Graphic Design Director

Job Description

Salary:

Title: Graphic Design Director

Location:

Washington, DC

Salary:

Competitive salary and benefits package based on qualifications; classified as full-time salaried; exempt and not eligible for overtime.

Reports to: Sophia Newbold, Chief Creative Officer

Travel:

May require international travel and monthly travel.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly creative and strategically minded Graphic Design Director to lead the brands visual identity across all channels. This person will manage and mentor the graphic design team, ensuring the Tuckernuck aesthetic is consistently and thoughtfully expressedfrom digital campaigns and emails to packaging, print collateral, and retail visuals. The ideal candidate is both a hands-on designer and a high-level thinker who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Core Responsibilities

Creative Leadership:

Provide visionary leadership to the graphic design team, inspiring creativity and fostering an environment of innovation.

Develop and communicate a cohesive design vision that aligns with the company's brand identity and business objectives.

Team Management:

Recruit, mentor, and manage a team of graphic designers, ensuring their professional growth and development.

Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that values creativity, excellence, and continuous improvement.

Project Oversight:

Lead the end-to-end design process, from concept development to execution, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality design assets.

Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, product, and other teams to understand project requirements and goals.

Collaborate with third party teams and contractors to help execute projects.

Brand Consistency:

Uphold and evolve the company's visual brand standards, ensuring consistency across all design elements.

Work closely with stakeholders to understand brand guidelines and incorporate them into all design projects.

Work with teams to ensure branding is used consistently in internal and external documents.

Strategic Collaboration:

Collaborate with senior leadership to align design strategies with overall business objectives.

Provide insights and recommendations on industry trends, emerging technologies, and design best practices.

Budget and Resource Management:

Manage the design team budget effectively, allocating resources efficiently to meet project demands.

Evaluate and recommend tools and technologies to enhance the design process.

Executional Ownership

Oversee design for:

Email marketing and lifecycle communications

Website graphics, landing pages, and homepage refreshes

Campaign branding and seasonal moments

Packaging, in-store signage, and printed collateral

Paid social and digital ads

Work closely with Creative Ops to ensure timelines are met and assets are delivered with accuracy

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field (Masters degree is a plus) and 10 years of job experience in a related field.

Proven experience as a senior-level graphic designer or design director.

Strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design projects.

Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and guide a creative team.

In-depth knowledge of design principles, branding, and industry trends.

Expert in design software and tools.

Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Passion for the Tuckernuck brand

In-depth understanding of fundamental design principles, including layout, color theory, typography, and composition.

The ability to align design efforts with overarching business goals.

Mastery of graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and other relevant design tools.

Familiarity with both print and digital media, including knowledge of different file formats and specifications for various platforms.

Understanding of team dynamics, including collaboration, communication, and project management principles.

Strong leadership skills to guide and inspire a creative team, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Ability to provide clear and visionary creative direction that aligns with brand objectives.

Strong problem-solving skills to address design challenges and find effective solutions.

Excellent communication skills to articulate design concepts, ideas, and strategies to both team members and stakeholders.

Proficient project management skills to oversee multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met.

Ability to provide constructive critique and feedback to team members to encourage growth and improvement.

Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Strong decision-making abilities, especially in high-pressure situations, to ensure project success.

Capability to interact with clients, understanding their needs, and translating them into creative design solutions.

Keen attention to detail to ensure the quality and consistency of design deliverables.

Core Values

The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the Tuckernuck team to make a difference.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Find the Fun

Stay Authentic

Respect

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Start Strong & Finish Strong

Have Courage

Tuckernuck is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. Tuckernuck policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, marital or veteran status, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), sexual orientation, pregnancy, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits discrimination based on a perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful. Tuckernuck offers reasonable accommodations in the hiring and employment process for individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance in this application or hiring process to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time.

Full-time