Head of Design - Ketone-IQ

At Ketone-IQ, we're revolutionizing the way the world thinks about energy. Our cutting-edge approach to fueling the body transcends conventional expectations, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. We're the trusted choice of elite endurance athletes, special operators, and high performers across diverse fields – from cyclists conquering the Tour de France to EMTs working double shifts on the front lines.

In 2019, our innovative ketone nutritional superfuel caught the attention of the US Department of Defense SOCOM, securing a $6MM contract to power their elite forces. But our ambitions don't stop there. We're on a mission to disrupt the entire energy market, bringing our high-performance fuel to everyone, from professional athletes to busy professionals and active individuals.

Ketone-IQ is High Performance Energy. We’re changing the way people fuel and rapidly expanding as we lead the ketone movement and we're looking for a passionate, driven individual to join us on this exciting journey.

If you’re an innovative design leader who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, we want to hear from you. You have a winning mentality, a curious mindset, and the ability to blend creative expertise with a customer-centric approach. Join our team and be part of the ketone revolution that's transforming the world of energy through engaging, retail-focused design.

Who you are:

You are a strategic and hands-on design professional with a passion for creating exceptional retail experiences. You’re both a creative visionary and a results-driven leader who excels in developing impactful design solutions that drive customer engagement and elevate the brand across physical retail channels. You bring a blend of strong visual storytelling, technical expertise, and the ability to lead a creative team to new heights. Your background includes experience working with CPG brands, giving you the insight needed to create designs that resonate with consumers and stand out in retail environments.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and Implement Creative Strategies: Create and execute comprehensive retail design strategies and campaigns that align with brand objectives, enhance brand presence in physical retail channels, and drive consumer engagement. Ensure all creative is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standard.
• Lead Brand Identity Across Retail Channels: Maintain and evolve the brand’s visual guidelines, ensuring consistency and quality across all retail marketing touchpoints, including packaging design, POS displays, signage, and other in-store assets.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner closely with marketing, sales, product, and operations teams to ensure design solutions align with business goals and enhance the overall retail customer experience.
• Direct Packaging Design: Lead the design and production of packaging for new product innovations, graphics updates, and other packaging extensions. Manage the packaging design process, from conceptualization through regulatory review, proofing, pre-press, and final production.
• Manage Copywriters: Recruit, manage, and mentor copywriters, providing guidance on messaging strategy, tone, and voice. Ensure that all written content is aligned with the overall brand identity and retail objectives.
• Manage Design Team: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing design team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Provide feedback, conduct regular reviews, and identify opportunities for team growth and development.
• Manage Agencies and Vendors: Act as the primary point of contact for external agencies and vendors, managing relationships, creative briefs, and production timelines for large-scale retail campaigns and events.
• Monitor Market Trends and Consumer Insights: Stay updated on industry trends, consumer behavior, and competitor activities to continuously refine design strategies and enhance brand positioning within retail environments.
• Analyze Performance Metrics: Track and evaluate the performance of retail marketing campaigns, using data-driven insights to refine creative strategies and optimize results.

Qualifications and Experience:

• 7+ years of progressive design experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role focused on retail marketing.
• Proven track record of delivering successful retail marketing campaigns, including POS materials, displays, and experiential activations.
• Strong portfolio showcasing a wide range of retail-focused designs.
• Advanced proficiency in design software, particularly Adobe Creative Suite.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Experience working in the CPG industry, with a strong understanding of the design requirements and consumer expectations for CPG brands.
• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field preferred.