Design Director

Encino, CA, United States

Job Type

Full-time

Description

About Us

At Zevia we're creating a world of better-for-you flavor, better for people and the planet. Our team is made up of builders who are passionate about our mission. Together we aim to impact global health, provide affordable better-for-you products, and aid the planet through reduction of plastic. We operate with passion, openness, gratitude, accessibility, humanism, humility, and scrappiness as we fight the good fight to change the beverage industry for good.

Summary

The Design Director reports to the Chief Marketing Officer and is responsible for the overall oversight and strategic development of the design team. They will lead the creation of creative assets that meet marketing strategies, all while ensuring the brand's voice and vision are consistent and proactively evolving. The Design Director will take a lead role on projects and supervise a team of Graphic Designers in creating concepts, comps, layouts and final art.

The ideal candidate will have deep CPG marketing and design experience (ideally Beverage) with at least 6 years of team leadership and management. The Design Director will be a brand ambassador who believes in Zevia's mission and products. We are looking for someone that gets the big picture and loves the little details.

Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Lead and directly manage a high performing team of graphic designers to deliver great work efficiently, providing coaching and mentorship to aid in their professional development. May engage and manage freelance artists and designers on projects.

Oversee, direct and perform a wide range of routine to complex graphic design duties, including development of print, POS collateral, multimedia illustration, performance digital advertising, website UX, digital content, and product packaging.

Uphold design standards, tools and guidance on communicating corporate image and identity both on and offline, and evolve standards as necessary.

Oversees the execution of strategic department initiatives as well as drives the development and implementation of marketing, packaging, content, advertising concepts and campaigns.

Present a positive company and product image to prospective consumers in every interaction.

Push the creative while understanding the needs of the brand and the strategy behind a brief.

Ensure all forms of outbound communications are proofed, meet the brief and is appropriate prior to release of artwork for internal approval purposes and to vendors.

Other duties, as assigned.

Required Competencies and Skills/Abilities: Excellent leadership skills striking the balance of empowering the design team to do their best work combined with strong organizational and project management skills to oversee multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Demonstrated via managerial experience results and the ability to coach and develop team members.

Strong creative vision, understanding of branding, and in touch with consumers, culture with a pulse on trends.

Is a great listener and is a team player, collaborates in a positive and productive manner.

Ability to take direction well and work in a cross-functional, team environment.

Strong portfolio showcasing creative and innovative design work.

Is confident and is able to articulate their own design point of view, and is thoughtful about when to push the boundaries when building a brand.

Resourcefulness and proactive: has a positive attitude, thrives in a busy and evolving environment, can prioritize for self and team and find a way to make great results happen.

A strong desire to contribute taking Zevia to new heights, as part of the team.

Creative excellence and innovation in all forms of content and promotional materials.

Exceptional aesthetic. Strong sense of specialty marketplace whose work would speak to a market appropriate customer.

Considers themselves to be a "marketer", understanding the balance of great design and functionality - has a passion for marketing and advertising.

Has experience with retail marketing programs and omni-channel marketing tactics.

A solid understanding of designing intuitive site functionality, interaction, user interfaces, and navigation - programming knowledge a plus.

A solid understanding of packaging processes and production, and an ability to collaborate cross-functionally on packaging details needed to bring a product to market.

Expert-level knowledge and skills in the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Has a passion for natural products.

Required Education and Experience 6+ years of leadership experience; overseeing a team of designers and managing the design function.

10+ years of hands-on graphic design creating exceptional brand experience with demonstrated strong illustration and production capabilities. Must have CPG brand experience.

Strong technical proficiency working in a MAC environment

Proficient in using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)

Expertise in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and Apple Keynote

Experience with broadcast and photography production

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Excellent with packaging design

Excellent with the print production process and various print methods

Excellent with digital production

Excellent working with various templates, specs and mechanicals.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position is a direct supervisor and department leader. Leading the creative team will be a key focus and objective for this role.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to (10 pounds). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Travel

This position may require occasional travel.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

Must be eligible to work in the U.S.

EEO Statement

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified job candidates and employees. To that end, Zevia maintains a workplace free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of an individual's race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), gender (including gender identity, gender expression, change of sex, and transgender status), sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, height, weight, age, any physical or mental disability (including gender dysphoria or similar gender-related conditions), medical condition, national origin, ancestry, marital status (including registered domestic partnership, civil union, or any other partnership status), familial status, caregiver status, military or veteran status (including unfavorable discharge from military status), genetic information, genetic testing, predisposing genetic characteristics, caregiver status, order of protection status, work authorization status, citizenship status, immigration status, conviction record or history, arrest record, pre-employment marijuana testing, credit history, salary history, Civil Air Patrol status, status as a victim of domestic violence, assault, or stalking, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law (each, a "Protected Characteristic").

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

What We Offer A collaborative environment, where everyone contributes and delivers

A place where you can grow, develop and learn

Competitive compensation that includes a base salary, discretionary bonus and stock options. See below for range.

A comprehensive benefits package which includes:

An array of medical plans

Dental

Vision

Group Life Insurance

Short-term disability + Long-term disability

Flexible Spending Accounts: Medical, Dependent and Limited Use

Health Savings Account

Accident Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance

Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Legal Insurance

Travel Assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Pet Insurance

401k Plan (Traditional and Roth)

Vacation, Personal/Sick Days, and Holidays

Professional development contributions

And of course, all the Zevia you can drink!

Salary Description

$160,000 - $180,000 + Bonus + Equity