Group Creative Director, Art and Design

At VML, Passport Brand Design is looking for a Group Creative Director, Art and Design to steer creative direction and ensure production-forward execution across key channels. This position supports tobacco industry creative work within a structured, long-term calendar environment, with a hybrid setup based in Costa Mesa, CA.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team and help translate strategic thinking into packaging and other high-visibility deliverables, all while managing long timelines and keeping work on brief. Alongside day-to-day oversight, the role includes portfolio and case study storytelling for internal leadership and stakeholders, plus periodic travel to collaborate directly across locations.

What you’ll do

• Manage, mentor, and empower a multidisciplinary team of art directors, designers, and copywriters, supporting a culture of creative excellence and continuous growth that strengthens production capabilities.
• Oversee conceptualization and execution for packaging design, print, OOH, and direct mail, ensuring each deliverable is anchored in a strong strategic idea tied to client objectives.
• Operate in a production-forward environment by managing long production timelines and annual calendars to deliver on-time and on-brief across all accounts.
• Build and present portfolio and case study materials that clearly communicate creative rationale and strategic context to internal leadership and key stakeholders.
• Travel periodically to collaborate with core stakeholders across locations and maintain creative alignment on priorities.

What you bring

• Proven Group Creative Director experience in an agency environment, with demonstrated ability to orchestrate and manage creative workflows.
• Deep expertise in packaging design, with strong experience across print, OOH, and direct mail.
• A track record of thriving in a structured, production-heavy environment with long-term schedules and established workflows.
• Exceptional presentation skills to articulate strategic context, craft rationale, and case studies to internal and external stakeholders.
• Comfort and willingness to work on tobacco industry accounts.
• Willingness and ability to accommodate occasional required travel.

Additional details

• Location: Costa Mesa, CA (hybrid)
• Hybrid approach: teams are in the office an average of four days a week
• Salary: USD 125,000 - 295,000 per year

Please note: This role primarily supports creative work within the tobacco industry, and VML shares this upfront to support transparency and alignment with your personal preferences and comfort level.