Senior Graphic Designer (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer (Contract)

Company: Nex

Location: Remote US or Canada

Job Type: Contract (with potential FTE conversion)

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-22

Experience Level: 5+ years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive visual brand consistency and impact across all Nex digital and retail touchpoints.

• Develop compelling graphic assets for marketing campaigns, product launches, and social media engagement.

• Collaborate closely with marketing, product, and external agencies to execute creative strategies.

• Manage end-to-end design production for multi-channel campaigns, ensuring timely and high-quality deliverables.

• Contribute to a fast-paced, innovative environment focused on active play and family engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified under Creative & Design with a strong overlap into Marketing Operations due to the campaign management, cross-functional collaboration, and process execution responsibilities. The "contract with potential FTE conversion" indicates a probationary period where performance will be evaluated for long-term fit.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce high-impact visual assets for Nex's website, social media platforms, and email marketing campaigns, ensuring brand alignment and user engagement.

• Create effective retail channel materials, including Product Detail Pages (PDPs), in-store display concepts, and digital assets for platforms like Amazon, to enhance product visibility and sales.

• Lead the visual strategy and execution for product launches (including Nex Playground, accessories, and merchandise), developing cohesive campaign assets from teaser to full launch.

• Coordinate with and manage internal stakeholders (marketing, product) and external partners (creative agencies, vendors) to ensure seamless execution of marketing projects and campaigns.

• Oversee the end-to-end production process for multi-channel campaigns, managing project workflows and ensuring the timely delivery of all creative package elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for not just creative talent but also strong project management and vendor coordination skills, typical of a senior role in operations-adjacent creative functions. The emphasis on product launches and retail channels suggests a business-oriented approach to design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Graphic Designer role.

Experience: 5+ years of professional graphic design experience, with a significant portion preferably within the creative, agency, or marketing sectors. Experience leading or producing multi-channel campaigns is essential.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of design software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Figma or Sketch.

• Strong understanding of core design principles: typography, color theory, and layout composition.

• Proven experience in digital design, including website graphics, social media visuals, and email marketing assets.

• Experience creating retail channel materials and assets for e-commerce platforms (e.g., Amazon).

• Demonstrated ability to lead visual strategies for product launches and comprehensive campaigns.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and external partners.

• Strong project management and delivery management capabilities, including workflow oversight and vendor coordination.

• Exceptional time management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple projects and meet strict deadlines. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the gaming, toy, or consumer electronics industry.

• Familiarity with motion graphics or video editing software.

• Understanding of UX/UI principles as they apply to digital interfaces.

• Experience working in a fast-paced startup or growth-stage company environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" experience, coupled with the responsibilities of leading product launch visuals and managing external vendors, strongly suggests a "Senior" level. The required skills are standard for a graphic designer, but the emphasis on campaign production and delivery management points to operational rigor.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design work, with a strong emphasis on digital marketing assets (website, social, email) and retail channel materials.

• Specific case studies demonstrating leadership in visual strategy and execution for product launches, highlighting the end-to-end process and final impact.

• Examples of multi-channel campaign production, illustrating how design elements were integrated across different platforms.

• Visual documentation of collaboration with internal teams and external vendors, showcasing project management and communication skills.

• Presentation of design problem-solving, detailing how creative challenges were overcome to meet business objectives. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of workflow management for design projects, from brief to final delivery.

• Examples of how design processes were optimized for efficiency and quality, particularly in campaign production.

• Evidence of using design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma/Sketch) in a structured, efficient manner to produce assets.

• Documentation of how design feedback was incorporated and managed throughout the production lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior design role, particularly one focused on campaigns and product launches, a portfolio is critical. The emphasis here is on demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, project management, and the ability to execute complex, multi-channel initiatives – akin to a process-driven approach.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $95,000 - $125,000 USD per year. This range is provided by the company and is based on factors such as candidate experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The final base salary will be determined within this range.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package (as a contract role, this may include a higher hourly rate or specific contract benefits).

• Flexible working hours.

• Vacation policy (details to be clarified for contract role, typically accrued or a set amount).

• Potential for full-time (FTE) conversion, offering access to a broader benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, etc.

• Access to cutting-edge technologies in the evolving gaming field.

Working Hours: The position implies a standard full-time workload, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling due to the remote nature and emphasis on flexible working hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated. The benefits listed are typical for contract roles, with the significant benefit being the "potential FTE conversion" which would unlock a more comprehensive package. The working hours are implied to be standard full-time, but the "flexible working hours" note suggests some autonomy.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Gaming, Consumer Electronics, Family Entertainment. Nex operates at the intersection of these sectors, focusing on active play powered by motion technology.

Company Size: The description implies a growing company, likely a mid-sized tech startup or scale-up, given the mention of "award-winning" products, collaborations with major partners (Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, NBCUniversal), and a need for senior creative talent.

Founded: The company's history isn't detailed, but its award-winning status and partnerships suggest a period of established growth and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer reports to the VP of Design, indicating a clear reporting line within a design department.

• Collaboration is explicitly mentioned with marketing and product teams, suggesting a cross-functional operational model.

• There will likely be interaction with external creative agencies and vendors, requiring strong partnership management. Methodology:

• Nex emphasizes a "Product-driven culture that treasures talents and individual growth."

• The company values "data-driven approach" and "efficiency expectations" through its operations focus.

• A "supportive and inclusive environment where your ideas matter" is a stated cultural pillar.

• The core mission revolves around encouraging movement and family fun through technology.

Company Website: https://www.nexplayground.com/about

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as innovative, supportive, and focused on impact and growth. The mention of specific partners and awards suggests a company with proven success and a professional, yet potentially dynamic, work environment. The emphasis on "active play" and "family engagement" is central to their brand identity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Graphic Designer role, operating at an experienced individual contributor level. It requires a high degree of autonomy, leadership in design execution, and the ability to manage projects and external relationships independently. The role is critical for translating brand strategy into tangible visual assets that drive business outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the VP of Design, providing a direct line of sight to senior leadership and design strategy. This also implies opportunities for mentorship and direct feedback from a high-level design executive.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, product launch success, and retail sales. By creating compelling visuals, this role contributes to user acquisition, engagement, and overall revenue generation. The ability to manage creative production efficiently also impacts operational costs and timelines.

Growth Opportunities:

• FTE Conversion: The primary growth opportunity is conversion to a full-time employee, which would typically come with a comprehensive benefits package and potentially a more defined career path.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to expand expertise in areas like motion graphics, advanced digital campaign strategies, and potentially UX/UI design, given the company's tech focus.

• Leadership Exposure: Working closely with the VP of Design and leading visual aspects of major product launches provides significant exposure to design leadership and strategic decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "contract with potential FTE conversion" is a key growth indicator. The role offers significant impact and the potential to grow skills in a cutting-edge tech environment, particularly in visual storytelling for interactive products.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily a remote work environment, with the option for employees in specific regions to work from Nex's physical offices in San Jose, California, or Hong Kong, if desired.

Office Location(s): San Jose, California, USA; Hong Kong. The role is specified as Remote US or Canada, implying that while offices exist, the expectation is remote work.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: The role is designed for remote work, necessitating strong digital communication and collaboration tools. Expect a highly digital and asynchronous workflow.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma/Sketch) will be essential, and the company likely provides necessary licenses or support.

• Team Interaction: While remote, there will be structured opportunities for team interaction through virtual meetings, design reviews, and project collaboration platforms.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are offered, allowing designers to manage their schedules effectively while ensuring project deadlines and collaboration needs are met. A standard 40-hour work week is implied, but the timing of those hours can be adjusted.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature of this role means candidates must be comfortable with asynchronous communication and managing their own work environment. The flexibility offered is a key aspect of the work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio against stated requirements.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session with the hiring manager (VP of Design) or a design lead to walk through the candidate's portfolio, discuss specific projects, and assess design thinking, process, and impact.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Potentially a short, timed design exercise or a more in-depth case study presentation focusing on a specific problem relevant to Nex's business (e.g., designing assets for a new product feature or campaign).

• Cross-functional Interview: An interview with members of the marketing or product teams to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to work within a cross-functional operational structure.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership or HR to discuss culture fit, contract terms, and potential FTE conversion.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that directly align with the responsibilities outlined: digital marketing, retail, product launches, and multi-channel campaigns.

• Showcase Process: For each key project, briefly explain the brief, your role, the creative process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how you collaborated with other teams or external partners.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics (e.g., engagement rates, conversion improvements, sales lift) to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.

• Be Concise: For a Senior role, be prepared to articulate your process and results clearly and efficiently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Nex's Brand: Research Nex's products, target audience, brand voice, and existing marketing materials thoroughly.

• Anticipate Design Problems: Consider common challenges in digital marketing, retail merchandising, and product launch campaigns within the tech/gaming/family entertainment space.

• Practice Articulation: Be ready to explain your design decisions and problem-solving approach logically and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. The interview process will likely focus on demonstrating both creative excellence and operational competence in managing design projects from concept to completion, with an eye toward business objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign (Mandatory Mastery)

• Figma or Sketch: For UI/UX design and prototyping (Mandatory)

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly a data analyst role, understanding how to interpret basic analytics for digital assets (e.g., engagement rates on social media, click-through rates on emails) will be beneficial. Familiarity with Google Analytics or similar platforms might be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM/automation tools are listed for this role, but understanding how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms (like HubSpot, Mailchimp) or e-commerce systems is implied.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is proficiency in industry-standard design software. The ability to use these tools to create assets that integrate into broader marketing and sales operations is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Pushing creative boundaries and bringing fresh ideas to engage families in active play.

• Collaboration: Working seamlessly with marketing, product, and external partners to achieve shared goals.

• Impact-Driven: Focusing on designs that demonstrably contribute to brand perception, user engagement, and business objectives.

• Efficiency & Quality: Delivering high-quality work on time and managing project workflows effectively.

• User-Centricity: Designing with the end-user (families, kids) in mind, prioritizing engagement and fun.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with marketing to understand campaign goals and with product teams to ensure visual consistency with the product experience.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that values constructive feedback to refine designs and improve outcomes.

• Proactive Communication: Given the remote nature, clear, proactive, and regular communication will be essential for successful collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to balance creative freedom with operational discipline, emphasizing results and collaboration. The values reflect a commitment to both innovation and effective execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Guidelines: Maintaining a high level of creative output while strictly adhering to Nex's brand identity and ensuring consistency across diverse channels.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Effectively communicating and collaborating on design projects with a remote team and managing expectations across different time zones.

• High-Volume Output & Tight Deadlines: Delivering a wide range of high-quality assets for multiple concurrent campaigns and product launches under pressure.

• Adapting to Evolving Product Ecosystem: Staying current with new product developments (accessories, merchandise) and translating them into compelling visual assets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Innovative Technology: Working with a product that uses motion-sensing technology in gaming and entertainment.

• Cross-functional Learning: Gaining deeper insights into marketing strategies, product development, and sales channel requirements.

• Portfolio Expansion: Building a strong portfolio with diverse projects, including international product launches and retail activations.

• Potential for Full-Time Role: The contract offers a pathway to a stable, full-time position with comprehensive benefits and further career development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior creative role in a fast-growing tech company, requiring adaptability and strong project management. The growth opportunities are substantial, especially with the potential for FTE conversion.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing visual assets for a new product launch, from initial concept to final delivery." (Focus on your project management, collaboration, and creative execution).

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple digital and retail channels, especially when working with external vendors?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines, vendor management, and quality control).

• "Walk us through a challenging multi-channel campaign you managed. What were the objectives, your role, the key design elements, and the outcome?" (Use your portfolio to structure this response, emphasizing problem-solving and results). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Nex and our mission to help families rediscover the joy of movement?" (Showcase your understanding of their brand, mission, and values).

• "How do you approach collaboration with marketing and product teams in a remote environment?" (Emphasize communication strategies and experience with cross-functional work).

• "How do you stay updated on design trends in the tech, gaming, or family entertainment sectors?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and industry awareness). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Thematic Grouping: Organize your portfolio by project type (e.g., Digital Campaigns, Retail Materials, Product Launches) or by client/brand if you have diverse experience.

• Storytelling: For each selected project, tell a concise story: the challenge, your approach, your specific contributions, the tools used, and the impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Key Projects: Focus on 3-5 projects that most closely align with the job description's requirements, especially those involving product launches, multi-channel campaigns, and retail.

• Demonstrate Process: Be prepared to discuss your design process, how you handle feedback, and how you collaborate. Show sketches, wireframes, or early concepts if they illustrate your thinking.

• Quantify Results: If possible, present metrics that showcase the success of your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their creative process, project management skills, and how their designs contribute to business objectives, all within the context of Nex's mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer (Contract) position:

• Submit your application through the greenhouse.io portal linked via the job posting.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a digital portfolio (e.g., personal website, Behance, PDF) that prominently features examples of digital marketing assets, retail channel materials, and product launch campaigns. Ensure it showcases your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and Figma/Sketch.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of relevant experience, specific achievements in campaign production and product launches, and proficiency in required design tools and collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare for Case Study: Be ready to discuss a specific project from your portfolio in detail, explaining your process, challenges, solutions, and quantifiable results. If a creative challenge is given, practice time management and articulate your design decisions clearly.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Nex, its products (Nex Playground), target audience, brand aesthetic, and recent news. Understand their mission and how your design skills can contribute to their goals.

⚠️ 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.