Design Director, Packaging & Brand

About the Role

MERIT Beauty is hiring a Design Director to shape the brand’s packaging and visual identity across physical and digital touchpoints. This position focuses on packaging, merchandising, retail environments, mailers, and experiential moments, with a strong emphasis on maintaining a cohesive and premium brand presence.

The role calls for refined creative judgment, strong command of typography and layout, and a well-developed perspective on beauty branding. You will partner with teams across Creative, Product Development, Brand Marketing, and Retail to create work that feels elevated, consistent, and unmistakably MERIT. The position reports to the VP of Creative and includes leadership responsibility for junior and mid-level designers.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the creative vision for all physical brand expressions.
• Guide the development and evolution of the packaging system, including primary packaging, secondary packaging, and future product-object innovation.
• Create high-fidelity mockups, renderings, engineering handoffs, and mechanical files for packaging production.
• Direct creative work for brand partnerships, including objects, trims, packaging, and other tangible touchpoints.
• Oversee retail creative across global markets, including gondolas, signage, pop-ups, and visual merchandising.
• Partner with Retail to refine the design of store displays, fixtures, and in-display content.
• Work with Art Directors to make sure retail assets are properly captured.
• Collaborate with outside partners on fixture and spatial design to improve retail environments.
• Shape the visual direction of digital experiences, including the website and newsletter design.
• Work with the Web team to ensure typography and layout on the DTC site follow brand standards.
• Lead updates to digital assets for campaigns and product launches.
• Manage and coach designers focused on digital and retail work.
• Direct mailers and gifting programs from concept through material selection, vendor communication, and final execution.
• Lead creative direction for brand activations, press events, and product launches, defining the in-person brand experience.
• Concept and design limited-edition GWPs, seasonal objects, and co-branded gifting packaging that strengthen the brand and remain true to MERIT.

Requirements

• 8 to 12+ years of experience in branding, design, packaging, and digital work.
• Excellent skills in typography and graphic design.
• Strong appreciation for craftsmanship and materials.
• A BFA is not mandatory, though it is strongly preferred.
• Solid understanding of the beauty industry.
• Ability to maintain up-to-date knowledge of materials and production resources.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and 3D/rendering tools.
• Strong knowledge of printing methods, materials, and finishing techniques.
• Comfort working independently and driving projects from start to finish.
• A highly collaborative, detail-focused, and design-sensitive mindset.

Additional Information

MERIT Beauty is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. The company is committed to building an inclusive workplace for every employee.

Location

New York, NY, USA

Employment Type

Full-time, onsite