Associate Director, Visual Design
DEPT® · Illinois, United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $200,000 / year
- Illinois, United States
Job highlights
- Lead visual design strategy for a Growth Invention company.
- Define and evolve global design systems.
- Partner with C-suite and clients on complex challenges.
- Elevate designer output through critique and systems thinking.
- Drive digital projects from concept to completion.
About the role
About DEPT®
We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.
We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.
At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.
The Role
The Associate Director, Visual Design, is a cornerstone of our creative leadership, tasked with defining the aesthetic North Star for our organization. This is not just a role for a master craftsperson, but for a strategic visionary who can translate business objectives into world-class visual ecosystems. You won't just meet benchmarks; you will redefine them.
You will sit at the intersection of brand, product, and strategy, ensuring that our visual identity is cohesive, future-proof, and disruptive. You are expected to be a "force multiplier", elevating the output of every designer you touch through rigorous critique, high-level systems thinking, and an unwavering commitment to craft.
As part of the creative leadership team, you will play a crucial role in executing the overarching creative and design strategy, ensuring the team's activities align with and significantly contribute to the organization's strategic short and long-term success.
What You’ll Do
- Closely collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of talented people.
- Set the overarching visual strategy and design principles that guide the entire creative department across all touchpoints (digital, brand, and product).
- Oversee the evolution of our global design systems, ensuring they are scalable, accessible, and reflect the highest level of visual sophistication.
- Act as a primary creative partner to C-suite executives and key client stakeholders, using design as a lever to solve complex business challenges.
- Partner with cross-functional leaders to ensure technical feasibility and strategic alignment from ideation to launch.
- Serve as an evangelist for design excellence both internally and externally, staying ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies (AI, spatial design, etc.) to keep the agency/company at the cutting edge.
- Refine design workflows and philosophies to improve the quality of output while maintaining organizational agility and profitability.
- Bring a fresh, insightful point of view that inspires both the internal team and the client, putting the team and client first.
- Generate strategic insights and moodboards to facilitate creative innovation.
- Drive complex digital projects from kick-off to completion, ensuring the team's deliverables exceed client expectations and stay within budget and deadlines. Establish project direction, craft guidelines, and assist with production as needed.
- Identify key client decision-makers and leverage excellent interpersonal skills to grow and maintain these relationships, collaborating across all internal departments and external stakeholders to achieve desired results.
- Actively contribute to the design discipline through mentoring, conversation, and proposing ideas to elevate company operations and improve processes.
What You Bring
- 5+ years of experience in visual and interactive design for global brands, with at least 4 years in a dedicated leadership position.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Design, Visual Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Mastery of Figma (including components, variants, and auto layout) and familiarity with essential collaboration tools (e.g., Hubspot, Google Suite, Slack).
- Strong knowledge and experience in visual design, user-centered experience design, interaction design, and brand development.
- Experience developing and maintaining a robust design system.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic vision and creative inspiration to large, diverse teams.
- Excellent public speaking and presentation skills with the ability to clearly articulate complex information to clients and internal stakeholders.
- Highly detail-oriented, proactive, comfortable navigating complex organizations, and focused on strategic problem-solving and process efficiency.
What Do We Offer?
- Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
- 401K plan, plus matching
- PTO
- Paid Company Holidays
- Parental Leave
Key Skills/Competency
- Visual Design
- Interactive Design
- Leadership
- Design Systems
- Brand Development
- User-Centered Design
- Figma
- Client Management
- Creative Strategy
- Team Collaboration
Skills & topics
- Associate Director
- Visual Design
- DEPT®
- Growth Invention
- Design Strategy
- Design Systems
- Figma
- Brand Development
- User Experience
- Creative Leadership
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight leadership experience, design systems, and Figma mastery relevant to DEPT®'s Growth Invention focus.
- Showcase your portfolio: Ensure your visual design and interactive examples demonstrate strategic thinking and client impact.
- Understand DEPT®'s culture: Emphasize collaboration, curiosity, and a "get sh*t done" attitude in your application and interviews.
- Prepare for case studies: Be ready to discuss how you've translated business objectives into visual ecosystems and solved complex challenges.
- Ask insightful questions: Inquire about creative strategy, design system evolution, and cross-functional collaboration at DEPT®.
Technical preparation
Master Figma: components, variants, auto layout.,Showcase design system development and maintenance.,Prepare to present complex visual strategies.,Familiarize with AI and spatial design trends.
Behavioral questions
Describe leading a design team through a major project.,How do you translate business goals into visual design?,Give an example of mentoring a junior designer.,How do you handle conflicting stakeholder feedback?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for the Associate Director, Visual Design role at DEPT®?
- The anticipated salary range for the Associate Director, Visual Design position at DEPT® is $122,000 to $200,000 USD annually. This range is based on factors such as experience, location, and organizational impact.
- Is the Associate Director, Visual Design position at DEPT® remote?
- Yes, the Associate Director, Visual Design role at DEPT® is a remote position within the US. DEPT® offers flexibility and supports remote work arrangements for this role.
- What are the key responsibilities for the Associate Director, Visual Design at DEPT®?
- Key responsibilities include setting the visual strategy and design principles, overseeing global design systems, acting as a creative partner to C-suite and clients, and driving complex digital projects.
- What software proficiency is required for the Associate Director, Visual Design at DEPT®?
- Mastery of Figma, including components, variants, and auto layout, is required. Familiarity with collaboration tools like Hubspot, Google Suite, and Slack is also expected.
- Does DEPT® offer benefits for the Associate Director, Visual Design role?
- Yes, DEPT® offers a comprehensive benefits package including Healthcare, Dental, Vision coverage, a 401K plan with matching, PTO, Paid Company Holidays, and Parental Leave.
- What is DEPT®'s approach to diversity and inclusion for the Associate Director, Visual Design position?
- DEPT® is committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process, promoting diversity in all aspects. They encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every qualification and offer accommodations.
- How does DEPT® define its culture for potential hires in the Associate Director, Visual Design role?
- DEPT®'s culture is built on 'better together,' 'relentlessly curious,' and 'get sh*t done.' They value innovation, collaboration, and impactful work.
- What kind of experience is expected for the Associate Director, Visual Design at DEPT®?
- We are looking for 5+ years of visual and interactive design experience for global brands, with at least 4 years in a dedicated leadership position. A Bachelor's Degree in Design or equivalent experience is also required.