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Design Leadership Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Director of Product Design

San Francisco, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

What You'll Need to Be Successful * 5+ years in product design leadership, specifically having shipped, scaled, and maintained a multi-platform design system in production across web and mobile ...

Director of Product Design

San Francisco, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

What You'll Need to Be Successful * 5+ years in product design leadership, specifically having shipped, scaled, and maintained a multi-platform design system in production across web and mobile ...

Leads design meetings and workshops and maintains accurate records. * Coordinates with Operations, Scheduling, Estimating, and Document Control to align design, procurement, and information-sharing ...

Leads design meetings and workshops and maintains accurate records. * Coordinates with Operations, Scheduling, Estimating, and Document Control to align design, procurement, and information-sharing ...

Product Design Leader

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$233K/yr

... engineering leadership roles, preferably in consumer electronics Track record of shipping high ... etc.) Strong design validation background: FEA, tolerance analysis, failure analysis, DOE ...

Design Leader, Interiors

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$65K - $95K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Summary The Design Leader, Interiors supports small interior architecture projects through all phases, assisting with design problem-solving, producing interior documentation, and helping Senior ...

Product Design Leader

Cupertino, CA

$311K - $496K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

... leadership This role requires comfort with ambiguity, the ability to hold both near-term execution ... with cost-driven design tradeoffs at scale, including silicon and module selection, BOM ...

Build leadership depth, strong operating rhythms, and a culture of accountability and excellence. * Advance design maturity in areas such as systems thinking, end-to-end journey design, and platform ...

Director, Product and Design

Torrance, CA · On-site

$230 - $305/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

That means being a rare kind of generalist: a design leader who is equally at home shaping the lines of a hull, critiquing a digital interface, and building the research-backed frameworks that turn ...

New

Design Leader, Interiors

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$65K - $95K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Summary The Design Leader, Interiors supports small interior architecture projects through all phases, assisting with design problem-solving, producing interior documentation, and helping Senior ...

Director, Product and Design

Torrance, CA · On-site

$265K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

That means being a rare kind of generalist: a design leader who is equally at home shaping the lines of a hull, critiquing a digital interface, and building the research-backed frameworks that turn ...

Showing results 21-40

Design Leadership information

See California salary details

$41.5K

$113K

$198.9K

How much do design leadership jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 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:

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.

Design Director | K-12 & Higher Education

Northern Impact

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Overview
National Award-Winning Studio is actively seeking a Design Director for their Los Angeles, Rancho Cucamonga, San Diego, or Anaheim office. With over 19 offices across the U.S., the award-winning architecture + design firm specializes in K-12 through college/university, healthcare, sports, and corporate business sectors across the U.S. The company has won over 500 design awards and is recognized for shaping learning environments for students and the community. It's well-established culture has also led the firm being named to the list of "Best Places to Work." For over forty years, the multidisciplinary studio has created a client base of more than two hundred clients, a list that includes university systems, hospital systems, school districts, and Fortune 500 companies.
Essential Duties
As Design Director, you will provide overall design leadership, championing quality and innovation across all departments. You'll play an active role in both project delivery and business development, ensuring our work consistently exceeds client expectations and sets industry benchmarks.
Key Responsibilities
  • Champion design excellence and innovation while supporting clients' goals and vision
  • Advance the company's client-centric design philosophy, processes, and implementation strategies
  • Lead and mentor a team of talented designers
  • Guide design presentations, monitor project development, and provide direction to ensure consistency across the firm
  • Apply comprehensive knowledge of architectural practice, including materials, construction methods, engineering integration, and building codes/costs
  • Serve as a thought leader in the design industry through participation in professional organizations and community outreach
  • Collaborate with firmwide design leaders to strengthen their design culture while introducing fresh perspectives
  • Drive the integration of cutting-edge technologies into our design processes and outcomes
  • Develop and implement firmwide design guidelines and standards

Here's What You'll Need:
  • 15+ years of architectural experience
  • Bachelor of Architecture degree (minimum)
  • Active Registered Architect license (NCARB)
  • LEED AP certification preferred
  • Experience in K-12 education or higher education required
  • Exceptional client service orientation
  • Ability to prioritize multiple projects under tight deadlines
  • Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Experience interacting with senior management, clients, and vendors
  • Self-motivated with meticulous attention to quality

If you are a visionary leader with a passion for design, client service, and team development, we invite you to apply today!
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