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Director Of Design Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Director of Design

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$127K - $159K/yr

The Director of Design manages the design strategy and execution for F&B and retail venues, concept/brand conversions, and remodel projects in North America. This role leads design teams, oversees ...

The Director of Design manages the design strategy and execution for F&B and retail venues, concept/brand conversions, and remodel projects in North America. This role leads design teams, oversees ...

The Director of Design manages the design strategy and execution for F&B and retail venues, concept/brand conversions, and remodel projects in North America. This role leads design teams, oversees ...

Associate Design Director

Arlington, VA · On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Working closely with the Creative Director, you will focus on raising the bar of design across all touchpoints, ensuring that every piece of work is strategically sound, visually compelling, and ...

Associate Design Director

Arlington, VA · On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Working closely with the Creative Director, you will focus on raising the bar of design across all touchpoints, ensuring that every piece of work is strategically sound, visually compelling, and ...

Working closely with the Creative Director, you will focus on raising the bar of design across all touchpoints, ensuring that every piece of work is strategically sound, visually compelling, and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Director Of Design information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$38.1K

$139.9K

$250.4K

How much do director of design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of design in Silver Spring, MD is $139,920.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,900.00 and $168,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Director of Design do?

A Director of Design leads the creative vision and strategy for a company's design initiatives, overseeing teams that may include graphic, product, UX, and UI designers. They collaborate with other departments to ensure cohesive and effective visual communication and user experience across products or services. Their responsibilities often include managing design projects, mentoring design staff, setting design standards, and aligning design goals with overall business objectives. Directors of Design play a critical role in shaping brand identity and ensuring high-quality, innovative design solutions.

What Does a Design Director Do?

A design director oversees the creative visual team for a marketing firm, advertising firm, or PR agency that produces visual material, such as posters, brochures, manuals, or books. Sometimes the term is also used to describe directors at fashion houses, apparel companies, or interior design firms who oversee clothing or interior design. In communications companies, your duties and responsibilities as the design director are to collaborate with your clients and other marketing and ad workers to determine the type of graphic art; you then execute design projects. The same applies to fashion and interior design.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Design, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Design, you need deep expertise in visual design, user experience (UX) principles, leadership, and a portfolio demonstrating successful project outcomes, often supported by a degree in design or related fields. Mastery of industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management platforms, along with familiarity with design systems, is typically required. Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire and mentor creative teams are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure cohesive design vision, effective team performance, and the delivery of innovative, business-aligned solutions.

What is the difference between Director Of Design vs Product Designer?

AspectDirector Of DesignProduct Designer
ResponsibilitiesOversees design teams, sets strategic vision, manages multiple projectsFocuses on designing specific products or features, user experience, and interface design
Required SkillsLeadership, strategic planning, advanced design skills, team managementStrong UI/UX skills, prototyping, user research, visual design
Work EnvironmentLeadership in design departments, cross-functional collaborationHands-on design work, collaboration with developers and product managers
Common UsageUsed in larger organizations for senior design leadershipUsed across startups and companies for individual product design roles

The main difference between a Director Of Design and a Product Designer lies in scope and focus. The Director Of Design leads the overall design strategy and manages teams, while the Product Designer concentrates on creating specific product interfaces and user experiences. Both roles require strong design skills, but the Director Of Design emphasizes leadership and strategic planning.

How does a Director of Design typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals?

A Director of Design works closely with product managers, engineers, marketing teams, and executive leadership to ensure design vision aligns with overall business objectives. This role often leads design reviews, provides strategic feedback, and facilitates communication between departments to streamline workflows and resolve challenges. Directors of Design champion user-centric solutions while balancing technical feasibility and business requirements, fostering an environment where creative and technical teams can collaborate effectively. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills are essential for building consensus and driving high-quality project outcomes.
What are popular job titles related to Director Of Design jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Director Of Design jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Director Of Design jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Director Of Design job openings:
Director of Design

Director of Design

HMSHost

Bethesda, MD • On-site

$127K - $159K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


HMSHost rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 112 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

37th of 68 rated caterers


Job description

With a career at HMSHost, you really benefit! We Offer:
  • Health, dental and vision insurance
  • Generous paid time off (vacation, flex or sick)
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Company paid life insurance
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Employee assistance program
  • Training and exciting career growth opportunities
  • Referral program - refer a friend and earn a bonus

Compensation: $127,600.00 to $159,500.00
Purpose : The Director of Design manages the design strategy and execution for F&B and retail venues, concept/brand conversions, and remodel projects in North America. This role leads design teams, oversees the development of design standards and specifications, and aligns design solutions with brand standards, operational requirements, and budget parameters.
Essential Functions:
  • Leads design teams and external design consultants in developing comprehensive design concepts for business pursuits, lease extensions, and remodel projects across F&B and retail venues
  • Manages the design development process from concept through 10% construction documentation, ensuring alignment with brand standards, operational functionality, budget parameters, and schedule requirements
  • Develops and maintains design standards, specifications, and guidelines to drive consistency and quality across all venue types while allowing for location-specific customization
  • Collaborates with Operations and Business Development teams to understand business requirements and translate them into effective design solutions
  • Oversees interior design, food service design, architectural coordination, and fixture/equipment specifications while verifying selection and development align with project needs and quality standards
  • Manages relationships with external design consultants and architects to provide strategic oversight and optimize design quality and performance
  • Provides design expertise and support for RFP responses, including development of conceptual designs and renderings that support business development efforts
  • Monitors design project schedules and deliverables to maintain timely completion and coordination with construction timelines and airport requirements
  • Drives innovation in design methodologies and standards while balancing compliance and operational functionality across diverse airport environments
  • Reviews and approves design deliverables including schematic designs, design development documents, 10% construction documents, finish selections, and equipment specifications to maintain quality and adherence to company standards

Reporting Relationship: The position reports to the Senior Director of Retail and F&B Design
Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Work Environment:
  • Education and Experience: The combination of education and professional experience must exceed 8 years:
    • In a leadership role: Requires 3 years of experience supervising design teams or managing external design consultants engaged in executing commercial design programs
    • In a technical role: Requires 8 years of experience engaged in developing and delivering design programs for commercial or hospitality environments
    • A bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, or related field can count for 3 of the 8-year requirement
    • Industry: 3-5 years of experience in F&B, Retail, or Hospitality
  • Specialized Training:
    • Training that leads to advanced knowledge of design software including but not limited to, AutoCAD, BlueBeam, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.
  • Specialized Skillset/Competencies/Traits:
    • Extensive knowledge of construction management, design processes, and project delivery methods in commercial and hospitality environments
    • Strong financial acumen with ability to develop design solutions within approved budget parameters and understand cost implications of decisions
    • Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to articulate design concepts to internal stakeholders and external clients
    • Strong design aesthetic with ability to balance brand standards, operational functionality, and budget constraints
    • Strategic thinking capabilities with ability to develop standardized processes and drive continuous improvement initiatives
    • Business acumen and mindset required to understand long-term implications of design and construction decisions and advance organizational goals
    • Demonstrated history of understanding business needs, stakeholder requirements, and project complexities in airport and hospitality environments
    • Demonstrated history of creating and maintaining positive work environments through coaching, developing, and leading teams to achieve common goals
  • Location/Travel:
    • This role may be based at the North America Support Center in Bethesda, MD. This role may require up to 30% travel to airport locations.

Avolta, including Dufry, HMSHost Corporation, Hudson, and affiliates ("the Company"), is an equal opportunity employer. It is the Company's policy to ensure equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment and to comply with anti-discrimination laws and regulations. The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and provides equal opportunities to applicants and team members without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, age, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military service and veteran status, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances (referred to as "protected characteristics").

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About HMSHost

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

HMSHost Leading the Industry HMSHost is recognized by the industry as the leader in travel dining with awards such as Restaurateur with the Highest Regard for Customer Service and Best Brand Restaurateur for Shake Shack by Airport Experience News. USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards gave first place honors to both of HMSHost's Whisky River locations at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport. ACI-NA, the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, recognized HMSHost with the 2020 Inclusion Champion Award, for leadership and achievement in the ongoing inclusion of business and workforce diversity, outreach, and advocacy. The company also creates original award-winning events and campaigns including Airport Restaurant Month, Channel Your Inner Chef live culinary contest, 1,000 Acts of Kindness, and Eat Well. Travel Further. About HMSHost Global restaurateur HMSHost is a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. HMSHost operates locations all over North America, and is part of Autogrill Group, the world's leading provider of food & beverage services for people on the move. Our Philosophy We empower our team of diverse associates to succeed. With locations in airports across North America, HMSHost offers the size, resources, training, and advancement opportunities you need to reach your most important career goals.

Industry

Traveler accommodation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bethesda, MD, US

Year founded

1897

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