onsite)

METRO ridemetro.org Open · verified Sep 18, 2026

Houston Mid-level Creative

Mid-level Creative role at METRO. Houston · $88,700–$116,400 base.

SalaryStated by METRO

$88,700 – $116,400

Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

You'll turn project needs into marketing plans and creative briefs tied to business goals
You'll shape campaign stories, messaging, and reusable content for riders, employees, communities, and the public
You'll guide external campaigns using transit knowledge, customer insight, and market research
You'll present concepts with creative partners and lead testing to improve messaging and ROI
You'll review copy while supporting integrated execution, accessibility, and brand consistency

What you bring

Bring a bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, communications, business administration, or a related field
Have at least seven years in creative strategy, brand planning, or campaign work for an agency or brand
Show research ability plus a portfolio with measurable impact across platforms and multicultural touchpoints
Bring advanced Adobe Creative Suite and AI-supported creative tool skills, plus Microsoft 365 proficiency

Who this fits

You'll work onsite in Houston and contribute independently within a collaborative, cross-functional environment. This role suits someone comfortable presenting to senior leadership and working across advertising, partnerships, experiential, and internal communications. METRO requires pre-employment drug testing and may require additional testing during employment, including DOT and FTA testing for safety-sensitive work.

From the employer

Basic Function

The Creative Strategist leads development of marketing campaigns for the Communications department. Shapes METRO’s brand voice with data-driven and action-inspiring concepts for external and internal projects across traditional and digital channels. Translates project requirements into strategic marketing plans aligned with business goals and brand standards. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with applicable rules, procedures, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities and Specific Duties

Collaborates with cross-functional teams to gather and distill project requirements; share ideas; formulate and refine strategy; and produce creative briefs for execution.
Develops strategic approaches for external marketing campaigns informed by knowledge and understanding of METRO transit services, customer insights, and market research.
Builds relatable narratives and storytelling frameworks informed by internal and external information sources and understanding of brand experience.
Ensure campaign content deliverables and messaging are strategic, compelling, and aligned with METRO brand guidelines.
Incorporates department-wide activities into holistic, integrated strategies for campaign execution and development of recyclable content.
Creates tailored strategies for key audiences including but not limited to prospective riders, METRO employees, individual communities, and the public.
Presents creative concepts to senior leadership in collaboration with designers, writers, content developers and marketing account managers.
Leads rigorous creative testing with internal teams and vendors to validate concepts, optimize messaging and maximize Return On Investment (ROI).
Supports review and proofing of copy across all design projects.
Stays current with industry trends, accessibility standards, and new technologies.
Provides excellent customer service to METRO internal and external customers.
Applies Safety Management System (SMS) methods and principles in daily routine and supports all aspects of the agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
Performs other job-related duties as required.

Pay Range: $88,700 - $116,400

Education Requirement

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Business Administration or related field required. Master’s degree is preferred.

Years & Experience Required

Minimum seven (7) years in creative strategy, brand planning, and/or campaign development in an agency or brand setting, and preferably within a matrixed organization. Multidisciplinary experience across advertising, partnerships, experiential, and internal communications. Strong creative instincts informed by audience insights and analysis. Qualitative and quantitative research skills, with proven track record of gathering data and synthesizing findings into clear strategic narratives. Strong portfolio demonstrating measurable business impact and award-winning creative across multiple communication platforms, multicultural channels and brand touchpoints. Experience with brand design and campaign design processes.

Knowledge & Skills Required

Highly creative with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Adept at simplifying complex information and providing clear strategic direction. Comprehensive knowledge of principles for design, layout, hierarchy, composition, typography, and UX/UI. Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, In Design, Photoshop) and AI-supported creative tools. Proficiency with Microsoft 365. Detail-oriented, with superb project and time management skills. Excellent (verbal/written) communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Additional Information

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.

Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.

We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.