Group Creative Director

Since 1889, Carhartt has been committed to serving and protecting all hardworking people by building durable products. The values of hard work – dependability, honesty and trust – are rooted in the legacy of our founder, Hamilton Carhartt. With over 3,000 employees worldwide, we remain dedicated to upholding these principles in every decision we make and product we create.

Position Location:

Dearborn, MI

Department:
Marketing

Reports To:

VP, Marketing & Brand Creative

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Job Band:
Executive

Job Classification:
Hybrid

The Group Creative Director is a seasoned creative strategist, problem solver and team builder. A confident and dynamic leader, you are passionate about creating great work that will shape the future of the Carhartt brand while honoring its past. As the leader of Carhartt’s in-house Creative Team, you will lead and inspire a 20-person team of high concept creators, creative problem solvers, writers, designers and producers to deliver innovative work that builds and distinguishes the brand.

The Group Creative Director will be highly skilled in developing strategic, creative solutions to brand and commercial marketing challenges; creating partnerships across a matrixed organization; and identifying opportunities to increase efficiency and effectiveness of all creative work.

• Coach, mentor and develop a best-in-class creative team that is collaborative and highly synchronized. Cultivate creativity and leadership and build new capabilities throughout the organization.
• Lead the Carhartt Creative team through all phases of creative development and execution in support of Carhartt’s consumer segments and business units (brand, product, wholesale, , Carhartt Retail, Carhartt Company Gear and emerging regional and licensing businesses).
• With a digital first perspective, deliver holistic integrated creative campaigns to build the brand and drive demand across the entire marketing eco-system. Challenge teams to explore new approaches and innovative solutions to drive monthly and seasonal storytelling. Deliver asset packs (creative centers) for use by internal and external creative teams to drive consistency across the GTM process.
• Collaborate with partner agencies to deliver compelling creative solutions regardless of where the idea originates. Promote a sense of one team with internal and external partners.
• Together with design and editorial teams, develop and refresh brand standards and guidelines (brand identity/look & feel/tone of voice). Act as the creative steward, providing oversight and guidance for the brand and its partners.
• Achieve efficiencies in asset creation by introducing new technologies (AI and other) that drive scale and reduce the manual load of team members, allowing them more time to think and act creatively. Lead teams in process improvements that drive efficiencies across the broader Carhartt organization.
• Own annual creative team budget, anticipating needs and holding teams accountable to delivering creative solutions that are on time and on budget.

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Design, Advertising, or related field.

• 15+ years of creative leadership experience for an apparel/footwear/accessories brand. Experience delivering full-funnel, Omni Channel creative solutions required.
• 8+ years of experience at the senior leadership level of an in-house agency within a complex, matrixed organization. Prior agency experience also a plus.
• Practical experience leading a team of multidisciplinary creatives at varying levels of experience.
• Ability to succeed in a matrix organization through influence, partnership and respect for shared and differing perspectives.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and ability to engage at all levels of the organization, from senior leadership team to entry level associates.
• Highly motivated player-coach that finds joy in the work.
• Exhibits a high level of personal integrity, empathy and respect for others.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.