Design Director, AI

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director, AI

Company: Jellyfish

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Management & Leadership

Date Posted: April 29, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Up to 60% remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and inspire a globally dispersed team of multi-disciplinary designers, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality static and motion graphics content for world-renowned brands.

• Drive creative excellence and innovation by leveraging AI tools, such as Pencil Pro, to streamline design processes, content adaptation, and localization efforts across diverse markets.

• Oversee the end-to-end production lifecycle for digital and social assets, managing multiple projects simultaneously to meet tight deadlines while maintaining brand integrity and client expectations.

• Foster a collaborative and growth-oriented design community through regular check-ins, weekly design huddles, and active participation in broader creative network meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within Jellyfish's creative production and adaptation division. The emphasis on AI tools like Pencil Pro, combined with global team management and a hybrid work model, indicates a forward-thinking agency focused on efficiency and innovation in content creation for major brands. The "Design Director, AI" title signifies a strategic role that blends creative direction with technological adoption.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a globally dispersed team of designers, fostering a positive and productive creative environment.

• Conduct regular check-ins and provide constructive feedback to support team members' professional development and ensure design excellence.

• Oversee the production and adaptation of static and motion graphics, illustrations, and social media content, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and project requirements.

• Implement and optimize AI-driven workflows, utilizing tools like Pencil Pro to enhance efficiency in content adaptation, localization, and asset generation.

• Collaborate closely with creative directors, project managers, and client stakeholders to ensure clear understanding of briefs and successful execution of creative strategies.

• Manage project pipelines, prioritize tasks, and allocate resources effectively to meet delivery timelines for multiple high-impact projects.

• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, technological advancements, and cultural nuances to inspire team innovation and maintain cutting-edge creative output.

• Develop and present compelling design solutions and strategic recommendations to internal teams, senior leadership, and clients.

• Ensure all design assets are optimized for various platforms and digital touchpoints, maintaining brand consistency and impact.

• Actively participate in weekly design huddles and monthly meetings with the Creative and Experience Network to align on strategy and share best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of people management, creative direction, and operational efficiency. The explicit mention of "Pencil Pro" and "AI tools" points to a strategic focus on leveraging technology for scalable content production and adaptation, which is a key differentiator for operations-minded candidates.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While traditional degrees are de-emphasized, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent expertise is essential.

Experience: A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in a relevant design role within an agency or brand environment, with a proven track record of leading and mentoring diverse design teams across multiple time zones.

Required Skills:

• Proven leadership experience in managing and mentoring multi-disciplinary design teams, preferably in a global or dispersed setting.

• Expertise in core design software: Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects).

• Strong proficiency in motion design and video editing, with a deep understanding of visual storytelling principles.

• Demonstrated experience in producing high-quality digital and social media assets, both static and motion, for global audiences.

• Familiarity with AI-driven tools for content adaptation and optimization, specifically Pencil Pro, and an understanding of how to integrate them into design workflows.

• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects under tight deadlines.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, comfortable articulating design concepts and leading discussions with internal teams and external clients.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in 3D design tools such as Blender.

• Experience with Premiere Pro for video editing.

• Deep understanding of content localization strategies and best practices.

• Experience in paid media design and social media strategy integration.

• Ability to creatively push design briefs and deliver innovative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "skills, expertise, and behavioral attributes over years of experience and traditional degrees" suggests a progressive hiring approach. Candidates should highlight practical experience, creative problem-solving abilities, and leadership potential. The explicit mention of Pencil Pro and AI tools indicates a need for candidates who are not only skilled designers but also early adopters of new technologies that enhance operational efficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of high-quality static and motion design projects for globally recognized brands.

• Demonstrated examples of adapting and localizing content across different markets and platforms, highlighting process and results.

• Case studies illustrating leadership and team management, detailing how you guided a design team to achieve project goals.

• Evidence of utilizing technology and innovative workflows to enhance design production efficiency and speed.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you've structured design workflows to ensure efficient collaboration and timely delivery.

• Demonstrations of how you've integrated AI tools or new technologies to optimize design processes and asset creation.

• Documentation of your approach to providing constructive feedback and managing revisions within a team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Director role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only display creative talent but also strategic thinking regarding process, team management, and the adoption of new technologies like AI to drive efficiency and scalability in design production. Aspirants should be prepared to discuss the "how" behind their creative output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $134,000 - $165,000 USD, annually. The final offer will be dependent on experience.

Benefits:

• Eligibility for a discretionary annual bonus scheme.

• 401k retirement plan.

• Comprehensive healthcare plans, including medical, vision, and dental insurance.

• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.

• Life insurance.

• 14 weeks of paid leave for primary caregivers.

• 4 weeks of paid leave for secondary caregivers.

• Dedicated self-development time (1 paid day per month, equivalent to 2 hours per week).

• Access to Jellyfish Learn for continuous learning and professional growth.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible working hours between 8 am and 6:30 pm, allowing for up to 60% remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Design Director role in New York City. The benefits package is robust, emphasizing work-life balance, family support, and professional development, which are attractive to senior-level operations and creative professionals. The flexibility in working hours and remote days aligns with modern hybrid work expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Marketing / Advertising / Technology

Company Size: Jellyfish is a global digital marketing agency with a significant employee base, indicated by its global reach and dispersed teams.

Founded: Information not explicitly provided, but its status as a "global digital marketing agency" suggests established operations.

Team Structure:

• The design team is globally dispersed, requiring strong remote leadership and communication skills.

• The role involves collaboration with creative directors, project managers, and potentially client-facing teams.

Methodology:

• Jellyfish emphasizes a fusion of tech, creative, media, and data expertise to empower clients.

• The agency challenges the status quo and reinvents media activation and storytelling.

• There's a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, believing individual differences drive innovation.

• Operations are supported by AI tools like Pencil Pro to enhance efficiency and adaptation.

Company Website: https://www.jellyfish.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Jellyfish positions itself as an innovative, tech-forward digital marketing agency. The culture values diversity, individual growth, and challenging norms. The integration of AI tools like Pencil Pro into core operations signifies a commitment to embracing new technologies for enhanced efficiency and client solutions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership position, a "Design Director," indicating significant responsibility for team management, creative output, and strategic integration of technology within the design function. It sits at a critical junction between creative vision and operational execution.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into broader creative leadership and collaborates with project management. The Design Director also leads a team with a global, dispersed structure, requiring strong indirect leadership.

Operations Impact: The Design Director is pivotal in ensuring the successful, efficient, and high-quality production of creative assets that directly impact client campaigns, brand perception, and ultimately, Jellyfish's revenue and client retention. The strategic use of AI and efficient workflows directly contributes to operational profitability and scalability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advance into a more senior creative leadership role (e.g., VP of Creative, Head of Design) with broader strategic oversight.

• Specialize further in AI-driven creative technologies or lead new initiatives in this area.

• Develop expertise in managing larger, more complex global teams and accounts.

• Gain exposure to high-level client strategy and business development through presentations and collaborations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within a global agency setting. The focus on AI and efficient production processes provides opportunities to develop specialized skills that are highly valued in the evolving digital marketing landscape, positioning the candidate for future leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid position based out of the NYC office, allowing for up to 60% remote work.

Office Location(s): New York, New York, United States.

Workspace Context:

• The role requires managing a globally dispersed team, necessitating strong virtual collaboration and communication skills.

• Access to standard design tools and potentially advanced AI technology platforms.

• Opportunities for cross-functional collaboration with project managers, creative teams, and potentially client-facing roles.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours between 8 am and 6:30 pm, accommodating the hybrid remote/office model and global team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and flexible hours are key selling points, indicating a commitment to work-life balance and employee autonomy. Managing a dispersed team means the work environment emphasizes digital communication tools and asynchronous workflows, which are critical for operations success in a global context.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, leadership capabilities, and alignment with AI/technology focus.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on leadership style, team management experience, creative vision, and understanding of production workflows.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A session where candidates present selected case studies, detailing their approach to creative problem-solving, team leadership, and the integration of AI tools like Pencil Pro. Expect questions on process, strategy, and impact.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential peers or collaborators (e.g., Project Managers, Creative Directors) to assess cultural fit, communication style, and collaborative approach.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit and overall vision for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate 3-5 strong case studies that highlight leadership, creative excellence, and successful adaptation/localization projects.

• For each case study, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the team structure, the creative process, the challenges faced (especially in localization or AI integration), and the quantifiable results or impact.

• Be prepared to discuss how you utilized or would utilize tools like Pencil Pro to drive efficiency and innovation.

• Emphasize your ability to mentor and guide a dispersed team.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical scenarios related to managing difficult team dynamics, handling client feedback, or optimizing a complex design workflow for a global campaign.

• Prepare to articulate your vision for integrating AI into design processes at scale.

• Understand Jellyfish's agency model and how design leadership contributes to their overall client solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to lead creatively, manage complex operational workflows (especially with AI integration), and foster a high-performing, dispersed team. The portfolio review is critical for demonstrating practical application of skills and strategic thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (expert proficiency required), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects - expert proficiency).

• Video Editing: Premiere Pro (expected proficiency).

• AI & Adaptation Tools: Pencil Pro (familiarity and experience required), understanding of how AI can streamline content creation and localization.

• 3D Design (Bonus): Blender.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly listed for this role, a Design Director should understand how to interpret design performance metrics and contribute to reporting on asset effectiveness.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this design-focused role, but an understanding of how design assets integrate into broader marketing automation platforms may be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The explicit mention of Pencil Pro highlights a specific technological requirement, indicating that candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or aptitude for learning and implementing AI-driven design tools to enhance operational efficiency and scalability.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies like AI to drive creative and operational advancements.

• Collaboration: Fostering a strong sense of community within a dispersed team and working effectively across functions.

• Excellence: Consistently delivering high-quality creative output that meets and exceeds client expectations.

• Inclusion: Valuing diverse perspectives to fuel creativity and better solutions.

• Efficiency: Optimizing workflows and leveraging tools to maximize productivity and speed.

Collaboration Style:

• Emphasis on open communication, regular feedback, and proactive problem-solving.

• Cross-functional collaboration with project management, creative strategy, and client teams.

• A culture that encourages continuous learning and sharing of best practices, especially regarding new technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of creative energy, technological adoption, and a strong emphasis on teamwork and individual growth within a diverse, global framework. Candidates should demonstrate an alignment with these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing a Dispersed Global Team: Effectively leading, motivating, and ensuring consistent output from designers across different time zones and cultures.

• Integrating AI Tools: Successfully implementing and optimizing AI tools like Pencil Pro into existing workflows, requiring adaptation and training.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Operational Demands: Ensuring high creative standards while meeting tight deadlines and budget constraints for large-scale content production.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continually adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape of design, AI, and digital marketing.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunities to lead and innovate with cutting-edge AI design technologies.

• Professional development through Jellyfish Learn and dedicated self-development time.

• Exposure to high-profile global brands and complex creative challenges.

• Potential to grow into broader leadership roles within the agency's creative or operations functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges in leadership and technological adoption, but these are directly tied to substantial growth opportunities for a candidate who can navigate these complexities and drive innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to leading and motivating a globally dispersed design team. How do you ensure creative alignment and quality across different time zones?"

• "How have you leveraged AI or new technologies (e.g., Pencil Pro) to improve design workflows, efficiency, or content adaptation in previous roles? What were the outcomes?"

• "Walk us through a complex project where you had to adapt creative assets for multiple global markets. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Jellyfish's approach to digital marketing and its emphasis on innovation and technology?"

• "How do you foster a culture of inclusivity and collaboration within a design team?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select case studies that demonstrate leadership, creative problem-solving, and successful implementation of technology (especially AI) for efficiency.

• Clearly articulate the operational aspects: workflow design, team structure, challenges in adaptation/localization, and the role of specific tools.

• Quantify impact wherever possible (e.g., % increase in efficiency, reduction in turnaround time, successful campaign metrics).

• Be prepared to discuss the "why" behind your design decisions and leadership choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing a blend of creative vision, strong leadership, and pragmatic operational understanding, particularly concerning technology adoption and process optimization. Candidates should be ready to speak confidently about their experience with AI tools and managing global teams.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director, AI position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight leadership experience, proficiency in Figma and Adobe Suite, and any experience with AI tools like Pencil Pro or content adaptation for global markets.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly showcase your 7+ years of relevant experience, focusing on achievements in team leadership, project management, and creative output for global brands. Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a digital portfolio that prominently features case studies demonstrating your directorial capabilities, creative problem-solving, and specific examples of process optimization or AI tool integration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Jellyfish's client roster, case studies, and their stated values regarding innovation, technology, and diversity to demonstrate cultural fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions to provide a comprehensive overview. All details should be verified directly with Jellyfish before making application decisions. The emphasis on AI tools like Pencil Pro is a key differentiator for this role.