Group Creative Director, Art and Design

Passport Brand Design•Newport Beach, CA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Passport Brand Design, a VML company and part of WPP, is seeking a Group Creative Director of Art & Design to lead a large multidisciplinary team and guide conceptual vision and execution across packaging, print, out-of-home, direct mail, and other creative work. The role primarily supports tobacco-industry accounts. It calls for a design leader who can champion craft and ensure that creative work is grounded in strong strategic ideas, while succeeding in a structured, production-forward environment built around annual calendars and long-term timelines. The Group Creative Director will manage and mentor art directors, designers, and copywriters; guide high-visibility creative work; maintain on-brief, on-time delivery; and present creative rationale and strategic context to stakeholders. The role also involves periodic travel to collaborate with stakeholders across locations. The position follows a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days per week.

Requirements

Proven experience as a Group Creative Director within an agency environment, including the ability to orchestrate and manage creative workflows.
Deep expertise and a strong portfolio in packaging design, supported by extensive experience across print, out-of-home, and direct mail.
Experience thriving in a structured, production-heavy environment with long-term schedules and established workflows.
Exceptional presentation skills and the ability 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.
Strategic, curious problem-solving ability, including distilling complex category rules into compelling design systems.
Empathetic leadership that builds trust, champions collaboration, and creates an inclusive environment for creatives.
Ability to drive bold ideas, handle ambiguity, and advocate for high-impact work in regulated spaces.

Responsibilities

Manage, mentor, and empower a multidisciplinary team of art directors, designers, and copywriters, fostering creative excellence and continuous growth.
Oversee conceptualization and execution of packaging design, print, out-of-home, and direct mail, ensuring deliverables reflect a strong strategic idea and meet client objectives.
Lead creative work within a production-forward environment, managing long production timelines and annual calendars to ensure on-time, on-brief delivery across accounts.
Build and deliver portfolio and case study presentations that communicate creative rationale and strategic context to internal leadership and key stakeholders.
Travel periodically to collaborate with stakeholders across locations and ensure creative integration and alignment on priorities.