Head of Brand Studio

Summary

Join Gusto's Brand Studio as a visionary leader to oversee the creation of high-impact creative across various marketing platforms. You will manage and mentor a team of designers, writers, and creatives, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. Responsibilities include setting the creative vision, ensuring brand consistency, and collaborating with stakeholders. You will also be hands-on, reviewing work and refining campaigns. Success in this role requires 15+ years of experience in brand design and proven leadership skills. The ideal candidate possesses expert-level design skills, a deep understanding of brand strategy, and strong communication abilities.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in brand design, advertising, or creative direction, preferably in startups, tech, or consumer brands
• Proven track record of leading and growing creative teams, with strong management and mentorship skills
• Expert-level design and brand craft—you have exceptional taste and can articulate what makes great creative work great
• Experience working across multiple mediums (digital, video, print, social, experiential, etc.)
• Deep understanding of brand strategy, storytelling, and user experience
• Ability to balance creativity with business impact, aligning creative work with company objectives
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills—you know how to advocate for great creative while bringing people along
• Resilient, adaptable, and excited to thrive in a fast-paced, get-stuff-done startup environment

Responsibilities

• Set the Creative Vision: Define and evolve our brand’s visual identity, voice, and storytelling across all platforms with a focus on our owned web properties like Gusto.com, and marketing channels
• Lead & Inspire: Manage, mentor, and empower a team of designers, writers, and creatives, fostering a culture of collaboration, feedback, and innovation
• Ensure Brand Consistency: Oversee creative execution across website, digital, tv, social, product marketing, and events, ensuring every touchpoint is cohesive and impactful
• Be Hands-On: While leading strategy, roll up your sleeves when needed—whether it's concepting, reviewing work, or jumping in to refine a campaign
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with Marketing, Product, and Gusto Senior Leadership to align creative strategy with business objectives and internal client needs
• Operationally Excellent: Deliver high quality creative on time, at a high velocity, aligned with stakeholder expectations and briefs
• Client Service Mindset: Ensure internal teams—our clients—feel heard, supported, and excited by the creative process and outcomes
• Approve Final Assets: Provide clear, high-quality creative direction and sign off on final deliverables to maintain brand integrity
• Measure Creative Impact: Define and track KPIs for brand and creative success, ensuring we’re delivering measurable results
• Drive Innovation: Stay ahead of design, storytelling, and brand trends, pushing creative boundaries while maintaining brand integrity

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with TV advertising, commercial production, or high-impact brand campaigns is a plus
• Background in design systems and product marketing creative is preferred
• Knowledge of growth marketing and performance-driven creative, and familiarity with AI and emerging creative technologies is also a plus

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401(k)s
• Employees who are based in those locations will be expected to work from the office on designated days approximately 2-3 days per week (or more depending on role)