Design Director

Story; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Story is hiring a Design Director to lead visual craft across client work, original series, and brand. You'll set the creative direction, develop designers, and collaborate with strategy and production to bring ideas to life.

Based in the SF Bay Area or willing to relocate, you bring senior design leadership, mentor teams, and drive consistency of Story's visual identity across channels, pitches, and productions.

Qualifications

• Portfolio demonstrating senior-level design work across brand and digital.
• Experience mentoring designers and growing design talent.
• Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Based in the SF Bay Area or willing to relocate.

Responsibilities

• Lead design direction across client deliverables, pitch decks, brand systems, and original series.
• Mentor and develop designers, providing clear feedback to elevate craft.
• Collaborate with creative, strategy, and production to connect design to ideas.
• Own Story's visual identity and ensure consistency across channels.
• Set quality standards and guide work from concept to delivery.
• Contribute to new business pitches with strong visual concepts.

Skills

Senior-level design

Mentoring designers

Figma

Brand systems

Communication

Collaboration

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Great stories start with extraordinary people.

We’re bringing together exceptional creative talent to tell the stories of people shaping the future. Work alongside people who raise your standards, champion your ideas, and give you room to do the best work of your career.

Story inspires science. Science makes story real.

Your Story

We're hiring a Design Director to lead visual craft across Story's client work, original series, and brand. You'll set the creative direction, develop our designers, and work closely with strategy and production to bring ideas to life.

Responsibilities:

• Lead design direction across client deliverables, pitch decks, brand systems, and original series.

• Manage and mentor designers, giving clear feedback and helping them develop their craft.

• Partner with creative, strategy, and production leads to connect design decisions to the idea.

• Own Story's visual identity and its consistency across channels.

• Set quality standards and guide work from initial concepts through final delivery.

• Contribute to new business pitches through strong visual concepts and presentations.

Requirements:

• Portfolio demonstrating senior-level design work across brand and digital.

• Experience managing or mentoring designers.

• Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

• Based in the SF Bay Area or willing to relocate.

Bonus:

• A distinctive design sensibility across brand, digital, and motion.

• An ability to give feedback that makes both the work and the designer stronger.

• Fast, iterative thinking and confidence making creative decisions.

• A strong instinct for when a concept needs refinement or a new direction.