Director, Creative Effectiveness

The Kraft Heinz Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 190,000 - 238,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kraft Heinz Company in Chicago is seeking a senior Creative Leader to partner with brand teams across 24+ brands, elevating creative across North America and driving the ACE program. You’ll help shape the work that consumers experience daily and set how great brand work is created.

You’ll lead a high‑performing team, build an embedded support model, and collaborate with Corporate Comms to raise the creative reputation.

Qualifications

• Curious, courageous, collaborative and strategic leader passionate about the power of brand, communications & consumer experience to impact strategic direction of business.
• Minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience, including client and/or agency side positions.
• Proven track record of driving creative excellence, innovation, effectiveness and impact.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire and impact teams without direct authority. Strong influence and relationship-building skills with the ability to drive the agenda in ambiguous situations.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Ability to create and execute practical plans to achieve strategic objectives.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to create simple, compelling narratives and present ideas effectively.
• Passion for planning, building systems, and executing action plans. Strong project management skills and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated fluency in brand foundations, briefs and critical brand building activities (e.g. strategy, consumer, insights, design, craft, etc.) to influence all brand pillars tools.

Responsibilities

• Establish, own and continuously refine a new embedded support model for BU brand teams, shaping how it’s rolled out and embedded across the organization to scale creative effectiveness across 24+ brands.
• Provide embedded support across key moments including brand foundations, brand tune-ups, IAT immersion sessions, briefing and creative development, driving stronger briefs, more effective agency partnership and stronger creative output.
• Build the capability of BU brand teams by providing hands-on support, advice and troubleshooting, influencing outcomes without taking ownership away from the teams themselves.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team, setting clear expectations and creating the coaching and development needed for individuals to grow in confidence, capability and impact.
• Act as the brand communications specialist within the Creative function, serving as a subject matter expert and setting the standard for what great looks like across brand communications work.
• Report directly to the VP, Creative, and work as part of the Creative leadership team, aligning closely to the function’s priorities, ways of working and ambitions to support the success of the team.

Skills

Creative leadership

Brand strategy

Communication

Storytelling

Influence leadership

Project management

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Job Description

Kraft Heinz is home to some of the world’s most iconic brands — and this role puts you at the center of elevating creative across 70+ North American brands. As a direct creative partner to brand teams across the portfolio, you’ll help shape the work that millions of consumers experience every day, at a company that has staked its reputation on pushing creative boundaries and raising the bar for what great looks like.

Champion Creative Effectiveness (15%)

• Drive visibility, adoption, and cultural momentum for Kraft Heinz’s ACE (Accelerating Creative Effectiveness) program in North America.
• Partner with the Global Capabilities team to shape, influence and adapt global creative frameworks to meet North America’s unique needs.
• Advance creative effectiveness through tools, routines, inspiration, shared standards and governance, making it an expected outcome of how we work.
• Upskilling brand teams through L&D, guidelines & frameworks

Embedded creative and comms support for BU brand teams (70%)

• Establish, own and continuously refine a new embedded support model for BU brand teams, shaping how it’s rolled out and embedded across the organization to scale creative effectiveness across 24+ brands.
• Provide embedded support across key moments including brand foundations, brand tune-ups, IAT immersion sessions, briefing and creative development, driving stronger briefs, more effective agency partnership and stronger creative output.
• Build the capability of BU brand teams by providing hands‑on support, advice and troubleshooting, influencing outcomes without taking ownership away from the teams themselves.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing team, setting clear expectations and creating the coaching and development needed for individuals to grow in confidence, capability and impact.
• Act as the brand communications specialist within the Creative function, serving as a subject matter expert and setting the standard for what great looks like across brand communications work.
• Report directly to the VP, Creative, and work as part of the Creative leadership team, aligning closely to the function’s priorities, ways of working and ambitions to support the success of the team.

Build creative community and reputation (15%)

• Foster a creative culture rooted in bravery, inclusivity, and consumer connection.
• Celebrate the impact of great creative; Raise the profile and visibility of creative work across the org.
• Partner with Corporate Comms and PR teams to shape our creative reputation and storytelling externally.
• Inspire through thought leadership, learning moments, and partnerships with external creative leaders.

Expected skills & qualifications

• Curious, courageous, collaborative and strategic leader passionate about the power of brand, communications & consumer experience to impact strategic direction of business.
• Minimum of 10 years of hands‑on experience, including client and/or agency side positions.
• Proven track record of driving creative excellence, innovation, effectiveness and impact.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire and impact teams without direct authority. Strong influence and relationship‑building skills with the ability to drive the agenda in ambiguous situations.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem‑solving abilities. Ability to create and execute practical plans to achieve strategic objectives.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to create simple, compelling narratives and present ideas effectively.
• Passion for planning, building systems, and executing action plans. Strong project management skills and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated fluency in brand foundations, briefs and critical brand building activities (e.g. strategy, consumer, insights, design, craft, etc.) to influence all brand pillars tools.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

$190,300.00 - $237,900.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): In addition to base salary and bonus, this role is eligible for additional compensation in the form of equity.

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and savingfor the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coveragefor benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire aphysical, social, emotional, and financial well‑being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401k,Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact [e-mail].