Nova Hospitality Group is building a portfolio of hospitality concepts across Austin, TX, and needs a hands-on Creative Director who leads from the designer’s seat. This role blends brand identity craft with creative operations, ensuring every venue launches with a cohesive look that still stands on its own.

Working onsite and in the office in Austin, you will guide design across identities, campaigns, and production workflows, while mentoring the team and translating marketing goals into launch-ready creative.

What you’ll do

Personally design brand identities, campaigns, launch assets, menus, signage, and templates across the Nova portfolio.
Own typography, layout, and visual systems for each concept, building the source files your team relies on.
Create designs for print, digital, social, email, web, and in-venue environments.
Art direct photo and video shoots on set as part of the broader design vision.
Set creative direction for each Nova concept so brands feel related across the portfolio while remaining distinctly recognizable.
Steward Nova’s brand guidelines and visual systems, evolving them intentionally as concepts grow.
Translate marketing goals into clear creative briefs, campaigns, and launch playbooks for new venue openings and consulting partners.
Present and defend creative to owners, chefs, operators, and partners with persuasive clarity.
Directly manage, mentor, and run critiques for the Brand Identity Designer, partnering closely with the Director of Marketing and the social and content team.
Build and manage a production framework, tracking print, signage, merch, and packaging orders from quote to delivery.
Maintain a vendor directory covering printers, sign shops, fabricators, photographers, videographers, and agencies.
Standardize specs, file prep, turnaround times, and production budgets across all venues.

What you bring

Experience: 6+ years as a graphic or brand designer (in-house or agency), with at least 2 years managing or mentoring designers.
Hospitality experience required: restaurant groups, bars, hotels, or nightlife (in-house or agency).
Portfolio: graphic design work you made yourself (identity, typography, layout, print, and digital), plus work you’ve directed through others.
Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).
Comfort using Figma and Canva.
Deep skills across typography and layout, print production and file prep, photo and video shoot art direction, and production workflow management.
Location: Austin, TX (in office and on-site at venues).

Technologies

Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop
Figma, Canva

Compensation

USD 100,000 - 115,000 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental & Vision (for you, partner, dependents, spouse, family)
Financial Wellness: Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
Holistic Wellness Program: Dedicated program supporting physical and mental well-being
Austin Commuter Perks: Dedicated on-site parking spaces and discounted transit passes
Growth & Leadership: A supportive, growth-focused culture

Nova’s mission and core values

Authentic Hospitality: the way you treat your team matters as much as the work you share with guests
Action with Intention: every design decision has a clear why
A Commitment to Growth: a working designer with a teaching mindset
For This Community: support Austin’s creative ecosystem

Preferred experience

Designing a concept from identity through opening day
Menu, signage, and in-venue environmental design (murals, wall graphics)
Illustration, motion design, or short-form video editing skills
Strong ties to Austin’s creative community (photographers, makers, studios)

Creative Director

Job Description