Sr. Graphic Designer (Remote/Hybrid)

Dropout Companies
Full_time

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Graphic Designer (Remote/Hybrid)
Company: Dropout Companies
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing
Date Posted: October 6, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: Hybrid / Remote-Eligible (within the US)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead the visual identity and creative execution for a portfolio of emerging CPG brands, with an initial focus on Jams and Bronco.
  • Drive design for integrated marketing campaigns across all consumer touchpoints, emphasizing digital, social, and print media.
  • Transform market insights and cultural trends into compelling creative assets that resonate with Gen-Z and millennial audiences.
  • Conceptualize, mock-up, and execute high-impact designs that elevate visual excellence and brand presence.
  • Manage the end-to-end creative production process, ensuring deadlines, quality control, and adherence to brand standards are consistently met.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer with significant responsibilities in brand development and campaign execution within the CPG sector. The emphasis on "visually disruptive, forward-thinking mindset" and "what's next in pop culture and design trends" suggests a need for a designer who can push creative boundaries while maintaining brand integrity. The hybrid/remote aspect within the US indicates a need for strong self-management and communication skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Design visually engaging, brand-consistent assets across digital platforms, social media channels, apparel, out-of-home (OOH) advertising, e-commerce sites, retail environments, and events.
  • Translate current cultural trends and pop culture insights into bold, disruptive creative concepts that deeply resonate with Gen-Z and millennial target demographics.
  • Lead the conceptualization, mock-up, and hands-on execution of high-impact designs, with a particular focus on digital execution and raising the overall standard of visual excellence for the brands.
  • Collaborate closely with brand management and marketing teams to develop culturally relevant, disruptive, and brand-defining creative moments that capture attention.
  • Oversee and manage day-to-day creative production workflows, maintaining strong organizational discipline to ensure all project deadlines, quality benchmarks, and established brand standards are meticulously met.
  • Contribute actively to a dynamic, fast-paced creative environment by supporting photoshoots, contributing to campaign development, and managing multiple concurrent projects with agility.
  • Provide constructive feedback and art direction to freelance designers and external creative partners, while proactively staying ahead of industry trends and inspiring the internal team with fresh insights and innovative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for a hands-on designer capable of strategic thinking and tactical execution across a wide range of media. The emphasis on "cultural trends," "disruptive creative," and "Gen-Z and millennial audiences" points to a role requiring deep understanding of contemporary consumer behavior and visual communication. Experience with social media content creation and a strong digital sensibility are paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior level role. Equivalent practical experience and a strong portfolio can often substitute for formal education.
Experience: A minimum of 5 years of dedicated brand design experience is required, ideally gained within an agency setting or in-house at a company operating in the CPG, lifestyle, fashion, or wellness industries. Proven experience in successfully conceptualizing and executing 360-degree brand campaigns across diverse channels, with a strong emphasis on content creation and social media execution, is essential.

Required Skills:

  • Expertise in digital design principles, comprehensive branding, creative concept development, design composition, and advanced typography.
  • A robust and compelling portfolio showcasing a history of successful brand campaigns and innovative, breakthrough 360-degree creative ideas.
  • A highly developed eye for design aesthetics, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong, process-oriented approach to design execution.
  • Demonstrated up-to-date knowledge of current pop culture, emerging design trends, and their application in marketing.
  • Proven ability to effectively manage time and multiple projects efficiently, with comfort in adapting to shifting priorities and evolving project scopes within a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong leadership potential and an intrinsic drive to achieve ambitious goals.
  • Deep understanding and keen awareness of platforms like TikTok and Instagram, with a proven ability to design effectively for organic social media engagement.
  • Excellent team player qualities and strong collaborative and communication skills, enabling effective cross-functional partnerships.
  • Confident and persuasive presentation skills, capable of articulating design rationale and strategic vision.

Preferred Skills:

  • Proficiency in motion design principles and software.
  • Experience in ideating and contributing to photography and videography concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize not just technical design skills but also a strategic and cultural understanding. The "leadership potential" and "drive to succeed" suggest the company is looking for someone who can grow with the organization and potentially mentor others. The specific mention of TikTok and IG highlights the critical importance of social media fluency for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase a minimum of 5 years of brand design work, with a strong emphasis on CPG, lifestyle, fashion, or wellness brands.
  • Include detailed case studies demonstrating successful 360-degree brand campaigns across social, digital, retail, OOH, and events.
  • Highlight specific examples of content creation and social media execution that drove engagement and brand awareness.
  • Present a minimum of 3 distinct projects that illustrate innovative concept development and breakthrough creative thinking.
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of brand consistency and the ability to maintain brand integrity across diverse touchpoints.

Process Documentation:

  • Clearly articulate the design process followed for at least two major campaign projects, from initial brief to final execution.
  • Provide examples of how design decisions were informed by cultural trends, audience insights, or market research.
  • Showcase how organizational and project management skills were applied to meet deadlines and quality standards in fast-paced environments.
  • Illustrate how feedback was incorporated from stakeholders, freelancers, or external partners to refine creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Graphic Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing aesthetics to demonstrating strategic thinking, process, and impact. The emphasis on "360 brand campaigns" and the specific platforms (social, digital, retail, OOH) indicates a need for versatility and a proven track record of integrated campaign execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Graphic Designers with 5-10 years of experience in a high-cost-of-living area like Nashville, and considering the remote/hybrid flexibility, a competitive salary range would likely be between $85,000 and $120,000 annually. This estimate accounts for the specified experience level, the "leadership potential" requirement, and the demand for specialized skills in CPG branding and digital/social media design.

Benefits:

  • Paid Time Off: 10 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) are provided annually.
  • Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits are included.
  • Technology Allowance: A dedicated allowance to support necessary technology for work.
  • Quarterly Product Benefit: Employees receive a quarterly product benefit, including Jams, Bronco, and future Dropout brands.
  • Remote/Hybrid Flexibility: Options for remote or hybrid work arrangements, with potential for up to 10% travel within the U.S.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically requiring 40 hours per week. However, there is an expectation of willingness to work outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, as dictated by business demands, campaign launches, and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on the provided experience level, location (Nashville), and the nature of the role within the CPG industry. The benefits package is detailed and attractive, particularly the product benefit, which aligns with the company's CPG focus. The flexibility in working hours acknowledges the demands of creative roles and fast-paced environments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the Food & Beverage (CPG) sector, specifically focused on reimagining nostalgic classics for modern consumers. This includes innovative brands like Jams (reinventing PB&J) and Bronco (redefining breakfast bagel sandwiches). The industry is characterized by rapid innovation, strong branding, and a focus on consumer trends. Company Size: Dropout Companies is likely a growing startup or a company in its early to mid-stage of expansion, indicated by the focus on building out brands and attracting senior talent. This often translates to a dynamic, less bureaucratic environment where individuals can have a significant impact. Founded: While the founding date isn't specified, the company's mission to "reimagine nostalgic classics" and "rewrite the rules of CPG" suggests a relatively modern, forward-thinking organization built on innovation and disruption.

Team Structure:

  • The design team is likely part of a broader marketing or creative department. As a Senior Graphic Designer, this role may involve collaborating with junior designers, brand managers, marketing specialists, and potentially external agencies.
  • Reporting structure will likely be to a Creative Director, Head of Marketing, or a similar leadership role, with direct interaction with brand leads for specific projects.
  • Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, involving close partnerships with brand management, marketing, product development, and sales teams to ensure cohesive brand messaging and campaign execution.

Methodology:

  • Design decisions are driven by a blend of market insights, cultural trend analysis, and a strong understanding of the target audience (Gen-Z and millennials).
  • Workflow planning emphasizes agility and speed, accommodating the fast-paced nature of the CPG and startup environments.
  • Automation and efficiency are likely valued, though the primary focus for this role is on creative output and brand impact.

Company Website: https://jobs.workable.com/company/2F3vugk3NQrA89ES4Y9waa/jobs-at-dropout-companies

📝 Enhancement Note: Dropout Companies presents itself as an innovative and disruptive force in the CPG space, focusing on modernizing classic products. The company culture appears to be built around creativity, collaboration, and a fast-paced, results-oriented approach. Understanding this culture is key for candidates.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Sr. Graphic Designer," indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires significant experience, autonomy, and the ability to lead creative initiatives. This level typically involves not only execution but also strategic input into brand direction and campaign conceptualization. Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director, Head of Marketing, or a similar senior leader within the creative or marketing function. They will collaborate closely with brand managers and marketing teams, and may provide guidance or feedback to junior designers or external freelancers. Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's impact is directly tied to shaping the visual identity and market perception of Dropout Companies' brands. Their work will influence brand recognition, consumer engagement, campaign effectiveness, and ultimately, sales performance by creating compelling and culturally resonant creative assets.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas like digital branding, social media creative strategy, or motion graphics within the CPG context.
  • Leadership: Opportunity to grow into a Creative Lead or Art Director role, managing a small team or larger projects, and having more significant strategic input.
  • Brand Expansion: As Dropout Companies launches new brands, the Senior Designer can play a key role in developing their visual identities from the ground up.
  • Industry Exposure: Gaining extensive experience in the dynamic CPG industry, which is highly competitive and trend-driven.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within a growing company. The emphasis on "leadership potential" suggests that candidates with aspirations for management or greater strategic influence will find this an attractive opportunity. The ability to impact multiple brands within the portfolio provides a broad scope for growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "Remote/Hybrid," suggesting a flexible work model. This means it could be fully remote within the US, or a hybrid arrangement requiring occasional in-office presence, likely in or near Nashville, Tennessee. The company emphasizes a "transparent, ego-free collaboration" and "do it better, together" values, indicating a supportive and collaborative in-office or virtual environment. Office Location(s): While the role can be remote, the mention of Nashville, Tennessee, as a derived location suggests that the company may have a physical headquarters or key office there. Any required in-office days would likely be at this location.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaboration: The emphasis on "transparent, ego-free collaboration" and being "team players" suggests an environment where open communication and mutual respect are highly valued. Expect regular collaboration with marketing, brand, and potentially product teams.
  • Tools & Technology: Access to necessary design tools, likely including Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, is expected. The company also provides a technology allowance to support the remote/hybrid setup.
  • Team Interaction: Opportunities for team interaction will depend on the remote/hybrid balance. This might include virtual team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and potentially in-person gatherings or offsites.

Work Schedule: The standard work week is 40 hours. However, given the fast-paced nature of the CPG industry and the creative demands of the role, flexibility is required, including willingness to work outside standard business hours (evenings and weekends) as business needs dictate. This flexibility is common in creative roles focused on campaign launches and high-impact projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid/remote nature of the role requires strong self-discipline and communication skills. The company's stated values suggest a culture that prioritizes teamwork and open feedback, which is beneficial for creative professionals. The need to work outside standard hours is a critical consideration for work-life balance.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative fit.
  • Creative Assessment: Likely a portfolio review session where you'll present key projects, discuss your design process, and articulate your strategic thinking behind the work. Be prepared to discuss how you translated trends into effective designs.
  • Skills-Based Interview: Questions focusing on your technical proficiency (Adobe Suite, Figma), project management skills, and experience with specific platforms (social media).
  • Behavioral/Cultural Interview: Discussions about your collaboration style, how you handle feedback, your leadership potential, and how you align with Dropout Companies' values (transparency, creativity, teamwork).
  • Final Round: Potentially an interview with senior leadership or a creative director to discuss strategic vision and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with the job description, emphasizing CPG, lifestyle, social media, and campaign work.
  • Tell a Story: For each project, walk through the problem, your process, your creative solution, and the impact or results (even if anecdotal). Highlight your role specifically.
  • Showcase Process: Demonstrate your thinking beyond just the final output. Include mood boards, sketches, wireframes, or iterations to show your design journey.
  • Highlight Trends & Culture: Explicitly point out how you incorporated cultural trends or insights into your designs to connect with Gen-Z and millennial audiences.
  • Tailor to Dropout: If possible, include a speculative piece or adapt an existing project to show how you would approach branding for Jams or Bronco, demonstrating your understanding of their aesthetic and mission.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Creative Challenge: Be prepared for a design challenge, which might involve creating social media assets, conceptualizing a mini-campaign, or redesigning a specific brand element based on a brief.
  • Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a set timeframe, simulating the pressure of a fast-paced environment.
  • Presentation Skills: Rehearse presenting your work concisely and persuasively, articulating your design rationale and how it meets the objectives. Focus on clear communication of your strategic approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will heavily weigh your portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to not only show their work but also to deeply explain the strategic thinking, process, and impact behind it. Demonstrating cultural fluency and an understanding of the CPG landscape will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency expected in Photoshop (for image manipulation and digital assets), Illustrator (for vector graphics and logos), and InDesign (for layout and print materials).
  • Figma: Increasingly a standard for collaborative design, prototyping, and UI/UX work, likely used for digital assets and team collaboration.
  • Microsoft Suite: Standard office productivity tools for documentation and communication.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for a designer, an understanding of how design impacts metrics is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics) to understand user behavior and content performance could be a plus. CRM & Automation: Typically not directly used by designers, but awareness of how marketing automation tools (e.g., for email campaigns) or CRM data might inform creative briefs could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Figma is listed as a requirement and indicates a modern design workflow. Familiarity with presentation tools and project management software like Monday.com (mentioned in the description as part of the background requirements) is also expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • We keep it real: Expect a culture of transparency, ego-free collaboration, and honest, direct feedback. This means being open to constructive criticism and providing it respectfully.
  • We are creators: A core value is being disruptors who see and do things differently. This implies a culture that encourages innovation, experimentation, and pushing creative boundaries to reshape categories.
  • We do it better, together: Success is viewed as a team effort. This emphasizes collaboration, mutual support, and balancing individual ambition with care for colleagues and team cohesion.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Collaboration will be tight with brand management, marketing teams, and potentially product development. Expect to work closely to translate brand strategies into visual executions.
  • Feedback Exchange: A culture of open feedback is encouraged, both giving and receiving, to drive continuous improvement and ensure creative output meets objectives.
  • Agile & Iterative: Given the fast-paced environment, expect a collaborative style that is agile, iterative, and responsive to market changes and new opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values are central to its identity and how it operates. Candidates should demonstrate how their work style and professional ethos align with these principles, particularly the emphasis on transparency, innovation, and teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Brand Consistency with Disruption: Effectively creating visually "disruptive" creative that resonates with trends while maintaining a cohesive and recognizable brand identity across multiple touchpoints.
  • Fast-Paced CPG Environment: Adapting quickly to shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and the constant need for fresh, relevant content in the highly competitive CPG market.
  • Remote/Hybrid Management: Maintaining strong creative output, collaboration, and team connection while working remotely or in a hybrid model, requiring excellent self-management and communication.
  • Evolving Trends: Staying consistently ahead of pop culture and design trends to ensure creative remains fresh, relevant, and impactful for target audiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in areas like motion graphics, advanced digital illustration, or UI/UX design for digital platforms.
  • Brand Strategy: Deepening understanding of brand building and strategy within the CPG sector by working on multiple brands and campaigns.
  • Industry Trends: Continuous learning about consumer behavior, pop culture, and emerging design technologies and platforms.
  • Creative Leadership: Potential to develop leadership skills by mentoring junior designers or leading creative projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior creative role in a dynamic startup environment. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to significantly impact brand development and advance one's career in a thriving industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "How would you approach developing a visual identity for a new CPG brand that aims to disrupt a traditional category?" (Focus on your process, research, and creative ideation.)
  • "Describe a time you translated a complex cultural trend into compelling visual content for a specific audience. What was your process and the outcome?" (Highlight your trend awareness and execution skills.)
  • "How do you ensure brand consistency across diverse platforms while still pushing creative boundaries?" (Address your understanding of brand guidelines and your approach to innovative execution.)
  • "Walk us through a challenging project where you had to manage shifting priorities or tight deadlines. How did you adapt and what did you learn?" (Showcase your project management and adaptability.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you about Dropout Companies and our mission to reimagine nostalgic classics?" (Demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of the company's unique position.)
  • "How do you embody our values of 'keeping it real,' 'being creators,' and 'doing it better, together' in your professional work?" (Provide specific examples that align with their stated values.)
  • "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you prefer to work with marketing and brand teams?" (Assess your team fit and communication style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Start Strong: Begin with your most impactful project that aligns best with the CPG/lifestyle/social media focus.
  • Narrative Arc: For each project, clearly define the objective, your role, the creative challenge, your solution (design process, key decisions), and the results or impact.
  • Highlight Digital & Social: Emphasize your experience with digital design, social media content creation, and how your work drove engagement or brand awareness.
  • Showcase Trend Integration: Be ready to point out specific instances where you leveraged pop culture or emerging trends to connect with the target audience.
  • Be Concise & Engaging: Aim for clarity and impact. Practice your talking points to ensure you can present your work effectively within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking, cultural relevance, and alignment with Dropout Companies' innovative and collaborative ethos. Your portfolio is your primary tool; ensure it's curated and you can speak to it confidently and strategically.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Graphic Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.
  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects in CPG, lifestyle, social media, brand campaigns, and digital design. If possible, include a speculative piece or adaptation for Jams or Bronco to showcase your understanding of the brands and their target audience.
  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5+ years of relevant experience, focusing on achievements in brand design, campaign execution, and social media content creation. Use keywords from the job description such as "brand identity," "digital design," "social media," "content creation," and "Adobe Creative Suite."
  • Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on the narrative of your projects, your design process, and how you leverage cultural trends. Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership potential and alignment with the company's values. Rehearse your responses to common interview questions related to design strategy and collaboration.
  • Company Research: Thoroughly review Dropout Companies' brands (Jams, Bronco) and their marketing efforts. Understand their mission, target audience, and competitive landscape. Familiarize yourself with their stated values and how they operate.

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


Application Requirements

Candidates should have 5+ years of brand design experience, ideally in CPG or lifestyle sectors, with a strong portfolio demonstrating successful brand campaigns. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and experience managing multiple projects in fast-paced environments are essential.