1

Executive Design Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Chief Product Design Director

Dallas, TX · On-site

$150K - $184K/yr

This executive leader establishes the vision for Cavender's proprietary brands while ensuring ... The Chief Product Design Director reports to the Chief Merchandising Officer and partners closely ...

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 ...

Chief Product Design Director

Tyler, TX

$127K - $156K/yr

This executive leader establishes the vision for Cavender's proprietary brands while ensuring ... The Chief Product Design Director reports to the Chief Merchandising Officer and partners closely ...

Chief Product Design Director

Houston, TX

$148K - $181K/yr

This executive leader establishes the vision for Cavender's proprietary brands while ensuring ... The Chief Product Design Director reports to the Chief Merchandising Officer and partners closely ...

Chief Product Design Director

Austin, TX

$150K - $184K/yr

This executive leader establishes the vision for Cavender's proprietary brands while ensuring ... The Chief Product Design Director reports to the Chief Merchandising Officer and partners closely ...

Chief Product Design Director

Tyler, TX · On-site

$127K - $156K/yr

This executive leader establishes the vision for Cavender's proprietary brands while ensuring ... The Chief Product Design Director reports to the Chief Merchandising Officer and partners closely ...

This executive leader establishes the vision for Cavender's proprietary brands while ensuring ... The Chief Product Design Director reports to the Chief Merchandising Officer and partners closely ...

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 ...

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 ...

Who We Are Looking For As the Design Director for our Growth team, you are the creative visionary ... and persuade executive-level stakeholders. * Proven leadership experience, with the ability to ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Executive Design Director information

See salary details

$37K

$135.8K

$243K

How much do executive design director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 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.

Is an executive director a high position?

An executive design director is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing design strategies and teams within an organization. It is generally considered a high-level position that requires extensive experience, leadership skills, and often involves strategic decision-making. The role typically reports to top executives such as the CEO or chief creative officer.

Is VP of design higher than Design Director?

In most organizations, the Vice President (VP) of Design is a higher-level executive than a Design Director. The VP typically oversees multiple design teams and sets strategic direction, while the Design Director manages day-to-day design operations and team leadership. The hierarchy can vary depending on company size and structure, but generally, VP of Design holds a senior executive role above Design Director.

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 overall design strategy and creative vision of a company or project. They manage design teams, collaborate with other departments, and ensure that design work aligns with business goals, often requiring extensive experience in design, leadership, and industry-specific tools. This role typically involves high-level decision-making and strategic planning within creative organizations.

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.

What is the highest paid design job?

The highest paid design jobs are often executive roles such as Chief Design Officer or Creative Director, with salaries reaching into the high six or seven figures for experienced professionals in large organizations. These roles typically require extensive leadership skills, a strong portfolio, and often advanced degrees or certifications in design or related fields.
More about Executive Design Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Executive Design Director jobs? Cities with the most Executive Design Director job openings:
What states have the most Executive Design Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Executive Design Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Executive Design Director job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,763 per year, or $65.3 per hour.
Anthropologie Senior Design Director

Anthropologie Senior Design Director

Anthropologie

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead, mentor, and manage the design team.

  • Create innovative and commercial seasonal collections and fast turn product for the Anthropologie customer.

  • Collaborate with internal partners to ensure outstanding design execution and alignment with business objectives.


Anthropologie rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 81 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

44th of 102 rated fashion retailers


Job description

Role Summary
Anthropologie is searching for a Senior Design Director. Our Design Directors are responsible for creating a seasonal collection of innovative product appropriate for the Anthropologie customer while leading and mentoring the Design team.
Role Responsibilities
#LI
  • Function as leader, mentor, and manager for the design team
  • Create fresh, innovative, and commercial seasonal collections as well as ongoing fast turn product.
  • Collaborate with Executive Creative Director, Brand Director, and DMM's to ensure outstanding design execution while meeting business objectives.
  • Partner with Executive Creative Director on seasonal inspiration, concept direction and trend.
  • Guide Designer Teams in the development of styles that support the seasonal design concepts and fulfill the needs of the business as outlined by the Buying team.
  • Work closely with other category Design Directors to cross pollinate ideas, outfitting, assortment balance and maintain seasonal design direction.
  • Collaborate with Print & Color team on seasonal print & color direction and assortment.
  • Facilitate the seasonal development calendar in collaboration with the Design Manager.
  • Prepare for and participate in all relevant product meetings.
  • Manage the teams' budgets, ensuring monthly budget requirements are met.
  • Oversee branding of the seasonal assortment and work to build, improve, and elevate brand identity.

-LR2
#LI-LR4
Role Qualifications
  • Ideal candidate should be highly creative and have a strong point of view.
  • Outstanding taste level with the ability to recognize, forecast, and translate industry trend direction
  • Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to direct Designers in a positive and strategic way while nurturing creativity at all levels
  • Strong understanding of retail business to identify product opportunities and offer innovative design solutions
  • Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with partners in Buying, Production, and Design
  • Outstanding creative talent and taste level with the ability to recognize, forecast, and translate industry trend direction
  • Expert technical knowledge of product, raw materials, manufacturing techniques, and processes
  • Strong understanding of the Anthropologie customer aesthetic and product
  • Must have at least 10 years experience in Apparel Design

The Perks
URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits
EEO Statement
URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.

What Anthropologie employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom