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Executive Design Innovation Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Freeman

Design Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

... design innovation, quality, and brand coherence. * Oversee the full design process-from initial ... Collaborate with executive leadership and clients to ensure creative output fulfills brand goals ...

Cyclotron, Inc.

Innovation Strategist

Chicago, IL · Remote

$125K - $144K/yr

Strategists design and facilitate workshops, develop governance frameworks, and translate business ... Strategic storytelling and executive presence. About the Company Cyclotron is a Microsoft Solutions ...

Cyclotron, Inc.

Innovation Strategist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$125K - $144K/yr

Strategists design and facilitate workshops, develop governance frameworks, and translate business ... Strategic storytelling and executive presence. About the Company Cyclotron is a Microsoft Solutions ...

Jade Global, Inc

Enterprise Architecture

Chicago, IL · On-site

$180 - $250/hr

AI Solutions Design & Innovation Design scalable Agentic AI, Generative AI, and multi‑agent ... Contribute to pipeline generation through thought leadership, executive briefings, conference ...

AllSTEM Connections

Engineer II

Gary, IN · On-site

$72K - $89K/yr

... budget. • Design & Innovation: Develop innovative tool design improvements. Support the ... Additional Skills (none specified) AllSTEM Representative Contact Info Account Executive: Perry ...

Cooley

Innovation Counsel

Chicago, IL

Design and prepare meaningful playbooks to help practice groups understand and implement best ... Organize presentations, status reports, and executive briefings * Collaborate closely with ...

Jade Global

Enterprise Architecture

Chicago, IL

$71 - $91.75/hr

AI Solutions Design & Innovation * Design scalable Agentic AI, Generative AI, and multi-agent ... Contribute to pipeline generation through thought leadership, executive briefings, conference ...

Cooley LLP

Innovation Counsel

Chicago, IL

Design and prepare meaningful playbooks to help practice groups understand and implement best ... Organize presentations, status reports, and executive briefings * Collaborate closely with ...

Jade Global

Enterprise Architecture

Chicago, IL · On-site

$71 - $91.75/hr

AI Solutions Design & Innovation * Design scalable Agentic AI, Generative AI, and multi-agent ... Contribute to pipeline generation through thought leadership, executive briefings, conference ...

US Bank

Innovation Analyst

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

Create executive-ready materials that explain what we learned, why it matters, and what we ... Exposure to product, design, technology, risk, compliance, and business leaders * The chance to ...

Cooley

Innovation Counsel - Litigation

Chicago, IL · On-site

Design and prepare meaningful playbooks to help practice groups understand and implement best ... Organize presentations, status reports, and executive briefings * Collaborate closely with ...

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All JobsDesign Innovation JobsExecutive Design Innovation JobsExecutive Design Innovation Jobs in Chicago, IL

Executive Design Innovation information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$27.3K

$96.4K

$189.5K

How much do executive design innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for executive design innovation in Chicago, IL is $96,372.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,700.00 and $124,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can you get with an executive design innovation degree?

An executive design innovation degree prepares individuals for leadership roles in design strategy, product development, and innovation management. Common jobs include design director, innovation manager, product development executive, and creative strategist, often requiring skills in design thinking, project management, and familiarity with design tools. These roles typically involve overseeing creative teams and driving innovative solutions within organizations.

What is Executive Design Innovation?

Executive Design Innovation refers to leadership roles focused on integrating design thinking and innovative strategies into an organization’s overall vision and operations. Professionals in these positions guide teams to develop creative solutions, foster a culture of innovation, and align design initiatives with business goals. They often collaborate across departments to drive growth, improve customer experiences, and maintain a competitive edge in the market. These executives play a key role in shaping both product development and the strategic direction of a company.

How does an Executive Design Innovation professional typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive new product development?

Executive Design Innovation professionals play a central role in fostering collaboration across departments such as engineering, marketing, and product management. They often lead workshops, facilitate brainstorming sessions, and translate customer insights into actionable design strategies. By acting as a bridge between creative teams and business stakeholders, they ensure that innovative concepts align with company goals and are feasible to implement. Regular communication and project updates are key to maintaining alignment and momentum throughout the development process.

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

To excel as an Executive Design Innovation professional, you need a strong background in design thinking, strategic leadership, and innovation management, often supported by an advanced degree in design, business, or a related field. Familiarity with design software (such as Adobe Creative Suite), prototyping tools, and innovation frameworks, as well as certifications like IDEO U or PMI-ACP, is highly beneficial. Exceptional communication, creative problem-solving, and the ability to inspire cross-functional teams are standout soft skills. These competencies enable leaders to drive transformative solutions, foster a culture of innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in dynamic markets.
What are the most commonly searched types of Design Innovation jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Design Innovation jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Executive Design Innovation jobs near you

Design Director

Freeman

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

About Us
Sparks is a global brand experience agency that designs and produces trade show exhibits, corporate events, brand activations, and immersive experiences for major brands. They focus on helping companies build real human connection through creative, strategic, and memorable experiences. Sparks recently joined Freeman, but they still operate with their own team, culture, and creative approach.
Summary
The Design Director defines and leads the creative vision for experiential environments, shaping impactful brand expressions through immersive physical spaces. With a holistic view of creative strategy, execution, and client partnership, this role oversees the entire design lifecycle, ensuring the work meets both brand standards and business objectives.
This position will our Sparks Creative team. It is eligible to work a hybrid schedule, generally requiring work in-office and/or show-site 2-3 days per week. The ideal candidate will be based out of any of the following locations:
  • Dallas, TX
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Chicago, IL
  • Los Angeles, CA

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
  • Set and drive the overarching design vision for events, exhibits, and brand experiences, ensuring alignment with client objectives and strategic narratives.
  • Lead and inspire creative teams across multiple projects, establishing a high standard of design innovation, quality, and brand coherence.
  • Oversee the full design process-from initial ideation to final execution-while managing timelines, deliverables, and creative consistency.
  • Collaborate with executive leadership and clients to ensure creative output fulfills brand goals, stakeholder expectations, and functional requirements.
  • Translate brand narratives into immersive three-dimensional design solutions, maintaining cohesion between conceptual storytelling and technical production.
  • Act as the senior-most creative point of contact with clients, guiding design presentations, managing revisions, and shaping stakeholder feedback into actionable direction.
  • Provide creative and strategic mentorship to junior and senior designers.
  • Review and approve final design deliverables, ensuring they adhere to brand standards, technical requirements, and project deadlines; collaborate with production, fabrication, and technical teams to ensure feasibility, accuracy, and excellence in execution.
  • Maintain expert-level proficiency in industry-standard design tools and technologies, and stay ahead of trends in experiential, spatial, and interactive design.
  • Partner with leadership to manage project budgets, resource planning, and team assignments, ensuring operational efficiency across the creative department.

Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree preferred, High School Diploma or Equivalent with relevant work experience required.
  • 7+ years of design experience.
  • Demonstrate mastery in developing creative concepts, leading multidisciplinary teams, and navigating complex client engagements.
  • Deep expertise in 3D design strategy, cross-functional collaboration, and creative business leadership, including oversight of budgets, timelines, and resourcing.
  • Ability to communicate clearly, thoroughly and succinctly both verbally and in written form; Can clearly articulate an idea or design and the reason(s) behind it.

Travel Requirements
Travel up to 25%
What We Offer
The Freeman Company provides benefits that aim to empower our people and their families to thrive mentally, physically, and financially. These are a handful of the types of programs and benefits our full-time people may be eligible for. There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.
  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Life, Accident and Disability
  • Retirement with Company Match
  • Paid Time Off
  • Salary range of $125,000-140,000 based upon experience
  • Eligible for an annual bonus of up to 10% of the base salary

Diversity Commitment
At The Freeman Company, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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