Senior / Principal Brand Designer

23andMe is seeking an exceptional senior brand designer to shape the visual identity and storytelling of the 23andMe Research Institute, our new nonprofit public benefit organization. This is a founding creative role: the Institute is new, but it is built on the deep creative and visual equity of the 23andMe brand. The ideas you bring to the brand will define what it looks and sounds like for years to come. You'll design the story (not the performance marketing funnel) with integrated brand campaigns, digital storytelling, event activations, as well as philanthropy and partnership materials that introduce the Institute to many different audiences: consumers, scientists, philanthropic supporters, the media, and more.

Reporting to the Design Director and working closely with the Head of Brand, you’ll be the dedicated graphic designer for the Brand Team, crafting beautiful, impactful design work. On top of that, we want someone with the creative instinct to spot opportunity and take initiative, as well as have the leadership to brief and steer external agencies when appropriate. We're looking for the right person and will title the role according to experience and track-record.

Who We Are

We are a group of individuals passionate about genetic discovery. 23andMe Research Institute is a nonprofit medical research organization that enables people everywhere to access their genetic information, learn about themselves, and participate in the world's largest crowdsourced research initiative. The Institute aims to be the world's most significant contributor to scientific advancement, uniting people with the common goal of improving health and deepening our understanding of DNA — the code of life.

What You’ll Do

• Integrated Brand Campaigns: Concept and design integrated campaigns that bring the Institute’s mission to life across digital, web, social, print, video, etc. – from launch moments to ongoing always-on storytelling.
• Digital Brand Storytelling: Design the digital expressions of the brand: web pages, microsites, social content, editorial features, and data visualization that translates complex science into something people want to engage with.
• Event Activations: Create the visual identity for key Institute events, conferences, and donor moments with environmental graphics, stage design direction, slides, attendee materials, swag and photo/video assets that create emotion and impact.
• Philanthropy & Donor Materials: Design the support materials that move the philanthropy program forward: donor decks, case-for-support documents, annual impact reports, and stewardship pieces that feel as considered as the science they represent.
• Partnership Pitches & Integrations: Design and art-direct partnership pitch decks, co-branded campaign assets, and integration materials for brand collaborations. 
• Creative Direction & Agency Management: When needed, brief, hire, and steer external design and video agencies and freelancers. Set the creative bar, guide work through rounds, and protect the Institute's voice and look. Confident giving notes that move work forward.
• Visual Identity & System: Evolve and extend the Institute’s identity — typography, color, image direction, motion principles, and the systems, templates, and guardrails that let the brand scale consistently across teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with scientists, writers, communications, philanthropy, and partnership leads to shape the story before you design the assets. Translate strategy into creative briefs and creative briefs into strong work.
• Craft Leadership: Set the bar. Give and receive direct, generous feedback. Mentor more junior designers as the team grows.

What You’ll Bring

• Experience: 6+ years of brand or marketing design experience, with at least 2 years operating as a senior IC, design lead, or associate creative director at a top in-house brand team, agency, or nonprofit.
• Outstanding Graphic Design: A portfolio that demonstrates exceptional graphic design fundamentals (typography, layout, color, image direction, and editorial sensibility) across identity, campaign, and digital work.
• Creative Direction: Demonstrated ability to lead creative beyond your own work: writing briefs, directing photographers, illustrators, motion designers, and external agencies.
• Storytelling Instinct: Comfortable turning abstract or technical ideas into images, systems, and narratives that land with different audiences. Strong writing and presentation instincts to back up your visual point of view.
• Range: Comfortable moving between brand identity, integrated campaigns, digital storytelling, event design, and presentation design.
• Technical Mastery: Fluency in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign). Strong aptitude with AI-assisted design tools. Comfortable directing video editors and integrating graphics onto picture.
• Collaboration & Influence: Strong point of view paired with a collaborative spirit. Comfortable presenting to executives, and working with XFN colleagues and external partners. Takes feedback well.
• Organization and Independence: Strong project management skills with experience using Jira. Comfortable managing many projects at once and working independently.
• Hybrid Availability: Able to work in our Palo Alto office three days per week, in person with the Brand Team.

Nice to Have

• Background in health, science or other complex-content category.
• Working knowledge of data visualization principles and how to make complex concepts engaging.
• Experience designing for nonprofits, foundations, or mission-driven institutions.
• Experience launching a new brand, sub-brand or rebrand within a larger brand architecture.
• Existing understanding of genetics or a genuine enthusiasm to learn.
• Experience working within a startup or fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

About Us

23andMe, headquartered in California, is a leading consumer genetics and research company. The company’s mission is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. 23andMe has pioneered direct access to genetic information as the only company with multiple FDA authorizations for genetic health risk reports. The company has created the world’s largest crowdsourced platform for genetic research, with 80 percent of its customers electing to participate. 23andMe research participants consent to research conducted by 23andMe which is overseen by an independent third-party Institutional Review Board (IRB) regulated under the ‘Common Rule’ (45 CFR part 46). More information is available at www.23andme.com/research.

At 23andMe, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at accommodations-ext@23andme.com. 23andMe will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

Please note: 23andMe does not accept agency resumes and we are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Thank you.

Pay Transparency

23andMe takes a market-based approach to pay, and amounts will vary depending on your geographic location. The salary range reflected here is for a candidate based in the San Francisco Bay Area.  The successful candidate’s starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future.

San Francisco Bay Area Base Pay Range

$150,000-$190,000