📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Brand Designer - Art Director
🔹 Company: Mercury
🔹 Location: San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, Portland, OR, Remote within Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Remote OK
🔹 Category: Design
🔹 Date Posted: April 5, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote within Canada, United States
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Conceptualizing, iterating, and delivering sophisticated editorial design for Mercury's digital and print magazine, Meridian
- Art directing and commissioning original artwork, collaborating with illustrators, photographers, and other creatives
- Supporting photo and video shoots on set, guiding visual direction, and collaborating closely with the production crew
- Developing a deep understanding of Mercury's brand, storytelling approach, and audience, crafting visuals that resonate and elevate content strategically
- Influencing and inspiring the broader design team and cross-functional partners through refined taste, clear art direction, and thoughtful execution
- Effectively balancing multiple projects, from concepting through to final execution, managing timelines with clarity and calm
- Collaborating proactively and communicating effectively in an environment that values diverse perspectives, creativity, and innovation
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills. The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio demonstrating sophisticated brand design projects, thoughtful art direction, impactful illustrations, and elegant data visualizations.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Conceptualize, iterate, and deliver sophisticated editorial design primarily for Mercury's digital and print magazine, Meridian, along with compelling illustrations, data visualizations, and support for video editing across various storytelling platforms
✅ Art direct and commission original artwork, collaborating with illustrators, photographers, and other creatives to bring the narrative vision of stories to life
✅ Support photo and video shoots on set, guiding visual direction, and collaborating closely with the production crew to bring the creative vision to life
✅ Develop a deep understanding of Mercury's brand, storytelling approach, and audience, crafting visuals that resonate and elevate our content strategically
✅ Influence and inspire the broader design team and cross-functional partners through your refined taste, clear art direction, and thoughtful execution
✅ Effectively balance multiple projects, from concepting through to final execution, managing timelines with clarity and calm
✅ Collaborate proactively and communicate effectively in an environment that values diverse perspectives, creativity, and innovation
ASSUMPTION: The role may require occasional travel for on-site shoots and events, depending on the company's needs and the candidate's location.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in graphic design, illustration, and art direction, ideally within editorial, digital storytelling, or content-driven environments
Required Skills:
- Expertise in guiding creative vision with strong taste, capable of elevating narratives through visual storytelling
- Comfort and curiosity in exploring new visual approaches and embracing ambiguity to drive innovative outcomes
- Experience working on print magazines and preparing clean, production-ready print files, with proficiency in print tools such as Adobe InDesign and a solid understanding of prepress best practices
- Commitment to design excellence with meticulous attention to detail
- Strong communication skills, able to clearly articulate concepts, ideas, and creative decisions to internal teams and external partners
- Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and familiarity with video editing tools - motion design expertise is highly desirable
- Passion for collaborating closely with other designers and cross-functional partners to enhance storytelling and elevate creative execution
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the financial services or fintech industry
- Fluency in multiple languages
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience in the financial services or fintech industry may be beneficial but is not required. Fluency in multiple languages is also not required but may be an asset for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The total rewards package at Mercury includes base salary, equity (stock options), and benefits. The target new hire base salary ranges for this role are the following:
- US employees in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle: $120,300 - $150,400
- US employees outside of the New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle: $108,300 - $135,400
- Canadian employees (any location): CAD $113,700 - $142,100
Benefits:
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and a remote-friendly work environment
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the United States and Canada. The actual salary offer may vary depending on the candidate's experience, skills, and location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services, specifically Fintech
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees, which means a mid-sized company structure with opportunities for growth and collaboration
Founded: 2017, with a history of rapid growth and innovation in the fintech industry
Company Description:
- Mercury is the fintech that ambitious companies use for banking* and all their financial workflows
- With a powerful bank account at the center of their operations, companies can make better financial decisions and ensure that every dollar spent aligns with company priorities
- Over 200K startups choose Mercury to confidently run all their financial operations with the precision, control, and focus they need to operate at their best
Company Specialties:
- Banking services
- Financial workflows
- Fintech solutions
Company Website: Mercury.com
ASSUMPTION: Mercury is a well-established fintech company with a strong focus on innovation and growth. They prioritize design and user experience, making this role an excellent opportunity for a creative professional looking to make an impact in the fintech industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid to Senior level, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the design team and the company
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Design and works closely with the design team, content team, and other cross-functional partners
Work Arrangement: Full-time, with a remote-friendly work environment and the option to work remotely within Canada or the United States
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on more responsibilities and advance within the design team
- Opportunities to collaborate with and learn from other designers and cross-functional partners
- Chance to make a significant impact on Mercury's brand and visual identity
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to take on more responsibilities and advance within the design team and the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Mercury has offices in San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, and Portland, OR, with a remote-friendly work environment
Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, Portland, OR
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco, CA: A tech hub with a vibrant design community and a high cost of living
- New York, NY: A global financial center with a diverse cultural scene and a high cost of living
- Portland, OR: A mid-sized city with a strong design community and a lower cost of living compared to San Francisco and New York
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely
ASSUMPTION: The remote-friendly work environment allows for greater flexibility and work-life balance, while the office locations provide opportunities for in-person collaboration and networking.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen with the hiring manager or a member of the talent acquisition team
- Design challenge or portfolio review with the design team
- Final interview with the Head of Design and other key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Portfolio and design skills
- Art direction and creative vision
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Mercury's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your best work, with a focus on brand design, art direction, and visual storytelling
- Be ready to discuss your design process, creative vision, and how you approach ambiguity and new visual approaches
- Research Mercury's brand and values to demonstrate your understanding of the company and your alignment with their mission
ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Art Direction, Editorial Design, Illustration, Data Visualization, Video Editing, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Brand Design, Fintech, Financial Services
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's design skills, art direction and creative vision, communication and collaboration skills, and cultural fit with Mercury's values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Figma
- Video editing tools (e.g., Premiere Pro, After Effects)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in these tools is required for this role, as they are essential for the day-to-day responsibilities of the Senior Brand Designer - Art Director.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Ambitious: Mercury is designed for ambitious companies, and they look for employees who are equally driven and passionate about their work
- Reliable: Mercury values reliability in their products and their team, ensuring that their customers can always count on them
- Creative: Mercury fosters a culture of innovation and creativity, encouraging their team to think outside the box and push boundaries
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Mercury values a collaborative work environment, where ideas are shared and built upon together
- Innovative: Mercury encourages their team to explore new ideas and approaches, embracing a growth mindset
- Customer-focused: Mercury prioritizes the needs and feedback of their customers, using this information to inform their product development and design decisions
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a highly collaborative environment where the best ideas drive progress, not the most powerful voices in the room?
- Are you comfortable exploring new visual approaches and embracing ambiguity to drive innovative outcomes?
- Do you have a strong portfolio demonstrating sophisticated brand design projects, thoughtful art direction, impactful illustrations, and elegant data visualizations?
ASSUMPTION: Mercury values a collaborative, innovative, and customer-focused work environment. Candidates who are ambitious, reliable, and creative, with a strong portfolio and a passion for collaboration, will be well-suited to this role and Mercury's culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing multiple projects and managing timelines effectively
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with a high level of ambiguity
- Working remotely and collaborating with team members across different time zones
- Navigating the complexities of the financial services industry and understanding Mercury's unique value proposition
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment and can be overcome with strong project management skills, adaptability, and a willingness to learn and grow in the role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on art direction and visual storytelling for a fintech company, with a strong emphasis on brand design and editorial content
- Similar roles in the industry may focus more on product design, user experience, or digital marketing
- Career paths in this role may lead to advancement within the design team or broader opportunities within the company, depending on the candidate's skills and interests
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on Mercury's brand and visual identity, with potential for growth and advancement within the design team and the company.
📝 Sample Projects
- Conceptualizing and designing a cover for Mercury's digital and print magazine, Meridian, featuring a complex data visualization and a striking illustration
- Art directing a photoshoot for Mercury's marketing campaign, collaborating with photographers, stylists, and models to bring the creative vision to life
- Supporting the design and production of a video series for Mercury's content platform, working closely with the video production team to ensure visual consistency and brand alignment
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and creative challenges that the Senior Brand Designer - Art Director may face in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the design team's structure and how this role fits within it?
- How does Mercury support the growth and development of its design team members?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the design team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Mercury approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its design and content creation processes?
- What are the most important qualities and skills for success in this role, according to the team?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help the candidate better understand the role, the team, and the company, allowing them to make an informed decision about their fit for the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your best work, with a focus on brand design, art direction, and visual storytelling
- Be ready to discuss your design process, creative vision, and how you approach ambiguity and new visual approaches
- Research Mercury's brand and values to demonstrate your understanding of the company and your alignment with their mission
- Follow up with the hiring manager or a member of the talent acquisition team one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
