Design Director

CBX; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

CBX is seeking a Design Director to lead the creative vision and design delivery for key client engagements, shaping brand programs and directing multidisciplinary teams. You will translate research and business objectives into clear briefs, mentor designers, manage timelines and budgets, and present work with strategic clarity to build trusted client relationships and drive growth.

A strong portfolio and excellent communication are essential to elevate the creative bar while balancing client

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in brand design.
• Portfolio demonstrating concept development, brand identity, design systems, storytelling, and execution across multiple channels.

Responsibilities

• Own the creative vision and design quality for assigned clients and brand programs, ensuring strategic grounding and effectiveness across touchpoints.
• Translate research, strategy, and business objectives into clear briefs, brand platforms, design systems, and directions for the team.
• Lead kickoffs, ideation sessions, critiques, and design reviews; provide timely, actionable feedback and determine when work is ready for client presentation.
• Direct and manage designers and project teams, setting clear roles, priorities, timelines, and expectations while balancing quality, resources, and deliverables.
• Build senior client relationships as a trusted brand advisor; present work with confidence, explain rationale, and guide decision-making.
• Partner with client services and strategy on scopes, staffing, schedules, and budgets; monitor hours and deliverables.
• Coach and develop design talent through ongoing feedback, career guidance, and opportunities to strengthen team capabilities.

Skills

Brand design

Leadership

Client facing

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in design

Equivalent professional experience

Job description

DESIGN DIRECTOR

WHO WE ARE

CBX is a brand and design agency built around the belief that meaningful connections drive business growth. We combine strategy, creativity, and industry expertise to create distinctive brands, experiences, and solutions that perform in the marketplace. Our culture values curiosity, collaboration, straight talk, hands‑on problem solving, and work that makes a measurable difference.

WHO YOU ARE

You are a strategic creative leader who can turn business and brand challenges into clear, compelling design ideas. You set a high creative bar, bring a confident point of view, and know how to guide teams from early thinking through polished execution. You balance creative ambition with client needs, timelines, and budgets, while creating an environment where designers can do their best work and grow.

THE GIG

The Design Director leads the creative vision and design delivery for key client engagements. Partnering with creative, strategy, client services, and senior leadership, you shape brand programs, direct multidisciplinary teams, and present work with strategic clarity and conviction.

• Own the creative vision and overall design quality for assigned clients and brand programs, ensuring the work is strategically grounded, distinctive, and effective across touchpoints.
• Translate research, strategy, and business objectives into strong creative briefs, brand platforms, design systems, and clear directions for the team.
• Lead kickoffs, ideation sessions, critiques, and design reviews; provide timely, actionable feedback and determine when work is ready for client presentation.
• Direct and manage designers and project teams, setting clear roles, priorities, timelines, and expectations while balancing creative quality, resources, and deliverables.
• Build senior client relationships as a trusted brand advisor; present work with confidence, explain the rationale behind recommendations, and guide productive decision‑making.
• Partner with client services and strategy on scopes, staffing, schedules, and budgets; monitor hours and deliverables to support efficient, profitable project delivery.
• Coach and develop design talent through ongoing feedback, career guidance, performance input, and opportunities that strengthen individual and team capabilities.

THE EXPERIENCE YOU BRING

• 8+ years of progressive experience in brand design, with significant experience leading creative work in a branding, design, or integrated agency environment.
• A portfolio demonstrating exceptional concept development, brand identity, design systems, storytelling, and execution across multiple channels and touchpoints.
• Proven ability to connect brand strategy, category and competitive insights, audience needs, and business goals to clear creative direction.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and reviewing the work of designers at different levels while managing multiple projects and priorities.
• Strong client‑facing and presentation skills, including the ability to influence senior stakeholders, navigate feedback, and defend a point of view constructively.
• Excellent judgment, communication, and organizational skills, with working knowledge of agency scoping, resourcing, budgets, and project economics. Bachelor's degree in design or a related field is preferred, or equivalent professional experience.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Creative work consistently meets the brief, raises the quality bar, and earns strong client and internal approval with limited late‑stage rework.
• Projects are delivered on time and within agreed scope and hours, with risks surfaced early and resources adjusted proactively.
• Clients view you as a trusted creative and brand advisor, reflected in stronger relationships, repeat engagements, expanded opportunities, and effective presentations.
• Design teams receive clear direction and useful feedback, demonstrate growth, and consistently understand their roles, priorities, and standards.
• Creative leadership contributes to new business, agency thought leadership, stronger processes, and a collaborative CBX culture.