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Associate Creative Director Design Jobs in Fairfield, CT

DESIGN WITHIN REACH

Design Director

Stamford, CT · Hybrid

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Creative Director, the Product Design Director leads DWR Studio and sets the creative direction for Design Within Reach's original product portfolio. This role ...

New

Millerknoll

Design Director

Stamford, CT · Hybrid

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Creative Director, the Product Design Director leads DWR Studio and sets the creative direction for Design Within Reach's original product portfolio. This role ...

New

Curaleaf

Art Director

Stamford, CT

$129K - $135K/yr

The Art Director is responsible for conception and design of integrated campaigns, managing the creative process, and ensuring all work is strategically and creatively on point (and on brief)

Catania Landscape And Design Llc

Be Seen First

Landscape Project Coordinator

Huntington, NY · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

Direct mentorship from the Founder & Creative Director * Exposure to every stage of the design-build process * Hands-on experience in landscape design, project management, and construction * Real ...

Catania Landscape And Design Llc

Be Seen First

Landscape Project Coordinator

Huntington, NY · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

Direct mentorship from the Founder & Creative Director * Exposure to every stage of the design-build process * Hands-on experience in landscape design, project management, and construction * Real ...

Curaleaf

Art Director

Stamford, CT · On-site

$79K - $85K/yr

The Art Director is responsible for conception and design of integrated campaigns, managing the creative process, and ensuring all work is strategically and creatively on point (and on brief)

Curaleaf

Art Director

Stamford, CT · On-site

$79K - $85K/yr

The Art Director is responsible for conception and design of integrated campaigns, managing the creative process, and ensuring all work is strategically and creatively on point (and on brief)

Maplewood Senior Living

Executive Director

Darien, CT · On-site

Executive Director Location: Darien, CT Employment Type: Full-Time Salary Range: Competitive ... As an associate of Maplewood Senior Living, you will have the ability to make a profound difference ...

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All JobsAssociate Creative Design JobsAssociate Creative Director Design JobsAssociate Creative Director Design Jobs in Fairfield, CT

Associate Creative Director Design information

See Fairfield, CT salary details

$21.9K

$110.5K

$177.4K

How much do associate creative director design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate creative director design in Fairfield, CT is $110,540.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $156,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Associate Creative Director of Design do?

An Associate Creative Director of Design is responsible for helping lead the creative vision and direction of design projects within an organization or agency. They collaborate with creative teams, clients, and other stakeholders to develop innovative visual concepts, ensuring that all design work aligns with brand standards and project goals. In addition to providing guidance and feedback to designers, they may also participate in strategic planning, client presentations, and project management. This role typically reports to the Creative Director and serves as a bridge between upper management and the design team.

What is the difference between Associate Creative Director Design vs Creative Director?

AspectAssociate Creative Director DesignCreative Director
ResponsibilitiesSupports creative projects, manages design teams, assists in concept developmentLeads overall creative vision, makes high-level decisions, oversees multiple projects
Experience & CredentialsTypically 5-8 years in design, strong portfolio, leadership skills10+ years experience, extensive portfolio, strategic leadership
Work EnvironmentCollaborative design teams, reporting to Creative DirectorsExecutive level, cross-department collaboration, client interaction

The main difference between an Associate Creative Director Design and a Creative Director lies in scope and seniority. The Associate supports and implements creative strategies, while the Creative Director sets the overall vision and direction for projects and teams. Both roles require strong design credentials and leadership skills, but the Creative Director holds a higher-level strategic position.

What does an associate design director do?

An associate creative director in design supports the lead creative team by developing visual concepts, overseeing design projects, and ensuring brand consistency. They collaborate with designers, manage project timelines, and use tools like Adobe Creative Suite to produce high-quality visual content. This role often requires strong leadership, communication skills, and a solid understanding of design principles.

How much does an associate creative director earn?

An associate creative director typically earns between $70,000 and $110,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often oversee design teams, collaborate with senior creatives, and use tools like Adobe Creative Suite to execute projects.

What does an associate creative director do?

An associate creative director design oversees the development of visual concepts and creative strategies for projects, collaborating with teams to ensure brand consistency and high-quality output. They often manage designers, contribute to brainstorming sessions, and use design tools like Adobe Creative Suite to execute their vision.

How does an Associate Creative Director Design typically collaborate with other departments on creative projects?

An Associate Creative Director Design frequently works cross-functionally, partnering closely with copywriters, strategists, account managers, and production teams to ensure design concepts align with project goals and client expectations. They often lead brainstorming sessions, provide creative direction, and oversee the translation of ideas into visual assets. Effective communication and feedback loops with other departments are essential to maintain consistency and deliver cohesive campaigns. This collaborative environment helps foster innovation and ensures that creative solutions meet both aesthetic and business objectives.

Is an associate creative director higher than a creative director?

An associate creative director is typically a junior or supporting role within the creative team, while a creative director holds a senior leadership position responsible for overall creative vision. Therefore, a creative director is generally higher in rank and authority than an associate creative director.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Creative Director Design, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Creative Director Design, you need a strong background in visual design, creative strategy, and team leadership, often supported by a degree in graphic design or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, and knowledge of project management systems is essential. Outstanding communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills help you inspire teams and translate client needs into innovative creative solutions. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering high-impact designs, leading creative teams effectively, and ensuring client satisfaction in a fast-paced environment.
What job categories do people searching Associate Creative Director Design jobs in Fairfield, CT look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Creative Director Design jobs in Fairfield, CT are:
What cities near Fairfield, CT are hiring for Associate Creative Director Design jobs? Cities near Fairfield, CT with the most Associate Creative Director Design job openings:
Associate Creative Director Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Creative Director Design job openings in Fairfield, CT as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,540 per year, or $53.1 per hour.

Design Director

DESIGN WITHIN REACH

Stamford, CT • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

Why join us?

At Design Within Reach, home comes first. We believe in creating and sourcing pieces that move with you and are meant to be enjoyed over a lifetime - from home to home, generation to generation. For us, that means exceptionally crafted, built-to-last, and beautifully designed furnishings.
Our purpose is design for the good of humankind. It's the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of Design Within Reach means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows Design Within Reach to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

About This Opportunity:

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Creative Director, the Product Design Director leads DWR Studio and sets the creative direction for Design Within Reach's original product portfolio. This role is responsible for shaping product vision, defining collection briefs, leading a multidisciplinary industrial design team, and partnering across merchandising, product development, sourcing, engineering, and manufacturing to bring commercially successful, design-led products to market.

The Product Design Director combines exceptional design leadership with strategic business thinking, ensuring every product reflects Design Within Reach's commitment to authentic modern design, impeccable craftsmanship, commercial success, and enduring relevance.

This individual will cultivate a culture of design excellence, champion innovation, and develop products that strengthen Design Within Reach's position as the leading destination for modern home furnishings.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Leadership

  • Partner with the SVP, Creative Director to define and execute the long-term creative vision for DWR Studio.

  • Serve as the primary design leader for DWR Studio, translating brand strategy into a cohesive product vision and portfolio direction.

  • Create and steward design briefs for all original product collections across furniture, lighting, accessories, and textiles, ensuring alignment with brand, customer, and business objectives.

  • Lead the conceptual development of new collections that advance the Design Within Reach point of view while supporting strategic business objectives.

  • Provide clear recommendations on product direction, design tradeoffs, and collection priorities to support portfolio growth and long-term brand equity.

  • Ensure a consistently high standard of design quality, craftsmanship, usability, and aesthetic rigor throughout the portfolio.

  • Foster a culture where thoughtful critique, experimentation, and innovation are central to the design process.

Product Strategy

  • Translate consumer insights, market intelligence, and cultural trends into a differentiated product strategy.

  • Partner with Merchandising to define category opportunities, product roadmaps, and long-term portfolio evolution.

  • Balance creative ambition with commercial performance, identifying opportunities that strengthen both brand equity and business growth.

  • Inform and influence investment decisions across new product development, assortment planning, and portfolio management.

  • Partner with Merchandising and Product Development to evaluate assortment performance, identify lifecycle opportunities, and support category growth strategies.

  • Ensure design decisions appropriately balance customer desirability, brand differentiation, quality expectations, and commercial viability.

Design Leadership

  • Lead, mentor, and develop the industrial design team while creating an environment that attracts and retains exceptional creative talent.

  • Establish clear goals, performance expectations, feedback mechanisms, and development plans that enable individual and team success.

  • Build strong cross-functional partnerships that enable efficient product development and successful commercialization.

  • Establish best practices for design process, creative reviews, and product storytelling.

  • Inspire a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing creative culture.

  • Drive succession planning and talent development to build long-term organizational design capability.

Product Development

  • Oversee the design process from concept through production, ensuring design intent is maintained throughout engineering and manufacturing.

  • Collaborate closely with Product Development, Engineering, Sourcing, and Quality teams to achieve excellence in execution.

  • Partner with domestic and international manufacturing partners to identify opportunities for innovation in materials, construction, sustainability, and production methods.

  • Embed sustainability, durability, repairability, and responsible material choices into design briefs and product development decisions.

External Partnerships

  • Develop and maintain relationships with independent designers, design studios, manufacturers, and strategic partners.

  • Evaluate and cultivate external partnerships that expand DWR's design perspective, innovation capabilities, and market relevance.

  • Identify and cultivate opportunities for new collaborations that strengthen the DWR product portfolio.

  • Represent Design Within Reach within the global design community and at key industry events.

Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design from an accredited university.

  • Minimum 12 years of progressive industrial design experience, with at least five years leading design teams.

  • Demonstrated success designing and bringing premium furniture or consumer products to market.

  • Exceptional portfolio demonstrating world-class industrial design, product thinking, and creative leadership.

  • Deep knowledge of furniture manufacturing, materials, construction techniques, ergonomics, and product engineering.

  • Proven ability to build, mentor, and inspire high-performing creative teams.

  • Strong understanding of premium consumer brands and modern design history.

  • Outstanding communication, presentation, and executive-level influencing skills.

Preferred

  • Master's degree in Industrial Design or related discipline.

  • Experience within premium or luxury furniture, interiors, or consumer lifestyle brands.

  • Experience collaborating with internationally recognized designers or design consultancies.

  • Global manufacturing experience across North America, Europe, and Asia.

  • Knowledge of sustainable materials, circular design principles, and responsible manufacturing.

Leadership Competencies

  • Exceptional creative judgment and design taste.

  • Visionary leadership with a strong commercial mindset.

  • Ability to inspire, coach, and develop creative talent.

  • Strategic thinker with exceptional problem-solving skills.

  • Deep curiosity about design, architecture, art and culture.

  • Highly collaborative leader who builds trust, provides clear feedback, and creates conditions for exceptional creative work.

  • Comfortable navigating ambiguity while driving clarity and execution.

  • Passion for modern design and Design Within Reach's mission.

Success in this Role

The Product Design Director will elevate Design Within Reach's original product portfolio by delivering collections that are commercially successful, culturally relevant, beautifully executed, and true to the principles of enduring modern design. This is an opportunity to shape the next generation of original DWR products and influence how modern design lives in customers' homes.

Who We Hire?
Simply put, we hire qualified applicants representing a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. Design Within Reach is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We're committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.

This organization participates in E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification. In general, MillerKnoll positions are closed within 45 days and are open for applications for a minimum of 5 days. We encourage our prospective candidates to submit their application(s) expediently so as not to miss out on our opportunities. We frequently post new opportunities and encourage prospective candidates to check back often for new postings.

MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact MillerKnoll Talent Acquisition at careers_help@millerknoll.com .


Employment Type: Full Time

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