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 Details

Position Location: Dearborn, MI

Department: Marketing

Reports To: VP, Marketing & Brand Creative

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Band: Executive

Job Classification: Hybrid

Job Summary

The Group Creative Director is an experienced creative problem solver and team builder who is passionate about creating great work that will shape the future of the Carhartt brand, while honoring its past. In this role, you will act as the executive creative director for an iconic Brand, you will lead and inspire an in-house team of high concept creators, creative problem solvers, writers, designers and producers to deliver innovative work that builds and distinguishes the brand. This position requires strategic and creative leadership, cross functional partnership and the ability to champion the art and role of storytelling. If you are a visionary and passionate leader who believes in the power of creative to deepen brand love and inspire consumer consumers to act, we would enjoy meeting you.

Inspired by Hard Work

In everything we do, we honor the hardworking legacy of our founder, Hamilton Carhartt. We drive innovation by finding new, better ways to achieve success. We earn trust through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. We build lasting customer relationships by delivering solutions that prioritize their needs. Above all, we believe actions speak louder than words—because we are worn by the hardest-working people of all.

Representative Responsibilities

• Coach, mentor, develop and 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, D2C, Carhartt Company Gear and emerging regional and licensing businesses).
• Oversee team budget by ensuring accurate monthly/quarterly guidance and connect marketing actions/investments to brand leading outcomes/KPI's to drive continuous improvement and align with overall corporate performance.
• 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, D2C, Carhartt Company Gear and emerging regional and licensing businesses).
• With a digital first perspective, deliver holistic integrated campaign solutions to build the brand and drive demand across the entire marketing eco-system. Provide clear direction to the creative and production teams, inspiring them to explore new creative formats, approaches and partnerships to amplify brand initiatives, launch key products and optimize opportunity during key selling periods.
• Attend all key cross functional planning and activation meetings to bring a strategic creative perspective to decision making.
• As a hands on creative, both individually and through the team, direct all photography (on location & in-studio; still & motion) to ensure a premium, authentic expression of the brand.
• Mentor and inspire production teams in all areas of art buying, pre and post-production planning, scheduling and budgeting. Have a keen eye for resource management to drive efficiencies across the organization and stakeholders.
• Deliver seasonal asset packs (creative centers) to assist internal and external creative partners in GTM campaign execution. Direct internal design teams to deliver refreshed design templates on a seasonal basis and ongoing creative support of internal communications
• Together with design and editorial teams, develop and refresh brand standards and guidelines that project an ownable brand identity, look and feel, and tone of voice for the brand. Act as the creative steward, providing oversight and guidance for the brand and its partners.
• Oversee experiential design, including in-store for wholesale and branded stores, trade shows, sales conferences, and consumer facing events to deliver brand and product storytelling that is elevated and consistent.
• Achieve efficiencies in asset creation by introducing new technologies 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. Working knowledge of project and content management tools.
• 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.
• Coach, mentor and develop a best-in-class creative team that works collaboratively with one another, build and supports each other’s work and provides leadership and development opportunities for team members at all levels (both internal and contract).
• Ability to anticipate budgetary needs and hold teams accountable to delivering creative solutions that are on time and on budget.

Required Education

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

Required Skills & Experience

• 15+ years of creative leadership experience for an apparel/footwear/accessories brand inclusive of the following:
• Experience delivering full-funnel, Omni Channel creative solutions
• 8+ years of experience at the most senior creative leadership level for an in-house agency within a complex, matrixed organization. (Prior agency experience preferred)
• Practical experience leading and developing 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.
• Ability to develop, motivate and retain high potential talent via clear goals, coaching and identifying growth opportunities.
• Highly motivated player-coach that enjoys the process and likes to win.
• Exhibits a high level of personal integrity, empathy and respect for others.
• Proven ability to handle large volume workload, quick turn-around times and high profile/pressure assignments with a positive can-do approach.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Extensive travel up to 30% throughout the US with possible future international travel
• Ability to lift 40 lbs
• This position has a Hybrid location: Associate will work on-site regularly as needed for work activities
• Tobacco Free

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.