Art Director - New York City

Ultra | Nicotine-Free Pouches for Focus & Energy · About Ultra · Ultra is already the #1 brand of nicotine-free pouches in the world and we only launched 6 months ago —we're just getting started. Our mission is to build the category-defining brand of functional pouches for peopl ...

Job description

Ultra | Nicotine-Free Pouches for Focus & Energy

About Ultra

Ultra is already the #1 brand of nicotine-free pouches in the world and we only launched 6 months ago —we're just getting started. Our mission is to build the category-defining brand of functional pouches for people who want enhanced performance without the crash, addiction, or long-term downsides. Ultra does not just make a pouch that is somewhat "better for you" than Zyn. We make functional performance products that are actively good for you.

The market shift is massive: nicotine pouch sales are up 3,000% since 2019 and projected to reach $20B by 2026. Consumers are adopting the pouch form factor at scale, and many are now seeking nicotine-free functional benefits in a pouch. Ultra is positioned to lead that wave.

Backed by some of the best investors, founders and athletes in the world, including:

• Left Lane Capital (Blank Street, Olipop, Holy)

• Sugar Capital (Grüns, Feastables, Lucky Energy)

• Athletes & Creators

  • Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, Henrik Lundqvist, Jakob Chyrchrun + more

• Founders & Operators

  • Chad Janis (Grüns), Harpreet Singh (Oura Ring), Jeff Rader (Harry's), Vinay Menda (Blank Street), + more

Learn more:

The Role

As Art Director at ULTRA, you'll own the visual expression of the brand across every touchpoint—product, packaging, marketing, retail, and digital. This is a rare opportunity to set the foundations of a cult-like brand with mass appeal. This is not a "hands-only" design role. You'll set creative direction, make taste calls, and ensure everything we put into the world feels unmistakably ULTRA.

You'll lead the evolution of our visual identity as the brand scales—helping translate strategy into systems, and systems into world-class execution. From packaging and retail displays to paid ads, site design, and launch moments, you'll be responsible for creative cohesion, quality, and impact.

You'll work closely with Brand, Growth, Product, R&D, and Ops, and will be expected to both set direction and execute—especially in high-leverage moments. As the team grows, you'll help define workflows, standards, and external partnerships that allow the brand to scale without losing its edge.

What You'll Own

Creative Direction & Brand Expression

• Own and evolve ULTRA's visual identity, design system, and brand guidelines across all channels.

• Set the creative bar and ensure consistency, clarity, and distinctiveness in everything we ship.

• Help shape the broader creative strategy of the brand alongside Brand and Growth leadership.

Packaging & Physical Product Design

• Lead packaging design across SKUs, formats, flavors, and strength levels, including iteration and line extensions.

• Partner with Product, R&D, and Ops to bring physical products to life—balancing aesthetics, manufacturability, and retail realities.

• Ensure packaging performs in both DTC and retail environments.

Marketing & Campaign Creative

• Direct and design marketing assets across email, paid ads, social, OOH, retail, and video storyboards.

• Collaborate with Growth to ensure creative is not only beautiful, but effective and performance-aware.

• Translate campaign strategy into clear creative direction for internal teams and external partners.

Digital & UX Design

• Oversee design for website updates, landing pages, PDPs, and core UX elements.

• Ensure digital experiences feel premium, conversion-aware, and aligned with the brand system.

Retail & Merchandising Creative

• Own creative support for retail launches including displays, signage, merchandising assets, and retail PDP content.

• Ensure ULTRA shows up powerfully and consistently in-store, across channels and geographies.

Production & Vendor Management

• Oversee vendors for print, packaging, photography, and production, ensuring quality, timelines, and cost discipline.

• Build and manage relationships with freelancers, agencies, and creative partners as needed.

Systems, Process & Team Enablement

• Set up and evolve internal workflows, tools, and standards for design execution as the creative team scales.

• Provide direction, feedback, and mentorship to designers and creative partners.

Why You're a Fit

• You have 5+ years of design experience, with time spent in CPG, consumer brands, or adjacent categories.

• You have strong visual taste and creative judgment, and are comfortable making final calls.

• You've led packaging, brand systems, and multi-channel creative—not just individual assets.

• You're hands-on when needed, but think in systems and direction—not just execution.

• You collaborate well cross-functionally and understand how creative connects to product, growth, and retail.

• You care deeply about craft, clarity, and consistency—and push for high standards.

• You're excited to build, refine, and scale a brand—not just maintain one.

Why You Should Join ULTRA

• Define a brand, not just assets.

  This is a rare chance to author the visual identity of a category-defining brand at a pivotal moment of scale.

• Your work lives in the real world.

  Packaging, retail, OOH, digital—your designs will be seen, held, and experienced everywhere.

• Shape a new category.

  Functional pouches are still being defined. You'll help decide how performance and health look and feel.

• High trust, high taste.

  You'll work with founders who value design and give creative leaders real ownership.

• Portfolio-defining impact.

  This is the kind of role designers look back on as a turning point in their career.

• Benefits and Perks

  Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, HSA access, a 401(k), a Bathhouse membership for recovery and reset, and unlimited PTO

Equal Employer Opportunity

Ultra is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We believe in and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law.

We comply with all applicable employment laws, including the NYC Fair Chance Act, and provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs.