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Executive Design Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AT&T

Brand Design Director

Dallas, TX

$158K - $237K/yr

... senior executives. * Present ideas and design solutions with clarity and confidence, while ... Our Brand Design Director earns between$158,200 - $237,400 USD Annual. Not to mention all the other ...

AT and T

Brand Design Director

Dallas, TX · On-site

$158K - $237K/yr

... senior executives. * Present ideas and design solutions with clarity and confidence, while ... Our Brand Design Director earns between $158,200 - $237,400 USD Annual. Not to mention all the ...

Epic Games

Design Director, Battle Pass

Cary, NC · On-site

What You'll Do Epic Games' Fortnite team is looking for a Design Director to lead the vision for ... Executive Stakeholders. In this role, you will * Be directly responsible for the Pass product ...

CannonDesign

OR

Partner with the Executive Director of Design in the recruitment of and retention of senior design ... leaders. Hold senior design leaders in your region accountable for the mentorship and growth of the ...

Consensys

Design Director - MetaMask (Transactions)

Founded by Joe Lubin, CEO of Consensys and Co-Founder of Ethereum in 2014, Consensys has been at ... What you'll do As a Design Director at MetaMask, you will oversee the entire product area within ...

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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 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:
What job categories do people searching Executive Design Director jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Executive Design Director jobs are:
Executive Design Director jobs near you
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.
Free People Design Director Intimates

Free People Design Director Intimates

Free People

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Free People rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Role Summary
Free People is seeking a Design Director - Intimates to lead the creative vision & development process of design projects supporting the Free People Intimates category across different trends, sensibilities, and price points while leading and mentoring the intimate's design team. This role oversees design direction of the seasonal and monthly assortment and works to build, improve, and elevate brand identity across all of intimates categories.
The Free People Intimates category touches several classes including Lounge, Camis, Slips, Bodysuits Foundations, Lingerie, Bras and Undies. A successful candidate will demonstrate strong understanding and experience in Intimates categories across all classes and designs and know how to interpret different trends across different sensibilities specifically for the Intimately department though the lens of Free People's brand DNA. The Design Director provides a strong vision for pushing fashion and innovation within new shapes, details as well as have a strong point of view on fabric, details, prints and embellishment/craft techniques for all of Intimates product.
The Free People Design Director Intimates is passionate about lingerie, fashion and trends and is all about pushing newness and product elevation to constantly bring unique designs ideas. This position will lead a robust team with a focus on setting seasonal trend direction, conducting market research, and collaborating with other departments to deliver successful monthly Intimately collections.
Role Responsibilities
  • The Design Director Intimates will lead the design creation, development, and execution of own brand product appropriate for Free People customer with a focus on bringing in newness, strong fashion and trend point of view with fashion forward shapes and innovation fabrics that is appropriate for the Intimately product range.
  • Demonstrate strong initiative and point of view on design/trend research and staying up to date with industry trend direction, color direction, and fabric innovations that can relate to the Free People target customer
  • Identify and translates global emerging trends across concept/fabrics/prints and unique details.
  • Conceptualize and lead the development of original ideas as well as creates newness and presents Seasonal Fabric Trend presentations to inspire the team to present monthly designs in key design meetings.
  • Provide Leadership in the design process & creation for all of Intimates, responsible for overseeing the entire design workflow, from conceptualization to production, ensuring each collection aligns with the brand identity as well as setting overall trend direction for each delivery.
  • Demonstrate the ability to recognize and accurately forecast fashion and cultural trends and understand how they relate to the Free People customer as well as align with overall business strategy and sales goals.
  • Identifies areas of opportunities across Foundations and wider Intimates categories to constantly elevate and test new ideas and push the category forward.
  • Partner closely with the Global Head of Desing & Textile Teams to identify opportunities in sourcing and identify key fabrications seasonally.
  • Develop seasonal product with a focus on style, fit and fabric, while identifying key trends in Bra's & Undies to push newness to go after that will continue to help build the foundations business.
  • Creative Contribution to the design process could include sketching new ideas with the help of AI, procreate and/or Adobe programs (Illustrator, Photoshop), researching new trends and ideas as well as utilizing ai platforms to increase creative research (such as Midjourney, PromeAi, etc.)
  • Collaborate with Design team and cross functional leadership teams to ensure outstanding design execution while meeting business objectives. Partner with Executive Leadership on seasonal inspiration, concept direction and trend.
  • Work closely with other category Design Directors to cross pollinate ideas, outfitting, assortment balance and maintain seasonal design direction.
  • Inspire and guide direct reports as well as rest of design team on Intimates to develop innovative and cohesive collections, providing feedback, direction, and mentorship to foster their growth and creativity.

Role Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design, Contour or Intimates related focus of study strongly preferred
  • 15+ years minimum Design experience with a focus in Bras/Innovation and/or Intimates Design strongly preferred
  • Experience managing a minimum of 8+ team members strongly preferred
  • Outstanding level of taste evidenced in professional design portfolio.
  • Demonstrated understanding of retail industry and ability to identify intimates product opportunities and offer innovative design solutions appropriate to the Free People customer
  • Expertise in Intimates categories including Underwire/Foundation background:
    • Deep knowledge and expertise in Intimates specific materials as well as great understanding of Foundation process development timeline and execution. Full comprehension and understanding of underwire foundation construction, fit, materials and manufacturing processes
    • Experience in Research and Development with a clear understanding of future technologies and trends in Foundations and underwear.
    • Expert knowledge of bra garments construction, laces, trims and washes. When needed be able to mock full garments from patterns, inspiration or draping on a form that can be modeled in presentations.
    • Passion for prints and color, candidate must have the ability to translate and innovate new ways to express seasonal print & pattern direction that feels new and fresh to Intimates.
    • Expert-level technical knowledge of foundation construction (Underwire and soft bras, underwear)
    • Extensive knowledge of intimates manufacturing techniques and processes.
  • Creative & Trend Vision: Creativity is a must! Having a strength in pushing new ideas, silhouettes, and design concepts. Exceptional knowledge of relevant culture, trends, and Intimates relative to the Free People Intimately customer.
    • Demonstrate the vision to identify trends in their early stages and understand their impact to fashion and most importantly to the Free People Brand (Understanding the translation to color, laces, prints embellishment & craft), so we can be one step ahead for the aspirational customer.
    • Demonstrate the vision to identify trends in their early stages and understand their impact to fashion intimates (while protecting the core range and volume growth), so we can be one step ahead for the aspirational customer.
    • Ability to research and report on industry trend direction, color/print direction, and fabric innovations approximately 9-12 months ahead of season.
    • Ability and desire to take a hands-on approach : creating actual mocks/ sketches, creating physical trend and fabric boards and/or new embellishment techniques and details
    • Expertise in taking aspirational ideas, focusing on the key details and making them work for a broader audience.
    • Excellent hand sketching and CAD skills in Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator
    • Ai knowledge/experience would be a plus!
  • Mentoring & Team:
    • Function as a leader, mentor and manager for the design team. Lead, inspire and guide the Intimates design team to do their best work yet. Inspire, mentor and provide guidance, feedback, and fostering a collaborative and innovative design environment within a team of creatives.
    • Advocate for the team's creative ideas and supporting them in understanding any new knowledge (i.e. fabric knowledge, silhouette challenges, color challenges, buzz words).
    • Provide creative and trend direction and oversee the execution of design concepts, ensuring they meet project objectives and resonate with the Free People Intimately customer.
  • Soft Skills:
    • Ability to articulate ideas clearly and inspire.
    • Strong sense of organizational skills as well as passionate of fast speed environment.
    • Thrive in a fast-paced environment, passion for pushing new ideas, concepts as well as responding to business objectives with creative and innovative designs to move the category forward.
    • Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate and communicate ideas clearly and inspirations to others and to interact with Designers, Buyers and other Cross Functional partners.
    • Proactive & collaborative attitude with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams is key at Free People
  • Travel: Yes occasionally.
  • Location: On-site/ 3-5 days a week Philadelphia, PA. Willing to relocate and reside in or within a commutable distance to Philadelphia, PA

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.

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