Vice President, Creative Design and Brand Storytelling

Overview

The Vice President of Creative Design and Brand Storytelling at Pottery Barn is a senior leadership role focused on directing and evolving the brand's expression across all customer interactions. This position entails overseeing the brand’s graphic systems, design language, storytelling, and copywriting to maintain Pottery Barn's authentic and timeless design ethos.

Creative Leadership

• Drive the graphic design vision for every customer interface representing the Pottery Barn brand.
• Champion a cohesive and evolving design language that honors the brand’s heritage and unique aesthetic.
• Lead the creation of seasonal creative concepts, campaign frameworks, and design strategies to unify marketing efforts across various channels.
• Collaborate closely with the Vice President of Photography to build unified creative concepts from inception to final implementation.
• Direct compelling editorial storytelling that emotionally engages customers.
• Ensure all creative elements, including typography, layout, illustration, motion graphics, and copy, provide a premium and consistent brand experience.
• Encourage innovative creativity while upholding the timeless qualities synonymous with Pottery Barn.

Brand Design & Creative Excellence

• Serve as the guardian of Pottery Barn's visual identity and brand standards.
• Develop scalable design systems for consistency across digital, print, retail, and packaging mediums.
• Lead ongoing enhancement of brand guidelines and creative standards.
• Maintain superior quality in typography, layout, color, iconography, and graphic execution.
• Review and approve creative outputs across channels to ensure outstanding quality and uniformity.

Storytelling & Copy Leadership

• Steer the creative vision for all customer-facing copy and editorial narratives.
• Ensure all headlines, campaign messages, and product narratives reflect the brand's authentic voice.
• Partner with Marketing and Merchandising teams to create seasonal storytelling that inspires customers while aligning with business goals.
• Position copy as a fundamental element of the creative process, ensuring seamless harmony between words and design.

Omnichannel Design Leadership

• Oversee creative design across ecommerce interfaces, landing pages, digital campaigns, catalogs, packaging, email, social media, paid media, emerging digital experiences, and retail signage.
• Collaborate with the Retail Visual Team to maintain and adjust graphic standards as necessary.

Innovation & Brand Evolution

• Stay at the forefront of design, editorial, and consumer trends while preserving Pottery Barn's authentic perspective.
• Explore and incorporate new creative technologies, design tools, and storytelling formats.
• Promote customer-centered innovation through design.
• Identify opportunities to enhance brand perception and cultural relevance.

Cross Functional Leadership

• Build strong partnerships with teams including Photography, Brand Marketing, Merchandising, Product Design, Ecommerce, Retail Marketing, Creative Operations, Production, Social Media, and Packaging Development.
• Foster collaboration with clear accountability and ownership.

Team Leadership

• Lead and motivate a high-performing, multidisciplinary creative team.
• Recruit, mentor, and cultivate exceptional talent in design and copywriting.
• Establish a collaborative culture focused on curiosity, accountability, and creative excellence.
• Set clear creative priorities, workflows, and processes to enable efficient production of high-quality work.

Strategic Leadership

• Contribute to the Creative Leadership Team as a key member.
• Present seasonal creative strategies and concepts to executives.
• Balance creative goals with business priorities, deadlines, and budget constraints.
• Shape the ongoing evolution of the Pottery Barn brand.

Qualifications

• At least 12 years of advancing creative leadership experience within retail, lifestyle, home furnishings, or agency settings.
• Proven track record leading multidisciplinary creative teams encompassing graphic design and copywriting.
• Exceptional portfolio showcasing world-class brand development across multiple media channels.
• Deep understanding of omnichannel customer experiences, including print, digital, retail, and packaging.
• Expertise in typography, editorial design, brand identity systems, and visual storytelling.
• Proven ability to elevate brands through thoughtful design and narrative.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience collaborating with photography, marketing, and product teams.
• Passion for interiors, architecture, design, and home lifestyle.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Keynote, Airtable, and emerging creative technologies.
• Ability to excel in a dynamic, collaborative work environment.

Company Culture & Benefits

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. prioritizes the well-being and growth of its employees, fostering transparency and equitable work practices. Benefits may include:

• Generous discounts across all WSI brands.
• 401(k) plan and investment options.
• Paid holidays, vacation time, and volunteer leave.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance, including domestic partner coverage.
• Tax-free commuter benefits.
• Comprehensive wellness programs supporting physical, emotional, and financial health.

Additional development opportunities include in-person and virtual learning through WSI University, cross-brand career paths, mentorship programs, workshops, and speaker events.

Additional Information

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. does not provide immigration sponsorship or relocation assistance for this position. The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and adheres to fair hiring practices, including consideration of applicants with criminal histories according to local laws.

About Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer offering high-quality kitchen and home products throughout the United States. Their family of brands includes Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and others, recognized for stylish, functional designs enhancing all living spaces. The company embraces innovation and technology while focusing on customer service and community impact.