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Design Director Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Cavender's

Chief Product Design Director

Houston, TX · On-site

$148K - $181K/yr

Overview The Chief Product Design Director serves as the company's Chief Product Designer, setting the overall creative, design, and visual direction for the retail brand across product design ...

Cavender's

Chief Product Design Director

Houston, TX

$148K - $181K/yr

Overview The Chief Product Design Director serves as the company's Chief Product Designer, setting the overall creative, design, and visual direction for the retail brand across product design ...

DBR

Electrical Design Director

Houston, TX · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

HIRING AN ELECTRical DESIGN DIRECTOR IN HOUSTON We're looking for talented engineers and designers to help us grow. ACCOUNTABILITY Work closely with Practice Area Leaders to provide technical ...

DBR, Inc.

Plumbing Design Director

Houston, TX · On-site

HIRING A PLUMBING DESIGN DIRECTOR IN HOUSTON ACCOUNTABILITY Work closely with Practice Area Leaders to provide technical leadership, mentoring and training to junior designers within the firm. Serve ...

DBR

Plumbing Design Director

Houston, TX · On-site

HIRING A PLUMBING DESIGN DIRECTOR IN HOUSTON ACCOUNTABILITY Work closely with Practice Area Leaders to provide technical leadership, mentoring and training to junior designers within the firm. Serve ...

DBR

Electrical Design Director

Houston, TX · On-site

HIRING AN ELECTRICAL DESIGN DIRECTOR IN HOUSTON ACCOUNTABILITY Work closely with Practice Area Leaders to provide technical leadership, mentoring and training to junior designers within the firm.

DBR Inc

Electrical Design Director

Houston, TX · On-site

HIRING AN ELECTRICAL DESIGN DIRECTOR IN HOUSTON ACCOUNTABILITY Work closely with Practice Area Leaders to provide technical leadership, mentoring and training to junior designers within the firm.

DBR Inc

Plumbing Design Director

Houston, TX · On-site

HIRING A PLUMBING DESIGN DIRECTOR IN HOUSTON ACCOUNTABILITY Work closely with Practice Area Leaders to provide technical leadership, mentoring and training to junior designers within the firm. Serve ...

DBR, Inc.

Electrical Design Director

Houston, TX · On-site

HIRING AN ELECTRICAL DESIGN DIRECTOR IN HOUSTON ACCOUNTABILITY Work closely with Practice Area Leaders to provide technical leadership, mentoring and training to junior designers within the firm.

YO AI Labs

Design Expert - Remote

Houston, TX · On-site +1

$30 - $70/hr

Flexible / Self-Directed Job Overview We are seeking senior Product Design and AI-Assisted Development Experts to create evaluation tasks for AI systems working across rapid prototyping, product ...

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All JobsDesign JobsDesign Director JobsDesign Director Jobs in Houston, TX

Design Director information

See Houston, TX salary details

$34.5K

$126.7K

$226.8K

How much do design director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for design director in Houston, TX is $126,714.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,200.00 and $152,100.00 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 Houston, TX?

The most popular types of Design jobs in Houston, TX are:

What are popular job titles related to Design Director jobs in Houston, TX?

For Design Director jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Design Director jobs in Houston, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Director jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Design Director jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Design Director job openings:

Design Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Director job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,714 per year, or $60.9 per hour.

Design Director

OLIVER Agency - North America

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Direct and develop a multi-disciplinary creative team, running critiques and ensuring high standards of work.

  • Contribute to concepting and design, reviewing creative work to ensure it aligns with brand guidelines and quality expectations.

  • Partner with studio leadership to manage operations, timelines, and client relationships, while integrating AI tools into workflows.

Job description

Established in 2004, OLIVER is the world's first and only specialist in designing, building, and running bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. We partner with over 300 clients in 40+ countries and counting. Our unique model drives creativity and efficiency, allowing us to deliver tailored solutions that resonate deeply with audiences.
As a part of The Brandtech Group, we're at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to revolutionise how we create and deliver work. Our AI solutions enhance efficiency, spark creativity, and drive insightful decision-making, empowering our teams to produce innovative and impactful results.
Role: Design Director
Location: San Francisco Bay Area or Remote (PST)
About the role:
We're pairing craft with AI velocity-and we need a Design Director to lead it.
We've launched an embedded, AI-native creative studio for one of the world's most influential B2B tech brands-a global platform company serving 85% of the Fortune 500. This isn't a traditional agency setup. You'll be leading an established, high-output creative studio that operates as a seamless extension of the client's internal global brand team. Your mission: to scale their vision with relentless craft and speed. That means taking hero campaigns, brand systems, and creative playbooks-and turning them into flawless assets across regions, channels, and formats. You'll direct a multi-disciplinary team, set the bar for quality, and ensure that every piece of work-whether it's a flagship moment or a localized event-feels unmistakably on-brand. If you're energized by the idea of combining creative excellence with operational rigor, and you thrive when empowering teams to do their best work at scale, we'd love to talk.
What you will be doing:
Creative Direction and Quality
  • Direct and develop a multi-level creative team - running internal critiques, sharpening executions, and building a culture where high standards are the shared expectation
  • Contribute directly to concepting and design, bringing hands-on skill to the team's output and elevating work at every stage of production
  • Act as the studio's final quality check, reviewing and auditing all creative work before it reaches the client
  • Ensure every asset the studio produces is faithful to the client's brand guidelines, voice, and creative vision - from flagship campaign heroes to localised regional content

Team Leadership and Capability Building
  • Develop team members' skills and creative output through regular coaching, feedback, and structured knowledge-sharing
  • Identify opportunities to improve creative processes and introduce smarter ways of working
  • Build an inclusive, collaborative team culture where diverse perspectives strengthen both creative output and working relationships

Client Partnership and Studio Operations
  • Partner with the OLIVER Business Director to manage studio operations, timelines, and the overall client experience
  • Maintain strong working relationships with client creative directors, account leads, producers, and project managers
  • Manage and prioritise team workloads across high-volume delivery cycles, adapting quickly when priorities or timelines shift

AI Integration and Innovation
  • Lead the integration of generative AI tools into creative workflows, setting quality standards and governance for AI-assisted output at studio level
  • Drive AI adoption and share best practice across the team and the wider OLIVER network
  • Apply an agentic approach to complex creative and operational challenges - breaking problems down systematically and identifying efficient, high-quality paths forward

What you need to be great in this role:
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating brand system expertise, campaign craft, and multi-format creative execution at scale
  • Proven experience leading and developing multi-disciplinary creative teams in high-volume, fast-paced environments - agency, in-house, or embedded studio backgrounds all welcome
  • Deep expertise in brand identity and creative systems, with a track record of maintaining quality and consistency across diverse markets, channels, and formats
  • Experience leading creative quality processes - running critiques, setting standards, and developing team members' output
  • A collaborative, stakeholder-savvy approach, with the ability to build strong working relationships with senior clients, account teams, and cross-functional partners
  • Strategic awareness of how generative AI can enhance creative quality and delivery efficiency, combined with the judgment to evaluate outputs critically and maintain creative standards
  • Advanced proficiency with generative AI tools - including Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, or equivalent - and experience building AI-assisted workflows within a creative team
  • Expert proficiency with the Adobe Creative Suite and Figma
  • Strategic integration of generative AI across studio projects and operations
  • Experience setting AI quality standards and governance at studio or team level
  • Agentic leadership: a systematic, goal-oriented approach to complex creative and operational challenges
  • Drives AI adoption and shares best practice across teams and into client partnerships
  • Strong understanding of AI capabilities and limitations, with rigorous human oversight and critical evaluation of outputs

Req ID: 18612
#LI-SP1 #LI-DIRECTOR #LI-REMOTE
At the time of this posting, the base salary for this position may range according to what's stated below. Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. The range listed is just one component of OLIVER's total compensation package.
Salary Range
$185,250-$213,750 USD
Our values shape everything we do:
Be Ambitious to succeed
Be Imaginative to push the boundaries of what's possible
Be Inspirational to do groundbreaking work
Be always learning and listening to understand
Be Results-focused to exceed expectations
Be actively pro-inclusive and anti-racist across our community, clients and creations
OLIVER, a part of the Brandtech Group, is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. All applicants shall be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, neurodivergence, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local laws.
OLIVER has set ambitious environmental goals around sustainability, with science-based emissions reduction targets. Collectively, we work towards our mission, embedding sustainability into every department and through every stage of the project lifecycle.

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