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Executive Design Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TEPHRA

Principal Design Director

Manhattan, NY · On-site

The role of Executive Design Director is for the marketing advisory practice at TCS. This is effectively a new market and a new customer (CMO) for TCS, and the EDD will play a critical leading role ...

Kira Learning

Design Director

New York, NY · On-site

$170K - $220K/yr

As our Director of Design, you'll own the vision, strategy, and execution of Kira's design ... You'll partner closely with our co-founders and executive leadership to define the design direction ...

Kira

Design Director

New York, NY · Remote

$170K - $220K/yr

As our Director of Design, you'll own the vision, strategy, and execution of Kira's design ... You'll partner closely with our co-founders and executive leadership to define the design direction ...

F. Schumacher & Co.

Design Director

New York, NY · On-site

Design Director- Schumacher Classics Role Overview The Design Director leads product development ... Present concepts and collection narratives to the executive team * Travel overseas to work onsite ...

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Design Director

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$118K - $135K/yr

Overview Our team is looking for a full-time Design Director to support Publicis Groupe's Global ... Executive Partnership: Partner directly with new business teams, executives, and global leadership ...

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$106K - $153K/yr

Overview Our team is looking for a full-time Design Director to support Publicis Groupe's Global ... Executive Partnership: Partner directly withnew business teams, executives, and global leadership ...

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Design Director

Chicago, IL

$106K - $153K/yr

Overview Our team is looking for a full-time Design Director to support Publicis Groupe's Global ... Executive Partnership: Partner directly with new business teams, executives, and global leadership ...

F. Schumacher & Co.

Design Director

New York, NY · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Design Director- Schumacher Classics Role Overview The Design Director leads product development ... Present concepts and collection narratives to the executive team * Travel overseas to work onsite ...

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Design Director

Manhattan, NY · Hybrid

$106K - $170K/yr

Reports to Executive Creative Director * 8+ years of experience in a design agency setting, preferred * Multidisciplinary with experience in brand identity, design systems, and packaging * Experience ...

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Design Director

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$106K - $170K/yr

Reports to Executive Creative Director * 8+ years of experience in a design agency setting, preferred * Multidisciplinary with experience in brand identity, design systems, and packaging * Experience ...

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Executive Design Director information

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$37K

$135.8K

$243K

How much do executive design director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for executive design director in the United States is $135,763.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,500.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Executive Design Director vs Creative Director?

AspectExecutive Design DirectorCreative Director
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple design teams, sets strategic vision, manages large-scale projectsFocuses on the overall creative vision, concept development, and brand identity
CredentialsTypically requires extensive design experience, leadership skills, and often a degree in design or related fieldsSimilar credentials, emphasizing creative expertise and leadership in design
Work EnvironmentHigh-level management in corporate or agency settings, collaborating with executivesCreative teams, branding agencies, or in-house marketing departments

While both roles require strong design expertise and leadership, the Executive Design Director focuses on strategic oversight and managing multiple teams, whereas the Creative Director emphasizes developing the creative vision and brand concepts. The Executive Design Director often operates at a higher organizational level, aligning design strategies with business goals.

What is an Executive Design Director?

An Executive Design Director is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the creative vision, strategy, and execution of design projects within an organization. They lead and inspire design teams, collaborate with other executives, and ensure that design solutions align with the company's business goals. Typically, they set design standards, mentor staff, and represent the design function at the highest levels. Their work impacts brand identity, product development, and user experience across the organization.

How does an Executive Design Director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

An Executive Design Director works closely with cross-functional teams—including product management, engineering, marketing, and user research—to ensure that design vision aligns with business objectives and user needs. They often facilitate workshops, provide strategic design direction, and mediate between stakeholder interests. This collaborative approach helps streamline decision-making, fosters innovation, and ensures that the final product delivers a cohesive user experience. Effective communication and leadership are crucial in balancing creative goals with practical constraints.

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

To thrive as an Executive Design Director, you need extensive experience in design leadership, creative direction, and a strong portfolio demonstrating innovative, user-centered solutions, often supported by a degree in design or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard design tools (such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and Sketch) and familiarity with project management platforms are typically required. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire and manage multidisciplinary teams set top candidates apart. These skills ensure the delivery of visionary design strategies that align with business objectives and drive organizational success.
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Executive Design Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Executive Design Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,763 per year, or $65.3 per hour.

Design Director

Tata Consultancy Service Limited

New York, NY • On-site

$138K - $208K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

TCS Interactive pairs world-class design thinking with enterprise grade engineering. We turn the systems Fortune 100 companies already run data, AI, commerce, personalizationinto digital products and experiences that move markets. Our ambition: products recognized by D&AD, Cannes, and Apple Design Awards for craft. And by the clients who see eight-figure returns.
We've already shipped for brands like Verizon Fios TV, Virgin Australia, New York Road Runners (the world's biggest running organization and host of the NYC Marathon), and ITV's UK streaming platformdigital products that reach millions. Now we're expanding the design leadership in New York to match the ambition.
You'll be a senior design leader in our flagship New York Design Studio, working directly with the Executive Design Director to pitch, win, and deliver end-to-end digital product designapps, platforms, experiencesthat set the standard for what enterprise innovation looks like.
This is a builder role. In the early phase of growing our NYC Studio, you'll spend roughly 70-80% of your time contributing to new business development: pitching, prototyping, winning work. And 20-30% leading delivery on complex engagements. As the studio grows, that ratio inverts: more making, less pitching. You're helping build the book of business you'll eventually run.
What you'll do:
New Business Development (70-80% early, decreasing as studio grows) You'll be a critical voice in how we show up in the market.
Partner with the Executive Design Director to develop pitch concepts, prototypes, presentations and workshops that demonstrate design-led thinking.
Help translate client problems into product opportunities. You understand how CDOs and Heads of Product think, and you can articulate how design solves their business challenges.
Use AI to visualize faster and explore more possibilities in pitch development: pre-viz, rapid prototyping, concept iteration.
Build your profile in ways that support the studio's reputation. Write, speak, share work. Your expertise is a credibility signal.
When we win, you run the work.
Direct complex digital product engagements: apps, web platforms, service experiences, AI-native products, and connected ecosystems.
Design products with intelligence at their core: conversational interfaces, personalization engines, recommendation systems, agentic workflows. You understand what AI can and can't do, and you design accordingly.
Own the craft: interaction design, visual systems, motion, accessibility, responsive behavior. AI accelerates productionit doesn't replace taste.
Serve as a primary design voice with client stakeholders. Presenting in steering committees, leading design reviews, and building relationships with VPs and Heads of Product.
Translate client business challenges into design opportunities. You understand that enterprise clients operate with real constraintscompliance requirements, legacy system integration, stakeholder complexityand you see those constraints as design problems to solve, not obstacles to resent.
What you've done:
10+ years in digital product design, with 5+ years leading design on complex engagements at agencies, consultancies, or in-house product teams that ship.
Portfolio of shipped products at scale Apps, platforms, digital experiences that reached millions of users and moved business metrics. Show work that changed outcomes, not just won awards.
Client-facing credibility. You've presented to senior stakeholder's VPs, CDOs, Heads of Productand earned their trust through your craft and strategic thinking.
AI fluency. You've shipped at least one product with AI at its core. Not just used AI tools, but designed experiences where intelligence was a feature. You have a point of view on what AI changes for design and what it doesn't.
What sets you apart:
You've shipped innovative, first-of-kind productsnot just incremental improvements.
Your work has been recognizedD&AD Pencils, Cannes Lions, Apple Design Awards, Fast Company Innovation by Design, Webby Awardsor equivalent recognition that required surviving rigorous peer review, not just a submission fee.
You'll thrive here if:
You're a maker who gets energy from shipping great products, not just concepting them.
You've designed and shipped products for complex, regulated industriesfinance, healthcare, enterprise.
You believe design should drive business outcomes, not just look good in the portfolio.
You've contributed to pitches where design was the differentiator. You know how to build a prototype that wins a room.
What TCS Interactive brings:
Scale without the startup risk. TCS is a $30B company with 600,000+ professionals. You get enterprise resources, global delivery capability, and access to 1,200+ Fortune 500 client relationshipswithout the uncertainty of a startup.
Location: New York, NY Onsite
Salary Range is $138,720-$208,080 a year
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