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Creative Design Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

McAfee

Reporting to the Senior Director, Creative (Design, Concept & Copy), you will partner closely with Copy, Creative Production, and Brand Strategy to translate our brand promise into modern ...

McAfee GmbH

Design Director

San Jose, CA · On-site

$142 - $233/hr

Reporting to the Senior Director, Creative (Design, Concept & Copy), you will partner closely with Copy, Creative Production, and Brand Strategy to translate our brand promise into modern ...

Taylor Design

Design Director

Tustin, CA · On-site

This is your opportunity to work with a team of dedicated, creative, and fun architects and designers on award-winning projects. The Design Director is a visionary leader with a strong ability to ...

Harvey

Head of Creative Design

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$233K - $295K/yr

You'll partner closely with Harvey's Creative Director to bring creative concepts to life, translating creative direction into exceptional design across Harvey's highest-impact work. You'll manage ...

TP-Link

Creative & Product Design Director

Irvine, CA · On-site

$200 - $250/hr

Overview We are seeking a visionary and strategic Creative & Product Design Director to lead the creative direction for our consumer and enterprise product lines. In this role, you will be ...

Smosh

Design Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Marketing. Core Competencies ... Creative Vision & Innovation - Set and maintain high visual, comedic and cohesive design choices ...

Fuser

Creative Design Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$21 - $24/hr

Why You're Here As a Creative Design Intern , you'll explore the edge between design, technology ... Organized, self-directed, and eager to learn Nice-to-Have Competencies * Experience integrating ...

Fuser

Creative Design Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$21 - $24/hr

Why You're Here As a Creative Design Intern , you'll explore the edge between design, technology ... Organized, self-directed, and eager to learn Nice-to-Have Competencies * Experience integrating ...

Koto

Design Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

If Creative Directors own the idea, you own how it looks, feels, and works. You set the standard for design craft at Koto LA, leading teams and shaping exceptional brand work through equal parts ...

Meta

Creative Director, Design

Burlingame, CA

$177K/yr

Meta is seeking a Creative Director, Design to lead brand expression and visual strategy in Reality Labs. This role sits at the intersection of brand storytelling, visual expression with a focus on ...

Meta

Creative Director, Design

Menlo Park, CA

$177K/yr

Meta is seeking a Creative Director, Design to lead brand expression and visual strategy in Reality Labs. This role sits at the intersection of brand storytelling, visual expression with a focus on ...

Meta

Creative Director, Design

Los Angeles, CA

$177K/yr

Meta is seeking a Creative Director, Design to lead brand expression and visual strategy in Reality Labs. This role sits at the intersection of brand storytelling, visual expression with a focus on ...

Notary Loop

Design Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90 - $140/hr

Notary Loop is searching for a Design Director to lead our dynamic Creative department. This full-time, on-site position presents a unique opportunity for a seasoned professional to shape and enhance ...

Meta

Creative Director, Design

San Francisco, CA

$177K/yr

Meta is seeking a Creative Director, Design to lead brand expression and visual strategy in Reality Labs. This role sits at the intersection of brand storytelling, visual expression with a focus on ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsCreative Design JobsCreative Design Director JobsCreative Design Director Jobs in California

Creative Design Director information

See California salary details

$42.4K

$118.5K

$177.6K

How much do creative design director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative design director in California is $118,485.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,400.00 and $147,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a creative design director?

A Creative Design Director is a senior professional responsible for overseeing the visual and creative direction of projects within an organization. They lead design teams, develop creative strategies, and ensure that all visual communications align with the brand’s identity and business goals. Creative Design Directors often collaborate with marketing, product development, and executive teams to deliver cohesive and innovative designs. They combine artistic vision with leadership skills to inspire teams and deliver impactful results.

How does a creative design director typically collaborate with other departments to deliver cohesive brand experiences?

Creative Design Directors frequently work cross-functionally, partnering closely with marketing, product, and development teams to ensure design concepts align with overall business objectives. This collaboration often involves participating in strategy meetings, providing creative direction during project kick-offs, and offering feedback throughout the production process. By fostering open communication and sharing visual guidelines, Creative Design Directors help maintain consistent branding and drive innovative solutions that meet both user needs and business goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a creative design director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Design Director, you need extensive experience in visual design, branding, and project management, typically backed by a degree in design or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and familiarity with digital asset management systems are essential. Exceptional leadership, collaboration, and communication skills help you inspire teams and articulate creative vision to stakeholders. These competencies ensure the delivery of innovative, cohesive design solutions that align with business goals and client needs.

What is the difference between Creative Design Director vs Graphic Designer?

AspectCreative Design DirectorGraphic Designer
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire creative projects, manages teams, sets design visionCreates visual content, executes design tasks based on briefs
Required SkillsLeadership, strategic thinking, advanced design skillsStrong graphic skills, proficiency in design software
Work EnvironmentCreative agencies, corporate marketing teams, large design firmsDesign studios, marketing departments, freelance work
CredentialsTypically a degree in design, art, or related field; extensive experienceDegree or certification in graphic design or related field

The main difference between a Creative Design Director and a Graphic Designer lies in scope and leadership. The Creative Design Director leads creative teams, sets strategic vision, and manages large projects, while the Graphic Designer focuses on executing specific visual tasks. Both roles require strong design skills, but the director position involves more oversight and strategic planning.

Are creative design directors paid well?

Creative design directors typically earn high salaries due to their leadership role in overseeing design teams and projects. Compensation varies by industry, experience, and location but generally includes a base salary plus bonuses and benefits, reflecting the seniority of the position.

Is there a demand for creative design directors?

The demand for creative design directors remains strong across industries such as advertising, media, and technology, as companies seek innovative visual branding and user experiences. Employment opportunities often require strong leadership skills, proficiency in design tools, and a portfolio demonstrating strategic vision, with growth driven by digital transformation and branding efforts.

What does a creative design director do in design?

A creative design director leads the visual and conceptual aspects of design projects, overseeing creative teams to develop innovative concepts that align with brand goals. They review and approve designs, set creative standards, and collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure the final product meets strategic objectives. Strong leadership, communication skills, and proficiency with design tools like Adobe Creative Suite are essential in this role.

What qualifications do I need to be a creative design director?

A creative design director typically needs a bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual arts, or a related field, along with extensive experience in design and creative leadership. Strong skills in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, excellent communication, and project management abilities are also essential, often complemented by a portfolio demonstrating leadership in successful projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Creative Design jobs in California?

The most popular types of Creative Design jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Creative Design Director jobs in California?

For Creative Design Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Design Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Design Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Creative Design Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Creative Design Director job openings:

Creative Design Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Design Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,485 per year, or $57 per hour.

Design Director

McAfee

On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Role Summary
We are seeking a Design Director to lead the design vertical within Brand Creative Services. This is a player-coach role: you'll create standout brand work while setting direction, raising craft, and coaching designers to deliver consistently excellent creative across campaigns, lifecycle, and always-on channels. Reporting to the Senior Director, Creative (Design, Concept & Copy), you will partner closely with Copy, Creative Production, and Brand Strategy to translate our brand promise into modern, distinctive, high-performing creative as we evolve and scale our refreshed brand identity.
You will be central to operationalizing our design system, educating internal teams and agency partners on guidelines, ensuring best-in-class application across touchpoints, and helping the organization move faster through smarter workflows, including responsible adoption of AI-enabled design tools for rapid iteration and testing. You're equally comfortable pushing craft-forward brand work as you are designing against performance insights, using data to refine and improve creative effectiveness without compromising brand integrity.
Position Details
About the role:
  • Lead design concepting and execution across key brand initiatives-integrated campaigns, lifecycle marketing, product storytelling, social, web, and partner channels, delivering work that is modern, distinctive, and unmistakably McAfee.
  • Champion and evolve the New McAfee design system and raise craft for the design vertical, developing strong visual systems, layouts, typography, illustration, and brand expression that scale across touchpoints.
  • Partner closely with Copy, Brand Strategy, Creative Production, Growth/Lifecycle Marketing, and Product Marketing to translate briefs and insights into clear design approaches and compelling creative.
  • Coach, mentor, and review work from designers, providing clear, actionable feedback, creating growth plans, and fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and inclusive creativity.
  • Operationalize and steward our refreshed brand identity and design system-educating internal teams and agency partners, ensuring consistent application, and evolving guidelines as the brand scales.
  • Balance brand-building craft with performance-minded design-using testing and channel insights (e.g., paid social learnings, lifecycle metrics) to iterate and improve creative effectiveness without compromising brand integrity.
  • Partner with Creative Production to scope work, align timelines, and ensure deliverables are feasible, on-brand, and on time, supporting a healthy, scalable creative workflow.
  • Champion responsible adoption of AI-enabled design tools to accelerate iteration, explore more creative routes, and improve efficiency-while maintaining quality, originality, and brand safety.
  • Collaborate with external agencies and freelancers as needed, reviewing work, aligning to guidelines, and ensuring seamless integration with in-house creative.
  • Be a company leader for Design by presenting and bringing along E Staff all the way up to the CMO and CEO.
  • Be a people leader with more junior designers reporting into you.

About you:
  • 10+ years of experience creating and leading design work across brand and marketing, with a strong foundation in craft and concept. Both in Agencies and Brand side and experience being a people leader.
  • Proven ability to set and uphold a high bar for design quality across campaigns and always-on creative, including digital, social, paid media, and lifecycle channels.
  • Excellence without ego, highly collaborative, able to work across disciplines and backgrounds, and confident presenting design rationale to senior stakeholders.
  • Strong design systems and brand identity experience-able to translate strategy into scalable frameworks and clear guidelines.
  • Demonstrated experience mentoring designers and leading through feedback, critique, and hands-on collaboration in a player-coach capacity.
  • Growth mindset and curiosity-eager to embrace new tools and platforms (including AI-enabled workflows) to increase speed, iteration, and creative exploration.
  • Experience collaborating with agencies and freelancers to flex resources based on campaign cycles; comfortable reviewing work for brand consistency and craft.

Portfolio Requirement:
A portfolio is required and should demonstrate strong brand systems thinking and end-to-end campaign design across brand and performance channels. Portfolios will be reviewed for both strength in creativity/craft and effectiveness.
#LI-Hybrid
Company Overview
McAfee is a leader in personal security for consumers. Focused on protecting people, not just devices, McAfee consumer solutions adapt to users' needs in an always online world, empowering them to live securely through integrated, intuitive solutions that protects their families and communities with the right security at the right moment.
Company Benefits and Perks
We work hard to embrace diversity and inclusion and encourage everyone at McAfee to bring their authentic selves to work every day. We offer a variety of social programs, flexible work hours and family-friendly benefits to all of our employees.:
  • Bonus Program
  • 401k Retirement
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life, Short Term Disability and Long-Term Disability Coverage
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Support and Community Involvement
  • 14 Paid Company Holidays
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off for Exempt Employees
  • 96 Hours of Sick Time and 120 Hours of Vacation for Non-Exempt Employees Accrued Each Year

We're serious about our commitment to diversity which is why McAfee prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.
Pay Range
The anticipated compensation for this position is USD $141,680.00/Yr. - USD $232,760.00/Yr. depending on experience and qualifications.
Job Applicant Privacy Notice
Please click here to view and download the Job Applicant Privacy Notice, which applies to all McAfee job applicants who are residents of the state of California.

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