Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Vera Bradley

Location: New York Office - New York, NY

Job Type: Full time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: November 3, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive culturally relevant, performance-driven creative work across Brand, Outlet, and Wholesale channels.

• Translate culturally resonant trends into engaging creative assets that enhance customer acquisition and deliver measurable business impact.

• Define and evolve the Vera Bradley visual identity, including the strategic integration of archival elements into new work.

• Own and advance the team's design systems and templates within Figma to ensure rapid execution and high-quality output.

• Mentor a junior Graphic Designer, providing clear and constructive feedback to foster rapid professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior Graphic Designer," the responsibilities and experience requirements (7+ years) clearly indicate a role that bridges senior individual contributor and potential team lead responsibilities within a marketing department focused on driving tangible business results. The emphasis on "measurable business impact" and "results the wider marketing organization can see" positions this role within a GTM (Go-To-Market) or broader marketing operations context, focused on creative execution that directly supports revenue generation and customer engagement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with the Creative Content Director to conceptualize and develop major campaigns and seasonal storytelling initiatives, overseeing the design process from initial concept through to the creation of production-ready files.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with social media, digital, email marketing, copywriting, merchandising, and brand marketing teams to adapt campaign ideas into channel-specific assets and platform-optimized content.

• Develop and maintain the team's design systems and templates in Figma, ensuring they are efficient, scalable, and uphold brand quality standards.

• Create storyboards and edit short-form video and motion graphics to extend campaign reach and engagement across various digital platforms.

• Provide art direction for photo and video shoots, working with the Creative Content Director on mood boards, shot lists, on-set direction, and final asset selection.

• Brief, manage, and direct freelance designers and agency partners, including photographers, ensuring their output consistently meets the established brand standards.

• Utilize AI tools for concept generation and asset variation, and contribute to the development of team guidelines for AI usage, particularly concerning brand patterns and intellectual property.

• Present design concepts and final work to senior leadership within marketing and merchandising, articulating a clear rationale for creative choices and their expected business outcomes.

• Provide day-to-day mentorship and guidance to the Graphic Designer, fostering their skill development and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Execute promotional design elements for offers, in-store signage, outlet promotions, and seasonal sale campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on end-to-end campaign execution, from strategic concepting to production and performance analysis. The mention of "measurable business impact," "customer acquisition," and "results the wider marketing organization can see" underscores the GTM nature of this creative role. The emphasis on design systems and AI tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to creative operations and efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a senior-level role.

Experience: 7+ years of professional graphic design experience, either in-house or within an agency setting, with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in fashion, beauty, home, and lifestyle sectors.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Figma, including hands-on experience with design systems and component libraries.

• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on production-grade print preparation.

• Demonstrated ability to edit video using Premiere Pro or comparable software.

• Experience and practical application of AI image and video generation tools (e.g., Firefly, Runway).

• Exceptional typography and layout design skills, with a keen eye for editorial-grade aesthetics across both print and digital media.

• Strong storytelling capabilities, translating brand narratives and trends into compelling visual communications.

• Experience in developing and executing end-to-end campaign designs.

• Ability to present creative work and defend design choices confidently to senior leadership.

• Skill in mentoring junior designers and providing clear, constructive feedback.

• Understanding of how campaign ideas need to adapt for different channels like social media feeds and email inboxes.

• Experience with promotional design for offers, signage, outlet, and sales campaigns. Preferred Skills:

• Motion design expertise beyond basic editing, such as After Effects animation or kinetic typography.

• Prior on-set experience in art directing photo or video shoots.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of traditional design expertise, modern digital tool proficiency (Figma, AI), and strategic thinking related to campaign execution and channel adaptation. The preference for motion design and art direction experience indicates a desire for a well-rounded creative professional who can contribute to a variety of visual content needs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 7 years of design experience, with a strong emphasis on fashion, beauty, home, and lifestyle sectors.

• Demonstrations of editorial-grade typography and layout design across both print and digital mediums.

• Detailed case studies of campaigns managed end-to-end, illustrating the design process from concept to final execution and measurable impact.

• Examples of design system components and template utilization within Figma, highlighting efficiency and scalability.

• Visual evidence of proficiency with AI tools for asset variation and concept exploration.

• Examples of promotional design work, including offers, signage, and sale campaigns. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly outline the design process, including problem definition, creative strategy, execution phases, and the rationale behind key design decisions.

• Documentation of how design systems and templates were implemented and maintained in Figma to streamline workflows and ensure brand consistency.

• Examples of adapting campaign concepts for specific channels (social, email, print), detailing the strategic considerations for each platform.

• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (social, digital, merchandising) and how design integrated with their strategies.

• Visuals or descriptions of how AI tools were integrated into the workflow for efficiency or creative exploration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is expected to be a critical component, serving as a tangible demonstration of the candidate's ability to execute high-quality design, manage complex projects, and drive business results. The emphasis on end-to-end campaigns and process documentation aligns with operations-focused roles that require clear articulation of methodology and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $89,900 - $123,650 USD per year. This range is based on market data for Senior Graphic Designer roles in New York, NY, considering the experience level (7+ years), hybrid work arrangement, and the responsibilities outlined. Individual compensation will be determined by factors such as specific skills, experience, education, and work location.

Benefits:

• Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision programs, including HDHP/HSA and PPO plan options. Flexible spending accounts are also available.

• Survivor Benefits: Employer-provided life insurance (2x salary), accidental death and disability insurance, and options for voluntary life insurance.

• Income Protection: Short-term and long-term disability insurance provided at no cost to protect income during illness or injury.

• Retirement Plan: 401k plan with a generous company match and immediate vesting, featuring a strong lineup of professionally managed funds.

• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO program, earning up to 3 weeks in the first year, with opportunities for more. Includes 9 paid holidays and paid bereavement leave.

• Give Back Opportunities: Voluntary Time Off (VTO) to serve the community.

• Holistic Wellness: Access to financial, physical, and mental wellness experts, including an Employee Assistance Program with unlimited telephonic counseling services.

• Product Discount: Generous employee discount on Vera Bradley products.

• Ancillary Benefits: Bonus opportunity, identity protection, legal services, pet insurance, cell phone discount, employee referral bonus, annual birthday gift, DailyPay, and access to a corporate fitness facility.

Working Hours: The role is based on a 40-hour work week. The hybrid schedule requires 3 days per week in the New York office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a professional estimate based on the provided data and industry benchmarks for a Senior Graphic Designer in a major metropolitan area like New York City, with a specific focus on the stated experience level and hybrid work model. The extensive benefits package is detailed to provide a comprehensive view of total compensation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fashion Retail / Lifestyle Goods. Vera Bradley operates within the fashion accessories and lifestyle product market, known for its distinctive patterns and heritage.

Company Size: Vera Bradley is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: VRA) with a significant employee base. The provided data indicates a company size of over 5,000 employees globally.

Founded: Vera Bradley was founded in 1982, bringing over four decades of brand heritage and a strong legacy in creating personal and joyful products.

Team Structure:

• The design team is part of the Marketing department and reports to the Creative Content Director.

• This role involves close collaboration with brand marketing, social media, digital marketing, email marketing, merchandising, and other colleagues within the wider marketing organization.

• As a senior member, the role includes mentoring the Graphic Designer. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: The role emphasizes delivering "performance-driven work" and translating creative concepts into "measurable business impact," indicating a data-informed approach to design strategy.

• Trend Integration: A key aspect is translating "culturally resonant trends" into creative assets that appeal to a "multigenerational customer."

• Design System Optimization: Focus on owning and evolving design systems and templates in Figma to enhance speed and maintain quality.

• Cross-Channel Adaptation: Expertise in adapting campaign ideas for specific platforms like social media feeds and email inboxes.

• AI Integration: Openness and strategic use of AI tools for concepting and asset variation, with a considered approach to brand IP.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to blend a strong heritage brand identity with a modern, trend-aware, and performance-driven marketing approach. The emphasis on "personal and joyful" experiences, combined with data-driven creative execution and mentorship, suggests a collaborative and growth-oriented environment within the marketing department.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Individual Contributor with potential leadership responsibilities. It signifies a mid-to-senior level within the creative function, requiring significant autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to guide junior talent.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer reports directly to the Creative Content Director. They will also work closely with various marketing disciplines and present to senior leadership, offering exposure to executive-level decision-making.

Operations Impact: The role's success is directly tied to its ability to drive "engagement, customer acquisition, and measurable business impact." This means the creative output is expected to contribute directly to key GTM metrics and revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: The mentorship of the Graphic Designer provides direct experience in team leadership and management.

• Strategic Influence: Partnering with the Creative Content Director on major campaigns and evolving the brand's visual identity offers significant strategic input and brand-building opportunities.

• Skill Expansion: The role encourages the use of AI tools and offers opportunities to develop motion design skills (beyond editing) and art direction experience, broadening the candidate's creative toolkit.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Working across various marketing channels (digital, social, email, merchandising) builds a comprehensive understanding of integrated marketing campaigns and their operational execution.

• Executive Exposure: Regularly presenting work to senior leadership provides visibility and experience in communicating creative strategy and results at an executive level.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth beyond senior individual contribution, with opportunities to develop leadership skills, deepen strategic impact, and expand technical proficiencies. The direct link to business results means successful performance can lead to significant recognition and advancement within the marketing or creative departments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based in a New York City office with a hybrid work arrangement.

Office Location(s): New York Office - New York, NY. The role also requires approximately 20% travel to Fort Wayne, Indiana, estimated at about one week per month.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The New York office serves as a hub for creative and marketing collaboration, requiring 3 days per week on-site. This facilitates in-person brainstorming, client/stakeholder meetings, and team synergy.

• Technology Access: As a senior designer, access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) and potentially specialized AI tools will be readily available.

• Team Interaction: The role involves close daily interaction with the Creative Content Director, the Graphic Designer, and cross-functional marketing teams, fostering a dynamic and communicative work environment.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, with a hybrid model that balances in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. The travel requirement to Fort Wayne is a significant component of the role's schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in a major city office, combined with regular travel to the company's other significant location, indicates a dynamic work environment that demands adaptability and strong organizational skills. The emphasis on collaboration suggests a workplace that values in-person interaction for key creative and strategic initiatives.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of the resume and portfolio will be conducted to assess alignment with the required skills and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio to the Creative Content Director and potentially other marketing leaders. This will involve walking through key projects, explaining design rationale, and discussing the business impact of their work.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: A practical exercise or a deep dive into specific software proficiency (Figma, Adobe Suite, AI tools) may be included.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Simulation: A scenario might be presented to gauge how the candidate would collaborate with other marketing functions (e.g., social, digital) on a campaign.

• Mentorship Discussion: Questions about mentoring style and experience will likely be explored, given the responsibility to guide the junior designer.

• Leadership Interview: Discussions with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase fashion, beauty, and lifestyle experience, highlighting editorial-grade typography, layout, and storytelling.

• End-to-End Case Studies: For at least 2-3 key projects, provide a detailed narrative: the challenge, your role, the creative process, design solutions, and most importantly, the results (engagement, acquisition, business impact). Quantify impact wherever possible.

• Figma & Design Systems: Clearly demonstrate your experience with Figma, including how you've built or utilized design systems and component libraries to improve efficiency and consistency.

• AI Integration: Showcase examples of how you've used AI tools creatively and strategically in your workflow, explaining the benefits and any considerations for brand IP.

• Adaptability: Include examples of how you've adapted creative concepts for different channels (social, email, print).

• Visual Storytelling: Ensure your portfolio is visually engaging and tells a clear story about your design capabilities and problem-solving approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Campaign Concepting: Be prepared to brainstorm or develop a creative concept for a hypothetical Vera Bradley campaign, considering current trends and the brand's heritage.

• Design System Application: You might be asked how you would evolve or apply a design system to a new project.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle creative disagreements, brief external partners, or troubleshoot production issues.

• AI Ethics & Application: Be ready to discuss your perspective on using AI in design, particularly concerning brand integrity and intellectual property.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is expected to be rigorous, focusing not only on design skills but also on strategic thinking, collaboration, leadership potential, and the ability to demonstrate measurable business impact. The portfolio is paramount and should be tailored to showcase the specific requirements of this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for design systems, component libraries, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows. Advanced proficiency is required.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Comprehensive suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and potentially After Effects for advanced motion graphics. Production-grade print preparation skills are critical.

• Video Editing Software: Proficiency in Premiere Pro or comparable tools for editing short-form video and motion pieces.

• AI Tools: Experience with AI image and video generation tools such as Adobe Firefly and Runway is expected for concepting and asset variation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary responsibility, understanding how design impacts metrics like engagement and acquisition implies familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics, email marketing platform analytics) to interpret performance data.

• Ability to translate design performance into actionable insights for reporting. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly specified for this role, but understanding how designs integrate with marketing automation platforms and CRM data for personalized campaigns would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on industry-standard creative tools, with a significant emphasis on Figma for design systems and a forward-looking requirement for AI tools. This indicates a modern, efficient creative operations environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A strong emphasis on "editorial-grade typography and layout" and sweating details like "kerning and print color" highlights a commitment to high-quality execution.

• Brand Stewardship: Protecting and evolving the "Vera Bradley visual identity," including leveraging its "archive," demonstrates a deep respect for brand heritage and its future direction.

• Data-Driven Impact: The expectation to show "measurable business impact: engagement, acquisition, and results" underscores a results-oriented culture where creative work is directly linked to business objectives.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working closely with "brand marketing, social, digital, and merchandising" and across the wider marketing organization points to a highly collaborative environment.

• Mentorship & Growth: The explicit role in mentoring the Graphic Designer signifies a culture that values knowledge sharing and professional development.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Openness to using "AI tools openly and with judgment" and defining guidelines for them suggests a culture that embraces new technologies and adapts to industry changes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires seamless integration with various marketing disciplines to translate campaign ideas into channel-specific executions.

• Direct Partnership: Close collaboration with the Creative Content Director on concepting and direction.

• External Partner Management: Ability to brief and direct freelance and agency partners effectively.

• Feedback Culture: Mentoring implies a culture where constructive feedback is given and received to foster growth and maintain quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of creative excellence, strategic business focus, and a supportive, collaborative team environment. The emphasis on mentorship and embracing new technologies like AI suggests a dynamic and forward-thinking team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Heritage with Modernity: Successfully bridging Vera Bradley's established heritage with a modern, contemporary aesthetic to appeal to a multigenerational customer base.

• Driving Measurable Business Impact: Translating creative vision into tangible results (engagement, acquisition) requires a strong understanding of marketing strategy and performance metrics.

• Integrating AI Ethically and Effectively: Developing guidelines and practical applications for AI tools while protecting brand IP and maintaining creative integrity.

• Managing Cross-Functional Demands: Juggling diverse needs from various marketing departments (social, digital, merchandising) while maintaining brand consistency and quality.

• Travel Requirements: Adapting to a hybrid schedule with significant travel to Fort Wayne, Indiana, requires strong time management and organizational skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Systems: Deepening expertise in Figma and design system architecture for scalable brand execution.

• AI Tool Mastery: Becoming a proficient user and advocate for AI tools in creative workflows, potentially leading to internal guideline development.

• Motion Graphics & Video: Expanding skills in After Effects or similar tools for more dynamic visual content creation.

• Art Direction Experience: Gaining hands-on experience art directing photo and video shoots.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Developing management and coaching skills through mentoring the junior designer.

• Strategic Campaign Development: Gaining deeper insights into campaign strategy and execution from concept to performance analysis, directly contributing to GTM success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior creative roles in established brands looking to innovate. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to become a leader in creative operations, AI integration, and brand strategy within a well-known company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach updating a heritage brand's visual identity for a contemporary audience while respecting its archive?" (Focus on balancing tradition and innovation, process for research and concepting.)

• "Describe a campaign you managed end-to-end. What were the key objectives, your design process, and the measurable business impact you achieved?" (Prepare a detailed case study with specific metrics.)

• "How do you ensure your creative work drives engagement and customer acquisition? Can you provide examples?" (Connect design choices to GTM metrics.)

• "What is your philosophy on using AI tools in graphic design? How would you approach developing guidelines for AI usage within a brand context like Vera Bradley?" (Demonstrate thoughtful consideration of benefits, risks, and brand IP.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Vera Bradley's brand and its patterns?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the brand's heritage and appeal.)

• "How would you mentor a junior designer to help them grow their skills and understand our brand standards?" (Discuss your mentoring style, feedback techniques, and approach to skill development.)

• "Describe a time you had to present a creative concept you were passionate about to senior leadership who had reservations. How did you handle it?" (Prepare for questions on persuasion, handling feedback, and defending creative choices.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation with a clear beginning, middle, and end for each project. Start with the challenge, detail your process and solutions, and conclude with outcomes and lessons learned.

• Highlight Impact: For each project, explicitly state the objective and the quantifiable results achieved (e.g., increased engagement by X%, contributed to Y% uplift in acquisition).

• Figma & AI Demonstration: Be ready to briefly demo or clearly explain your Figma design system components and how you've leveraged AI tools.

• Brand Alignment: For Vera Bradley, emphasize projects that show an understanding of fashion, lifestyle, and storytelling that resonates with a broad demographic.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice presenting your strongest projects efficiently, focusing on quality over quantity.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also strategic thinking, business acumen, and leadership potential. The ability to articulate process, impact, and a forward-thinking approach to tools like AI will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle design, emphasizing your 7+ years of experience and proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, video editing, and AI tools.

• Case Study Preparation: Select 2-3 key projects for in-depth discussion. Prepare to walk through the entire lifecycle of these campaigns, focusing on your role, design decisions, process, and quantifiable business impact.

• Mentorship Examples: Be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring and providing feedback, drawing on any past experience guiding junior team members.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Vera Bradley's current marketing initiatives, brand aesthetic, and recent campaigns to demonstrate a strong understanding of the company and its market position.

⚠️ 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.

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