Brand Creative Director

Role OverviewReporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, the Brand Creative Director drives brand meaning and guides narrative architecture and storytelling systems for Burton and Anon.

Partnering closely with the CMO, this role defines what stories we tell, why they matter and how they build over time - across brand, category, sport, retail, digital and commerce.

More than a traditional creative director, this leader shapes Creative Strategy & Story as a discipline. They ensure storytelling is intentional, cumulative and culturally resonant - rather than episodic or campaign-by-campaign. They operate upstream of execution, partnering closely with Product Creative, Brand + Sports Marketing, Category Marketing, Integrated Marketing, Creative Studio and Creative Operations to ensure clarity, consistency and impact at scale.

This is a senior leadership role with influence and authority, leading through vision, narrative clarity, cultural intelligence and decisive creative judgment - not hierarchy. This role is ideal for a low-ego, high-taste creative leader who thrives at the intersection of sport, culture, community, product innovation and commerce - and who is energized by shaping a globally beloved brand's next chapter through story.

Creative Strategy & Story MandateThis role leads development of Creative Strategy & Story for marketing.

The Brand Creative Director:

Defines the narrative architecture for Burton and AnonDecides what constitutes a campaign vs. a supporting story vs. editorialEstablishes seasonal storytelling arcs and long-term story pillarsEnsures brand, category and commercial storytelling ladder togetherProtects meaning as creative scales globally across channels and regions

Key Responsibilities

1. Brand Narrative & Creative Strategy Leadership

Lead and evolve Burton and Anon's brand narrative architecture, including long-term story pillars, seasonal arcs and campaign hierarchyDefine what the brand is saying each season and why it matters nowEnsure storytelling builds over time, reinforcing brand meaning rather than resetting each cycleIn partnership with CMO, serve as final authority on marketing creative strategy, storytelling and expression

2. Creative Identity, Frameworks & Stewardship

Build flexible, scalable creative and storytelling frameworks that enable global consistency with room for local expressionDefine and maintain storytelling hierarchy (hero narratives, supporting stories, editorial layers)Ensure all marketing expression honors product creative intent while elevating brand storytelling

3. Cultural Intelligence & Story Application

Serve as Burton's senior cultural intelligence leader, deeply connected to Gen Z culture, emerging sport communities, style, creators, platforms and subculturesTranslate cultural insights into clear storytelling implications - what stories to tell, what to stop telling, and how tone, casting, pacing and platforms should evolvePartner with Product Creative on cultural trends and emerging aesthetics as inputs into product design directionBalance youth relevance with multi-generational resonance, honoring legacy riders while attracting new ones

4. Cross-Functional Creative Leadership

Serve as the upstream creative strategy partner to Brand/Sports and Category Marketing teams - shaping how stories are framed emotionally and narratively across brand, product and commerceParticipate in seasonal Product Creative reviews to provide cultural insight and downstream storytelling perspective (input, not approval)Rally teams behind creative direction with clarity, confidence and collaboration

5. Brand × Product Moments & Co-Creation

Partner with Product Creative Director to establish creative direction for major moments where brand and product are inseparable (collaborations, limited editions, anniversaries, special projects)Collaborate with the Product Creative Director to ensure these moments honor product vision while maximizing cultural and storytelling impactRepresent brand creative in external partnerships alongside Product Creative leadership

6. Category, Retail & Commerce Storytelling Fluency

Bring enterprise-wide storytelling fluency across Burton hardgoods, softgoods and AnonOffer strategic guidance to ensure brand narratives translate cohesively into DTC and wholesale environmentsAct as a consultative partner to Creative and Production leadership, reinforcing clarity and consistency in how category and regional stories ladder to the global brand

7. Modern, Scrappy Creative Leadership

Bring a fast-moving, resourceful, "scrappy but smart" approach to creative problem-solvingLeverage AI-powered tools to accelerate strategic exploration, test narrative directions and rapidly visualize storytelling systems (not to replace craft)Be hands-on when needed - concepting, shaping narratives, building references, and inspiring teamsLeads by example, inspiring an "infectious enthusiasm" for Brand stories

8. Mentorship & Creative Uplift

Mentor designers, writers, producers and cross-functional partners - building taste, confidence and creative clarityLead with humility, generosity and collaborationModel a culture of curiosity, progression and respectBuild a strong creative partnership culture with Product Creative teams

9. Executive & External Representation

Represent Burton and Anon's brand creative strategy to founders, executive leadership, the board and key partnersPresent creative strategy, cultural insights and competitive positioning at GTM gates, sales meetings and board meetingsServe as a senior creative voice in leadership forums

Decision Rights & Escalation

Brand Creative Director: Final authority on marketing creative strategy, storytelling and expression in partnership with CMOProduct Creative Director: Critical decision authority on product design directionJoint escalation to CMO/CPO for conflicts at the intersection of brand and productThis role does not own creative production, trafficking or localization

Required Experience & ExpertiseCreative Strategy & Leadership

10-15+ years in senior creative leadership rolesProven ability to lead through influence and partnershipDemonstrated success shaping brand narratives across seasons, not just campaigns

Brand, Culture & Storytelling

Deep experience with modern heritage, sport, lifestyle, youth culture or performance brandsStrong narrative sensibility across film, photography, motion and systemsAbility to translate culture into strategy-not just aesthetics

Category & Channel Fluency

Experience working across hardgoods, softgoods, accessories, and/or technical productsStrong understanding of retail, wholesale, DTC, and omni-channel storytelling

Modern Creative Practices

Comfort using AI and modern creative tools for exploration and system-buildingExperience modernizing brand systems without losing soul

Leadership Style & Personal Attributes

Low ego, high taste, solid risk, big heartCalm, decisive, and clear under pressureCurious, culturally connected and authenticPassionate about sport, community, joy and creativityEnergized by regrounding an iconic brand into its futureInherent influencing and motivational leadership to mobilize teams around evolving creative direction

Travel

This position is located in Burlington, VT requiring periodic domestic and international travel for cultural research, creative partnerships and seasonal alignment