Senior Art Director - Hands-On Design

About the Brand

Our client is a premium, results-driven skincare brand that combines efficacy with elevated design. Known for sophisticated textures and thoughtfully designed packaging, the brand operates across high‑end retail and professional channels.

We’re seeking a Senior Art Director with strong hands‑on design skills, someone senior enough to lead campaigns but who still executes work directly. The ideal candidate will have experience in beauty, skincare, or cosmetics and will own visual direction and design across print, digital, e‑commerce, and social channels, translating the brand’s story into compelling, elevated campaigns.

• Lead creative vision and concept development for campaigns, product launches, seasonal programs, and marketing initiatives.
• Execute full 2D layouts for print collateral, editorial spreads, packaging presentations, and marketing materials.
• Art direct and collaborate on photoshoots for e‑commerce, social media, and campaigns; oversee retouching and final asset delivery.
• Produce assets end‑to‑end: comps, typography, preflight, and final files for both print and digital.
• Partner with marketing, product, and external agencies to translate brand messaging into visually compelling storytelling.
• Maintain and evolve the brand’s visual language across channels, ensuring consistency and elevated design quality.
• Mentor junior and mid‑level designers, reviewing work and setting standards for craft, quality, and timelines.
• Manage external creative partners when necessary to scale production and editorial content.
• Support budgets, timelines, and workflow management across creative initiatives.

• 6+ years in design, with at least 3+ years in senior‑level or Art Director roles.
• Strong print background with full 2D layout expertise (InDesign expert); luxury publishing experience preferred.
• Hands‑on experience across campaigns, social, e‑commerce, and print.
• Real photoshoot experience, including e‑commerce and social campaigns, with the ability to guide photographers and retouchers.
• Strong Adobe Creative Suite skills:
  InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop; excellent typographic sensibility.
• Experience in beauty, skincare, or cosmetics brands is required.
• Comfortable producing assets end‑to‑end and managing multiple projects with attention to detail.
• Portfolio showcasing luxury brand campaigns, print collateral, packaging, and photoshoot art direction.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, especially when working with cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Based in New York City (in‑office presence expected).

• Packaging artwork experience and familiarity with premium, collector‑style packaging.
• Basic motion/animation skills for social/video.
• Experience navigating regulated or claims‑sensitive categories.

The anticipated salary range for this role is $130,000 - $160,000 annually. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience, and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

This is a hybrid role requiring flexibility to work in‑office and remotely. Evening or weekend work may occasionally be required during major projects.

We offer a competitive benefits package including major medical, dental and vision insurance, FSA, HSA, and employee discounts.