CoW Protocol: Lead Visual Designer

About CoW DAO

CoW DAO is on a mission to protect Ethereum users from MEV and optimize trade execution across DeFi. We achieve this through the CoW Protocol, CoW Swap (a leading intent-based DEX aggregator), and the innovative MEV Blocker, which together help secure, aggregate, and route trades for optimal outcomes. We also fund values-aligned projects via the CoW Grants Program.

CoW Protocol is consistently ranked among the top DEX aggregators by monthly volume and is the largest intent-based exchange. Our MEV Blocker protects trades from harmful MEV extraction and is integrated across the Ethereum ecosystem. The CoW AMM is the only live AMM designed to protect liquidity providers from LVR (loss-versus-rebalancing).

With over 100 open-source repositories on GitHub, we’re transparent, community-driven, and deeply committed to the open-source ethos. Our real-time Dune Analytics dashboard showcases billions in cumulative trading volume and a rapidly growing user base. As we continue to scale, CoW DAO remains at the forefront of DeFi innovation, prioritizing security, efficiency, and decentralization.

Learn more

About the role

We are looking for a versatile Lead Visual Designer to take our brands to the next level and help shape design as a practice at CoW DAO.

This is a hands-on lead role — a true player-coach moment. You’ll spend most of your time creating sharp, high-quality brand and marketing designs, while also guiding 1–2 designers and setting the standards that keep our visuals bold, consistent, and unmistakably CoW. ✨

What you’ll do

• Lead the creative vision and visual evolution of CoW DAO’s brands across all platforms

• Design high-quality visual assets for marketing, with a focus on digital content but not exclusively. This includes, but is not limited to, launch videos, social media assets, banner ads, swag, and physical collateral.

• Mentor 1–2 designers, providing guidance, feedback, and support

• Ensure a cohesive design language by bridging the gap between marketing visuals and product interfaces

• Support product design either by acting as a sounding board or by stepping in to “pinch hit” from time to time

• Foster a culture of continuous professional growth and collaboration between designers with a variety of skillsets

• Shepherd the organizational structure for design at CoW DAO by identifying gaps and opportunities for impact, managing resources against a roadmap, and setting up processes that improve our ways of working

Who you are

• 5+ years of experience as a Senior Visual Designer

• Passionate about design and committed to excellence, with a growth mindset and eagerness to share knowledge

• Previous experience leading a small team or mentoring designers

• Expert with Figma, Adobe Suite, design systems, and remote design workflows

• Knowledge of UI/UX and motion design

• Versatile and hands-on; happy to take on new challenges and roll up your sleeves wherever needed

• Experience working in tech companies; clear understanding of remote cross-team workflows, with good knowledge of how to design for digital products and digital media

• Collaborative, easy to work with, and strong at prioritization – able to make thoughtful trade-offs when needed

• Data-conscious and confident using numbers to inform design decisions

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with Web3 and designing for Web3 projects

• Experience with motion design tools like After Effects, Rive, and Lottie

• Strong understanding of color theory and visual styling

What we can offer

• Flexible work environment: Join our hub in Lisbon or work remotely

• Token plan: Have a stake in our mission and shape the future of CoW DAO

• Periodic gatherings: Enjoy opportunities to connect with the rest of the team through regular trips

• Conference allocation: Stay up-to-date with ecosystem advancements using our conference budget

• Learning budget: Use our learning budget to support your higher ambitions

• Hardware budget: Take advantage of a hardware budget for acquiring necessary equipment

• Make an impact: You are joining a startup where you can make a huge difference. Your work matters!

• Flat hierarchies mean fewer processes and bureaucracy – see more of your ideas come to life!

• Flexible work and vacation times: Prioritize work-life balance through our robust flexible work policy and vacation allowance

• Growth: If you’re someone who loves taking the initiative and getting things done, CoW offers lots of opportunities for your individual growth

Referral Program

Earn 4000 USDC or USD with the refer-to-earn program. More details here.

Culture

Life within the CoW Protocol is an incredible adventure! We take pride in our collaborative approach, embracing autonomy and fostering a culture of big thinking and continuous growth. We value impact, ownership, simplicity, and team spirit. Plus, we’re all about feedback, coming together, and enjoying the journey along the way!

At CoW Protocol, we strive to create a space where everyone feels included and empowered. We believe that our products and services benefit from our diverse backgrounds and experiences. All qualified applicants are considered for positions regardless of race, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, marital status, gender identification, sexual orientation, or physical ability