1

Design Director Jobs in San Ramon, CA (NOW HIRING)

Product Design Lead, AI Platform

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$182K - $224K/yr

A track record of leading high-impact, cross-product initiatives as a senior IC, principal designer, design director, or equivalent design leader. * Deep interaction design craft, including the ...

Head of Product Design

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$275K - $322K/yr

Front is looking for a Design Director to lead our Product Design team and elevate the craft, speed, and impact of what we ship. This role is a senior design leader responsible for the quality of end ...

We are an award-winning design firm, fueled by ideas and a culture of collaboration. Our purpose-driven approach creates healthy places, strong communities and a resilient environment. That's where ...

We are an award-winning design firm, fueled by ideas and a culture of collaboration. Our purpose-driven approach creates healthy places, strong communities and a resilient environment. That's where ...

Company Description Stride Health is looking for a Director of Product Design to lead our small (and growing!) team of talented Product Designers as we craft delightful mobile-first solutions that ...

Company Description Stride Health is looking for a Director of Product Design to lead our small (and growing!) team of talented Product Designers as we craft delightful mobile-first solutions that ...

Showing results 41-60

Design Director information

See San Ramon, CA salary details

$41.3K

$151.7K

$271.6K

How much do design director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for design director in San Ramon, CA is $151,718.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,400.00 and $182,200.00 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 San Ramon, CA?

The most popular types of Design jobs in San Ramon, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Design Director jobs in San Ramon, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Director jobs in San Ramon, CA are:

What cities near San Ramon, CA are hiring for Design Director jobs?

Cities near San Ramon, CA with the most Design Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Design Director job openings in San Ramon, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,718 per year, or $72.9 per hour.

Head of Product Design

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$230K - $285K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead, coach, and grow the product design, research, and content/UX writing team.

  • Set the design vision and strategy for Kindred, ensuring alignment with company goals and championing member-centric thinking.

  • Own the quality and consistency of the member experience across web and mobile platforms, including developing systems like design systems and tooling.


Job description

Kindred is a members-only home swapping platform that unlocks the ability to live a travel-rich lifestyle through the power of community. By exchanging primary residences with trusted peers, renters and owners alike can match with Kindred spirits and explore new destinations without breaking the bank.
Kindred is revolutionizing the "third option" of travel accommodation, compared to short-term rentals and hotels. Since launching in 2022, Kindred has grown to a global community of 300,000 members across 150+ cities and puts home swapping on the map as a radically more affordable, responsible, and connected way to travel.
To support that momentum, Kindred has raised over $150M in capital from some of the most credible investors in Silicon Valley, including Index Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, New Enterprise Associates, Bessemer Venture Partners, Caffeinated Capital, Elad Gil, and founders of companies like Opendoor, Figma, ClassPass, and more.
Kindred's co-founders are proven leaders from the early team at Opendoor ($15B+ exit), who have each built and scaled products that today generate $1B+ annual revenue combined.
We're looking for the world's top builders, executors, and believers to help us make travel more meaningful.
You can learn more about us in Forbes and The New York Times.
The Role
Kindred is looking for a Head of Product Design to lead our product design team through its next phase of growth. You'll own the end-to-end member experience across web and mobile, lead and grow the design and research team (currently a team of five), and work directly with cross-functional leaders to shape where the product goes next.
This is a hands-on design leadership role reporting to the Co-founder & President. You'll set the vision, direct the team, and raise the bar. We're looking for an AI-native leader to spend time prototyping and building alongside your team on the projects that matter most.
What you'll do
People & team leader
  • Lead, coach, and grow a cross-disciplinary design team spanning product design, research, and content/UX writing
  • Run the rituals, feedback culture, and career paths that make this a team people do their best work on

Strategy leader
  • Set the design vision and strategy for Kindred, and align it tightly with company strategy as a key thought partner to product, engineering, marketing and operations
  • Champion member-centric thinking across the company, grounding decisions in both qualitative insight and quantitative data
  • Lean into strategic growth design: activation, conversion, and the loops that turn members into evangelists

Craft bar raiser
  • Own the quality bar for the member experience, from big swings on new surfaces to the fit-and-finish details that make Kindred a design-forward and trusted platform
  • Build and scale the systems that let great design ship fast - design systems, tooling, rituals, and process that hold up as the team grows
  • Lead an AI-native design practice: set the standard for how the team uses AI across prototyping, research synthesis, and production, and evolve the workflow as the tools do

Brand & trust steward
  • Partner deeply with marketing and brand to ensure product and brand operate as one system, from acquisition through the in-product experience

You may be a right fit for this role if you
  • Have 12+ years in product design, including 5+ years leading and managing design teams
  • Have managed cross-functionally across product design, research, and content/writing, and know how to make those disciplines stronger together
  • Have a proven track record partnering with marketing and brand
  • Have deep experience with design systems: building them, scaling them, and using them to raise both quality and velocity
  • Have designed for trust between people (marketplaces, communities, or products where members take real-world leaps of faith)
  • Are AI-native and you have a point of view on how AI changes what a design team is and how it works
  • Are a strong operator: you run tight rituals, give sharp feedback, and build teams people want to stay on
  • Are a true player-coach, you still love the craft, and you ship work yourself when it counts

Bonus points if
  • Have been the most senior design leader at a company, owning the function end-to-end (Head of Design, Director+, or equivalent)
  • You have experience with marketplace or community-driven consumer products
  • You've built or led both consumer and brand/marketing design work
  • You've shipped production features or internal tools built primarily with AI (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor, or similar)
  • You've taken products from 0→1 and from 1→10 and know how the playbooks differ

Our Benefits:
At Kindred, we know that good things happen when we look out for one another. We offer a thoughtful, human-first benefits package designed to support health, wellbeing, and connection.
Our openings may span more than one career level. The base salary offered depends on factors such as experience, transferable skills, business needs, impact, and market data.
  • Competitive cash compensation and equity
  • Comprehensive health benefits
  • Flexible time off, plus 12 paid holidays per year
  • 21 credits per year to stay in Kindred homes
  • $4,000 annual travel stipend to help offset travel-related costs
  • Remote-first and remote-flexible work environment, with opportunities to work from anywhere and gather in person, including at Kindred HQ in San Francisco
  • Regular team and company offsites to connect, collaborate, and build together
  • A vibrant, inclusive, and highly skilled team that ferociously protects team chemistry
  • A culture of high standards, feedback, and continual growth

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. Kindred does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, family care or medical leave status, marital status, domestic partner status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by US federal, state or local laws, or the laws of the country or jurisdiction where you work.