Design Director: Lead Craft, Strategy & Teams

Saatchi X; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 129,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Dental and vision coverage

Flexible working arrangements

Work Your World program

Job summary

Saatchi & Saatchi X in the United States seeks a Design Director to lead craft and design direction across major client work. You will own design output, guide cross-functional teams, and align design vision with client goals and strategic initiatives.

In this senior role, you’ll mentor ACDs and senior designers, drive high-impact presentations, and push for modern design practices while maintaining top-quality craft. This position is based in the U.S. with on-site work expectations.

Responsibilities

• Owns business impact of creative decisions—driving revenue, brand growth, and client trust (in partnership with VP leadership)
• Leads senior client relationships as a trusted creative partner across disciplines
• Owns and grows major scopes of work, identifying opportunities to expand impact and business
• Holds teams accountable for delivering work that performs against business goals
• Connects creative ambition to strategy, timelines, and business realities
• Defines the visual direction, ensuring design is strategically aligned, distinctive, and executable.
• Shapes design thinking early to align teams around a clear visual vision.
• Makes clear design decisions when direction or execution lacks clarity.
• Makes final design decisions on high-impact work, ensuring alignment to creative vision and craft excellence.
• Elevates the quality, consistency, and cohesion of design across every touchpoint.
• Establishes and protects standards for typography, composition, color, motion, and visual storytelling,
• Pushes work beyond expectations while grounding it in brand, platform, and audience needs.
• Partners closely with Creative Directors, ACDs, and cross-functional teams.
• Empowers ACDs and senior designers through clear direction, feedback, and coaching.
• Removes obstacles so teams can focus on delivering their best work.
• Leads design critiques, creative reviews, and high-impact client presentations.
• Owns the visual narrative in executive, client, and internal leadership forums.
• Shapes presentation materials and visual stories that inspire confidence and buy-in.
• Applies AI, emerging technology, and modern design tools to improve creative quality and speed.
• Encourages innovation while maintaining uncompromising standards of craft.
• Makes final design decisions, ensuring every deliverable meets the highest standard of design excellence.
• Develops ACDs and senior creatives into confident leaders through coaching, feedback, and real responsibility
• Sets clear expectations for creative quality, ownership, and decision-making
• Creates opportunities for team members to grow through stretch assignments and cross-functional exposure
• Holds teams accountable while creating an environment where they can succeed
• Advocates for talent growth, recognition, and promotion in partnership with leadership

Job description

Saatchi & Saatchi X in the United States seeks a Design Director to lead craft and design direction across major client work. You will own design output, guide cross-functional teams, and align design vision with client goals and strategic initiatives.

In this senior role, you’ll mentor ACDs and senior designers, drive high-impact presentations, and push for modern design practices while maintaining top-quality craft. This position is based in the U.S. with on-site work expectations.