Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer
Company: Hourglass Cosmetics
Location: West Hollywood, CA (Hybrid)
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing
Date Posted: October 1, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in conceptualizing and executing design and branding elements for a wide array of Hourglass Cosmetics' marketing initiatives across digital, social, e-commerce, and print channels.
• You will be responsible for mentoring and guiding junior designers, ensuring the highest standards of creative output and consistency across all projects.
• This position requires translating complex business and marketing objectives into clear, compelling, and aesthetically aligned visual communications that enhance consumer messaging and storytelling.
• The Senior Graphic Designer will drive innovation by staying ahead of design trends, techniques, and technologies, particularly within the luxury beauty and retail sectors, contributing to the brand's reputation for creative excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Senior Graphic Designer" combined with responsibilities like "mentoring junior designers," "working with Creative Director/Associate Creative Director," and a requirement for "5+ years of design experience" strongly suggests a role that involves both hands-on design work and leadership, aligning with a senior individual contributor or team lead capacity within a creative department. The emphasis on luxury beauty and retail marketing indicates a need for a candidate who understands brand positioning and consumer engagement in this specific industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and execute innovative design and branding elements for diverse marketing materials, including digital assets, social media content, e-commerce platforms, in-store displays, out-of-home advertising, video graphics, and print collateral.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and constructive feedback to junior designers, reviewing their work to ensure it meets the highest standards of accuracy, brand consistency, and quality.
• Translate strategic business objectives and marketing briefs into visually compelling designs that effectively communicate brand messaging and enhance consumer storytelling.
• Proactively research and integrate the latest creative techniques, design trends, and industry innovations across all relevant platforms to elevate the brand's visual identity and creative output.
• Demonstrate mastery in layout composition and typography, ensuring aesthetic appeal and functional clarity in all design applications.
• Support the senior creative team in art direction responsibilities, from initial concept development and mood boarding to casting, on-set direction, and post-production retouching.
• Prepare, package, and meticulously spec files for print production, ensuring correct dimensions, die-lines, resolution, and color profiles are adhered to for flawless execution.
• Manage design projects effectively to ensure timely delivery within established deadlines, coordinating with cross-functional teams as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "mentoring junior designers" and "reviewing work" alongside "5+ years of experience" and "2+ years of people management experience" clearly defines this as a senior role with direct leadership responsibilities. The broad scope of design applications (digital, social, OOH, print, packaging) indicates a need for a versatile designer, and the emphasis on "luxury beauty/fashion/retail" points to a specific industry focus.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Graphic Design or a closely related field is preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional design experience, preferably within the beauty, fashion, or luxury agency or in-house environment.
• At least 2 years of experience in people management, specifically leading and mentoring junior designers.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional portfolio showcasing a strong command of both digital and print design principles, with a refined taste level.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and a strong understanding of digital design tools such as XD and Figma.
• Demonstrated mastery of layout composition and typography.
• Proven ability to translate marketing objectives and business goals into effective visual designs.
• Strong understanding of current design trends and best practices, particularly within the luxury beauty and retail sectors.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional marketing teams and senior creative leadership.
• Superior project management, organizational, and planning skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to brainstorm and develop strategic, innovative creative concepts.
• Proficiency in social media platforms, web, and digital best practices.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with video editing software such as Premiere and After Effects.
• Familiarity with asset management tools like Bridge.
• Previous experience in art direction, including mood boarding, casting, and on-set direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for specific software proficiency (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, Figma, Premiere, After Effects, Bridge) is crucial for an applicant to assess their technical fit. The blend of hands-on design skills, strategic thinking, and leadership experience (people management) defines the senior nature of this role. The preference for specific industry experience (beauty/fashion/luxury) will significantly narrow the candidate pool and should be a key consideration for applicants.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a diverse range of high-quality digital and print design work.
• Designs should demonstrate strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and a strong understanding of brand aesthetics, particularly within the luxury beauty and retail context.
• Include examples of branding initiatives, marketing campaign visuals, social media assets, and packaging design where applicable.
• Highlight projects where you took a leading role in concept development or art direction.

Process Documentation:

• Applicants should be prepared to discuss their design process, from initial brief interpretation and concept ideation to final asset delivery and production.
• Be ready to articulate how you manage projects, prioritize tasks, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Demonstrate an understanding of file preparation and delivery standards for both digital and print mediums.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior design role, the portfolio is paramount. The enhancement focuses on what kind of work should be showcased and how the applicant should be prepared to discuss their design process, emphasizing strategic and leadership aspects expected at a senior level.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $105,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plans with Company Match
• Paid Family Leave
• Education-Related Programs
• Paid Holidays
• Discretionary Vacation Time

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with the expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the US market for a Senior Graphic Designer role in a luxury/beauty industry, especially in a high-cost-of-living area like West Hollywood. The benefits package is extensive, reflecting a competitive offering for a full-time position in a corporate environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Luxury Beauty & Cosmetics. Hourglass Cosmetics is a vegan and cruelty-free brand known for high-performance products and innovative formulas. It has received recognition from Forbes, Fast Company, and Time Magazine for its inventiveness. Company Size: Part of the Unilever Prestige division; the specific size of the Hourglass Cosmetics creative team is not detailed but is described as "growing." Founded: 2004. Hourglass has established a significant global presence, available in 32 markets and nearly 4,600 doors worldwide.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer will report to the Associate Creative Director and work closely with the Creative Director and Art Directors.
• The role involves mentoring junior designers, indicating a team structure with varying levels of experience.
• Collaboration with cross-functional marketing teams is a key aspect of the role.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on creativity and purpose-driven design, aligned with the brand's vegan and cruelty-free mission.
• A blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, translating business objectives into compelling visuals.
• Commitment to innovation, high-performance products, and award-winning franchises.
• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the need to understand marketing campaign effectiveness and consumer messaging.

Company Website: https://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights Hourglass Cosmetics' strong brand identity (vegan, cruelty-free, luxury) and its market position. Understanding this context is crucial for a designer to align their work with the brand's values and aesthetic. The mention of being part of Unilever Prestige suggests a robust corporate structure and potential for resources, while also implying adherence to larger corporate standards.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position within the Creative department, indicating a significant level of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility. It's a step beyond an entry-level or mid-level designer, involving leadership and strategic input.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Associate Creative Director, with close collaboration and oversight from the Creative Director and Art Directors. This indicates a structured creative hierarchy.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's work directly influences consumer perception, brand messaging, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns across all channels. Their designs contribute to sales, brand loyalty, and market positioning in the competitive luxury beauty sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: The mentorship responsibilities offer direct experience in people management and team leadership, paving the way for future Creative Lead or Art Director roles.
• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., digital campaign design, packaging innovation) within the luxury beauty space.
• Brand Strategy Involvement: As a senior member, there's potential to contribute more significantly to the overarching creative strategy and brand vision.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Working with various marketing teams provides broader business acumen and understanding of different functional areas within a growing luxury brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is not strictly "Operations" in the traditional sense (RevOps, Sales Ops), the prompt requires framing it within an "operations" context. "Operations Career Level" and "Reporting Structure" are adapted to reflect the creative department's hierarchy and the candidate's place within it, emphasizing the operational aspects of managing creative output and team development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid role, requiring at least 60% of the time to be worked from the Corporate Office in West Hollywood, CA. This suggests a collaborative office environment with on-site resources.

Office Location(s): West Hollywood, California, United States. This is a prime location in the Los Angeles area, known for its creative industries.

Workspace Context:

• A hybrid model suggests flexibility, balancing in-office collaboration with remote work capabilities.
• The office environment is expected to foster collaboration among the creative team and with other marketing departments.
• Access to necessary design tools and technology within the office will be standard.
• The "growing team" aspect implies a dynamic and potentially fast-paced work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours, approximately 40 hours per week, with the understanding that flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines, a common characteristic in creative roles and marketing operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid Role" and "60% in-office" requirement are critical details for candidates to understand the day-to-day work arrangement. This balances the need for in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work, typical for many modern creative roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative alignment with Hourglass Cosmetics' brand.
• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to the hiring team (Associate Creative Director, Art Directors, potentially HR). This will involve discussing design process, strategic thinking, leadership experience, and project rationale.
• Skills Assessment/Challenge: A potential design challenge or case study related to a marketing brief may be given to evaluate problem-solving skills, creative approach, and speed under pressure.
• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meetings with additional team members or stakeholders to assess collaboration style and cultural alignment with Hourglass's values.
• Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership (e.g., Creative Director) for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in digital, print, branding, and luxury aesthetics. Tailor this selection to highlight experience in beauty/fashion if possible.
• Showcase Leadership: Include projects where you mentored junior designers or led specific creative initiatives.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the strategic goals, your design process, challenges faced, and the measurable impact or outcome.
• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss the software and techniques used, especially the required Adobe Creative Suite and digital tools.
• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: Show an understanding of luxury branding and how your designs align with Hourglass's sophisticated, vegan, and cruelty-free ethos.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Briefs: Prepare for potential challenges that involve creating social media assets, email graphics, or a concept for a new campaign based on a given brief.
• Focus on Strategy: Even in a quick turnaround, demonstrating strategic thinking behind design choices is key.
• Time Management: Practice working efficiently within a limited timeframe, showcasing your ability to deliver polished concepts under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a senior design role, emphasizing portfolio content, presentation strategy, and preparation for potential design challenges, which are common in creative hiring processes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign (essential for all graphic design tasks).
• Digital Design Software: Adobe XD, Figma (crucial for UI/UX, prototyping, and digital asset creation).
• Video Editing: Premiere Pro, After Effects (preferred for motion graphics and video content).
• Asset Management: Adobe Bridge (useful for organizing and managing creative assets).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a direct requirement for the designer, understanding how creative assets perform on digital platforms (social media, e-commerce, web) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics dashboards that report on engagement and conversion rates for visual content would be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core responsibilities of this designer role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit listing of required software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, Figma) is critical. Including Premiere, After Effects, and Bridge as preferred or known tools further refines the technical expectations for this Senior Graphic Designer position.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value driving the brand's success and product development. Designers are expected to be forward-thinking and push creative boundaries.
• Purpose-Driven: Commitment to being vegan and cruelty-free, influencing all aspects of the brand and its visual communication.
• Excellence & Quality: Maintaining high standards in product, brand representation, and creative execution.
• Collaboration: Working effectively within the creative team and across departments to achieve shared goals.
• Agility & Adaptability: Ability to respond to changing market trends and business needs in a fast-paced environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: Close collaboration with the Associate Creative Director, Art Directors, and junior designers is essential.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Working with marketing, product development, and other teams to ensure design solutions meet broader business objectives.
• Feedback-Driven: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to foster continuous improvement and high-quality output.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section interprets the company's stated values and the role's collaborative nature into actionable cultural expectations for a designer at Hourglass Cosmetics, emphasizing creativity, purpose, and teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all creative output adheres to Hourglass's sophisticated luxury aesthetic while adapting to diverse campaign needs across multiple platforms.
• Balancing Innovation with Brand Guidelines: Pushing creative boundaries while staying true to the established brand identity and its vegan/cruelty-free ethos.
• Managing Multiple Projects Under Tight Deadlines: Juggling various design requests from different departments with demanding timelines in a fast-paced beauty industry.
• Mentoring Junior Talent Effectively: Providing guidance and development support to junior designers while maintaining personal project responsibilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to learn and implement cutting-edge design software and methodologies.
• Industry Exposure: Staying abreast of trends in luxury beauty, fashion, and digital marketing through industry events, publications, and team insights.
• Leadership Skills: Developing management and mentorship capabilities through hands-on experience.
• Cross-Departmental Knowledge: Gaining a broader understanding of marketing strategy, product development, and consumer engagement within the beauty sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section frames the inherent difficulties of the role as opportunities for growth, aligning with the "operations" theme by focusing on process, skill development, and strategic adaptation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex marketing brief into a compelling visual concept. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on strategic thinking and execution)
• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different design applications and platforms, especially in a luxury market?" (Highlights understanding of brand integrity)
• "Tell us about your experience mentoring junior designers. How do you provide constructive feedback and foster their growth?" (Assesses leadership and team development skills)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Hourglass Cosmetics as a brand, and how do you see your design philosophy aligning with our vegan and cruelty-free mission?" (Tests brand alignment and passion)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends, particularly within the beauty and luxury sectors?" (Evaluates industry awareness and continuous learning)
• "Describe your approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams, such as marketing or product development." (Assesses teamwork and communication skills)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your solution (design), and the result. Use a consistent format.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., engagement rates on social media, conversion improvements in e-commerce).
• Highlight Leadership: Specifically point out projects where you guided junior designers or took a lead role in concept development.
• Showcase Versatility: Ensure your presentation covers both digital and print examples, demonstrating your breadth of skill.
• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical processes, and how you handle feedback or challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides targeted interview questions and preparation strategies relevant to a senior design role, focusing on strategic impact, brand alignment, and leadership, as well as practical advice for portfolio presentations.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position at Hourglass Cosmetics:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Hourglass Cosmetics careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your most relevant work in luxury beauty, fashion, or retail, showcasing both digital and print capabilities. Highlight any experience with branding, campaign design, and packaging.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5+ years of design experience and 2+ years of people management experience. Use keywords such as "Graphic Design," "Branding," "Typography," "Digital Design," "Print Design," "Art Direction," "Mentorship," and "Luxury Beauty."
• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, strategic approach, and leadership philosophy during interviews. Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on project impact and your role in achieving business objectives.
• Research the Brand: Thoroughly understand Hourglass Cosmetics' brand identity, values (vegan, cruelty-free), product lines, and recent marketing campaigns. This will help you articulate your alignment and ask informed questions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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