senior associate creative director, Brand & Design Systems - Global Creative Studio

Starbucks; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Tuition coverage

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

Starbucks seeks a senior associate creative director to lead Brand & Design Systems in Seattle. You will guide a team, shape the Starbucks brand expression, and oversee packaging, signage, and related design tools. A portfolio across branding and storytelling is essential.

You’ll mentor creatives, drive strategic direction, present work with rationale, and ensure on-brand delivery across channels in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years progressive experience in design/marketing/advertising, agency or in-house.
• Bachelor’s degree in design, fine arts, advertising or equivalent.
• A multi-faceted portfolio across branding, advertising, packaging and storytelling.
• Strong understanding of omnichannel marketing and industry trends.
• Proven experience leading creative teams and managing direct reports.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation and time management skills.
• Advanced working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite & Figma.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of creatives, mentoring and guiding day-to-day work and growth.
• Direct problem solving, concepting, execution and presentation of brand design and systems.
• Ensure on-brand, cohesive work across packaging, signage, and experiences.
• Collaborate with cross-functional and agency teams to align and ship on time.
• Evolve how Starbucks shows up visually and emotionally across channels.

Skills

Team leadership

Creative direction

Communication

Presentation skills

Mentorship

Problem solving

Brand identity

Storytelling

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in design, fine arts, advertising or equivalent job-related experience

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Figma

Job description

Now Brewing – senior associate creative director, Brand & Design Systems - Global Creative Studio! #ToBeAPartner

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. We are known for developing extraordinary leaders who share this passion and are guided by their service to others.

The Starbucks Creative Studio is on a mission to build world‑class creative from the inside out. We’re an in‑house creative studio who care deeply about brand, craft, storytelling, and creating solutions that actually move people. Our mission? To raise the bar on what in‑house creative can be—and then raise it again.

We’re looking for a senior associate creative director to join the team. Someone who’s equal parts visionary and team‑builder. Someone who can lead a team, push the work, and make the creative process feel like a good time. You’ll guide a team of passionate creatives in developing & directing the Starbucks brand expression, design systems, packaging and the associated tools used to educate and guide others. You’ll be part of the team that defines how Starbucks shows up around the world.

As a senior associate creative director, Brand & Design Systems you will:

Lead a team of creatives

Like a boss (but not like a boss). You’ll mentor, inspire, and help them grow into their best creative selves (including overseeing their day‑to‑day workload and fostering their professional growth and development).

Make the work better.

You’ll guide problem solving, concepting, execution and consultation across brand design, design systems (packaging and signage), brand experiences and more. Provide clear and constructive creative direction and feedback. You will be the architect and also deliver presentations that demonstrate strong strategic foundations to support the creative vision. You’ll keep it on‑brand and consistent, but never boring.

Be the glue.

You’ll collaborate with cross‑functional teams, agency teams, creative production and project managers to make sure everything aligns, sings, and ships on time.

Push boundaries.

You’ll help us evolve how Starbucks shows up in the world—visually, emotionally, and experientially --- continuously seeking out and embracing opportunities to enhance the brand.

Be Multifaceted.

You will be part of the creative team that spans the entire brand, meaning you are comfortable leveraging your background in graphic design, brand identity, typography, layout, retail experience, art direction, storytelling and ability to craft influential presentations.

You Might Be THE One If

• You’ve got 10+ years of creative experience in design, branding, advertising, or marketing. Agency or in‑house—either works, as long as you’ve led teams and made great stuff.
• You speak fluent Adobe Creative Suite & Figma, and you’ve got a portfolio that proves it.
• You know how to present creative work like a pro—clear rationale, strategic thinking, and just enough flair.
• You’re obsessed with details, but never lose sight of the big picture.
• You’ve got a sixth sense for design and what makes people feel something.
• You’re a natural mentor, a strategic thinker, and a creative soul who knows how to jump in and get things done.

A Few Things To Know

• This role is based in Seattle. We’re in‑office, in the mix, and in it together.
• You’ll be part of a team that’s redefining what in‑house creative can be.
• We care about our people. We treat each other with respect, kindness, and a shared commitment to doing great work.
• If you read all this and thought, “This sounds like my kind of gig,” then we want to hear from you.

We’d Love To Hear From People With

• 10+ years progressive experience in design/marketing/advertising at an agency or in‑house studio
• Bachelor’s degree in design, fine arts, advertising or equivalent job‑related experience
• A multi‑faceted portfolio showcasing high quality creative expertise across a variety of mediums and channels within branding, advertising, problem solving / concepting, product / collection curation, packaging, social media, etc.
• A comprehensive understanding of omnichannel marketing and cultural/industry trends
• Proven experience leading creative teams and managing direct reports
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation and time management skills
• Advanced working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite & Figma

As a Starbucks partner, you (and your family) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits. Partners have access to short‑term and long‑term disability, paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, paid vacation from date of hire*, sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked), eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year. Starbucks also offers eligible partners participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and financial well‑being tools. Additionally, Starbucks offers 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first‑time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, student loan management resources, and access to other educational opportunities. You will also have access to backup care and DACA reimbursement. Starbucks will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and in accordance with its plans and policies. This list is subject to change depending on collective bargaining in locations where partners have a certified bargaining representative. For additional information regarding partner perks and more detailed information about benefits, go to starbucksbenefits.com.

• If you are working in CA, CO, IL, LA, ME, MA, NE, ND or RI, you will accrue vacation up to a maximum of 120 hours (190 in CA) for roles below director and 200 hours (316 in CA) for roles at director or above. For roles in other states, you will be granted vacation time starting at 120 hours annually for roles below director and 200 hours annually for roles director and above.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job‑related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At Starbucks, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

We believe we do our best work when we're together, which is why we're onsite four days a week.

Starbucks Coffee Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.

Starbucks Coffee Company is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at applicantaccommodation or 1(888) 611-2258.