Art Director/Lead Designer

About the role

You'll lead the strategic vision and creative direction of brand work—setting the conceptual foundation, guiding the visual narrative, and ensuring every touchpoint reflects our brand with clarity and intention. You'll art direct projects across digital, motion, video, and experiential applications, partnering with a close-knit team of strategists, researchers, designers, writers, and creative leaders to translate brand strategy into cohesive, compelling experiences for both internal audiences and external clients.

Responsibilities

• Concepting and art directing campaigns
• Editing and animating video content
• Designing interactive experiences with UX partners
• Developing environmental graphics for pop-ups and events
• Reviewing and elevating work from other designers
• Building presentations to rally stakeholders

Requirements

• Deep expertise in two or more of the following: UX/UI design, motion graphics and video, environmental/experiential design
• Experience collaborating closely with creative directors, strategists, writers, production teams, and cross-functional stakeholders in a lean team environment
• Strong portfolio showcasing art direction, creative strategy, brand systems, and hands-on execution across your areas of expertise
• Fluency with industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and other relevant platforms depending on discipline

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of professional experience in art direction and design, ideally within brand, agency, studio, or internal brand teams
• Proven track record art directing and leading projects from strategy and concept through production and launch
• Specialist expertise in UX/UI, motion/video, or environmental/experiential design
• Strong conceptual instincts and ability to lead ideas from insight to execution
• Experienced in setting a vision, guiding others, and maintaining creative quality across complex projects
• Comfortable leading projects end-to-end, from strategy and concept through production and launch, without managing direct reports
• Confidence presenting and pitching work, using clear storytelling to explain creative decisions and connect them back to brand and audience needs
• Natural mentoring skills, providing thoughtful feedback and elevating the work of designers at varying levels through collaboration and guidance
• Curiosity and solutions-oriented mindset when approaching creative challenges
• Ability to thrive in dynamic environments where project scale and pace vary
• Belief in great work being intentional, inclusive, and crafted end-to-end—from first interaction to final moment, whether digital or physical

Skills

• Strategic creative leadership
• Conceptual instincts
• Leadership in art directing and project management
• Hands-on experience in multiple design disciplines
• Collaborative problem-solving
• Expertise in AI-driven creative tools
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Mentoring and feedback provision
• Adaptability to dynamic environments
• Intentional, inclusive, and end-to-end craftsmanship

Benefits

• Hybrid work model based in Malvern, PA, with remote work on Mondays and Fridays and in-office collaboration Tuesday through Thursday

Pay

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

Schedule

• Flexible work schedule with remote options on Mondays and Fridays, and in-office collaboration Tuesday through Thursday

Additional Information

• Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.
• The company values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing a safe and respectful workplace for all employees.