Design Director: Brand Systems & Creative Leadership

McAfee; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 141,680 - 232,760; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus Program

401k Retirement

Medical, Dental, Vision

Paid Parental Leave

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Holidays

Job summary

McAfee is hiring a Design Director to lead the design vertical within Brand Creative Services. This player‑coach role will set direction, raise craft, and coach designers to deliver standout brand work across campaigns and lifecycle channels.

You’ll operationalize the design system, educate teams on guidelines, and guide faster workflows with AI‑enabled design tools while preserving brand integrity and performance insights.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of design leadership across brand and marketing.
• Proven ability to set a high bar for design quality across campaigns and always-on creative.
• Experience mentoring designers and leading through feedback and collaboration.
• Strong design systems and brand identity experience; translate strategy into scalable guidelines.
• Comfort presenting design rationale to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead design concepting and execution across brand initiatives—integrated campaigns, lifecycle marketing, product storytelling, social, web, and partner channels.
• Champion and evolve the New McAfee design system and raise craft for the design vertical.
• Partner with Copy, Brand Strategy, Creative Production, Growth/Lifecycle Marketing, and Product Marketing to translate briefs into clear design approaches.
• Coach and review work from designers, providing actionable feedback and growth plans.
• Operationalize and steward the refreshed brand identity and design system; educate teams and partners.
• Balance brand craftsmanship with performance insights, using data to improve creative effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Creative Production to scope work, align timelines, and ensure feasibility.
• Champion adoption of AI-enabled design tools to accelerate iteration while maintaining quality and brand safety.
• Collaborate with external agencies and freelancers as needed for brand consistency across campaigns.
• Be a company leader for Design, presenting to E Staff up to the CMO and CEO.

Skills

Design leadership

Brand systems

Craft & concept

Cross‑functional

Mentoring

AI‑enabled workflows

Executive presentation

Tools

AI-enabled design tools

Job description

McAfee is hiring a Design Director to lead the design vertical within Brand Creative Services. This player‑coach role will set direction, raise craft, and coach designers to deliver standout brand work across campaigns and lifecycle channels.

You’ll operationalize the design system, educate teams on guidelines, and guide faster workflows with AI‑enabled design tools while preserving brand integrity and performance insights.