Head of Graphic Design

We started Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in a yellow truck on the streets of NYC in 2008 with a mission to make good ice cream that makes you feel good.

Nowadays, people can spend so much time on what’s “healthy” they don’t stop to consider what’s healthy. As far as we’re concerned, happiness is healthiness. We strive to ensure every scoop, store and employee feels and creates one community to contribute to the overall brand.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is hiring a full-time Head of Graphic Design based out of our Brooklyn office. This is a great opportunity for a highly experienced and creative individual to work closely with the founding team of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream as they embark on their next stage of accelerated growth. The ideal candidate is someone who has experience in the CPG and/or retail space, has the ability to work diligently with the marketing team as well as any third-party creative teams, and can thrive in a fast-paced environment (and loves ice cream! and now Fro-Yo!).

The Head of Graphic Design contributes to the Van Leeuwen universe by shaping how the brand comes to life across every customer touchpoint. This role leads art direction across a wide range of initiatives, including packaging design, partnership activations and the continued evolution of our visual identity. You’ll oversee in-store experiences end-to-end, from signage and digital menu displays to store planograms, ensuring every touch point feels cohesive and intentional. The role extends to designing and developing uniforms and merchandise that reflect the brand’s personality beyond the scoop shop.

You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including sales and retail, international partners and external creative partners, to conceptualize, execute and scale creative that resonates both in-store and across broader brand moments. This position requires a strong point of view, attention to detail, agility and the ability to translate the Van Leeuwen aesthetic into thoughtful, high-quality design across physical and digital environments.

This role will be based out of our Williamsburg, Brooklyn office and follow Van Leeuwen's Hybrid work model and be in office at least two to three days a week.

Job Responsibilities

• Direct creative/art across packaging, campaigns, retail environments, partnerships, and digital platforms
• Execute creative direction for the company across all branded materials, including print and digital collateral
• Create and oversee the development of a range of branded materials, including but not limited to Emails, Social Media, Retail Store Signage/Posters, Ads, Website, Coupons, Print Pieces, Packaging Materials, Merchandise
• Continue to evolve the visual identity of the brand
• Maintain photo asset library and identify images to be used for various platforms
• Implement feedback from leadership and partners to refine and revise work for final production
• Contribute to photoshoots on an as needed basis, in partnership with Social Media Manager and Content Creator
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects within design specifications and budget restrictions
• Manage budgets, timelines, and vendor relationships to deliver high-quality work efficiently
• Set and uphold creative standards, ensuring all outputs meet a best-in-class level of design excellence
• Perform retouching and manipulation of images as needed
• Work with a wide range of media and use graphic design software

• Bachelor's degree in graphic arts, design, communications, or related field (Or equivalent experience)
• 5 to 10 years of experience in graphic design
• Knowledge of layouts, graphic fundamentals, typography, print, and web design
• Familiarity with HTML and CSS preferred
• Knowledge of Adobe PhotoShop, Illustrator, LightRoom, Sketch, InDesign, and other graphic design software
• Deep expertise in typography, layout, color, and visual storytelling across mediums
• Strong understanding of production processes across print, digital, and environmental design
• Ability to balance creative excellence with business needs, timelines, and budgets
• Excellent eye for aesthetics, details and design trends past and present
• Photography, food styling and set design skills are a big plus
• Must be comfortable working in-store scoop shifts as needed, while adhering to DOH guidelines

Compensation + Benefits

$110,000 - 140,000 annual compensation depending on experience, paid weekly

Eligible for annual 20% bonus

• Employee Scoop Card (Enjoy Ice Cream from any of our scoop shops nationwide)
• Medical, Dental + Vision Insurance with 70% Employer Contribution
• 401k with up to 4% Employer Match
• Cell Phone Reimbursement Plan
• Wellness Reimbursement Plan
• Flexible Time Off - No accrual required
• Paid Sick Time
• Yearly Performance Reviews
• Paid one month sabbatical (eligible after 4 years of continued employment)

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is committed to pay transparency and equity among all employees and provides employees an environment where pay transparency and dialogue on compensation are allowed. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream complies with Equal Employment Opportunity laws as well as federal, state, and local laws on compensation, pay transparency, and pay equity.

The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held.

Salary Range

$110,000—$140,000 USD

Here at Van Leeuwen, Good Ice Cream Is For Everyone! As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to foster a welcoming, diverse environment for every employee and customer. We pride ourselves on the creativity that goes into our ice cream and is built in our stores (by YOU) that help us meet our missions and values.