Art Director, Design – Ninja Creative Heated & Cookware

Art Director, Design – Ninja Creative Heated & Cookware

SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positively impact people's lives in homes around the world. Powered by two trusted, global brands, Shark and Ninja, the company has a proven track record of bringing disruptive innovation to market, and developing one consumer product after another has allowed SharkNinja to enter multiple product categories, driving significant growth and market share gains. Headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts with more than 3,600+ associates, the company's products are sold at key retailers, online and offline, and through distributors around the world.

This role is on site in our Needham, MA HQ

Overview

We're looking for a highly executional, design-driven Art Director to lead creative development across Ninja's Heated Indoor & Outdoor and Cookware categories. This role is a permanent, full-time position and a critical contributor to new product development - owning design execution while partnering closely with the Creative Director and Associate Creative Director to bring bold stories to life.

This Art Director will be deeply hands-on and play a key role in shaping how Ninja products show up in the world - from early concept through launch. You'll lead design for major programs, translate product innovation into compelling visual narratives, and ensure excellence across packaging, digital, retail, social, and experiential touchpoints.

You'll also be a mentor and people leader, responsible for guiding Senior Designers and Designers, and collaborating closely with senior copywriters to deliver cohesive, high-impact storytelling. This role is ideal for a seasoned designer who thrives in fast-moving environments, values craft, and knows how to elevate both the work and the team around them.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Execution

• Lead design execution for major new product development programs from concept through launch.
• Translate product insights, innovation, and strategy into clear, compelling visual systems and storytelling.
• Own end-to-end design delivery across packaging, retail, Amazon, digital, social, and print.
• Set and uphold a high bar for craft, clarity, and consistency across all creative outputs.
• Ensure design intent is carried through every touchpoint with precision and care.

Storytelling & Creative Partnership

• Partner closely with the Creative Director and Associate Creative Director to bring category stories to life through design.
• Collaborate with senior copywriters to develop integrated visual and verbal narratives.
• Contribute meaningfully to concept development, helping evolve story frameworks into tangible, consumer-ready executions.
• Identify opportunities to elevate storytelling through design systems, hierarchy, and visual pacing.

Hands-On Design

• Deliver original design work yourself—this is a true maker role.
• Create packaging systems, visual identities, toolkits, and scalable design frameworks.
• Demonstrate mastery of typography, layout, composition, and imagery direction.
• Stay current on DTC packaging trends, consumer goods design, and retail innovation, applying insights to the work.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Manage, mentor, and develop Senior Designers and Designers, supporting growth in craft, confidence, and ownership.
• Provide clear, actionable feedback that strengthens execution and storytelling.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful environment rooted in high standards and shared accountability.
• Support healthy workflows and team rhythm in a fast-paced, high-output environment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Brand, Product, Consumer Insights, Marketing, and Imagery teams throughout the development process.
• Collaborate with production, CGI, and photography teams to ensure design excellence from concept to final output.
• Communicate design rationale clearly and confidently to stakeholders
• Respond to consumer insights and performance data with thoughtful creative adjustments.

Operational Excellence

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and intent.
• Anticipate challenges, flag risks early, and help problem-solve to keep work moving.
• Balance speed with craft, making smart decisions in service of both brand and business goals.

Social & Platform-Native Design

• Contribute to platform-specific creative across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Amazon, and emerging channels.
• Partner with creative, social, and brand teams to develop scroll-stopping, design-led content.
• Ensure social executions feel cohesive with broader brand and product storytelling.

What We're Looking For

• 8–10+ years of experience in design or creative roles, with proven ownership of large-scale consumer programs.
• Experience leading design execution for packaging-led product launches.
• Demonstrated mentorship or people-management experience with Senior Designers and Designers.
• Strong portfolio showcasing packaging, brand systems, and consumer goods design, alongside digital and retail work.
• Deep understanding of modern DTC packaging, retail environments, and visual storytelling.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; strong working knowledge of Figma; comfort with PowerPoint.
• Clear, confident communicator who collaborates well with creative partners and cross-functional teams.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable navigating ambiguity.

You'll Thrive Here If You…

• Love being close to the work and leading through execution.
• Care deeply about craft, clarity, and storytelling.
• Enjoy mentoring designers and helping teams grow.
• Thrive in fast-paced, evolving environments.
• See design as both a creative and strategic lever.
• Take pride in turning strong ideas into exceptional finished work

Salary and Other Compensation: The annual salary range for this position is displayed below. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts (HSA) with company contribution, 401(k) retirement plan with matching, employee stock purchase program, life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, generous paid time off, company holidays, parental leave, identity theft protection, pet insurance, pre-paid legal insurance, back-up child and eldercare days, product discounts, referral bonus program, and more.

Pay Range $78,000 - $137,100 USD

Our Culture

At SharkNinja, we don't just raise the bar—we push past it every single day. Our Outrageously Extraordinary mindset drives us to tackle the impossible, push boundaries, and deliver results that others only dream of. If you thrive on breaking out of your swim lane, you'll be right at home.

What We Offer We offer competitive health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, employee stock purchase options, wellness programs, SharkNinja product discounts, and more. We empower your personal and professional growth with high impact Learning Programs featuring bold voices redefining what's possible. When you join, you're not just part of a company—you're part of an outrageously extraordinary community. Together, we won't just launch products—we'll disrupt entire markets.

At SharkNinja, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are vital to our global success. Valuing each unique voice and blending all of our diverse skills strengthens SharkNinja's innovation every day. We support ALL associates in bringing their authentic selves to work, making an impact, and having the opportunity for career acceleration. With help from our leadership, associates, and our community, we aim to have equity be a key component of the SharkNinja DNA.