Design Director

About Interbrand

Interbrand is a global collective of diverse creatives and strategists dedicated to creating some of the world's most distinguished brands. With a legacy spanning over 40 years, we have pioneered many fundamental brand-building methodologies and contributed extensively to branding knowledge through publications and our own academy.

Operating in a rapidly evolving marketplace, we empower our clients to make bold, iconic decisions that reshape competition and drive exceptional outcomes by combining global standards with entrepreneurial freedom.

Our Culture and Values

Our company culture is defined by four core behaviors: Lead with love, Be brave, Listen first, and Make it happen. These values foster experimental thinking, open communication, and shared leadership at all levels.

Role Overview

As a Design Director, you will lead creative teams on major projects, setting a compelling creative vision and mentoring your team to achieve outstanding results. You will craft comprehensive brand systems that function seamlessly across multiple platforms including physical, digital, social, and emerging technologies, integrating advanced creative tools and AI where appropriate. This role requires a blend of artistic insight and business acumen, balancing creativity with commercial impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with strategy and client teams to assess and reshape briefs, uncovering unique creative opportunities.
• Design and oversee scalable creative platforms that operate coherently across diverse media channels such as web, mobile, retail, packaging, and events.
• Identify visionary branding initiatives, assess feasibility, and drive the team to push creative boundaries.
• Build strong partnerships with senior clients and stakeholders through co-creation workshops that influence key decisions.
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering originality and cross-channel thinking through thoughtful coaching.
• Establish and maintain efficient creative workflows, including regular reviews to ensure momentum and quality standards.
• Manage project scope, budgets, timelines, and proactively minimize risks to ensure successful delivery.
• Provide constructive, decisive feedback aimed at maintaining high creative standards and preparing work for production.
• Confidently present creative concepts, linking human insights with commercial goals and user experiences.
• Stay abreast of new design technologies, software, AI tools, and integrate emerging methods to enhance creative capabilities.
• Contribute to proposal development and build compelling business cases to elevate Interbrand’s reputation through awards and recognition.
• Collaborate with Brand Economics to measure impact and set creative priorities informed by data.

Experience and Qualifications

• Proven leadership of creative initiatives for major clients with a portfolio demonstrating excellence in system design across multiple channels.
• Expertise in holistic brand design, with successful projects showcasing cohesive identity systems adaptable to various platforms and contexts.
• Proficiency in emerging creative technologies and AI applications, coupled with strong judgment in their effective use.

Core Competencies

• Ability to clearly distinguish what makes a brand unique and convey why it matters.
• Skill in creating distinctive work that balances creating memorable experiences with driving commercial advantage.
• Experience designing flexible yet unified brand systems that adapt naturally to context, audience, and channel demands.
• Strong cross-disciplinary collaboration adept at integrating strategic and operational considerations into creative development.
• Leadership qualities that inspire and develop individuals while promoting a culture of contribution and innovation.
• Exceptional communication skills for telling persuasive stories about creative work tailored to diverse audiences.
• Self-driven ownership, anticipating challenges, organizing teams and timelines to deliver impactful work at scale.

Why Join Interbrand?

With over five decades of experience shaping top global brands, we blend human insight, economic analysis, and customer experience to guide clients toward transformational growth. Our work environment encourages curiosity, transparency, continuous learning, honest feedback, and cross-border collaboration. We aim for extraordinary rather than ordinary.

Work Location and Compensation

This is a hybrid position requiring presence at our New York City office three days a week.

• Base salary range: $120,000 to $150,000 annually, based on experience and other factors.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, vision, dental insurance; family-forming benefits; 401(k) retirement plan; employee stock purchase program; education assistance; wellness discounts; paid leave; life and disability insurance; and an employee assistance program.