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Creative Design Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Design Lead

$109K - $143K/yr

The Design Lead and will serve as the senior authority responsible for defining and enforcing the ... Demonstrate proficiency in industry-standard design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma ...

Design Lead

$112K - $147K/yr

The Design Lead and will serve as the senior authority responsible for defining and enforcing the ... Demonstrate proficiency in industry-standard design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma ...

New

Design Lead

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$21/hr

Shape Wellmark's brand through strategic design, creative execution, and thoughtful innovation. At ... In this informal lead role, you'll also help raise the bar for the team by sharing expertise ...

This position demands a creative and detail-oriented individual with a passion for design and a ... Help overcome objections that lead to the consumer making a buying decision. * Accept appropriate ...

Shape Wellmark's brand through strategic design, creative execution, and thoughtful innovation. At ... In this informal lead role, you'll also help raise the bar for the team by sharing expertise ...

About the Job The Creative team is responsible for building a brand that inspires and educates our ... Your day-to-day as Brand Design Lead includes the concepting and execution of brand and design ...

About the Job The Creative team is responsible for building a brand that inspires and educates our ... Your day-to-day as Brand Design Lead includes the concepting and execution of brand and design ...

About the Job The Creative team is responsible for building a brand that inspires and educates our ... Your day-to-day as Brand Design Lead includes the concepting and execution of brand and design ...

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Creative Design Lead information

See salary details

$47K

$104.6K

$158K

How much do creative design lead jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative design lead in the United States is $104,593.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,500.00 and $146,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Creative Design Lead, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Design Lead, you need a strong background in visual design, branding, and concept development, often supported by a degree in graphic design or a related field. Mastery of design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, proficiency in project management tools, and sometimes knowledge of UX/UI platforms are essential. Leadership, effective communication, and the ability to inspire and collaborate with cross-functional teams are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are vital to drive innovative creative solutions, ensure cohesive brand messaging, and lead design teams to deliver impactful results.

What are some common challenges faced by a Creative Design Lead when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

As a Creative Design Lead, one common challenge is balancing creative vision with practical constraints like deadlines and client requirements across several projects. This role often requires prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, and ensuring clear communication among team members to maintain consistency and quality. Navigating differing stakeholder expectations and providing constructive feedback to designers are also crucial, as these factors can impact project outcomes. Strong organizational skills and adaptability are key to successfully leading diverse teams and delivering projects on time.

How much does a design lead earn?

A Creative Design Lead typically earns between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles with extensive portfolios and leadership responsibilities may earn higher salaries, often supplemented with bonuses or benefits.

What is the salary for a creative lead?

The salary for a Creative Design Lead typically ranges from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles with extensive portfolios and leadership responsibilities may earn higher compensation, often supplemented with bonuses or benefits.

What is a creative lead designer?

A creative lead designer is a senior role responsible for guiding the visual and conceptual direction of design projects. They oversee design teams, develop creative concepts, and ensure the final output aligns with brand goals, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite and possessing strong leadership and communication skills.

What is a Creative Design Lead?

A Creative Design Lead is a senior professional responsible for overseeing the visual and conceptual development of creative projects within an organization. They guide design teams, set creative direction, and ensure that all designs align with the brand’s vision and goals. Creative Design Leads collaborate closely with clients, marketing teams, and other stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions that meet project requirements. Their role often includes mentoring designers, managing workflows, and staying updated on design trends to maintain a competitive edge.

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

AspectCreative Design LeadGraphic Designer
ResponsibilitiesOversees creative projects, leads design teams, develops conceptsCreates visual content, executes design tasks based on briefs
Required SkillsLeadership, strategic thinking, advanced design skillsProficiency in design software, creativity, technical skills
Work EnvironmentCollaborative, project management, client interactionDesign studios, marketing teams, freelance settings
Common UsageAdvertising agencies, corporate marketing, brandingPrint, digital media, advertising, branding

The main difference is that a Creative Design Lead manages and guides creative teams and projects, focusing on strategy and leadership, while a Graphic Designer primarily executes visual design tasks. The Lead role involves higher-level planning and coordination, whereas the Designer focuses on creating visuals based on project requirements.

What kind of jobs in media bring in $150,000 a year?

In media, roles such as Creative Design Lead, Senior Art Director, or Creative Director often earn $150,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite. These positions typically require a combination of creative expertise, project management, and a proven track record of successful campaigns or projects.
What job categories do people searching Creative Design Lead jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Design Lead jobs are:
Infographic showing various Creative Design Lead job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,593 per year, or $50.3 per hour.
Design Lead

$109K - $143K/yr

Other

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Overview

LMI is seeking an experienced Design Lead to support a key client at the General Services Administration (GSA) in delivering a modern, web-based acquisitions system. This initiative is focused on streamlining Governmentwide Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV) contracting by enabling intuitive, efficient collaboration between the acquisitions team and suppliers across the acquisition lifecycle. 

The Design Lead and will serve as the senior authority responsible for defining and enforcing the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design approach across the program. This individual must possess a comprehensive understanding of user needs, accessibility requirements, and modern web-based design practices, ensuring the development team consistently follows a cohesive, scalable design strategy. 

The ideal candidate combines strong visual design expertise, deep UX knowledge, and the ability to operate effectively within Agile software delivery teams in secure, cloud-based federal environments. 

This position is anticipated to be majority remote, but with the ability to travel and visit the client's offices in Washington, D.C. as frequently as needed. 

LMI is a new breed of digital solutions provider dedicated to accelerating government impact with innovation and speed. Investing in technology and prototypes ahead of need, LMI brings commercial-grade platforms and mission-ready AI to federal agencies at commercial speed.

Leveraging our mission-ready technology and solutions, proven expertise in federal deployment, and strategic relationships, we enhance outcomes for the government, efficiently and effectively. With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy sectors-helping agencies navigate complexity and outpace change. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, LMI is committed to delivering impactful results that strengthen missions and drive lasting value.

Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Strategy 

  • Serve as the primary authority for UX/UI strategy and execution 
  • Maintain a comprehensive understanding of user needs and the approved design approach, ensuring consistent implementation across development teams 
  • Define and enforce design standards, style guides, and interaction patterns across all modules of the acquisitions system 
  • Ensure cohesive user journeys across pre-award, award, and post-award acquisition lifecycle activities 

User Experience & Interface Design 

  • Lead the full UX lifecycle, including research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and iterative refinement 
  • Translate complex acquisition workflows into intuitive, accessible, and efficient user experiences 
  • Design workflows that reduce cognitive load and training burden for the federal acquisition workforce (AWF), improving adoption and productivity. 
  • Develop high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes  
  • Ensure design solutions align with both user needs and federal regulatory requirements 

Agile & Iterative Delivery 

  • Operate effectively within an Agile or Scrum framework, managing a backlog of design work and supporting sprint-based delivery 
  • Conduct rapid prototyping and iterative testing to validate design decisions 
  • Collaborate closely with Product Owners and Technical Leads to ensure designs are feasible and aligned with technical architecture 
  • Support sprint reviews, demonstrations, and continuous improvement efforts 

Technical Collaboration & Cloud Considerations 

  • Demonstrate proficiency in industry-standard design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch) 
  • Understand technical constraints of modern web development, including HTML/CSS and responsive design principles 
  • Ensure design specifications translate effectively into CI/CD pipelines and AWS cloud deployment environments 
  • Promote secure, performant, and maintainable front-end architectures in collaboration with engineering teams 

Design Standards & Compliance 

  • Apply fundamental design principles, including color theory, typography, layout, and grid systems, to ensure high-quality and consistent work 
  • Ensure compliance with Section 508 accessibility standards and federal usability guidelines 
  • Support documentation of design decisions, style systems, and user research findings 

Team & Stakeholder Collaboration 

  • Work effectively with engineering, product management, and government stakeholders to align design efforts with overall product vision 
  • Facilitate design reviews and feedback sessions 
  • Mentor designers and foster a collaborative, user-centered culture 
  • Clearly communicate design rationale, tradeoffs, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences 
Qualifications

Required Qualifications 

  • Demonstrated experience serving as a Design Lead (or equivalent role) on complex web-based or enterprise platforms 
  • Proficiency with industry-standard design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or Sketch 
  • Deep understanding of UX/UI principles and full project lifecycle design practices 
  • Proven ability to work within Agile or Scrum development environments 
  • Strong understanding of modern web technologies and front-end technical constraints 
  • Experience designing secure, scalable interfaces deployed within cloud environments such as AWS 
  • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills 

Desired Qualifications 

  • Experience supporting GSA or other federal digital modernization initiatives 
  • Experience designing systems supporting acquisition, procurement, or enterprise workflow automation 
  • Familiarity with design systems and component-based architectures 
  • Experience conducting user research within federal or highly regulated environments 

Portfolio Submission Required: To better evaluate your skills and design expertise, please ensure you upload a copy of your portfolio or provide a link to your work when submitting your application.

The target salary range for this position is $122,209-$211,317.

The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is not a guarantee of compensation. Individual salaries are determined by various factors including, but not limited to location, internal equity, business considerations, client contract requirements, and candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, skills, and security clearances. 

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements for a U.S. Government security clearance. Only US Citizens are eligible for a security clearance. For this position, LMI will only consider applicants with security clearances or applicants who are eligible for security clearances, due to the nature of the work.

Job LocationsUS-RemoteEmployment Type: OTHER