Lincoln Exterior Chief Designer

Ford; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Chief Designer to lead the design team for a prestigious automotive brand. This role focuses on creating innovative vehicle designs that meet the needs of future customers. You will collaborate with marketing and strategy teams, ensuring the creative vision aligns with customer insights and global trends. The position requires exceptional leadership skills, a strong design portfolio, and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively. Join a dynamic team dedicated to shaping the future of mobility and delivering high-quality, luxury experiences through cutting-edge design.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Automotive Strategic Design experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant design field is essential.
• Strong leadership and communication skills necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead design team to create future vehicle design proposals.
• Translate customer insights into innovative vehicle designs.
• Guide multimedia storytelling from strategy to execution.

Skills

Automotive Strategic Design

Multimedia Project Management

Digital Visualization

Design DNA Development

Storytelling

Team Leadership

Communication Skills

Creative Design

Market Research

Luxury Market Understanding

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design

Bachelor's Degree in Vehicle Design

Bachelor's Degree in Transportation Design

Job description

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

Join us in shaping the future of Ford Motor Company, as part of a global organization with exceptional colleagues in world-class facilities. As part of Ford Design, you’ll be at the cutting edge of Ford’s most strategically critical work, designing people and society’s needs into the heart of our next generation of products, services, and experiences.

In this position…

The purpose of the Lincoln Exterior Chief Designer is to lead the Design team in understanding and designing for current and future customers of the Lincoln product line.

The Chief Designer reports to Global Design Director of Lincoln and is responsible for creating and developing future model exterior vehicle design proposals from concept to production release in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional form. Recommend and implement training and development plans for subordinates. Assist the Design Director in the proper and effective implementation of personnel programs, including performance reviews, salary planning and employee counseling.

Responsibilities

As a Chief Designer you will…

• Be responsible for creating and developing future vehicle design proposals.
• Partner with the Marketing and Strategy team members, to define and prioritize the strategic portfolio.
• Translate customer insights into vehicle design. Global Trends awareness is necessary and expected.
• Take responsibility for the creative vision and the standard of output across team members who work under them.
• Influence decisions about Vehicle Architecture, Value to the Customer, Customer Research, User Experience, Cycle Plan development.
• Pitch ideas confidently and present the creative vision clearly to partners, as well as communicate in the same manner to members of the creative team.
• Guide multimedia vehicle storytelling from strategy to execution.
• Facilitate and conduct project reviews and presentations for the leadership team.
• Ensure that sketch interpretation, design quality, and project progress are in keeping with established schedules and program deliverables.
• Plan and organize the workload and job assignments of subordinate personnel.
• Lead multiple Lincoln design projects from conception to completion in accordance with deadlines.
• Ensure that all the organization’s creative output/visuals are consistent with the overall Lincoln brand.
• Lead market research model builds through the shops.
• Ensure exterior/interior appearances are in harmony with all Lincoln Global Design, aligning with the Lincoln product direction while working within cost and program constraints.
• Communicate and conduct program reviews and presentations for design leadership.
• Cultivate employee engagement and improve morale. Embody our culture and steward others in the direction of our shared values and ways of working inside the studio and with Ford.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Vehicle Design or Transportation Design, or equivalent.
• 10+ years in Automotive Strategic Design / Production Design experience.
• Experience managing multimedia projects, internal and external.
• Skills in digital visualization & development is a requirement for this digitally lead studio environment.
• Experience in Design DNA development, Design vision and Design strategies.
• Expert storytelling.
• Global trend awareness is necessary and expected from the candidates.
• High design creativity is a priority.
• Outstanding teamwork, leadership, visual, written, and verbal communication skills required.
• Extensive knowledge of the automotive market and the global trends is a requirement.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of all processes involved in the design ideation and delivery process.
• Ability to work independently and provide strong technical aesthetic judgment to lead team members.
• Demonstrated creative exterior design from concept to final product development phase.
• A design portfolio (pdf) must be provided upon application. Portfolio must demonstrate luxury sensibilities and high-quality execution.
• Demonstrate ability to multitask.
• Outstanding teamwork, leadership, visual, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Must demonstrate strong understanding of luxury/premium market.
• Have strong people management and leadership skills to hire, develop, and inspire the creative team.

Preferred Requirements

• Good understanding of exterior/interior manufacturing process and materials.
• Passionate about automotive and mobility industry, global trends, and innovation.
• Experience of working in or with creative cultures.
• Experience of working in large, corporate environments.
• Experience of managing multiple stakeholders across complex projects.
• Experience of presenting to executive audiences.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you.

Job Info

• Job Identification 44563
• Job Category PD Operations and Quality
• Posting Date 04/18/2025, 01:34 PM
• Degree Level Bachelor's Degree or equivalent
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations 20901 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI, 48124, US (On-site)
• Preferred Degree Associate of Arts and Sciences