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Design Director Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

Unum UK

AVP CX Experience Design

Atlanta, GA

This role is CX Design leader of a team responsible for translating CX strategy via human-centered design into scalable programs, driving execution through agile delivery, change management, and ...

GoTo Foods

Director, Brand Design

Atlanta, GA · On-site

The Director, Brand Design leads the design process for new GoTo Foods restaurant locations. This position oversees the design team's efforts to ensure they create innovative and striking designs ...

Brown and Caldwell

Design Partner Director

Atlanta, GA · On-site

The primary objective for the Director Design Partner is to ensure that all projects within their portfolio achieve the established key performance indicators and metrics. In Design Partners Projects ...

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Design Director information

See Decatur, GA salary details

$36.1K

$132.6K

$237.2K

How much do design director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for design director in Decatur, GA is $132,550.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,900.00 and $159,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a design director do?

A Design Director leads and oversees the creative vision and direction of design projects within an organization. They manage design teams, collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure that all visual outputs align with the company's brand and objectives. Design Directors are responsible for setting design standards, mentoring team members, and ensuring the quality and consistency of creative work across various platforms. Their role often includes strategic planning, project management, and communication with clients or upper management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design director?

To thrive as a Design Director, you need deep expertise in design principles, visual communication, and leadership, often supported by a degree in design or a related field and significant industry experience. Mastery of design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management tools is essential, along with experience in overseeing brand and creative strategy. Exceptional communication, creative vision, and team leadership skills distinguish top performers in this role. These capabilities are crucial for delivering cohesive design solutions, inspiring creative teams, and ensuring alignment with business objectives.

How does a design director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

As a Design Director, you will regularly work with product managers, engineers, marketing teams, and other stakeholders to ensure that design solutions align with business goals and user needs. This role often involves leading design reviews, facilitating brainstorming sessions, and providing clear feedback to your team. Effective communication and the ability to advocate for design principles are essential, as you'll need to balance creative vision with practical constraints. Being proactive in building relationships across departments helps streamline workflows and fosters a collaborative environment that leads to successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Design Director vs Art Director?

AspectDesign DirectorArt Director
ResponsibilitiesOversees overall design strategy, manages multiple projects, and leads design teamsFocuses on visual style, aesthetics, and execution of specific projects or campaigns
Required SkillsLeadership, strategic planning, broad design expertiseVisual creativity, technical skills, attention to detail
Work EnvironmentTypically in corporate, agency, or large studio settingsOften in advertising, media, or entertainment industries
Common UsageUsed when referring to senior design leadership rolesUsed for roles focused on visual and artistic direction

The main difference between a Design Director and an Art Director lies in scope and focus. A Design Director oversees overall design strategy and manages teams across multiple projects, while an Art Director concentrates on the visual style and execution of specific projects. Both roles require strong design skills, but the Design Director's responsibilities are broader and more strategic.

Is it hard to become a design director?

Becoming a design director typically requires extensive experience in design, strong leadership skills, and a proven track record of managing projects and teams. Many professionals advance to this role after years of working in design roles such as senior designer or art director, often developing expertise in design tools and strategic thinking. The path can be competitive and may involve gaining relevant certifications or advanced education in design or management.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Decatur, GA?

The most popular types of Design jobs in Decatur, GA are:

What are popular job titles related to Design Director jobs in Decatur, GA?

For Design Director jobs in Decatur, GA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Design Director jobs in Decatur, GA look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Director jobs in Decatur, GA are:

What cities near Decatur, GA are hiring for Design Director jobs?

Cities near Decatur, GA with the most Design Director job openings:

Design Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Director job openings in Decatur, GA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,550 per year, or $63.7 per hour.

Architecture and Design Director

Inspire Brands

Atlanta, GA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 hours ago

Posted today

Inspire Brands rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 106 rated fast food restaurants

Job description

Strategic brand design, customer experience, and architecture leader for multiple brands within a matrix organization that includes brand leadership, peers, teams, and Franchisees. Develop and implement design strategies and processes that contribute to the long-range success of the Brand's direction with strategic influence and innovation to the design, construction, and franchise support teams, along with our outsourced design consultants. Maintain high-performance and quality standards for all design ventures and contribute to the attainment of the overall vision, goals andobjectivesof the Brands using design thinking methodologies as the basis for growing and enhancing the business. Promote andmaintaindesign excellence on customer experience, site planning, building, interiors, signage, store planning, and brand initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Liaison with brand leadership on strategic design and aesthetic needs and influence leadership teamsin thedevelopment ofnew concepts, prototypes, multi-store formats,and design elements for corporate and franchise stores
  • Setting the vision, strategy, and execution of all design and organizational initiatives for the multiple Brands including but not limited to: peer level disciplines, development, future technology, contractual relationships with architects, engineers, design consultants, local government jurisdictions (planning and zoning), etc.
  • Leadthe creation and implementation ofbuildingdesign brandstandards.Serve as the design authorityfor building design standards andmanagethe brand exception review process.
  • Lead all design related activities outwardto Franchisees including presenting to a variety of franchise committees, gaining alignment on new and evolvedprototypes, guide sets, andbrand standards.
  • Create and implement value engineering solutions across multiple Brands

Education Requirements

Minimum

  • 4Year /Bachelor'sdegree
  • Required minimum -Bachelor'sdegree withinarchitecture,construction, engineering,interiordesign,or another related field.

Preferred

  • Graduate Degree
  • Preferred - master's degree within Development trades.

Years Of Experience

  • 10+ years of applied experience creating compelling customerexperiences.
  • 10+ Experience in full-service restaurant or retail architecture, construction, or store design
  • 5+ yearsworkingwithin a matrixorganization.
  • Experience in franchise development
  • Preferred - 15+ years' experience in capital planning and project management, with an emphasisinrestaurants or retail outlets. Leadership in design and construction; experience in franchise industryrequired;previouswork in arestaurant franchise development function seen as highly desirable.
  • Preferred experience working both nationally and internationally.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Strong communicator with excellent oral and written skills to include formal presentation experience and the ability to prepare and present presentations and negotiate agreements
  • Ability tointerfaceandmaintainexcellent professional relationships with a variety of audiences to include franchise partners, internal construction and real-estate function, internal andoutsourced consultants, and various other departments within the Brands.
  • Ability toparticipatein andfacilitategroup meetings inward and outward across the organization and franchiseegroups.
  • Highly motivated and the ability to work as a team player.
  • Design and technical acumen across the entire restaurant design and architecture process including architectural, site/civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and brand elements.
  • High levelofproficiencyin reading and understanding architectural, structural, mechanical, and technical engineering documents
  • Extensive value engineering experience across the development disciplines.
  • Restaurant or retail concept design development and execution
  • Ability to motivate cross functional teams to produce quality materials within tighttimeframes.ACAD/REVIT/SketchUp/Adobe Creative Suite proficientWork requires willingness toworka flexible schedule.
  • PowerPoint/Word/Excel proficient

Travel Required

  • Ability and willingness to travel up to20%


Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,300 Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin', Jimmy John's, and SONIC restaurants worldwide. We're made up of some of the world's most iconic restaurant brands, but we're much more than just a restaurant company. We're a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple-it's an experience. At Inspire, that's our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.

What Inspire Brands employees say

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Hours and flexibility

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About Inspire Brands

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Inspire Brands Inc., located in Atlanta, GA, United States, operates in the foodservice industry as a multi-brand restaurant company, making it among the biggest restaurant companies globally. Their portfolio includes well-known restaurant brands such as Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, and Jimmy John's, reflecting their commitment to innovation and quality. Founded in 2018 as a result of a consolidation of various restaurant brands under one corporate umbrella, Inspire Brands was formed with a vision to invigorate excellent brands and supercharge their long-term growth.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Atlanta, GA, US

Year founded

2018

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