Senior Director, Packaging Design

About Coty

Coty is one of the world’s largest beauty companies with an iconic portfolio of brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, skin care and body care. COTY is the global leader in fragrance and number three in color cosmetics. COTY’s products are sold in over 150 countries around the world. COTY and its brands are committed to a range of social causes as well as seeking to minimize its impact on the environment. For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.

Mission

Reporting to the SVP Brand & Equity, the role of Senior Director, Packaging Design – Color Cosmetics and Mass Scenting will be fully responsible for the leadership of packaging output across the Color Cosmetics and Mass Scenting portfolio. This role is pivotal to unlocking the ambition to create objects of desire and low costs of goods. The role will oversee the impeccable execution of Consumer Beauty packaging design from product concept to DTO (design turnover) to R&D technical packaging, defining the aesthetic and functional identity of products while ensuring alignment with brand DNA, consumer insights, sustainability goals, and market trends. The role works hand in hand with brand teams and technical packaging R&D. Much of the work is design to cost, hence a strong working relationship with the technical side of the business is critical.

This role requires a bold, forward-thinking leader who drives packaging innovation that enhances the consumer experience and helps differentiate brands in a competitive beauty landscape—creating consumer-first design solutions that push boundaries and set new trends.

Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with the SVP Brand & Equity to set the creative vision and long-term packaging design strategy for the Color Cosmetics and Mass Scenting portfolio.
• Translate brand identity and consumer insights into compelling and trend-setting packaging solutions while fulfilling commercial objectives.
• In partnership with R&D, champion innovation in materials, form, and function with a strong focus on sustainability.
• Lead packaging design creation, with the capability to bring ideas to life in 2D and 3D renders.
• Partner with R&D, Marketing, Agile, and Sustainability teams as well as key stakeholders across the business to ensure packaging elevates the consumer experience online, in-store, and across social platforms.
• Build, mentor, and inspire a small, nimble, best-in-class packaging design team (currently two/three dedicated members).
• Partner with third parties outside of Coty to bring fresh ideas and technical expertise when necessary.
• Lead competitive benchmarking and innovation scouting to ensure strong leadership in packaging design.
• Serve as the packaging thought leader in cross-functional discussions, championing innovation and consumer-first design.
• Stay ahead of global design trends, consumer preferences, and materials.

Knowledge and Experience

• Deep beauty expertise within the mass color cosmetics category, with an emphasis on an elevated aesthetic.
• Global operator (US and EU) sensitive to design market needs—an experienced operator with the ability to manage the healthy tension between key stakeholders globally.
• Exceptional creative vision with the ability to merge design innovation and business strategy.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and sustainability practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Insistent on flawless, exquisite execution of work—“not just ok.”
• Ability to work in an agile way, managing multiple complex workstreams simultaneously; willing to roll up sleeves and get involved.
• Capable and comfortable dealing with wider teams on the complex and ever-changing demands of the day-to-day business with patience and adaptability.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Required Skills

• 15+ years of relevant experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Well versed in UK/EU/US Color Cosmetics.
• Excellent Adobe Creative Cloud skills (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).
• 2D and 3D visualization capabilities.
• Digitally literate and culturally plugged in.
• Willing to travel globally.