1

Strategic Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Director, Design

El Segundo, CA · Hybrid

$170K - $220K/yr

You will own the creative and strategic design agenda, managing and mentoring a high-performing team while collaborating with cross-functional executives to drive innovation, margin, and market share.

Sr. Director, Design

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$170K - $220K/yr

You will own the creative and strategic design agenda, managing and mentoring a high-performing team while collaborating with cross-functional executives to drive innovation, margin, and market share.

This team sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, creativity, and execution. We bring ... This leader will oversee Graphic, Digital, Digital Design and Experiential design to create ...

Product Design Manager

Oakland, CA · On-site

$217K/yr

Design is embedded in product strategy and company direction. Our open, vibrant culture fosters strong belongingness and DEIB scores as reflected in team engagement surveys. We firmly believe that ...

Product Design Manager

Oakland, CA · On-site +1

$217K/yr

Design is embedded in product strategy and company direction. Our open, vibrant culture fosters strong belongingness and DEIB scores as reflected in team engagement surveys. We firmly believe that ...

This team sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, creativity, and execution. We bring ... This leader will oversee Graphic, Digital, Digital Design and Experiential design to create ...

Director of Product Design, GenStudio

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$182K - $224K/yr

Vision & Strategy: Define and drive the design vision for Adobe GenStudio, centered on AI-first, agentic workflows. Champion the evolution from traditional creative editing to intelligence-layer ...

Director of Product Design, GenStudio

San Jose, CA · On-site

$181K - $223K/yr

Vision & Strategy: Define and drive the design vision for Adobe GenStudio, centered on AI-first, agentic workflows. Champion the evolution from traditional creative editing to intelligence-layer ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Strategic Design information

See California salary details

$36.5K

$117.5K

$186.5K

How much do strategic design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for strategic design in California is $117,470.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,800.00 and $147,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying career in design?

In design, user experience (UX) directors and creative directors tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures, especially in large organizations or tech companies. These roles require advanced skills in design strategy, leadership, and often experience with tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch, along with a strong portfolio and industry experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Strategic Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Strategic Designer, you need a strong foundation in design thinking, business strategy, and user research, often supported by a degree in design, business, or related fields. Proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Miro, and familiarity with frameworks such as Lean Startup or Agile is typical. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills help in aligning multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. These skills ensure that innovative, user-centered solutions are developed and successfully integrated with organizational goals.

What is strategic design?

Strategic design is the practice of using design principles to solve complex business challenges and shape organizational strategy. It goes beyond traditional design by integrating research, creative thinking, and business objectives to create solutions that align with a company's long-term goals. Strategic designers work collaboratively across disciplines to innovate processes, products, services, and systems, helping companies adapt to change and remain competitive. This approach often involves user-centered research, prototyping, and testing to ensure that solutions are both practical and effective.

What is the difference between Strategic Design vs User Experience Designer?

AspectStrategic DesignUser Experience Designer
FocusHolistic business and brand strategy, aligning design with organizational goalsDesigning user interfaces and interactions to enhance user satisfaction
SkillsDesign thinking, business strategy, branding, researchWireframing, prototyping, user research, usability testing
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with marketing, branding, and product teamsWorks closely with developers, product managers, and users
CertificationsDesign thinking, strategic planning, UX certificationsUX certifications, UI design courses

While both roles involve design, Strategic Design focuses on aligning design with business strategy and brand goals, whereas User Experience Designers concentrate on creating intuitive and satisfying user interfaces. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign the right roles for their project needs.

What does a strategy designer do?

A strategy designer develops and plans long-term approaches to help organizations achieve their goals. They analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and create frameworks that guide decision-making, often using tools like data analysis and strategic frameworks. Strong problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills are essential in this role.

How does a Strategic Designer typically collaborate with stakeholders and cross-functional teams during a project?

Strategic Designers often work closely with a variety of stakeholders, including product managers, engineers, marketers, and executives, to align design solutions with business objectives. They facilitate workshops, lead design sprints, and use research-driven insights to ensure everyone has a shared understanding of project goals. Effective communication and the ability to synthesize diverse perspectives are crucial, as Strategic Designers act as a bridge between creative and business teams. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and ensures that proposed solutions are both user-centered and strategically viable.

Is AI replacing designers?

AI is transforming the field of strategic design by automating repetitive tasks and providing data-driven insights, but it does not replace the need for human creativity, critical thinking, and strategic planning. Designers who adapt by learning to work with AI tools can enhance their productivity and innovation. The role continues to require skills in visual communication, user experience, and problem-solving.

How to become a strategic designer?

To become a strategic designer, develop skills in design thinking, user experience, and business strategy, often through a combination of formal education such as a degree in design, marketing, or related fields, and practical experience. Building proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma and understanding industry trends can also enhance your qualifications. Gaining experience through internships or project work helps establish a portfolio demonstrating strategic problem-solving abilities.
What job categories do people searching Strategic Design jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Strategic Design jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Strategic Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Strategic Design job openings:
Infographic showing various Strategic Design job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,470 per year, or $56.5 per hour.

Sr. Director, Design

JF Retail Services

El Segundo, CA • Hybrid

$170K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Job Description

Fabletics is seeking a Senior Director, Design.

How Do You Fit In?

As the Senior Director, Design (Women's), you will serve as the visionary force behind Fabletics' product and aesthetic evolution-translating brand strategy into compelling, customer-first design direction across categories. You will own the creative and strategic design agenda, managing and mentoring a high-performing team while collaborating with cross-functional executives to drive innovation, margin, and market share.

This is a role for a design leader who balances taste with data, vision with execution, and culture with commercial success. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of building standout collections that deliver on brand DNA, performance, profitability, and purpose. You'll thrive in an entrepreneurial environment, be energized by scale, and operate with both creative intuition and operational rigor.

You will report to the VP, Design and serve as a strategic partner to leaders in Merchandising, Product Development, Marketing, and Planning.

What You Will Do:

  • Own and evolve the multi-season product vision for the women's performance and lifestyle categories, ensuring alignment with company goals, brand positioning, and guest needs.

  • Partner with the VP of Design to shape the 3-year design roadmap, identifying new opportunities in product architecture, category expansion, and innovation pillars.

  • Lead seasonal concepting and line architecture with a strong point of view on silhouette, fabric, fit, and function-ensuring each collection delivers brand cohesion, margin contribution, and commercial viability.

  • Translate macro trends, consumer insights, and performance data into strategic design initiatives that shape product direction and drive brand authority in the activewear space.

  • Champion Fabletics' design ethos and product point-of-view, ensuring all design decisions reflect a consistent brand narrative and guest-centric approach.

  • Drive cross-functional alignment and influence across Product Development, Tech Design, Merchandising, and Marketing to ensure end-to-end design excellence and on-time execution

  • Act as a mentor and multiplier, building and leading a team of directors, designers, and assistants-investing in talent development, performance coaching, and succession planning.

  • Lead quarterly milestone presentations to executive leadership, communicating concept vision, product strategy, and business rationale with clarity and impact.

  • Own and optimize key design processes-from calendar management and sample execution to feedback loops and sustainability integration-ensuring operational excellence.

  • Establish and nurture external relationships with key vendors, mills, and innovation partners to bring cutting-edge materials and practices into the product pipeline.

  • Serve as a thought partner on brand-level initiatives, contributing to broader creative, storytelling, and go-to-market strategy across digital and physical channels.

What You Can Bring:

  • 12+ years of progressive design experience in women's performance/lifestyle apparel, including 5+ years in senior or director-level leadership.

  • A proven ability to scale design teams, define vision, and deliver collections that perform across DTC and retail channels.

  • Experience navigating fast-paced, high-growth environments with agility and grace under pressure.

  • Deep expertise in fabric development, fit, and functionality-especially across active, sport, and leisure categories.

  • Strong understanding of financial levers, SKU productivity, and margin optimization in the design process.

  • Exceptional ability to communicate ideas visually and verbally, and to present with confidence to senior leadership.

  • Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite, product lifecycle tools, and collaborative platforms (e.g., PLM, Google Workspace).

  • A rare blend of creative courage, strategic thinking, and team empathy-you inspire and elevate everyone around you.

  • Ideal candidate brings foundational AI literacy, including experience using generative AI tools, and a proactive mindset to experiment with new technologies to drive productivity and innovation.

Compensation & Total Rewards:

At Fabletics, we believe work and life should fit together!We continue to build a culture of flexibility, to empower you to do your best and put yourself first.Our Total Rewards program rewards employees for their hard work, supporting their health, well-being, families, and ultimately their life journey. Total Rewards at Fabletics includes:

- Hybrid Work Schedule*

-Discretionary Paid Time Off*

-Summer Fridays*

-Healthcare Plans

-Employee Discounts

-401k

-Annual Bonus Program

-Equity Program*

-And More

*Varied for retail, fulfillment and fully remote roles.

The annual basesalary range for this position is from $170,000-$220,000. The range provided includes the base salary that Fabletics expects topayfor the role. Offered base salary will be dependent on factors including the scope and complexity of the role, candidate's related work experience, subject matter expertise and work location.

#LI-JZ1

Security Alert: Protect yourself from scams

At Fabletics, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Fabletics emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Teams or Zoom-never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.

Fabletics, Inc. is anequalopportunity employer. We recruit, employ, compensate,develop,and promote regardless of race,national origin,religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable.At Fabletics, Inc., we champion a vibrant workplace culture that thrives ondiversity law and do not tolerate discrimination or harassment. We are one team from many backgrounds, innovating through diversity of individuals, who are driven by passion for creating an inclusive space for all.Fabletics, Inc. will continue to champion a workplace culture that prizes diversity and inclusivity.

We encourage you to apply regardless of meeting all qualifications and/or requirements.