Art Program Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are

Swig Life is a woman founded and operated lifestyle brand. We design and produce premium insulated drinkware and coolers with women in mind. We believe that your water bottle, travel tumbler and insulated cooler are a reflection of your personal style, and this inspires us to design products that women love, whether for themselves or for a gift.

Swig Life is growing rapidly and we believe our people are our strength. It truly is an exciting time to be a part of our journey and we are seeking smart, innovative, creative, and experienced individuals to join our talented team!

Key attributes and qualities we are looking for in candidates for all open roles: embrace an entrepreneurial spirit, innovative and solution-oriented, adaptable and resilient, best-practices methodology, team oriented with a lean-in attitude, highest standards for execution, and a high level of accountability.

About the Role

Swig is seeking an experienced and highly creative Graphic Design Manager/Art Director to lead the concepting, execution, and management of visual marketing assets and campaigns across both our wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels.

This role is a critical part of our Creative team and will oversee the development of engaging, on-brand creative that elevates the customer experience and supports company growth. The ideal candidate is both highly creative and operationally minded, and can inspire a team while managing multiple projects and priorities and executing in a fast-paced retail environment.

Please note: A portfolio must be provided with application to be considered for this role. Applications submitted without a link to a website, or a portfolio uploaded to the "cover letter" section of this application will not be reviewed.

What You’ll Do

• Lead concepting, design, and execution of marketing campaigns and creative assets across both B2B and B2C channels.
• Manage and mentor a team of designers by establishing priorities, providing feedback and training, and supporting professional growth and performance development.Design assets for compatibility with mobile, desktop and tablet.
• Oversee creative execution across projects including (but not limited to) email marketing, digital ads, catalogs, social media, website content, sales collateral, signage, packaging, trade show materials, and promotional graphics.
• Ensure all creative work aligns with brand standards, campaign objectives, and broader business strategies while maintaining consistency across all customer touchpoints.
• Lead and actively participate in brainstorming sessions, contributing innovative ideas for photography, copy, design direction, campaigns, and customer engagement.
• Communicate project progress, timelines, priorities, and challenges clearly to team members, leadership, and cross-functional business partners.
• Use marketing analytics, customer insights, and performance data to inform creative decisions and optimize campaign effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities to improve creative processes, streamline workflows, and create operational efficiencies across the design function.
• Collaborate with photography and content teams on art direction, shot list development, and visual storytelling execution.
• Stay current on trends in retail, fashion, design, branding, social media, and digital marketing to continuously bring fresh and innovative ideas to the business.

Who You Are

• 5-10+ years of experience of Retail or Agency design experience, preferably in B2C and B2B environments
• Background as Photo Art Director, with both studio and location experience preferred
• Previous experience managing or mentoring creative teams required
• BA/BS in Graphic Design, Art Direction, Visual Communications, Multimedia Design, or equivalent work experience
• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite
• Strong aesthetic eye with superior design, typography and communication skills
• Experience working in project management software, specifically Planner, Bynder, and Sharepoint a plus
• Strong organization and multi-tasking skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment where priorities change often
• Ability to build relationships quickly, and work well with many different teams and personalities

Benefits at Swig Life

• Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options
• 401k program with 5% company match for eligible employees
• Generous paid time off offerings including vacation, sick time, paid company holidays, and parental leave options
• Employee referral bonus opportunities
• Modern, centrally located office with a collaborative team environment, frequent company events, complimentary snacks and drinks, and onsite parking

Note: Swig Life is currently operating under an onsite work model, and this position will report on site to our Richmond office at least 3 days per week. Additional ad-hoc in office days may be required based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not comfortable with an on site-work model.

Swig Life is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status.

Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position, and all new hires will be required to verify their employment eligibility.