JOB SUMMARY

Cresco Labs is seeking a Director of Design & Creative Services to lead our in-house creative department, The HotBox, in Chicago, IL. HotBox is responsible for the execution of all omnichannel design, copywriting, and production work for the company, upholding the integrity of the Cresco Labs House of Brands as well as Sunnyside & SPS Retail Brands across multiple markets. Reporting to the Senior Director of Brand, Visual & Creative, this role sets and upholds the department’s overarching creative vision and standards ensuring cohesion, excellence, and brand consistency. The Director oversees a multidisciplinary team of Design Directors, Graphic Designers, Production Designers, Copywriters, and Project Managers.

CORE JOB DUTIES

• Set and uphold the creative vision, strategy, and standards for the department. Own the performance of the full creative lifecycle: concepting, design, copywriting, production, and project management with accountability for quality, efficiency, and alignment with business goals.
• Own cross-functional stakeholder relationships: communicating with clarity and precision in writing, presentations, and meetings, setting expectations on timelines and deliverables, and distilling complex information into clear takeaways and actionable next steps.
• Own capacity planning and project workflow across all creative workstreams—including intake, prioritization, and quick-turn projects through the Fast Lane—balancing business priorities, team capacity, and delivery timelines.
• Take initiative in proactively identifying and presenting strategic priorities, long-range creative plans, and forward-looking recommendations to senior leadership, ensuring the department is always thinking ahead of immediate deliverables.
• Develop and manage the department’s annual AOP creative budget and resource plan, including staffing, agency, freelance, production, photography, and technology needs. Participate in sourcing, onboarding, and oversight of external partners to ensure work meets internal brand standards.
• Understand complex regulatory & compliance frameworks, proposing creative solutions to meet the needs of multiple states markets efficiently.
• Drive creative innovation and operational improvement including application of AI within the department, motion graphics, data-driven design, inclusive design and selfservice platforms (e.g., Canva) that scale the team’s output while maintaining standards.
• Guide messaging strategy, brand voice, and copy quality across channels, ensuring strong alignment between written and visual communication.
• Direct in-house photoshoots end to end, ensuring alignment with brand strategy, budget, and production requirements.
• Establish creative governance from brief through final approval—clear objectives, defined audiences, stakeholder alignment, and structured feedback resolution.
• Champion continuous improvement across the department by identifying and applying relevant developments in design, copy, technology, production, and the broader industry.
• Develop, mentor, and retain talent. Conduct performance reviews, set clear expectations, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND SKILLS

• 10+ years of professional experience in creative services, design, or marketing communications (in-house or agency)
• 5+ years in a leadership or director-level role, overseeing multidisciplinary creative teams including design, copy, and/or project management
• Strong understanding of creative workflows across design, copy, and production. Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and project management tools.
• Exceptional organizational and strategic planning skills, including creative budget development and agency/freelance spend management.
• Experience overseeing creative output across print and digital channels, including messaging strategy, user experience, and social content.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills—able to distill complex creative strategy into concise updates, clear recommendations, and defined next steps for both cross-functional partners and senior leadership.
• Genuine interest in and passion for the cannabis industry is required. Experience in regulated industries a plus.