Design Director

OLBERDING; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k retirement plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Parental leave

Job summary

Olberding is seeking a Design Director to lead packaging and digital design efforts for major consumer brands. You will champion brand identity, guide cross‑functional teams, and mentor designers while maintaining strong client relationships.

The role requires a senior level of expertise, agency experience preferred, and a track record of delivering high‑quality design across print and digital platforms.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in packaging and digital design.
• Agency experience preferred.
• Expert level in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).

Responsibilities

• Lead design across packaging and digital channels within established brand identity.
• Manage and mentor design team, guiding career development.
• Present work to clients and lead WIP sessions for concept development.
• Maintain strong client relationships and help secure new business.
• Collaborate with Brand Leader partners to align on strategy and execution.

Skills

Packaging design

Brand design

Leadership

Client relationships

Project management

Communication

Tools

Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

Job description

Design Director

Location: Chicago, IL

Job ID: 755

# of Openings: 1

Job Overview

Founded in 1919 as Phototype and recently rebranded as the Olberding Brand Family, we are a family company focused on delivering the highest quality and client service in the graphics design, management and printing industry. We design, optimize and protect brands. Our clients are primarily consumer products companies and printers, and we help them by delivering a broad range of services from brand strategy and packaging design, to adaptive design across various print and digital platforms, all the way to color management and the production of printing plates. With our world headquarters located in Cincinnati, we have over 450 employees throughout the United States and offices in Europe and Asia.

The Design Director will work with our cross‑functional internal team to support our client in helping to market the brands they produce and consumers have come to love. Design Directors design within an established brand identity for some of America’s favorite CPG brands, specifically for their packaging and digital presence.

Responsibilities

• Support the organization of all files and assets created
• Takes on the most complex tasks and conceptual work
• Skilled wielder of design craft
• Empowered to, and expectation of decision making autonomy
• Looked to for expertise from fellow designers
• Master storyteller
• Expected to lead design WIP and work sessions to drive conceptual development
• Maintain and build client relationships and present work to them
• Help forge and stabilize new client relationships
• Collaborate seamlessly with Brand Leader partners
• Manage and guide teammates in their career/craft development
• Participate in crafting cross‑disciplinary workflows
• Take on new assignments and the most complex work

Management Expectations

• Inspire and produce great work across virtual environments from all team members
• Develop team goals, prioritize and delegate work effectively across team
• Build a team that exhibits trust and positively collaborates cross‑functionally
• Review employee strengths and gaps in order to develop them for our current and future business needs
• Understand and ensure employees adhere to our company policies, procedures and compliance

Qualifications

• Ability to create, collaborate, design and direct within the packaging and digital workspace
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Strong knowledge of consumer products packaging, creative design, and production artwork
• Ability to articulate rationale behind design choices
• Ability to diplomatically give and receive feedback on their work and work of fellow designers
• 12+ years’ experience
• Agency experience preferred
• Expert level in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign)
• Motion Graphics / Animation, photography, and/or illustration skills are a plus

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance to keep you and your family healthy
• A 401k retirement plan with company contributions to help you plan for your future
• Generous paid time off (PTO), personal time, and volunteer time off, in addition to 8 observed holidays
• Parental leave to support growing families

The Olberding Brand Family is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes individuals of diverse talents and backgrounds.