Group Creative Director, Art & Design — Packaging & OOH (Hybrid, Costa Mesa)

VML; Costa Mesa (CA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 295,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Competitive salary

Tobacco industry work

Travel opportunities

Job summary

VML's Passport Brand Design in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks a Group Creative Director, Art and Design, to steer creative direction and production-forward execution across branding, packaging, print, OOH, and direct mail. The role requires leadership of a multidisciplinary team and strong storytelling for internal leadership.

Lead the translation of strategy into high-visibility deliverables, manage long timelines, and maintain on-brief work.

Qualifications

• Proven Group Creative Director experience in an agency environment.
• Deep expertise in packaging design across print, OOH, and direct mail.
• Thrives in a structured, production-heavy environment with long timelines.
• Exceptional presentation skills to articulate strategic context and case studies.
• Willingness to work on tobacco industry accounts and travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team of art directors, designers, and copywriters.
• Oversee packaging design, print, OOH, and direct mail to a strong strategic brief.
• Operate in a production-forward environment with long production calendars.
• Build and present portfolio and case study materials for leadership and stakeholders.
• Travel periodically to collaborate across locations and maintain creative alignment.

Skills

Group Creative Director

Packaging design

Production-heavy environment

Presentation skills

Occasional travel

Job description

VML's Passport Brand Design in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks a Group Creative Director, Art and Design, to steer creative direction and production-forward execution across branding, packaging, print, OOH, and direct mail. The role requires leadership of a multidisciplinary team and strong storytelling for internal leadership.

Lead the translation of strategy into high-visibility deliverables, manage long timelines, and maintain on-brief work.