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Design Leadership Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

10 Design

Associate Vice President Design

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$148K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role combines design leadership, team management, and strategic development , ensuring the delivery of innovative, high-quality architectural projects while expanding the studio's market ...

10 Design

Associate Vice President Design

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$148K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role combines design leadership, team management, and strategic development , ensuring the delivery of innovative, high-quality architectural projects while expanding the studio's market ...

Intuit

Group Design Leader

Mountain View, CA

Leadership & Management * Team Development: Mentor and lead a diverse team of designers across graphic, UX, and experiential disciplines. * Stakeholder Influence: Present design strategies to senior ...

Intuit

Group Design Leader

Mountain View, CA · On-site

Leadership & Management * Team Development: Mentor and lead a diverse team of designers across graphic, UX, and experiential disciplines. * Stakeholder Influence: Present design strategies to senior ...

Brex

Principal Design Recruiter

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$207K - $259K/yr

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing ... You'll source, engage, and assess world-class design talent through diverse channels, while ...

Brex

Principal Design Recruiter

San Francisco, CA · On-site

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing ... You'll source, engage, and assess world-class design talent through diverse channels, while ...

Solace Health

Product Design Manager

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$231K/yr

We believe the best design leaders stay close to the work - partnering with Product and Engineering to solve complex problems, coaching designers through ambiguity, and raising the quality of ...

Brex

Senior Design Recruiter

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$142K - $195K/yr

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing ... You'll source, engage, and assess world-class design talent through diverse channels, while ...

Brex

Senior Design Recruiter

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$142K - $195K/yr

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing ... You'll source, engage, and assess world-class design talent through diverse channels, while ...

Brex

Senior Design Sourcer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$108K - $142K/yr

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing teams. As a Design Sourcer, you will play a foundational role in building Brex's design talent pipeline ...

Brex

Senior Design Sourcer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing teams. As a Design Sourcer, you will play a foundational role in building Brex's design talent pipeline ...

10design

Associate Vice President - Design

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role combines design leadership, team management, and strategic development , ensuring the delivery of innovative, high-quality architectural projects while expanding the studio's market ...

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All JobsDesign Leadership JobsDesign Leadership Jobs in California

Design Leadership information

See California salary details

$41.5K

$113K

$198.9K

How much do design leadership jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for design leadership in California is $112,992.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,400.00 and $142,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is design leadership?

A Design Leadership job involves guiding and managing design teams to create user-centered solutions that align with business objectives. Design leaders set the vision, drive innovation, and foster collaboration across disciplines. They advocate for design’s strategic value, mentor designers, and ensure that design processes enhance both user experience and company goals. Effective design leaders balance creativity with practicality, enabling high-quality outcomes while aligning with organizational priorities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in design leadership, and why are they important?

Design Leadership roles require a strong background in design principles, experience managing creative teams, and typically a degree in design, UX, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch, and project management platforms such as Asana or Jira is crucial, as well as experience with industry-standard design methodologies. Exceptional communication, mentorship, and strategic thinking are soft skills that help leaders inspire teams and align design vision with business objectives. These abilities are vital for delivering innovative solutions and driving cohesive, high-impact design outcomes within organizations.

What are the most common challenges faced in a design leadership role?

In Design Leadership, one frequently encounters the challenge of balancing creative vision with business objectives and stakeholder expectations. Leaders must often advocate for user-centered design while navigating organizational constraints such as tight deadlines, limited resources, or shifting priorities. Aligning and motivating cross-functional teams, managing feedback effectively, and ensuring consistent quality across projects are also key aspects of the role. Addressing these challenges requires both strong interpersonal skills and strategic foresight, making the position dynamic and rewarding for those who enjoy both creative and operational aspects of design.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Design Leadership jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Leadership job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,992 per year, or $54.3 per hour.

Associate Vice President Design

10 Design

San Francisco, CA • Hybrid

$148K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Associate Vice President (AVP) to join our San Francisco studio and play a key leadership role in shaping the design direction, studio culture, and business growth of the practice. This role combines design leadership, team management, and strategic development , ensuring the delivery of innovative, high-quality architectural projects while expanding the studio's market presence.

The AVP will collaborate closely with firm leadership and multidisciplinary teams to guide design excellence, mentor staff, strengthen client relationships, and drive new business opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership

  • Lead the creative vision and design direction for projects across multiple sectors and scales.
  • Collaborate with senior staff members and Principals in charge based on project needs.
  • Guide project teams from concept through construction , ensuring design quality and innovation.
  • Conduct design reviews, provide critical feedback, and ensure alignment with the firm's design standards and goals.
  • Champion sustainable and forward-thinking design strategies.
  • Represent the studio in design presentations, competitions, and client meetings.

Team Leadership & Studio Management

  • Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary design teams, fostering a collaborative studio culture.
  • Oversee staffing strategies, team organization, and resource allocation across projects.
  • Support professional development, coaching, and performance management of staff.
  • Promote knowledge sharing, innovation, and continuous improvement within the studio.

Project & Client Leadership

  • Serve as a design advisor or project principal on key commissions.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, and collaborators.
  • Ensure projects are delivered successfully in terms of design quality, schedule, and budget.
  • Lead presentations and workshops with clients, public agencies, and stakeholders.

Business Development & Growth

  • Identify new project opportunities and expand relationships with existing clients.
  • Support proposal development, interviews, and marketing initiatives.
  • Contribute to strategic planning and market positioning for the San Francisco studio.
  • Collaborate with firm leadership on revenue growth and studio expansion.

Qualifications:
Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture plus 12-15+years of related experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education

Experience

  • 12–15+ years of professional architectural experience.
  • Proven experience leading design teams and managing complex projects.
  • Experience in client engagement, presentations, and business development.

Licensure

  • Registered Architect preferred.

Skills

  • Strong design portfolio demonstrating design leadership.
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
  • Expertise in design processes, project delivery, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Proficiency in tools such as Revit, BIM workflows, and visualization platforms.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary with annual performance-based bonuses.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
Employer-matched 401(k) retirement plan.
Paid time off (PTO), holidays, and flexible hybrid work model.
9/80 work schedule with alternating 3-day weekends.
Continuing education and professional development support.
Collaborative studio culture with firm-wide impact potential.

Compensation:
$148,000-$148,000 per year

Apply