Associate Design Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Culver City, California, United States Marketing

At Apple, we focus deeply on our customers’ experience. Apple Ads brings this same approach to advertising, helping people find exactly what they’re looking for and helping advertisers grow their businesses. Our technology powers ads and sponsorships across Apple Services, including the App Store, Apple News, and MLS Season Pass. Everything we do is designed for trust, connection, and impact: We respect user privacy, integrate advertising thoughtfully into the experience, and deliver value for advertisers of all sizes — from small app developers to big, global brands. Because when advertising is done right, it benefits everyone.

The Associate Creative Director, Design drives marketing initiatives — from brand to tactical — across the Apple Ads ecosystem. This role requires an exemplary record in graphic design and art direction for the web, particularly for the marketing of major global brands; a superior knowledge of interactive creative development tools and processes; and the vision to direct a multidisciplinary team of designers and art directors to craft world‑class creative solutions that balance design excellence with business objectives.

• Define a strategic point of view across projects, rooted in customer insights and design principles that guide connected creative deliverables across Apple Ads touch points.
• Contribute to planning and roadmap discussions to inform opportunities, prioritization, and resourcing.
• Provide thoughtful creative direction and feedback on deliverables such as web pages, emails, video and photo shoots, event buildouts, presentations, wireframes, prototypes, and brand guidelines to ensure design intent, scalability, and clarity, while championing design excellence.
• Present creative work with clarity and conviction, connecting design decisions to insights, principles, strategic objectives, brand fidelity, and system thinking.
• Distill and implement data and measurement to inform and validate design direction.
• Lead, direct, and evaluate a team of designers and art directors to help them with their professional development, and improve their work.
• Actively participate in studio wide initiatives for culture, process, and innovation.

• At least 12 years of experience in graphic design, digital products, services or a related discipline — specializing in visual design for the web.
• You have a diverse portfolio of daring, ground‑breaking work that is consummate in its craft.
• You set a blistering design pace on every project; exhibiting a vision for the work, minding the details, and solving business problems in a deep and meaningful way.
• BA or BFA in Graphic Design or other related design discipline preferred.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively — from internal reviews through to leadership presentations.
• Deep understanding of design thinking and brand systems, and how to apply them within large‑scale organizations.
• A history of leading video and photo shoots — from casting through to color correction — resulting in the concise implementation of world‑class storytelling.
• A natural collaborator and mentor who thrives in a group environment and knows how to bring out the best in a team spanning design, copy, UX, and development.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, creating clarity, and aligning diverse teams toward a shared goal.

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $146,500 and $274,100, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.