Group Creative Director, Art and Design

<div class="content-intro"><h3><strong>Who We Are</strong></h3> <p>VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a <strong>Human First</strong> philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore. </p> <p>VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel. </p> <p>For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.vml.com/" data-outlook-id="d4b7d1c3-8ad6-4b6d-ab45-d3cb5a3aebe1">www.vml.com </a>and follow along on <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__urldefense.com_v3_-5F-5Fhttps-3A_www.linkedin.com_company_vml_-5F-5F-3B-21-21JboVxjCXSME-21OhlpCfbkl1UcWPwns1-2DGtvHOzFh0QwHV49fsPgGw-2DVCCU1bCg8aQFI9vN-2Dy-2DVwaQcITH2j2XKzGKBIFRLYf2AUWVYY1dFGK6-24&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=zouFnm4jZMgDFaYF1uVcRY3rbgHWPca_luUrBUkT6Yc&m=QzcCgXCAOjzj5hiU48_CKOdHRSJ4_YpuqfviT9yjlzH5VrkzySTZ-WaQXlYAnj4W&s=jJ7q5V70u9oUx7ONPm5jC3IK8y6vxDilX6BGTlqlWlA&e=" data-outlook-id="a3ef68bf-16fb-4ebc-9ca9-406007d6cefc">LinkedIn</a> #WeAreVML.</p></div><h3>Who We Are Looking For</h3> <p>Passport Brand Design, a VML company and part of the WPP network, is seeking a forward-thinking Group Creative Director of Art & Design to lead a talented, large-scale team of art directors and designers. As a globally respected premium brand agency, we rely on this senior leadership role to drive conceptual vision and execution across packaging, print, out-of-home (OOH), direct mail, and more.</p> <p>We need a design leader who thrives in a highly structured, production-forward environment where annual calendars and long-term timelines are the foundation of success. You will act as a champion of craft, ensuring that 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. You will bring this to life by deeply investing in the growth of your team, helping them translate technological and creative capabilities into meaningful, high-impact outcomes.</p> <p><em><strong>Please note</strong>: This role primarily supports creative work within the tobacco industry. We share this upfront to ensure transparency and alignment with your personal preferences and comfort level.</em></p> <h3>What You'll Do</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Lead and Mentor:</strong> 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.</li> <li><strong>Drive Conceptual Excellence:</strong> 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.</li> <li><strong>Navigate Structured Production:</strong> Lead seamlessly within a production-forward environment, managing long production timelines and annual calendars to ensure on-time, on-brief delivery across all accounts.</li> <li><strong>Present with Purpose:</strong> Build and deliver compelling portfolio and case study presentations that clearly articulate creative rationale and strategic context to internal leadership and key stakeholders.</li> <li><strong>Foster Collaboration:</strong> Travel periodically to collaborate directly with core stakeholders across locations, ensuring seamless creative integration and alignment on priorities.</li> </ul> <h3>Who You Are</h3> <ul> <li>A strategic, curious problem-solver who can distill complex category rules into elegant, compelling design systems.</li> <li>An empathetic leader who builds trust, champions collaboration, and creates an inclusive space for creatives to do their best work.</li> <li>A bold idea-driver who is comfortable with ambiguity and has the conviction to push for exceptional, high-impact work, even within regulated spaces.</li> </ul> <h3>What You'll Need</h3> <ul> <li>Proven Group Creative Director experience within an agency environment, with a demonstrated ability to orchestrate and manage creative workflows.</li> <li>Deep expertise and a strong portfolio in packaging design, supported by extensive experience across print, OOH, and direct mail.</li> <li>A track record of thriving in a structured, production-heavy environment with long-term schedules and established workflows.</li> <li>Exceptional presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate strategic context, craft rationale, and case studies to internal and external stakeholders.</li> <li>Comfort and willingness to work on tobacco industry accounts.</li> <li>Willingness and ability to accommodate occasional required travel. </li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>The base salary range for this position at the time