Design Director Jobs

Find Design Director jobs that match your experience leading creative teams, shaping design strategy, and delivering thoughtful customer experiences. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more, including roles across product design, UX, brand, and creative leadership.

What Does a Design Director Do?

Design Directors set the vision and standards for design across a team, product, or organization. They guide designers and creative partners, connect user and business needs, and work with executives and cross-functional leaders to bring ideas from strategy through execution. Depending on the organization, the role may focus on digital products, user experience, visual identity, marketing, or a combination of disciplines.

Skills and Experience Employers Seek

Employers often look for a strong design portfolio, experience managing and developing teams, and the ability to communicate design decisions to stakeholders. Common strengths include design strategy, visual and interaction design, user research, prototyping, creative direction, and collaboration with product, engineering, and marketing teams. The right background varies by industry and the scope of the role.

Explore Design Director Career Opportunities

Design Director positions are available in sectors such as technology, media, consumer products, finance, and healthcare. Browse current listings to compare responsibilities, company environments, and compensation, and identify opportunities suited to your leadership experience. Ladders focuses on vetted jobs paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced professionals find their next career move.

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$95K - $110K *

Transform creative visions into reality by leading design projects, mentoring teams, and collaborating with clients. Drive strategic branding initiatives while ensuring high-quality deliverables in a...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$170K - $230K *

Lead the creative vision for a diverse portfolio in the pharmaceutical sector. Guide multidisciplinary teams, foster client relationships, and ensure strategic, effective creative work in a highly reg...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Inspire and elevate design excellence as you lead a talented team, setting and maintaining visual standards, driving innovative campaigns, and partnering cross-functionally to advance Dandy's brand an...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $125K *

Lead creative strategy and direction, collaborating with teams to develop impactful brand campaigns. Drive insights from research, enhance client relationships, and contribute to new business initiati...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$170K - $200K *

Elevate product delivery by leading complex automotive engagements, ensuring clarity and execution across the product lifecycle while integrating AI tools to enhance client capabilities and drive inno...

New York, NYRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive the creative vision as a Senior Manager of Visual Design, leading a talented team to elevate our brand's visual identity across multiple channels while ensuring high-quality execution and innova...

CanadaRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $90K *

Lead the visual narrative of client brands by delivering exceptional design solutions across multiple channels. Collaborate with diverse teams to uphold high standards and participate in innovative pr...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$144K - $210K *

Lead the charge in shaping brand storytelling and performance marketing across global accounts. Drive cohesive creative direction, manage multidisciplinary teams, and ensure high-quality output while...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$157K - $207K *

Shape the future of biology by leading creative initiatives that elevate our brand. Collaborate closely with leadership to craft compelling narratives and visuals, while managing a growing team and bu...

Emeryville, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $110K *

Drive impactful digital experiences by leading UX strategy and discovery. Collaborate with clients and teams to transform user needs into actionable design recommendations, ensuring high-quality outco...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$140K - $170K *

Lead the charge in crafting innovative digital experiences, guiding design from initial client engagement to final launch. Collaborate with teams to ensure strategic alignment and deliver content-driv...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $140K *

Join us in transforming digital services for Veterans. As a Senior Designer, you'll lead user experience initiatives, conduct research, and shape information architecture for a large digital portal, e...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Help us shape the future of our brand by leading creative initiatives across campaigns, digital channels, and events. Collaborate with marketing teams to ensure a consistent visual identity and impact...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$180K - $210K *

Elevate creative excellence by leading a multidisciplinary team, setting vision and quality standards, and driving impactful brand strategies across diverse channels in a dynamic healthcare environmen...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$172K - $203K *

Empower the distribution strategy by designing and managing rate content across channels, ensuring accurate delivery and partner trust. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build scalable progra...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's passionate about creativity and innovation, developing compelling design concepts across digital and print mediums. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to elevate brand identity...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$81K - $168K *

Drive impactful creative solutions in performance marketing, collaborating with cross-functional teams to elevate brand presence across digital platforms. Leverage design expertise and insights to cra...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$185K - $210K *

Empower our design team by transforming concepts into stunning, user-friendly interfaces. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to elevate our product's visual identity and create engaging data visu...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$148K - $245K *

Transform user experience across global retail and e-commerce platforms by leading a multidisciplinary team, driving design excellence, and integrating AI into innovative solutions that enhance custom...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$190K - $230K *

Lead and enhance brand storytelling across campaigns. Collaborate with teams to ensure cohesive brand presence, drive creative direction, and develop a high-performing creative team to elevate brand i...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Empower creative excellence by leading diverse teams to craft innovative designs across digital and immersive platforms. Drive impactful storytelling and mentor talent while balancing hands-on design...

New York, NYRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$200K *

Drive technical excellence by translating creative visions into actionable plans. Oversee pre-production, CAD drafting, and on-site execution, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and with...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$160K - $190K *

Unlock your potential as you lead end-to-end design for complex AI-driven systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create intuitive, secure user experiences that prioritize trust and precis...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $210K *

Engage as the senior creative leader, ensuring top-tier quality and performance across all creative outputs. Drive a culture of testing and learning while fostering strong client relationships and lea...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$80K - $95K *

Transform complex cybersecurity narratives into engaging content that captivates audiences across various formats. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance brand storytelling and drive conve...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Design Director do?question toggle

    A Design Director establishes design direction, leads and develops creative teams, and partners with other departments to deliver products, experiences, or brand work aligned with user needs and business goals.

  • What qualifications are common for Design Director jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary, but employers commonly seek substantial design experience, a strong portfolio, leadership or team-management experience, and the ability to guide strategy and communicate with senior stakeholders.

  • What types of Design Director roles are available?question toggle

    Openings may focus on product design, user experience (UX), brand, visual design, creative direction, or broader design leadership across multiple teams.

  • How can I find Design Director jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse Design Director listings on Ladders, which features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more. Review each listing for its compensation details, responsibilities, and qualifications.