Creative Director

About:

IJW Whiskey Company, LLC (IJW) is a dynamic, fully integrated spirits company. Founded in 2017, we’ve compiled the largest independent library of aged Kentucky bourbon and rye and established a global presence including offices in Beverly Hills, Louisville and Tokyo, Japan, a 40-acre campus in Danville. Our ambitious growth trajectory includes a new whiskey distillery in Shelbyville, KY, slated for completion in early 2026, and a Japanese distillery in Chitose that that will be completed in late 2026.

With over 100 years of combined industry expertise, our diverse team of seasoned professionals and dynamic newcomers has propelled IJW to the forefront of the spirits industry. Our strategic partnership with one of the nation's largest independent Wine & Spirits distributors has enabled us to offer 22 products across four unique private label bourbon brands in 28 states. We have added to our spirits portfolio with our first Tequila and Mezcal brands.

Role Overview

The Creative Director owns how IJW’s brands look and feel, from initial concept to what consumers see on shelves, menus and screens. This role translates brand strategy into distinctive creative work while establishing and protecting a separate identity for each brand in the portfolio.

This is a hands‑on leadership role, combining personal design and production with direction of agencies, freelancers and production partners. Working closely with marketing, sales and product teams, the Creative Director delivers campaigns, packaging and materials that build brands and support commercial growth.

Brand Identity and Campaigns

• Develop and evolve each brand’s visual identity, guidelines and creative standards, keeping consumer brands distinct from one another and from IJW’s corporate identity.
• Translate brand positioning into campaign concepts and visual storytelling across consumer and trade channels.
• Direct photography, video and other creative production, ensuring final work reflects each brand’s positioning and audience.

Hands‑On Design and Sales Support

• Personally design and produce digital and physical assets, including email, social advertising, website content, print collateral and event materials.
• Partner with sales to create distributor presentations, sell sheets, retail displays, menus and other materials that support placements and sales.
• Develop co‑branded creative for key accounts and adapt campaigns to channel, market and partner requirements.
• Build templates and maintain an accessible library of approved assets to support efficient execution.

Packaging and Product Development

• Lead packaging and label design for new products, limited releases and line extensions, from concepts and mock‑ups through production‑ready files.
• Develop private‑label concepts and packaging for retail partners, maintaining clear differentiation from IJW’s owned brands.
• Collaborate with production, regulatory and legal partners on labeling requirements and approvals; review proofs and samples for design quality and accuracy.

Creative Operations and Leadership

• Manage creative projects from briefing through approval and delivery, balancing daily requests with longer‑term brand development.
• Set priorities, timelines and budgets, and direct agencies, freelancers, printers and other production partners.
• Review and approve creative work, providing clear feedback and maintaining consistent quality.
• Use campaign performance, sales input and market feedback to refine creative and make effective use of resources.

Qualifications:

• Spirits industry creative experience is required, gained in‑house or through an agency. Agency experience is valued.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating brand identity, campaigns, packaging, and digital and physical assets, with range across accessible and premium or luxury positioning.
• Proven ability to develop concepts and personally execute finished work, supported by strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and relevant production tools.
• Hands‑on packaging and label design experience, including print production, file preparation and proof review.
• Understanding of the spirits route to market and the creative needs of distributors, retailers and on‑premise accounts.
• Familiarity with alcohol labeling and advertising requirements and experience collaborating with regulatory or legal teams.
• Experience managing external creative partners, budgets and multiple projects across distinct brands.
• Strong creative judgment, attention to detail and a collaborative approach to feedback, with the ability to connect design decisions to commercial goals.
• Experience building brands within a growing or entrepreneurial spirits business is preferred.

Why Join IJW Whiskey Company?

• Industry Disruptor: Rapidly growing spirits company with a global footprint and a unique portfolio of premium brands.
• High‑Impact Role: Entrepreneurial environment where your ideas drive real business results.
• Collaborative Culture: Work with experienced industry leaders in a creative, fast‑paced, and dynamic team.
• Competitive Benefits: Attractive salary, benefits, and perks to reward top talent.

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