Design Director

Function: Marketing

Reports To: Marketing Director

Distinguish yourself by providing a cover letter that tells us why you are looking to make a change and how you believe your talents will help to craft the visual voice for Bardstown Bourbon Co and Green River Whiskey.

Company/Location Overview

No secrets. No myths. No fabricated stories.

Bardstown Bourbon Company is a new blend of bourbon makers creating the next industry standard through unparalleled transparency, collaboration, and innovation.

With the most technically advanced and sophisticated distillery in the country, our pledge of transparency is on full display through open spaces and clear glass, putting the art and science of whiskey-making front and center for all to see. In the heart of the Bourbon Capital of the World™, Bardstown Bourbon Co. produces not only our own award-winning and highly sought-after blended bourbons, ryes and finished whiskies, but custom distills and ages whiskies for many brands, from start-up pours to established top shelves.

We are the premiere destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, combining distilling, culinary, and beverage expertise to create a modern, authentic experience that will engage and delight the bourbon novice and the most sophisticated aficionado.

At our on-site restaurant, Bardstown Bourbon Co. Kitchen and Bar, visitors enjoy chef-driven yet approachable Southern cuisine with international flair paired with creative cocktails, a vast collection of spirits, curated wine list, and our one-of-a-kind Vintage Library, our ode to distilling history stocked with old and rare finds dating back to the 19th century.

Green River Distillery is located in Owensboro and is the 10th oldest distillery in the state producing more than 90,000 barrels of bourbon and rye for its own brands and partners. They produce the flagship Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey which started in 1885 and was re-launched in February 2022.

At Bardstown Bourbon Company, see how we are moving the industry forward and NEVER STANDING STILL. For more information, please visit www.bardstownbourbon.com and www.greenriverdistilling.com

Position Summary

As part of the creative team within the marketing department, the design director helps craft the visual voice across multiple platforms for Bardstown Bourbon Company, Green River Whiskey, and select Private Brands. Working closely with the creative director, the design director helps to execute the creative vision and brand aesthetics that bring the brand positioning to life. As design director, this person will be responsible for the development and design of packaging, sales and retail assets, advertising and PR campaigns, various marketing collateral for print/digital, and supporting merchandising. This team member will also be responsible for assisting with the design, maintenance, and implementation of multiple websites and eCommerce properties. The design director will also implement a design-thinking mentality toward problem solving and conceptualizing engaging work that drives brand equity.

CGP Design and NPD Design Lead

• Assists creative and marketing team with packaging ideation and design for BBCo, Green River, and private brands, including labeling, bottle designs, secondary packaging, and other elements within established brand standards
• Works with Marketing Team to ensure highest quality visibility for our brands
• Works with Compliance Manager to ensure compliance with Federal Government standards for packaging and labeling
• Briefs external agencies and vendors as applicable on packaging design
• Supports NPD team initiatives through timely submissions
• Supports NPD team initiatives through monitoring and subject-matter expertise on packaging trends, innovations, and creative solutions to deliver brand value

Creative Design

• Delivers creative vision that ladders to the brand strategy of entire portfolio
• Creates design as needed to execute advertising, social, and PR campaigns across multiple mediums
• Creates content that promotes audience interaction, increases audience presence on company sites, encourages audience engagement, and fosters brand loyalty
• Work with brand manager to create timely and scheduled content to create a consistent stream of new content for audience interaction while analyzing, managing, and altering schedules where necessary to optimize visits
• Designs and creates sales assets, including retail tools, point-of-sale, merchandise, and selling materials for field sales and distributors
• Manages external vendors and agencies responsible for print and production of POS/Merchandise
• Designs and creates all internal creative assets in support of hospitality, distilling, bottling, and event sales
• Captures photos, video and and content for the above requirements, engaging and directing external resources as needed

Digital

• Designs and implements digital solutions required to fulfill e-commerce for BBC and Green River products
• Assists brand manager with social media communications utilizing brand’s quality tone-of-voice
• Assists brand manager with digital and social communications

Other

• Commitment for the Company’s ISO program including the quality and food safety of our products.
• Assist in social media strategy from a design thinking perspective
• Perform other duties and participate in projects as assigned by management.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in art/design, advertising, or marketing preferred
• 5+ years of graphic design experience at agency or as in-house creative
• Expert Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign skills
• Strong photo editing capabilities, including retouching and working with LUTS
• Ability to synthesize constituent feedback into beautiful and timely deliverables
• Ability to juggle and manage multiple projects with both short and long term timelines
• Strong file management abilities
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Ability to maintain timely stream of updates to the marketing team
• Stays up-to-date on new and emerging design platforms
• Proposes new ideas and concepts for creative campaigns, packaging design, social media content
• Detail oriented
• Previous CGP design a plus
• DSLR experience a plus
• Video editing (Premiere, After Effects) a plus

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to stand; use hands to handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear
• Frequently required to walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Exposure to fluctuating temperatures indoors and outdoors

The Bardstown Bourbon Company is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of The Bardstown Bourbon Company to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees, without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.