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Executive Design Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

McAfee

Role Summary We are seeking a Design Director to lead the design vertical within Brand Creative ... * Be a people leader with more junior designers reporting into you. About you: * 10+ years of ...

Buck Mason

Design Director, Women's Wovens

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$135K - $165K/yr

The Design Director will oversee the full woven assortment, including soft wovens, tailoring, and ... Collaborate with EVP of Design to lead the design team from concept through execution * Oversee ...

Nutanix

Visual Design Director

San Jose, CA · On-site

$243K - $486K/yr

As the Visual Design Director, you will hold a high-impact leadership role within the User ... executive stakeholders. * Inclusivity: Strong experience with web accessibility (WCAG) and ...

Ford Motor Company

Digital Design Director

Palo Alto, CA · Hybrid

$182K - $223K/yr

... executives, and stakeholders, using strong storytelling skills and seeking feedback to contribute to Ford's broader design culture. Transform innovative ideas into compelling prototypes and high ...

Ford Motor Company

Digital Design Director

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$178K - $218K/yr

Communicate and present complex concepts and strategies to partners, executives, and stakeholders, using strong storytelling skills and seeking feedback to contribute to Ford's broader design culture.

CourtAvenue

Design Director, Platform UI

San Diego, CA

$164K - $202K/yr

At CourtAvenue, the Design Director, Platform UI leads the visual interface layer of our most ... platform vision to executive audiences in their language. * Maintain mastery of client ...

CourtAvenue

Design Director, Platform UI

San Diego, CA

$164K - $202K/yr

At CourtAvenue, the Design Director, Platform UI leads the visual interface layer of our most ... platform vision to executive audiences in their language. * Maintain mastery of client ...

Intuit

Director, Design - Services

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$280K - $379K/yr

The Director of Design for Services will lead a multi-layered organization of approximately 55 ... Represent Design as a strategic voice in executive forums. Qualifications * 12+ years of experience ...

Intuit

Director, Design - Services

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$280K - $379K/yr

The Director of Design for Services will lead a multi-layered organization of approximately 55 ... Represent Design as a strategic voice in executive forums. Qualifications * 12+ years of experience ...

Smosh

Director of Graphic Design

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

... the executive team to ensure the Smosh universe continues to look as good as it is funny. This ... Creative Concepts - Design and direct concepts for tentpole events, live shows, and channel ...

Smosh

Director of Graphic Design

Los Angeles, CA

... the executive team to ensure the Smosh universe continues to look as good as it is funny. This ... Creative Concepts - Design and direct concepts for tentpole events, live shows, and channel ...

Smosh

Director of Graphic Design

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $95K/yr

... the executive team to ensure the Smosh universe continues to look as good as it is funny. This ... Creative Concepts - Design and direct concepts for tentpole events, live shows, and channel ...

Adobe

Director of Design, Frame.io

San Francisco, CA

We're looking for a Director of Design to lead a core part of our product design organization and ... You'll partner with executive stakeholders to translate business objectives into compelling design ...

Adobe

Director of Design, Frame.io

San Jose, CA · On-site

We're looking for a Director of Design to lead a core part of our product design organization and ... You'll partner with executive stakeholders to translate business objectives into compelling design ...

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Executive Design Director information

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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an executive design director?

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.

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 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 are popular job titles related to Executive Design Director jobs in California?

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Executive Design Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Executive Design Director job openings:

Executive Design Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Executive Design Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Design Director

McAfee

On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Role Summary
We are seeking a Design Director to lead the design vertical within Brand Creative Services. This is a player-coach role: you'll create standout brand work while setting direction, raising craft, and coaching designers to deliver consistently excellent creative across campaigns, lifecycle, and always-on channels. Reporting to the Senior Director, Creative (Design, Concept & Copy), you will partner closely with Copy, Creative Production, and Brand Strategy to translate our brand promise into modern, distinctive, high-performing creative as we evolve and scale our refreshed brand identity.
You will be central to operationalizing our design system, educating internal teams and agency partners on guidelines, ensuring best-in-class application across touchpoints, and helping the organization move faster through smarter workflows, including responsible adoption of AI-enabled design tools for rapid iteration and testing. You're equally comfortable pushing craft-forward brand work as you are designing against performance insights, using data to refine and improve creative effectiveness without compromising brand integrity.
Position Details
About the role:
  • Lead design concepting and execution across key brand initiatives-integrated campaigns, lifecycle marketing, product storytelling, social, web, and partner channels, delivering work that is modern, distinctive, and unmistakably McAfee.
  • Champion and evolve the New McAfee design system and raise craft for the design vertical, developing strong visual systems, layouts, typography, illustration, and brand expression that scale across touchpoints.
  • Partner closely with Copy, Brand Strategy, Creative Production, Growth/Lifecycle Marketing, and Product Marketing to translate briefs and insights into clear design approaches and compelling creative.
  • Coach, mentor, and review work from designers, providing clear, actionable feedback, creating growth plans, and fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and inclusive creativity.
  • Operationalize and steward our refreshed brand identity and design system-educating internal teams and agency partners, ensuring consistent application, and evolving guidelines as the brand scales.
  • Balance brand-building craft with performance-minded design-using testing and channel insights (e.g., paid social learnings, lifecycle metrics) to iterate and improve creative effectiveness without compromising brand integrity.
  • Partner with Creative Production to scope work, align timelines, and ensure deliverables are feasible, on-brand, and on time, supporting a healthy, scalable creative workflow.
  • Champion responsible adoption of AI-enabled design tools to accelerate iteration, explore more creative routes, and improve efficiency-while maintaining quality, originality, and brand safety.
  • Collaborate with external agencies and freelancers as needed, reviewing work, aligning to guidelines, and ensuring seamless integration with in-house creative.
  • Be a company leader for Design by presenting and bringing along E Staff all the way up to the CMO and CEO.
  • Be a people leader with more junior designers reporting into you.

About you:
  • 10+ years of experience creating and leading design work across brand and marketing, with a strong foundation in craft and concept. Both in Agencies and Brand side and experience being a people leader.
  • Proven ability to set and uphold a high bar for design quality across campaigns and always-on creative, including digital, social, paid media, and lifecycle channels.
  • Excellence without ego, highly collaborative, able to work across disciplines and backgrounds, and confident presenting design rationale to senior stakeholders.
  • Strong design systems and brand identity experience-able to translate strategy into scalable frameworks and clear guidelines.
  • Demonstrated experience mentoring designers and leading through feedback, critique, and hands-on collaboration in a player-coach capacity.
  • Growth mindset and curiosity-eager to embrace new tools and platforms (including AI-enabled workflows) to increase speed, iteration, and creative exploration.
  • Experience collaborating with agencies and freelancers to flex resources based on campaign cycles; comfortable reviewing work for brand consistency and craft.

Portfolio Requirement:
A portfolio is required and should demonstrate strong brand systems thinking and end-to-end campaign design across brand and performance channels. Portfolios will be reviewed for both strength in creativity/craft and effectiveness.
#LI-Hybrid
Company Overview
McAfee is a leader in personal security for consumers. Focused on protecting people, not just devices, McAfee consumer solutions adapt to users' needs in an always online world, empowering them to live securely through integrated, intuitive solutions that protects their families and communities with the right security at the right moment.
Company Benefits and Perks
We work hard to embrace diversity and inclusion and encourage everyone at McAfee to bring their authentic selves to work every day. We offer a variety of social programs, flexible work hours and family-friendly benefits to all of our employees.:
  • Bonus Program
  • 401k Retirement
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life, Short Term Disability and Long-Term Disability Coverage
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Support and Community Involvement
  • 14 Paid Company Holidays
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off for Exempt Employees
  • 96 Hours of Sick Time and 120 Hours of Vacation for Non-Exempt Employees Accrued Each Year

We're serious about our commitment to diversity which is why McAfee prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.
Pay Range
The anticipated compensation for this position is USD $141,680.00/Yr. - USD $232,760.00/Yr. depending on experience and qualifications.
Job Applicant Privacy Notice
Please click here to view and download the Job Applicant Privacy Notice, which applies to all McAfee job applicants who are residents of the state of California.

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