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Visual Design Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Harvard University

Design Lead

Boston, MA · On-site

$57/hr

The Design Lead oversees the creative and visual representation of Harvard Medical School (HMS) by leading and executing high-quality design projects that align with identity guidelines and ...

1 point system

Product Design Lead

New York, NY · On-site

$169K - $208K/yr

The Product Design Lead - / Responsibilities The Product Design Lead is a senior UX design ... Independently create, update, and apply user interface and visual design guidelines and standards ...

Harvard University

Design Lead

Boston, MA

The Design Lead oversees the creative and visual representation of Harvard Medical School (HMS) by leading and executing high-quality design projects that align with identity guidelines and ...

1 point system

The Product Design Lead

New York, NY · On-site

$169K - $208K/yr

Job Title The Product Design Lead Location New York, NY or Pittsburgh, PA or Lake Mary, FL (4 days ... Independently create, update, and apply user interface and visual design guidelines and standards ...

Room & Board

Visual & Design Associate

Austin, TX · On-site

$85K/yr

Lead with creativity. Enjoy real work/life balance. Join our Austin showroom as a Visual ... Coach and develop Design Associates on visual presentation and product storytelling * Engage ...

Conveo.ai

Design Lead

New York, NY · On-site

You hold the visual language of the entire company: what Conveo looks like, why it looks that way ... You may be the first design lead anywhere whose taste ships through an agent workforce. If teaching ...

Conveo.ai

Design Lead

New York, NY · Remote

You hold the visual language of the entire company: what Conveo looks like, why it looks that way ... You may be the first design lead anywhere whose taste ships through an agent workforce. If teaching ...

Conveo

Design Lead

New York, NY · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

You hold the visual language of the entire company: what Conveo looks like, why it looks that way ... You may be the first design lead anywhere whose taste ships through an agent workforce. If teaching ...

Nutanix

Visual Design Director

San Jose, CA · On-site

$243K - $486K/yr

Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team (visual, illustration, motion) to reach new heights of creativity. * Advocate for the value of visual design at all levels of the organization. * Apply up-to ...

Beyond

Lead Visual Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

We are looking for a Lead Visual Designer who loves pushing their thinking and taking it through to ... Design Beautiful Experiences: Translate bold, differentiated ideas into world-class client-facing ...

The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection

Design Lead

Lead, mentor, and support the design team, providing clear direction so designers can focus on what ... Collaborate with key stakeholders to translate business objectives into compelling visual concepts ...

SR Talent Solution Inc

Product/ UX Design Lead

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$121K - $158K/yr

The Product Design Lead is a senior UX design professional responsible for leading hands-on design ... Independently create, update, and apply user interface and visual design guidelines and standards ...

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Visual Design Lead information

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How much do visual design lead jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for visual design lead in the United States is $60.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.63 and $72.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a visual design lead?

Visual Design Leads are senior design professionals responsible for guiding the visual direction of projects or products. They oversee the development of visual concepts, ensuring alignment with brand identity, user experience goals, and client needs. Visual Design Leads collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor junior designers, and maintain consistency across all design assets. Their role is key in shaping the look and feel of digital interfaces, marketing materials, and other visual communications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a visual design lead?

To thrive as a Visual Design Lead, you need deep expertise in visual design principles, user-centered design, and a strong portfolio demonstrating creative leadership, typically backed by a degree in design or related fields. Mastery of design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and prototyping systems, along with knowledge of design systems, is essential. Outstanding collaboration, leadership, and clear communication skills help guide teams and ensure alignment with project goals. These abilities enable the Visual Design Lead to deliver cohesive, innovative visual experiences that meet both user needs and business objectives.

How does a visual design lead typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

As a Visual Design Lead, you will frequently work alongside product managers, UX designers, developers, and marketing teams to ensure visual consistency and clarity across products. Collaboration often involves participating in brainstorming sessions, providing design feedback, and presenting visual concepts to both creative and non-creative stakeholders. Expect to guide junior designers, align visual strategy with business goals, and adjust designs based on technical or user feedback. Effective communication and adaptability are key to ensuring that the visual design supports both user needs and overall project objectives.

What is the difference between Visual Design Lead vs Graphic Designer?

AspectVisual Design LeadGraphic Designer
Required credentialsBachelor's degree in Design, Visual Arts, or related field; strong portfolio; leadership skillsBachelor's degree or certification in Graphic Design or related area; portfolio showcasing design skills
Work environmentLeads design teams, collaborates with cross-functional teams, oversees project directionCreates visual content, works independently or within a team, focuses on specific design tasks
Employer and industry usageUsed in marketing, advertising, digital media, and corporate brandingCommonly employed in advertising agencies, media companies, and corporate branding

The main difference between a Visual Design Lead and a Graphic Designer lies in their scope of responsibility. The Visual Design Lead oversees design projects and manages teams, requiring leadership skills and strategic vision. In contrast, the Graphic Designer focuses on creating visual content and executing design tasks. Both roles require a strong portfolio and relevant education, but the Visual Design Lead typically has more experience and a broader scope of work.

Is visual design in demand?

Yes, visual design is in high demand across industries such as technology, marketing, and entertainment. Companies seek skilled visual design leads to create engaging user interfaces and branding, often requiring proficiency in tools like Adobe Creative Suite and a strong portfolio. The role typically involves collaboration with cross-functional teams and staying updated on design trends.

What cities are hiring for Visual Design Lead jobs?

Cities with the most Visual Design Lead job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Visual Design Lead jobs?

The top employers for Visual Design Lead jobs are:

What job categories do people searching Visual Design Lead jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Visual Design Lead jobs are:

What are popular job titles related to Visual Design Lead jobs?

For Visual Design Lead jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Visual Design Lead jobs near you
Infographic showing various Visual Design Lead job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,322 per year, or $60.3 per hour.

Design Lead

Harvard University

Boston, MA • On-site

$57/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Harvard University rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

81st of 627 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Company Description
By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
Why join Harvard Medical School?
Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.
You'll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it's an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.
Job Description
The Design Lead oversees the creative and visual representation of Harvard Medical School (HMS) by leading and executing high-quality design projects that align with identity guidelines and institutional goals. Based in the Office of Communications and External Relations (OCER), this is the sole in-house design resource and manages, creates, and delivers visual materials across digital and print platforms, collaborating closely with editors, content producers, the identity and policy manager, and other key stakeholders to maintain HMS' visual/graphic identity and enhance its brand presence.
Responsibilities
Art Direction:
  • Oversee the delivery of high-quality visual designs for all online content, including online magazine issues, news stories, and the HMS flagship website.
  • Direct the research, sourcing, creation, and selection of photos, illustrations, motion graphics, video clips, and other artwork to enhance the understanding of scientific research content.
  • Manage and oversee photo shoots with professional freelance photographers, ensuring high-quality visuals for OCER's digital and print assets. Maintain copyright and usage permissions.
  • Collaborate with editors and content producers to ensure visual assets are accurate and engaging.
  • Design high-profile webpages for the flagship website, Harvard Medicine News, and Harvard Medicine magazine, ensuring alignment with institutional branding.
  • Create, update, and maintain templates for Salesforce Marketing Cloud emails, presentations, stationery, and other branded materials, ensuring consistent design quality and adherence to graphic identity standards.
  • Manage the design and production of printed materials, ensuring they meet quality standards and adhere to branding guidelines.

Brand and Visual Identity:
  • Oversee and manage HMS' visual identity, including overseeing and protecting logo guidelines, ensuring all design outputs maintain brand consistency across channels, and updating and scaling identity and style guidelines as the organization grows.
  • Design logos, signage, and other institutional materials for social channels, departments, units, and key events, ensuring consistency with HMS brand guidelines while coordinating with OCER's Institutional Identity & Policy Manager to review and support incoming design requests.
  • Supervise website content for the School's identity guide, ensuring accurate and up-to-date resources for branding and visual standards.
  • Manage the HMS design email inbox by providing design expertise and addressing inquiries from community members in collaboration with the Sr Director of Digital & Creative and Institutional Identity & Policy Manager.
  • Provide feedback to internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure proper rendering and usage of the HMS logo on promotional materials.
  • Create materials for high-profile events, including the Warren Alpert Foundation Prize Symposium, HMS State of the School address, Dunham Lecture, Class Day/graduation, Match Day, and White Coat ceremonies.
  • Create and manage digital promotional shoutout designs to help publicize HMS' revenue-generating initiatives in newsletters and news stories.
  • Assist with and support Digital Access Management System (DAMS) software and workflows.

Dean's Communications:
  • Lead the conceptualization and design of the annual Dean's digital holiday card. Experience with illustration, animation, and motion graphics helpful.
  • Conceptualize, design, art direct, and oversee all graphics and publications supporting dean's communications, including the Strategic Plan.

Digital Displays:
  • Manage and maintain visuals and playlists for HMS digital displays across campus, ensuring they align with School-wide objectives and identity standards.
  • Collaborate with various departments to curate, schedule, and update content for displays as requested.
  • Coordinate with HMS IT's media services to ensure screens are functional.

As part of your application, we recommend including a cover letter, and an online portfolio/ website showcasing digital and print work, that will help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communications, a related field, or equivalent work experience.
  • Minimum of 5 years of professional graphic design experience, including demonstrated experience creating digital and print materials.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:
  • Experience in an academic/higher ed, health care, or non-profit setting preferred.
  • Creative thinker with a sharp attention to detail and ability to confidently communicate and present ideas.
  • Demonstrated ability to create and enforce visual brand standards across various platforms and media, with a strong attention to detail to ensure consistency and accuracy in all deliverables.
  • Takes initiative as a self-starter, capable of identifying opportunities, solving problems independently, and taking ownership of projects from concept to completion.
  • Ability to work autonomously while managing multiple projects simultaneously, maintaining composure, and demonstrating professionalism in a dynamic environment.
  • Ability to conceptualize and execute a project from sketch to finished piece.
  • Solid understanding of web interface and user experience design.
  • Strong collaboration, written and verbal communication, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
  • Advanced skills in current design and motion graphics software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects), Keynote, MS Office.
  • Familiarity with content management systems (e.g. Drupal or WordPress) for maintaining and updating web content.
  • Experience with email marketing tools (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Acoustic, Litmus) to create, manage, and optimize email templates.
  • Experience designing visual content for social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, etc.)
  • Strong understanding of printing processes, layout composition, color-matching systems, photography, lighting, and typography.
  • Experience creating illustrations, animations, and motion graphics extremely helpful.
  • Experience working with collaborative applications, like digital asset management systems and project management tools.

Additional Information
  • Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
  • Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
  • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
  • Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.

#LI-WG1
Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University's Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plans with university contributions
  • Wellbeing and mental health resources
  • Support for families and caregivers
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

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