Creative Director, Art and Design

VML•Newport Beach, CA

6h•$100,000 - $230,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Passport Brand Design, a VML company and part of the WPP network, is seeking a forward-thinking Creative Director of Art & Design to lead a talented, large-scale team of art directors and designers. As a globally respected premium brand agency, this senior leadership role drives conceptual vision and execution across packaging, print, out-of-home (OOH), direct mail, and more. The ideal candidate thrives in a highly structured, production-forward environment where annual calendars and long-term timelines are the foundation of success. This role champions craft, ensuring every design is anchored in a strong, strategic idea. As part of the WPP network, Passport Brand Design is committed to a Human First approach, investing in the growth of the team to translate technological and creative capabilities into meaningful, high-impact outcomes. This role primarily supports creative work within the tobacco industry.

Requirements

Proven Creative Director experience within an agency environment, with a demonstrated ability to orchestrate and manage creative workflows.
Deep expertise and a strong portfolio in packaging design, supported by extensive 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, with the ability to clearly 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.

Nice To Haves

A strategic, curious problem-solver who can distill complex category rules into elegant, compelling design systems.
An empathetic leader who builds trust, champions collaboration, and creates an inclusive space for creatives to do their best work.
A bold idea-driver who is comfortable with ambiguity and has the conviction to push for exceptional, high-impact work, even within regulated spaces.

Responsibilities

Manage, mentor, and empower a multidisciplinary team of art directors, designers, and copywriters, fostering a culture of creative excellence and continuous growth that strengthens the agency's production capabilities.
Oversee the conceptualization and execution of high-visibility packaging design, print, OOH, and direct mail — ensuring every deliverable is rooted in a strong strategic idea that delivers on client objectives.
Lead seamlessly within a production-forward environment, managing long production timelines and annual calendars to ensure on-time, on-brief delivery across all accounts.
Build and deliver compelling portfolio and case study presentations that clearly articulate creative rationale and strategic context to internal leadership and key stakeholders.
Travel periodically to collaborate directly with core stakeholders across locations, ensuring seamless creative integration and alignment on priorities.