Creative Lead – Design, Culture & Technology

Microsoft; New York (NY); On-site; USD 139,000 - 297,000; Full time

Job summary

Microsoft seeks a Creative Lead to define the visual identity for Microsoft’s commercial brands, integrating cutting-edge creative technologies. This role demands extensive experience in design leadership and art direction, aiming to enhance design systems and brand identity across platforms.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in art direction, design leadership, or brand systems roles.
• 5+ years of people management experience.
• Experience working with agencies to scale design systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the visual identity for Microsoft’s Commercial brand.
• Architect AI-enabled design frameworks to enhance creative output.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across various marketing functions.

Skills

Art direction

Design leadership

Cultural trends

AI-driven tools

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Design, Fine Arts, or related field

Tools

Figma

Adobe Creative Cloud

AI-powered design platforms

Job description

The Global Marketing Engines & Experiences (GME&E) team is seeking a Creative Lead – Design, Culture & Technology to define the visual identity and creative infrastructure that powers Microsoft’s commercial marketing. This role blends high craft, cultural fluency, and systems thinking to deliver a scalable, modern design language for brands like Microsoft 365, Azure, and Security. You’ll lead the development of brand systems that work across platforms and audiences, incorporating AI-driven tools and emerging technologies to enable speed, consistency, and creativity. This role has broad influence across teams and agencies, shaping both the aesthetics and infrastructure that drive Microsoft’s visual storytelling.

Job Location: The primary location for this position is Redmond, WA. Additionally, there are three other locations where this role may be based. Candidates who do not reside in one of these four areas will be relocated to Redmond.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the visual identity for Microsoft’s Commercial brand, crafting a modern, cohesive, and recognizable design system.
• Architect and implement AI-enabled design frameworks that help teams scale creative output while maintaining visual quality and brand alignment.
• Integrate cutting-edge creative technologies (generative image, motion, and layout tools) into internal workflows.
• Guide how Microsoft shows up visually across internal content, global campaigns, and platform experiences.
• Translate cultural trends, design aesthetics, and audience signals into brand-relevant creative direction.
• Develop toolkits, templates, and systems that enable creative agility without sacrificing consistency.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with stakeholders across brand, strategy, creative, and product marketing.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a distributed team of designers, art directors, and hybrid creatives.
• Embody our Culture and Values
  
  

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Design, Fine Arts, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Communications or related art field AND 8+ years of experience in art direction, design leadership, or brand systems roles
• OR equivalent experience.
• 5+ years people management experience (e.g., serving as a Lead Artist, Art Manager, Creative Director, etc.).
• 1+ year(s) experience building and evolving visual identities for modern, culturally relevant brands.
• 1+ year(s) experience leading art direction for large, integrated campaigns.
• 1+ year(s) experience working with agencies to scale design systems and visual identity across campaigns.
  

Additional Or Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Design, Fine Arts, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Communications or related art field AND 15+ years experience in art design or a related art field working on computer games or entertainment
• OR equivalent experience.
• 8+ years people management experience (e.g., serving as a Lead Artist, Art Manager Creative Director, etc.).
• 12+ years experience using related software and packages
• Experience shipping 2+ multiple projects or products end to end.
• Experience with tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, and AI-powered design platforms (e.g., Midjourney, Firefly, Runway).
• Experience integrating design systems into CMS (Content Management System), DAM (Digital Asset Management), and broader marketing tech stacks.
• Experience and a portfolio of relevant work.
  

Art M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $296,400 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000 - $331,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until June 17, 2025.

#EandEJobs

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.