VP, Experience Design Director — Health Brand Experiences

Syneos Health; Santa Monica (CA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

GSW Santa Monica is seeking a VP, Experience Design Director to lead creative direction across healthcare accounts from Santa Monica, with hybrid work options for LA-area residents. The role demands hands-on Figma mastery, scalable design systems, and leadership across multidisciplinary teams.

The position emphasizes client leadership, strategic design reviews, and developing talent while ensuring accessibility and regulatory compliance across web, mobile, and emerging channels.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in digital design, experience design, interactive design, or related discipline.
• Advanced Figma skills including scalable component libraries, variants and component properties, auto layout, variables and modes, advanced interactive prototyping, and collaborative workflows.
• Ability to build, govern, and evolve Figma design systems; teach advanced techniques to others.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional visual and interaction design and scalable design systems.
• Deep understanding of typography, composition, brand identity, and UI across web and mobile.
• Proven ability to direct creative work, develop talent, manage workloads, and assess scope.
• Strong client presentation and relationship skills; experience leading strategic discussions and new business pitches.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud and modern tools such as Figma Weave or Comfy.
• Familiarity with healthcare communications and regulatory review in advertising.
• Bachelor’s degree in design or related field; portfolio required.
• Experience with XR/VR/AR or other emerging channels is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead experience design across multiple accounts, partnering with senior Experience Design leadership to establish and maintain the creative vision for assigned brands.
• Provide day-to-day direction to the experience team, facilitate creative reviews, and ensure strategic alignment, brand consistency, accessibility, and quality.
• Drive strategic and tactical discussions with clients and account teams; partner on brand initiatives.
• Build and nurture client relationships, present work with rationale, and identify growth opportunities.
• Set standards for Figma design systems, component libraries, and collaborative workflows; coach designers in advanced practices.
• Guide concepts, interaction models, prototypes, animations, and presentations that explain what to build and why it matters.
• Partner with UX and technology teams to ensure feasible, accessible experiences across digital and emerging channels.
• Review scope assumptions and hours with account and project management partners.
• Manage staffing and workloads, match talent to project needs, and maintain high standards.
• Mentor designers and design leaders with feedback and career development.
• Consult with leadership and account teams to achieve agency objectives and resolve delivery challenges.
• Participate in agency leadership and lead design efforts for new business pitches.
• Keep the team current with design tools, emerging tech, and healthcare regulatory considerations.

Skills

Advanced Figma

Leadership experience

Portfolio

Typography design

Client presentation

Team mentorship

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree in design

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Figma

Weave

Comfy

Job description

GSW Santa Monica is seeking a VP, Experience Design Director to lead creative direction across healthcare accounts from Santa Monica, with hybrid work options for LA-area residents. The role demands hands-on Figma mastery, scalable design systems, and leadership across multidisciplinary teams.

The position emphasizes client leadership, strategic design reviews, and developing talent while ensuring accessibility and regulatory compliance across web, mobile, and emerging channels.