Principal, Art Director

Location: Los Angeles, Canada | New York, United States

Department: Marketing

Employment Type: Full time

About Snap Inc

Snap Inc is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.

About the Role

Snap Inc is a camera company believing that the lens—and augmented reality—holds the greatest potential to transform how people live, connect, and express themselves. Our core products—Snapchat's visual messaging, Lens Studio's AR platform, and Spectacles AR glasses—empower real-time creativity and fun. As a Principal, Art Director on our Marketing Creative team, you'll shape the Snapchat brand through world-class visuals that celebrate our latest AR innovations, product launches, and company milestones. Joining a diverse crew of artists, makers, writers, and designers, you'll prioritize craft, drive, and audacious ideas to inspire our global community, no matter the project scale. In this leadership role, you'll art direct across all mediums—from epic brand campaigns and immersive AR experiences to feature rollouts and Spectacles promotions—elevating visual storytelling that captures Snap's playful, innovative spirit. Owning the craft of our work, you'll collaborate with the Design Director for visual consistency, lead high-stakes projects end-to-end, and partner with internal teams and external agencies to deliver campaigns that resonate across markets. Proactively navigating our dynamic marketing org, you'll infuse projects with cutting-edge trends in AR, camera tech, and Generative AI, ensuring Snap stays ahead. We're seeking a creative force with 12+ years in advertising, a killer portfolio of high-impact tech campaigns, and the ability to lead hands-on while influencing cross-functionally. Thrive in our fast-paced, 'create, publish, learn' culture—manage ambiguity, sell ideas to execs, and cultivate our team's design ethos. Snap's 'Default Together' policy means 4+ days/week in-office to fuel collaboration. Base salary ranges: Zone A (CA, WA, NYC) $229,000-$343,000; Zone B $218,000-$326,000; Zone C $195,000-$292,000 (plus RSUs). Snap is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, with comprehensive benefits including parental leave, health coverage, and mental health support.

What You'll Do

• Art direct bold ideas across all mediums, from Snapchat brand campaigns and AR-powered branded experiences to new product launches like Spectacles and Lens Studio features
• Own the elevation of art direction and visual craft, ensuring every project embodies Snap's innovative camera technology and AR storytelling
• Collaborate closely with the Design Director to maintain a coherent, consistent visual language across Snapchat's global channels
• Lead development and execution of high-priority projects from initial concept through production and delivery
• Partner with and guide diverse internal and external creatives to produce best-in-class advertising and marketing for tech innovations
• Proactively navigate Snap's complex cross-functional marketing organization to align on business goals
• Stay ahead of competitive landscapes, visual trends, and emerging AR technologies to keep Snap's work fresh and relevant
• Help grow, develop, and define the Creative team's design culture rooted in craft, drive, and groundbreaking ideas
• Present and sell creative work compellingly to cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders
• Manage ambiguity in a fast-paced environment, making quick, high-quality decisions to meet evolving project needs

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, motion design, filmmaking or equivalent practical experience
• 12+ years of experience as an art director in advertising agencies, ideally blending in-house, external agency, and freelance work
• Strong portfolio demonstrating diverse, successful campaigns and innovative, high-impact projects in tech or social media
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and other industry-standard design tools
• Experience in B2B and growth marketing within tech and social media landscapes
• Proven track record working in matrixed, cross-functional organizations
• Deep understanding of advertising and marketing processes from concept to delivery

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in Generative AI tools for creative production
• Advanced skills in Keynote and Figma for collaborative workflows
• Specific expertise in After Effects, Illustrator, and Photoshop
• Experience managing projects in a Google Docs-led environment
• Knowledge of Frame.io for video review and collaboration

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Hands-on project leadership while guiding diverse creative teams
• Conceptual thinking to transform ideas into polished, art-directed visuals
• Cross-functional influence and collaboration across marketing, strategy, and tech
• High-level business acumen to solve marketing challenges with creative solutions
• Compelling presentation and storytelling for executive buy-in
• Ambiguity management and rapid decision-making in fast-paced settings
• Strategic articulation of creative processes and rationale
• Autonomous work with exceptional time management
• Curiosity for new creative formats driving business impact
• Nurturing relationships with stakeholders across verticals and markets
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop)
• Expertise in Figma and Keynote for design and pitches
• Understanding of AR and camera technology trends
• Experience with Generative AI for innovative visuals

Our Benefits

• Paid parental leave to support family growth
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Emotional and mental health support programs
• Competitive compensation packages with equity in the form of RSUs
• Flexible benefits tailored to individual needs
• Opportunities to share in Snap’s long-term success
• Dynamic in-office collaboration under our 'Default Together' policy (4+ days/week)
• Inclusive culture fostering diverse backgrounds and innovative product creation

Compensation

$229,000-$343,000 annually

This position is eligible for equity in the form of RSUs.

"Default Together" Policy: At Snap Inc, we practice a "default together" approach and expect team members to work in an office 4+ days per week.

Snap is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.