Manager, Brand Creative (Art Director)

About The Team Marketing brings our brand to life through deep expertise and an authentic love for pets. The team is dedicated to delivering personalized experiences for our consumers, supported by best-in-class, data-driven marketing capabilities. The work spans key areas including Loyalty, Customer Analytics & Research, Brand Experience & Creative, and Omni-Channel Marketing. Each team member brings a unique perspective, working together to create meaningful and engaging experiences for both pets and pet parents. About the Location Collaborative Work Environment: At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success. About The Job About the Role PetSmart is building a modern, high-performing in-house creative organization—one that owns outcomes, moves fast, and leverages innovation to scale impact. As Manager, Brand Creative (Art Director), you are a player-coach creative leader who blends strong creative judgment, hands-on craft, and an AI-forward mindset to deliver exceptional brand work. In many organizations, this level of responsibility aligns to a Senior Art Director or Art Director with team accountability; at PetSmart, we’ve intentionally structured the Manager role to lead with both creative authority and people leadership. This role calls for a confident, collaborative leader who designs alongside their team, owns outcomes, and communicates with purpose. You are relentlessly curious about better, smarter, faster ways to create and scale impact—while protecting the integrity of the brand. You are brand-obsessed and have a keen eye for aesthetically impactful design, photography, and storytelling. What You’ll Do Concept, art-direct, and design brand campaigns, seasonal storytelling, and evergreen brand moments across digital and physical channels Split your time between hands-on design and team leadership—staying close to the craft while elevating others Lead, mentor, and allocate work for 2–5 designers, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and creative ambition Actively lead and participate in brainstorming and creative sessions, shaping ideas into clear, executable concepts Art-direct photo and video shoots from concept through post-production, partnering with photographers, producers, stylists, and editors Translate creative briefs and business goals into compelling, on-brand creative solutions Partner with the Senior Manager and Creative Director to define, protect, and evolve PetSmart’s brand look, feel, and creative standards Co-govern external agencies and production partners aligned to brand and visual standards Collaborate deeply with Copy, Digital Creative, Store Creative, Marketing, Merchandising, eCommerce, and Loyalty teams to ensure holistic campaign alignment Present work with clarity and confidence to peers, senior leaders, and executive stakeholders Champion AI-enabled tools, automation, and modern production workflows to improve efficiency and scale—don’t wait to be told, go ahead and make it happen Stay ahead of cultural, retail, and design trends—keeping PetSmart’s brand work fresh, relevant, and differentiated Who You Are A visual storyteller with an exceptional eye for imagery, typography, composition, color, and brand expression A proactive, solution-oriented leader who takes full ownership and follows through Comfortable balancing hands-on design with people leadership, coaching, and mentorship Highly articulate communicator who can confidently present creative work to peers, senior leaders, and executives Experienced in art-directing photo and video shoots, including pre-production, on-set direction, and post-production Strategic and business-minded—you understand how creative drives emotional connection and business results Organized, decisive, and calm under pressure in a (very) fast-paced environment AI-obsessed and efficiency-minded, always experimenting with new tools, workflows, and ways of working Collaborative, kind, direct, and trusted by partners and peers Passionate about mentoring talent and building high-performing teams A true pet lover who brings heart, pride, and purpose to the work Skills & Experience 6+ years of creative experience in retail, lifestyle, or consumer brands, including 1+ years leading or managing creatives Strong portfolio demonstrating brand-defining ideas, designs, photography, video, and campaign work Proven experience creating, evolving, and extending cohesive visual systems that scale across campaigns, brand identities, and style guides Expert in Adobe Creative Suite and presentation software; working knowledge of Figma and modern production tools Working experience with AI-enabled creative workflows and emerging technologies required Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills Proven ability to balance creative vision with operational rigor Demonstrated interest in growth toward Senior Manager / Associate Creative Director. You’re willing to put in the hard work Additional Job Considerations This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients. Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results. On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position. About The Culture At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families, and we empower our teams with the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed. We’re more than a workplace, we’re Team PetSmart. Together, we grow, collaborate, and challenge ourselves to be the best in all we do. Our culture is built on belonging and shared purpose, where every voice and experience matters. Guided by our values, we strive to do what’s right, lead responsibly, and bring our passion for pets to life every day. Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You might be the right fit for this role or another opportunity across Team PetSmart. Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including: Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park! On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more “Lil Paws” NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.