** MUST be onsite 5x a week in Chicago**

Looking for someone digital/product focused.

We are looking for a Group Creative Director (GCD) with an Art Focus to lead and elevate the visual direction of our creative work across multiple brands and platforms. This role requires a design-driven leader with a strong background in art direction, branding, and digital experiences. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of aesthetics, visual storytelling, and design systems, with the ability to inspire teams and push creative boundaries while ensuring strategic alignment.

Responsibilities

Creative Leadership & Vision

• Define and drive the visual identity and creative direction for multiple brands and projects.
• Set the standard for design excellence across branding, digital, advertising, and experiential work.
• Champion innovative and forward-thinking design solutions that resonate with audiences and drive engagement.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team of creative directors, art directors, designers, and illustrators.
• Provide clear guidance and constructive feedback to elevate the team's creative output.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance creative culture.

Strategic & Conceptual Thinking

• Partner with strategy and copy teams to develop compelling, insight-driven creative solutions.
• Ensure all creative work aligns with brand strategy, audience needs, and business objectives.
• Lead conceptual development for campaigns, product launches, and brand storytelling initiatives.

Execution & Quality Control

• Oversee the execution of high-quality creative work across digital, social, print, motion, and environmental design.
• Maintain consistency and excellence in design, typography, photography, and motion across all touchpoints.
• Collaborate with production teams to ensure flawless execution of creative ideas.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the key creative partner for clients, presenting and defending creative concepts with confidence and clarity.
• Work closely with marketing, product, and executive leadership to align creative work with business goals.
• Lead creative pitches and contribute to new business development by showcasing bold, innovative ideas.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in art direction and design , with at least 5 years in a creative leadership role (GCD, ECD, or similar).
• Strong portfolio showcasing expertise in branding, typography, visual storytelling, and digital design.
• Deep understanding of design principles, composition, color theory, and emerging trends.
• Experience leading large-scale branding, advertising, and digital experience projects.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.).
• Strong leadership and mentorship skills, with experience managing creative teams.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts effectively.