Senior / Principal Brand Designer

About the role

23andMe is seeking an exceptional senior brand designer to shape the visual identity and storytelling of the 23andMe Research Institute, our new nonprofit public benefit organization. This is a founding creative role: the Institute is new, but it is built on the deep creative and visual equity of the 23andMe brand. The ideas you bring to the brand will define what it looks and sounds like for years to come.

You'll design the story (not the performance marketing funnel) with integrated brand campaigns, digital storytelling, event activations, as well as philanthropy and partnership materials that introduce the Institute to many different audiences: consumers, scientists, philanthropic supporters, the media, and more.

Reporting to the Design Director and working closely with the Head of Brand, you'll be the dedicated graphic designer for the Brand Team, crafting beautiful, impactful design work. On top of that, we want someone with the creative instinct to spot opportunity and take initiative, as well as have the leadership to brief and steer external agencies when appropriate. We're looking for the right person and will title the role according to experience and track-record.

What you'll do

• Integrated Brand Campaigns: Concept and design integrated campaigns that bring the Institute's mission to life across digital, web, social, print, video, etc. - from launch moments to ongoing always-on storytelling.
• Digital Brand Storytelling: Design the digital expressions of the brand: web pages, microsites, social content, editorial features, and data visualization that translates complex science into something people want to engage with.
• Event Activations: Create the visual identity for key Institute events, conferences, and donor moments with environmental graphics, stage design direction, slides, attendee materials, swag and photo/video assets that create emotion and impact.
• Philanthropy & Donor Materials: Design the support materials that move the philanthropy program forward: donor decks, case-for-support documents, annual impact reports, and stewardship pieces that feel as considered as the science they represent.
• Partnership Pitches & Integrations: Design and art-direct partnership pitch decks, co-branded campaign assets, and integration materials for brand collaborations.
• Creative Direction & Agency Management: When needed, brief, hire, and steer external design and video agencies and freelancers. Set the creative bar, guide work through rounds, and protect the Institute's voice and look. Confident giving notes that move work forward.
• Visual Identity & System: Evolve and extend the Institute's identity - typography, color, image direction, motion principles, and the systems, templates, and guardrails that let the brand scale consistently across teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with scientists, writers, communications, philanthropy, and partnership leads to shape the story before you design the assets. Translate strategy into creative briefs and creative briefs into strong work.
• Craft Leadership: Set the bar. Give and receive direct, generous feedback. Mentor more junior designers as the team grows.

What you'll bring

• Experience: 6+ years of brand or marketing design experience, with at least 2 years operating as a senior IC, design lead, or associate creative director at a top in-house brand team, agency, or nonprofit.
• Outstanding Graphic Design: A portfolio that demonstrates exceptional graphic design fundamentals (typography, layout, color, image direction, and editorial sensibility) across identity, campaign, and digital work.
• Creative Direction: Demonstrated ability to lead creative beyond your own work: writing briefs, directing photographers, illustrators, motion designers, and external agencies.
• Storytelling Instinct: Comfortable turning abstract or technical ideas into images, systems, and narratives that land with different audiences. Strong writing and presentation instincts to back up your visual point of view.
• Range: Comfortable moving between brand identity, integrated campaigns, digital storytelling, event design, and presentation design.
• Technical Mastery: Fluency in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign). Strong aptitude with AI-assisted design tools. Comfortable directing video editors and integrating graphics onto picture.
• Collaboration & Influence: Strong point of view paired with a collaborative spirit. Comfortable presenting to executives, and working with XFN colleagues and external partners. Takes feedback well.
• Organization and Independence: Strong project management skills with experience using Jira. Comfortable managing many projects at once and working independently.
• Hybrid Availability: Able to work in our Palo Alto office three days per week, in person with the Brand Team.

Nice to Have

• Background in health, science or other complex-content category.
• Working knowledge of data visualization principles and how to make complex concepts engaging.
• Experience designing for nonprofits, foundations, or mission-driven institutions.
• Experience launching a new brand, sub-brand or rebrand within a larger brand architecture.
• Existing understanding of genetics or a genuine enthusiasm to learn.
• Experience working within a startup or fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Pay Transparency

23andMe takes a market-based approach to pay, and amounts will vary depending on your geographic location. The salary range reflected here is for a candidate based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future.

San Francisco Bay Area Base Pay Range $150,000-$190,000