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Associate Design Director Jobs in Worcester, MA (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Design Director information

See Worcester, MA salary details

$30.4K

$102.5K

$172.6K

How much do associate design director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate design director in Worcester, MA is $102,504.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,800.00 and $140,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Associate Design Director do?

An Associate Design Director helps lead the creative direction and execution of design projects, often working under the guidance of a Design Director. They manage design teams, oversee project timelines, and ensure that creative work aligns with client goals and brand standards. Their responsibilities may include mentoring junior designers, collaborating with other departments, and presenting concepts to clients. The role requires strong leadership, creative vision, and the ability to balance multiple projects efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Design Director?

To thrive as an Associate Design Director, you need a strong background in visual design, creative direction, and team leadership, usually supported by a degree in design or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard design tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and experience with project management systems are typically required. Exceptional communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills help you inspire teams and manage client relationships effectively. These skills ensure the successful delivery of innovative design solutions that meet client objectives and drive business results.

How does an Associate Design Director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

An Associate Design Director often serves as a bridge between the design team and other departments such as product management, engineering, and marketing. They facilitate clear communication to ensure that design concepts align with business goals and technical constraints. Regularly attending cross-functional meetings, providing feedback, and aligning design strategies with overall project objectives are key aspects of the role. This collaborative approach helps deliver cohesive and user-centered products while fostering a supportive and innovative team environment.

What level is an associate design director?

An associate design director is typically an entry- to mid-level leadership role within a design team, often reporting to a senior or creative director. They usually have several years of experience in design and may oversee specific projects or teams, contributing to strategic planning and creative execution.

What cities near Worcester, MA are hiring for Associate Design Director jobs?

Cities near Worcester, MA with the most Associate Design Director job openings:

Associate Design Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Design Director job openings in Worcester, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,504 per year, or $49.3 per hour.

Associate Creative Director, Design - Ninja

Needham, MA • On-site

SharkNinja
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about SharkNinjaexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

SharkNinja rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Associate Creative Director, Design - Ninja Brand

Location: Needham, MA or NYC

Department: Creative

Reports to: Creative Director

About SharkNinja

At SharkNinja, our purpose is to positively impact people's lives in homes around the world. We create 5-star products that solve real problems and bring them to market with the same level of ambition.

Our creative team operates at the intersection of product, brand, and performance.

We are consumer-centric, digging for insights and iterating until we find what truly resonates.

We are product-led, where our innovation is the story.

We are idea-driven, building platforms and systems, not just campaigns.

We are increasingly AI-enabled, using new tools to move faster, explore more, and raise the bar.

This is a team that values speed, ownership, and craft, and expects creatives to operate as both thinkers and makers.

Overview

We are looking for an Associate Creative Director, Design to help define what Ninja looks like next.

This is a role for a design leader who does not just execute campaigns. You build product identities, shape visual systems from day one, and create ideas that drive demand across the entire funnel.

You will partner closely with product, insights, and marketing from the earliest stages, influencing how products are positioned, named, and brought to life visually.

You think in systems, not assets. Platforms, not one-offs. Work that scales across every touchpoint and performs.

You are fluent in modern creative tools including AI and Figma, using them to accelerate exploration and iteration while maintaining a high bar for taste and originality.

This is a hands-on, player coach role. You lead teams while actively designing and pushing the work forward.

What You'll Do

  • Define product identities from the ground up with product and insights teams
  • Work upstream to help shape product positioning and opportunity areas
  • Lead scalable campaign platforms and visual systems
  • Own the visual ecosystem across packaging, Amazon, DTC, retail, video, and social
  • Design for modern attention with platform-native systems
  • Create work that balances brand building and performance
  • Use AI tools and Figma to accelerate concepting and production
  • Act as a hands-on player coach leading by example
  • Mentor and elevate designers
  • Present and sell creative work to stakeholders

What We're Looking For

  • 8 to 10 years in design or art direction at a senior or lead level
  • Portfolio showing strong conceptual thinking and visual systems
  • Demonstrated ability to define and launch product identities and systems from 0 to 1
  • Experience working upstream with product and insights teams to shape positioning
  • Ability to design across brand and performance channels
  • Strong instincts for social and motion design
  • Experience across packaging, DTC, Amazon, and retail
  • High standards for craft and visual taste
  • Fluency in Figma and modern workflows
  • Experience using AI in the creative process

You'll Thrive Here If You

  • Think like a builder, not just a designer
  • Care about creating demand, not just aesthetics
  • Can define and execute design systems
  • Push for stronger, more ownable ideas
  • Move fast and iterate often
  • Lead by example and elevate others

What SharkNinja employees say

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