Creative Director (Contract)

Gardyn is dedicated to making fresh, healthy food accessible to every household. We aim to simplify, sustain, and bring joy to growing food through innovative indoor gardening technology, enabling people to consume better while conserving natural resources. As a rapidly expanding, mission-driven organization, we prioritize impact, innovation, and fostering a supportive work environment. Our culture is built on curiosity, accountability, and thoughtful development, and we are seeking leaders to help us scale our meaningful work.

Gardyn is seeking a seasoned Creative Director to fulfill a 6-month maternity leave coverage from July to December 2026. In this role, you will serve as the primary creative leader for a dynamic DTC brand. Your responsibilities will encompass the entire creative output for paid media, email campaigns, website content, and packaging. You will also guide a small internal team and manage relationships with external agencies and freelance professionals.

• Oversee all creative direction for paid media, email, website, and packaging from conception to completion.
• Lead and motivate a small in-house creative team, while also managing external agency and freelancer partnerships.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Product, and Operations departments to transform campaign briefs into visually engaging and on-brand creative executions.
• Uphold and advance Gardyn’s brand guidelines, ensuring visual identity, tone of voice, and messaging are consistent across all platforms.
• Direct photo and video productions, including concept development, casting, and final delivery, with a focus on lifestyle, food, and product aesthetics.
• Review and approve all creative assets, providing constructive feedback to enhance quality and maintain project timelines.
• Work closely with the Growth team on performance-driven creative, utilizing data and testing insights to optimize conversion rates.
• Foster a team environment that promotes creative excellence, curiosity, and efficient production processes.
• Ensure comprehensive documentation and smooth handover of responsibilities to facilitate a seamless transition for the returning Creative Director.

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in creative leadership, with a portfolio showcasing work for digital-first DTC or consumer lifestyle brands.
• Previous experience with subscription or membership-based DTC businesses is essential.
• Proven ability to independently lead creative teams and manage multifaceted, multi-channel campaigns.
• Exceptional conceptual and visual skills, with proficiency in both writing creative briefs and art directing photo shoots.
• Experience in developing creative for performance marketing, understanding the balance between brand integrity and conversion objectives.
• Familiarity with sustainability, wellness, food, or smart-home sectors is highly advantageous.
• Capacity to quickly integrate into the team, adapt to existing brand frameworks, and respect the established creative vision while also contributing innovative ideas.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management tools like Notion.
• Experience with AI-driven design tools and workflows (e.g., Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, Higgsfield).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with confidence in presenting creative strategies to senior leadership and providing/receiving direct feedback.
• Must be available for a full-time commitment throughout the contract period (July–December 2026).
• Prior experience directing lifestyle photography/videography in the food, plant, or home goods categories is preferred.

This is an independent contractor (1099) position. The engagement is scheduled for approximately 6 months, from July 2026 to December 2026, requiring a full-time commitment. The role is remote.