Designer Manager Jobs in Durham, NC (NOW HIRING)

Role summary

The designer is part of the Freshfields Design Studio, a multi-location team across UK, Asia and US. This role provides essential expertise to support the needs of our rapidly growing US business, ensuring real-time responsiveness across flagship US marketing projects and contributing to global marketing and campaigns through concept creation and design development through to implementation. Under the direction of senior creative leadership, this role will be expected to make a positive contribution to the creative culture of the team, demonstrating ambition, appetite to develop creative skills and the ability to manage creative projects where appropriate. Working closely with colleagues in the UK and Asia, the US Designer plays a pivotal role in ensuring high-quality, brand-led creative output for stakeholders across time zones. Given the location of this role, the Designer will often operate autonomously, progressing work independently while maintaining close collaboration with global team members. The Designer will work collaboratively with marketers, content specialists, artworkers, and stakeholders in the US and worldwide, delivering modern, digital‑first visual solutions that meet the highest creative and production standards.

• Work closely with design studio, brand and marketing colleagues to deliver high quality creative work for global marketing campaigns, signature events, flagship reports, pitch materials, and thought leadership.
• Receive and understand creative briefs, probe them and filter creative work based on key objectives of the campaign/project.
• Adapt global concepts for US‑specific needs while ensuring alignment with Freshfields’ global brand identity and design systems.
• Generate a breadth of high‑quality thinking that provides the firm with fresh ideas and reference points that deliver against our brand strategy and visual identity.
• Take responsibility for a creative challenge and be self‑sufficient with direction from the Design Lead.
• Think ahead and understand how a creative idea will be delivered.
• Create high‑quality digital design solutions (website, social media, email, motion and interactive formats) with a focus on user‑centred design and application of digital design principles including accessibility, responsive behaviour, mobile optimisation and UX considerations.

• Develop solid working relationships showing confidence in collaborating with colleagues to reach the best solutions for internal stakeholders.
• Work seamlessly with cross‑functional teams – content, brand, campaigns, internal & external comms and document specialists – to deliver cohesive and integrated outputs.
• Clearly articulate creative thinking and show confidence in structuring and presenting ideas for and in stakeholder meetings.
• Act as the primary point of creative contact for US‑based marketing and BD teams, ensuring seamless handover and collaboration with UK and Asia‑based designers to maintain continuous workflow across time zones.

• Work efficiently within a fast‑paced global studio environment, managing priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Follow defined workflows, using tools and systems effectively (MS Office, project management platforms, DAM, etc.).
• Submit timesheets daily and adhere to internal processes for resource planning and project tracking.

• Proven experience in a brand‑focused design role (agency or in‑house).
• Strong portfolio demonstrating experience in corporate brand identity, digital design, campaign creative, and multi‑channel communication.
• Experience working in a global or multi‑region team, with the ability to manage stakeholder expectations across time zones and work independently when required.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop; AfterEffects an advantage).
• Experience in designing for digital channels including web, social, email and interactive content.
• Proven ability to translate complex information into intuitive, visually engaging layouts (infographics, data visualisation, report design).
• Strong understanding of design for professional services or B2B brands is preferred.

• Exemplary typography, layout, and composition skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to storyboard, visualise ideas, and prepare presentation‑ready concepts.
• Competent artworking skills and confidence producing mock‑ups or prototypes.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within hybrid, global teams.
• Working understanding (not execution) of HTML/CSS to improve collaboration with web vendors and digital team desirable.
• Capability designing for MS Office, especially PowerPoint, for high‑stakes pitches and leadership communications.
• Working knowledge of Figma for collaborating with digital/website team and third parties, creating, prototyping and testing user interfaces (UI) for websites and mobile assets as well as creating presentations.

• Professional, confident and calm under pressure.
• Organised with an adaptable mindset to cope with fluidity of project requirements.
• Good eye for detail.
• Proactive, energetic and keen to share ideas.
• Inquisitive, curious and eager to learn new skills.
• Committed to delivering work of consistently high quality.
• Positively responds to feedback and direction.
• A collaborative and supportive team player with a warm, approachable style.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in New York and California or reporting to someone in those states, Freshfields is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $60,000 to $85,000.

Freshfields US LLP is proud to be an equal employment employer. Our policies and practices will be free from unlawful discrimination based upon race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, military service, disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law. We strive to promote an atmosphere that encourages equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices, including sexual harassment.

Freshfields US LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the alternative email address below to contact us about your interest in employment at BusinessServicesRecruitment@Freshfields.com , or you can send your resume to BusinessServicesRecruitment@Freshfields.com , or you can call us at +1-212-277-4000.