Senior Brand Designer

We are sending out smoke signals for a Senior Designer who brings deep experience in brand identity systems, client leadership, and strategic thinking. This is not an early-career senior role. We are seeking someone who has spent years leading complex branding engagements, guiding clients through ambiguity, and translating strategy into thoughtful, effective design systems. This position joins a fully distributed group of strategists, writers, designers, project managers, and directors who care deeply about helping organizations uncover and express who they are.This role reports to a Design Director and will work closely with clients and internal teams throughout the branding process. Our ValuesAt Matchstic, our work and relationships are guided by Courage, Truth, and Harmony.We believe great branding happens when talented people bring their unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas together in pursuit of meaningful work. These values aren’t just ideas we talk about. They guide our decisions, our relationships, and the way we navigate our work together.Where We WorkThis is a full-time remote position for candidates residing in the United States. Periodic travel may be required for client engagements and occasional in-person team meetings.Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Matchstic is unable to provide visa sponsorship.What We OfferCompetitive salaryHealth, dental and vision insurance for US-based employeesPaid time offMatchstic Chapstic (limited time offer)Paid Parental LeaveCompany-provided equipment (laptop, monitor, software, etc)Annual professional development budget401K benefits after 12 months of employmentResponsibilitiesAs a Senior Designer, you will:Lead the creation of boundary-pushing identity systems and brand applications (digital, print, environmental, packaging, experiential) in a collaborative environmentUse and expand your design expertise across a wide range of aesthetic stylesArt direct and mentor other designers while helping elevate the overall quality of creative work across the agencyCraft and present visual work with strong conceptual thinking and strategic rationale Build well-defined, thorough brand guidelines and implementation tools that empower our clients to implement their brands effectivelyServe as a trusted creative partner to clients across a variety of industries, facilitating conversations, presenting work, navigating feedback, and building confidence throughout the engagement Collaborate closely with strategists, writers, project managers, and fellow designers throughout the branding processParticipate in discovery activities: immersions, workshops, research, interviews, client meetingsProvide input into brand strategy, messaging and naming workRaise the bar for design quality at Matchstic through your design work, project team leadership and vision for innovationMust Haves This role is senior-level. You could be a good fit if you have:Expertise in Adobe Creative SuiteStrong working knowledge of Sketch and Figma. Significant professional experience creating brandmarks/identity systems and extensively applying them across a variety of mediumsDemonstrated understanding of how to connect strategy to creative workExperience leading client relationships and presenting work to executive stakeholdersA thorough knowledge of print production and experience collaborating with web developersAbility to balance vision and execution of high-quality work with practical business objectives and project requirements Commitment to knowing and understanding our clients and their end usersStrong communication and written English skillsAbility to interpret and contribute to high-level strategy and apply it to the task at handExcellent attention to detail, so much so that your application should include the word ethereal somewhereAbility to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously, handle a fast-paced work environment and changing prioritiesWe are wondering if you have any of these skills…Motion/animationIllustrationUI design experiencePhotography/art direction3DCodingType designInformation designCopywritingHow we hireFirst we have a short phone call, campfire style. Tell us a quick story and hear one. Are we both feeling like this could be a fit? The best way to prepare for this is to spend some time reflecting on all of the experiences you've had and the things you've done to bring you to the point you're at today.Next, we’ll gather a variety of people including team members you’ll work directly with. This time allows both of us to get a sense of what it’s like to work together, and explore the kinds of work you might do. Be prepared to share two examples of your brand related work in a formal ”ish” presentation. We hope to come away with a picture of your collaborative style, problem solving ethos, conceptual process, and strategic thinking output. It’s helpful when you can also make clear the technical skills you have mastered. The remainder of thi