Senior Graphic Design Lead

Stephens+; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Stephens+ is seeking a Senior Graphic Design Lead to set the standard for design quality across the agency, guiding design thinking and concept development while mentoring designers.

This hands-on leader will contribute across print, digital, motion, and emerging platforms, collaborating with creative leadership to elevate brand guidelines and drive exceptional outcomes for national clients. You will mentor teams, oversee project briefs, and ensure consistent visual language across campaigns.

Qualifications

• 5-6+ years of professional design experience with an impressive online portfolio.
• 3-5+ years of experience leading, managing, and mentoring designers.
• Agency experience preferred.
• Strong expertise in design, branding, and digital experiences.
• Located in Ohio and able to work remotely.

Responsibilities

• Lead design thinking, concept development, and creative problem-solving across print, digital, motion, and emerging platforms.
• Mentor designers through feedback, direction, and growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with creative leadership to elevate brand guidelines and ensure high-quality output.
• Manage workload, balance client needs, and contribute to cross-disciplinary projects.

Skills

Design leadership

Mentoring designers

Agency experience

Branding

Digital experiences

Tools

CMS

Email marketing

Marketing automation

Motion design

Job description

Stephens+ is a fast-paced, full-service agency with omni-channel marketing expertise in retail, fintech, athletics, healthcare, and education. Most of our clientele are nationally

known industry leaders and we develop and execute full-scale marketing campaigns. Stephens+ is headquartered in Dayton, OH and serves clients across the country.

Summary

The Senior Graphic Design Lead at Stephens+ helps set the standard for design quality and creative execution across the agency. This hands-on leader will guide design thinking and concept development, mentor designers, and contribute directly to design and execution across print, digital, motion, and emerging platforms. The ideal candidate brings strong agency experience, an impressive portfolio, excellent communication skills, and a high level of design expertise.

Job Expectations

This is a hands-on leadership role. The Senior Graphic Design Lead balances people leadership and creative direction with active participation in design, concepting, and execution. This role drives design excellence through:

• Helps establish and maintain the agency’s design standards in partnership with creative leadership
• Leads design thinking, concept development, and creative problem-solving
• Brings strong design skills and clear rationale across a range of work, media, and platforms
• Demonstrates expertise in traditional and digital design, including print, interactive, video, and motion
• Advocates for technology-forward platforms, tools, and approaches
• Provides feedback that strengthens briefs, project information, and creative direction
• Ensures work is aligned with and elevates brand guidelines
• Mentors designers through thoughtful feedback, direction, and opportunities for growth
• Manages and develops team members through regular 1:1s, coaching, and ongoing feedback
• Serves as a design resource for the broader agency
• Identifies and champions process improvements that create a more efficient workflow
• Provides training and guidance on design tools and processes as needed
• Helps foster a collaborative, supportive, and high-performing team
• Works closely with creative leadership to advance the quality and capabilities of the department
• Collaborates effectively across disciplines and agency teams
• Builds strong, positive relationships and models clear, efficient communication
• Brings strong knowledge of design, motion, and MarTech, including digital experiences, CMS, email, personalization, AI, marketing automation, and interactive platforms

Agency & Client Impact

• Understands client objectives and translates business challenges into effective creative solutions
• Helps teams balance creative ambition with client needs, scope, timing, and budget
• Participates in client presentations and conversations when appropriate
• Identifies opportunities to expand creative solutions and agency capabilities
• Demonstrates curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn and grow
• Acts with integrity and serves as a positive, solutions-oriented force within the agency

Requirements

• 5-6+ years of professional design experience with an impressive online portfolio
• 3-5+ years of experience leading, managing, and mentoring designers
• Agency experience preferred
• Strong expertise in design, branding, and digital experiences
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced agency environment
• Located in Ohio andable to work remotely