Art Director - Independent Trucks
NHS, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA, United States
Company Description
Based in Santa Cruz, California, NHS Inc. has been part of skateboarding for over 50 years. We’re behind legacy brands like Santa Cruz Skateboards, Independent Trucks, Creature, OJ, Slime Balls, MOB Grip, Bronson Speed Co., Bullet, and more. We’re on a mission to be the most innovative and sought-after skateboard company in the world. And while we’ve had our share of wins, that’s never kept us from staying connected to skateboarding and its culture. We’re fully immersed, shaped by the riders and people who push it forward. That energy fuels everything we do, from product to marketing to ideas that help skateboarding grow. That mindset applies to our team too. We’re all about progression, whether it’s growing in your role, in your career, or in life. If that sounds like your kind of energy, you’ll probably fit right in.
Position Summary Independent Trucks is looking for an Art Director to help drive the creative behind one of skateboarding’s most iconic brands. In this role, you will set the brand’s art direction and help shape product storytelling across apparel, hardgoods, packaging, and marketing.
In partnership with the Brand Manager and Creative Directors, you will lead product strategy, build compelling product narratives, and support marketing initiatives that drive demand and reinforce Independent’s position in skate culture.
This role requires a balance of creative leadership (“coach”) and hands‑on execution (“player”), setting the vision and actively contributing to design work while also mentoring and supporting the people around you.
Location/Work Style: Please note this is a Full‑Time, Hybrid position at our Santa Cruz, CA headquarters, but we are open to remote possibilities for the right candidate.
Key Responsibilities (Including, but not limited to):
Lead Independent’s art direction, protect the brand’s DNA while pushing it forward with a skate‑driven vision.
Work closely with the Brand Manager and Creative Directors to translate brand strategy into creative execution.
Work cross‑functionally with Brand, Product, Marketing, Sales, and Licensing teams to identify trends, opportunities, and compelling ideas for products, collaborations, marketing, and events.
Responsible for the creation of graphics to be used in seasonal apparel and hardgoods lines, and other projects.
Be hands‑on in designing key product categories, including apparel printables, headwear, apparel accessories, and hardgoods.
Partner closely with apparel designers, developers, and the hardgoods team to execute product across categories.
Establish and maintain a network of freelance artists to support supplemental design needs.
Lead seasonal inspiration meetings and ideation sessions to drive alignment across Brand, Design, and Product Development.
Ensure creative consistency across licensed products and global brand touchpoints.
Participate alongside the Brand Manager in product, marketing, sales, and licensing meetings and presentations.
What Makes You Right for This Role
You bring a clear creative vision and can articulate it in a way that aligns teams and moves the brand forward.
You move ideas forward quickly and communicate openly throughout the creative process.
You are comfortable owning creative decisions while collaborating closely with key stakeholders.
You understand how product, storytelling, retail presentation, and market demand all connect.
You respect skateboarding culture and understand authenticity cannot be manufactured.
Qualifications
5+ years’ experience in graphic design, apparel design, brand design within lifestyle, skate, action sports, or adjacent culture‑driven brands.
Strong portfolio demonstrating apparel graphics, branding systems, and campaign work.
Experience working across multi‑season apparel lines, with the ability to influence direction and move product from idea to execution.
Strong typography, layout, and visual storytelling skills.
Experience directing freelancers or external creatives preferred.
Working Style Independent operates in a collaborative, fast‑moving environment. The ideal candidate thrives in iterative creative processes and enjoys working closely with teams to refine and evolve ideas.
Regular in‑person collaboration in Santa Cruz is expected, especially during onboarding and key seasonal milestones.
What You Get We offer competitive compensation, including incentive and profit‑sharing bonuses, comprehensive health coverage, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off.
Salary Range: $90,000–$120,000 Physical Requirements
Work involves extended periods of sitting or standing while using computers, cameras, or production equipment. Requires fine motor skills, visual concentration, and occasional lifting of materials up to 25 pounds. Some travel or on‑site work is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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Position Summary Independent Trucks is looking for an Art Director to help drive the creative behind one of skateboarding’s most iconic brands. In this role, you will set the brand’s art direction and help shape product storytelling across apparel, hardgoods, packaging, and marketing.
In partnership with the Brand Manager and Creative Directors, you will lead product strategy, build compelling product narratives, and support marketing initiatives that drive demand and reinforce Independent’s position in skate culture.
This role requires a balance of creative leadership (“coach”) and hands‑on execution (“player”), setting the vision and actively contributing to design work while also mentoring and supporting the people around you.
Location/Work Style: Please note this is a Full‑Time, Hybrid position at our Santa Cruz, CA headquarters, but we are open to remote possibilities for the right candidate.
Key Responsibilities (Including, but not limited to):
Lead Independent’s art direction, protect the brand’s DNA while pushing it forward with a skate‑driven vision.
Work closely with the Brand Manager and Creative Directors to translate brand strategy into creative execution.
Work cross‑functionally with Brand, Product, Marketing, Sales, and Licensing teams to identify trends, opportunities, and compelling ideas for products, collaborations, marketing, and events.
Responsible for the creation of graphics to be used in seasonal apparel and hardgoods lines, and other projects.
Be hands‑on in designing key product categories, including apparel printables, headwear, apparel accessories, and hardgoods.
Partner closely with apparel designers, developers, and the hardgoods team to execute product across categories.
Establish and maintain a network of freelance artists to support supplemental design needs.
Lead seasonal inspiration meetings and ideation sessions to drive alignment across Brand, Design, and Product Development.
Ensure creative consistency across licensed products and global brand touchpoints.
Participate alongside the Brand Manager in product, marketing, sales, and licensing meetings and presentations.
What Makes You Right for This Role
You bring a clear creative vision and can articulate it in a way that aligns teams and moves the brand forward.
You move ideas forward quickly and communicate openly throughout the creative process.
You are comfortable owning creative decisions while collaborating closely with key stakeholders.
You understand how product, storytelling, retail presentation, and market demand all connect.
You respect skateboarding culture and understand authenticity cannot be manufactured.
Qualifications
5+ years’ experience in graphic design, apparel design, brand design within lifestyle, skate, action sports, or adjacent culture‑driven brands.
Strong portfolio demonstrating apparel graphics, branding systems, and campaign work.
Experience working across multi‑season apparel lines, with the ability to influence direction and move product from idea to execution.
Strong typography, layout, and visual storytelling skills.
Experience directing freelancers or external creatives preferred.
Working Style Independent operates in a collaborative, fast‑moving environment. The ideal candidate thrives in iterative creative processes and enjoys working closely with teams to refine and evolve ideas.
Regular in‑person collaboration in Santa Cruz is expected, especially during onboarding and key seasonal milestones.
What You Get We offer competitive compensation, including incentive and profit‑sharing bonuses, comprehensive health coverage, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off.
Salary Range: $90,000–$120,000 Physical Requirements
Work involves extended periods of sitting or standing while using computers, cameras, or production equipment. Requires fine motor skills, visual concentration, and occasional lifting of materials up to 25 pounds. Some travel or on‑site work is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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