Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: Akcelo

Location: Redfern, New South Wales, Australia

Job Type: Fixed Term - Salary

Category: Creative & Design Leadership / Brand Experience

Date Posted: 2026-04-21

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead a dedicated design team focused on the McDonald’s brand to elevate the integrated brand experience across all touchpoints.

• Own and ensure the visual quality, craft, and consistency of all brand outputs, from restaurant environments to digital campaigns and merchandise.

• Drive cohesive, high-quality brand representation by partnering closely with creative, strategy, account, and production teams.

• Mentor and develop a team of designers and creatives, setting clear direction, providing constructive feedback, and establishing high standards for design craft.

• Present design concepts and solutions to clients with confidence, clarity, and authority, championing design excellence and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a senior leadership position within a creative agency setting, focusing on a major QSR client. The "Design Director" title, combined with responsibilities like leading a team, owning visual quality, and client presentations, indicates a strategic and hands-on creative leadership role. The emphasis on "integrated brand experience" suggests a need for a holistic understanding of how design functions across physical, digital, and experiential touchpoints. The "Fixed Term - Salary" employment type suggests a project-based or contract engagement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the McDonald’s design team, overseeing multiple workstreams and creative disciplines to ensure project success and team development.

• Direct the visual quality and craft of all brand outputs, ensuring precision and creativity across restaurant environments, packaging, merchandise, product photography, and campaign systems.

• Collaborate with creative, strategy, and production departments to effectively bring innovative ideas to life with a focus on exceptional execution.

• Maintain and drive consistency across all brand touchpoints while fostering an environment that encourages creative innovation within brand guidelines.

• Present design work and strategic rationale to clients with confidence, authority, and clarity, effectively articulating the value and impact of design solutions.

• Manage, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of designers and creatives, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in design craft.

• Establish and communicate clear direction, feedback, and quality standards for design output, ensuring all work meets the highest level of craft and brand alignment.

• Identify and champion opportunities to evolve and elevate the McDonald’s brand through strategic design initiatives and innovative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, team management, and direct creative oversight. The focus on "multiple workstreams," "end-to-end visual quality," and "partnering with creative, strategy, and production" emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of the design process from concept to execution. The "client-facing" aspect and "managing, mentoring, and growing a high-performing design team" are critical leadership functions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for a Design Director role, though equivalent professional experience and a strong portfolio can often substitute.

Experience: A minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in design, with a significant portion of that time spent in leadership roles, specifically focusing on major retail or Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) brands. Proven experience in managing design teams and overseeing complex, multi-channel brand initiatives.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience leading design strategy and execution for major retail or QSR brands.

• Exceptional design craft and a strong portfolio showcasing award-winning work across diverse creative disciplines.

• Deep understanding of physical and digital brand environments, including spatial design, retail interiors, and digital user interfaces.

• Comprehensive experience across packaging design, retail environments, spatial design, and campaign system development.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, mentor, and grow high-performing creative teams, fostering talent and driving performance.

• Confident and authoritative client-facing presence with exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.

• Profound knowledge of production processes across multiple formats and channels, ensuring feasibility and quality of design outputs.

• High attention to detail with an unwavering passion for design craft, brand consistency, and visual precision.

• Ability to manage complex projects, multiple stakeholders, and tight timelines effectively in a fast-paced agency environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI production tools and workflows to enhance creative output and efficiency.

• Familiarity with brand strategy development and its integration into design execution.

• Experience in art direction for photography and video shoots.

• Understanding of sustainability principles in packaging and material selection.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a strong blend of creative talent, strategic thinking, leadership capability, and practical execution experience. The "10+ years" experience level aligns with a director-level role. The specific mention of "award-winning work" and a "portfolio" is critical. The inclusion of "AI production" as a plus indicates awareness of emerging technologies in the creative field.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of high-quality design projects, ideally with a focus on retail, QSR, or large-scale brand experiences.

• Demonstrations of end-to-end design ownership, from initial concept development through to final execution and implementation.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the design challenges, strategic thinking, creative solutions, and measurable impact (e.g., brand uplift, sales impact, user engagement).

• Examples of how brand consistency was maintained across diverse touchpoints and formats.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how design processes were structured, managed, and optimized within previous roles or projects.

• Documentation illustrating collaboration workflows between design teams, strategy, account management, and production.

• Case studies that highlight the integration of design thinking into broader business objectives and client strategies.

• Evidence of setting and maintaining design standards, including style guides, brand guidelines, and quality control processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Director role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just creative output but also strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to manage complex projects. The emphasis on "end-to-end ownership," "measurable impact," and "collaboration workflows" is crucial for showcasing a director-level capability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the location (Redfern, New South Wales, Australia), experience level (10+ years), and the seniority of a Design Director role for a major client in a creative agency, the estimated annual salary range would be AUD $150,000 - $220,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Sydney, industry benchmarks for senior creative leadership roles, and the specific demands of managing a team and client accounts for a prominent brand like McDonald's.

Benefits:

• Fixed-term employment contract with competitive salary.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or project completion incentives.

• Access to professional development opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and training in new design technologies.

• Contribution to superannuation (Australian retirement savings) as per legislative requirements.

• Opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns for a globally recognized brand.

• Collaborative and dynamic agency environment with a focus on creative excellence.

• Potential for flexible work arrangements within the hybrid model.

Working Hours: The role is advertised as Fixed Term - Salary, with an implied full-time commitment. Standard full-time working hours in Australia are typically 38-40 hours per week, with flexibility often available within a hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation requires careful consideration of local market rates, the specific nature of the role (senior leadership, client-facing), and the employment type (Fixed Term). AUD $150k-$220k is a reasonable range for a Design Director in Sydney with extensive experience. Benefits are tailored to Australian standards and agency environments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advertising & Marketing / Design Services. Akcelo operates as an innovation partner and agency, focusing on helping organizations navigate the "experience era." This suggests a forward-thinking, client-centric approach that emphasizes strategic brand development and execution.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the fact that Akcelo is hiring for a Director-level role on a major client like McDonald's suggests it is an established agency with significant operations and client portfolios. It's likely a medium to large agency or a specialized boutique with substantial client resources.

Founded: The company description mentions being a "new breed of agency designed for the experience era," implying a relatively recent founding or a significant rebranding/pivot to focus on modern brand experiences. This suggests a culture that is adaptable, innovative, and focused on evolving client needs.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will lead a dedicated design team within Akcelo, specifically focused on the McDonald’s account. This team likely comprises various design specialists (e.g., graphic designers, spatial designers, motion designers).

• This role will operate closely with other key departments within the agency, including Creative, Strategy, Account Management, and Production teams, to deliver integrated brand experiences.

Methodology:

• Akcelo's focus on the "experience era" suggests a methodology grounded in understanding user journeys, crafting seamless brand interactions, and leveraging data to inform design decisions.

• The emphasis on innovation implies an iterative process, encouraging experimentation and the exploration of new creative solutions.

• Collaboration is key, with a methodology that encourages cross-functional teamwork to ensure holistic brand experiences.

Company Website: https://akcelo.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is derived from the provided description. Akcelo positions itself as a modern agency focused on "experience," which is crucial for a Design Director role working on a brand with extensive customer touchpoints. The team structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, a common trait in effective agencies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the creative and design field. As a Design Director, you are responsible for setting the creative vision, leading and mentoring a team, ensuring the highest quality of work, and acting as a key point of contact for a major client. This level requires strategic thinking, strong project management, and significant client relationship management skills.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will likely report to a higher-level creative lead (e.g., Creative Director, Executive Creative Director, or Head of Design) within Akcelo. They will have direct reports from the design team assigned to the McDonald’s account. This structure necessitates strong communication and leadership skills to manage upwards, downwards, and across departments.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing the visual identity and brand perception of McDonald's across numerous touchpoints. Success in this role will contribute to brand consistency, customer engagement, and potentially drive business outcomes through effective design solutions. It requires translating business objectives into compelling visual strategies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into an Executive Creative Director role or lead design for multiple clients.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape Akcelo's broader design philosophy and methodology.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as spatial design, digital experience design, or AI-driven creative processes.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop stronger client partnerships and influence strategic brand direction for major accounts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career analysis focuses on the senior leadership aspects of the Design Director role. The "Operations Impact" section is interpreted through the lens of how design operations influence business outcomes and brand perception. Growth opportunities are framed within an agency career path.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as Hybrid, indicating a mix of remote work and in-office presence. This suggests Akcelo provides office facilities designed for collaboration, client meetings, and focused creative work, while allowing for personal flexibility.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Redfern, New South Wales, Australia. Redfern is a well-connected inner-city suburb of Sydney, offering good public transport links and access to amenities. This location is conducive to client interactions and team collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration among creative teams, strategy, account management, and production.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology, including high-performance workstations and software licenses (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), is expected.

• Opportunities for informal and formal team interactions, brainstorming sessions, and client presentations will be integral to the daily work environment.

Work Schedule: A hybrid work schedule implies that days in the office will be structured for collaborative tasks, team meetings, and client engagements, while remote days can be utilized for focused individual work, design execution, and personal flexibility. The standard 40-hour work week is typical for a full-time role, with potential for occasional overtime during peak project periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect of the work environment. The Redfern location is noted for its accessibility. The workspace context emphasizes collaboration and the necessary tools for a design director role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by HR or a senior creative lead to assess alignment with the role requirements and caliber of work.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: A session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing key projects, their role, strategic approach, and design craft. This is often followed by an interview with the hiring manager and potentially other senior team members.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential direct reports and cross-functional collaborators (e.g., Head of Strategy, Head of Production) to assess leadership style, collaborative fit, and understanding of integrated workflows.

• Client Interaction (Potentially): In some cases, you might be asked to present a concept or case study to client stakeholders or participate in a joint interview.

• Final Offer: Discussion of terms, salary, and contract details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver high-quality design for retail/QSR brands. Highlight award-winning work.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the strategic approach, the creative solution, the challenges overcome, and the measurable results or impact.

• Showcase Breadth: Include examples across different touchpoints (packaging, retail, digital, campaign systems) to demonstrate your holistic understanding of brand experience.

• Highlight Leadership: If possible, include examples of how you've mentored teams or managed design processes to achieve project goals.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to answer questions about your design philosophy, creative process, and how you handle client feedback and team dynamics.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Audit: Be prepared to critically analyze an existing brand's design system or a specific campaign and suggest improvements.

• Concept Presentation: You might be asked to develop a brief concept for a hypothetical challenge related to McDonald's brand experience.

• Process Walkthrough: Be ready to describe how you would approach a complex design project from brief to execution, including team management and stakeholder communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips are tailored to a senior creative leadership role. The emphasis on storytelling, strategic thinking, and demonstrating impact in the portfolio is crucial for a Design Director.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for graphic design and layout.

• Prototyping/UX Tools (Potentially): Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD may be beneficial for digital touchpoints or conceptualizing spatial/digital experiences.

• Presentation Software: Tools like PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides for client presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Emerging Technologies:

• AI Production Tools: Experience with AI-powered design tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Adobe Firefly) for ideation, asset generation, or workflow enhancement is a noted plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack focuses on industry-standard design software. The inclusion of AI production tools as a "plus" reflects current industry trends and Akcelo's forward-looking approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Excellence: A deep commitment to craft, quality, and pushing creative boundaries.

• Innovation: A drive to explore new ideas, technologies, and approaches to brand experience.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of teamwork and cross-functional partnership to achieve the best outcomes.

• Client Focus: A dedication to understanding client needs and delivering strategic, impactful solutions.

• Growth Mindset: A commitment to continuous learning, mentorship, and personal development within the team.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Approach: Working seamlessly with strategy, account management, and production to ensure cohesive brand execution.

• Constructive Feedback: Fostering an environment where feedback is shared openly and constructively to elevate the work.

• Shared Ownership: Encouraging a sense of collective responsibility for the success of the McDonald's account and Akcelo's overall creative output.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication across all teams and with clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred from Akcelo's positioning as an "innovation partner" and the nature of a senior creative leadership role within an agency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining the established visual identity of a global brand like McDonald's while introducing fresh, innovative design elements.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholders: Navigating the expectations and requirements of various internal teams and client stakeholders at McDonald's.

• Leading a Hybrid Team: Effectively managing, motivating, and ensuring high performance from a design team working in a hybrid remote/in-office model.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving design trends, technologies (like AI), and consumer expectations in the QSR and retail space.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering AI in Design: Exploring and integrating AI tools into workflows for enhanced creativity and efficiency.

• Strategic Brand Development: Gaining deeper insights into brand strategy and its application in large-scale, multi-channel campaigns.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Honing leadership skills through managing and developing a talented design team.

• Industry Exposure: Attending design conferences, workshops, and engaging with industry thought leaders to stay current.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed around the specific demands of a Design Director role for a major brand in a dynamic agency environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to leading a design team that is responsible for a major global brand like McDonald's. How do you ensure both consistency and innovation?"

• "Walk us through a significant project from your portfolio where you led the design strategy for a retail or QSR brand. What were the key challenges, your strategic approach, and the measurable outcomes?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Akcelo's positioning in the 'experience era,' and how do you see your role contributing to that?"

• "How would you foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration within a hybrid design team?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level summary of your leadership philosophy and career achievements. For each project, clearly state the client, the objective, your role, the solution, and the outcome.

• Quantify Success: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the business impact of your design work (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, positive brand sentiment).

• Showcase Process: Briefly explain your design process, highlighting how you approach problem-solving, collaborate with teams, and ensure quality.

• Enthusiasm and Authority: Present with confidence, passion, and a clear understanding of how your work aligns with client goals and Akcelo's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions and portfolio presentation strategies are designed to probe for leadership, strategic thinking, creative execution, and cultural fit.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your CV and a link to your comprehensive design portfolio through the Akcelo careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features relevant work from retail, QSR, or large-scale brand experience projects, clearly highlighting your leadership and strategic contributions.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize leadership experience, client management, team mentorship, and specific achievements in design execution for major brands.

• Presentation Practice: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on storytelling, articulating strategic rationale, and demonstrating measurable impact. Prepare to discuss your design philosophy and leadership approach.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Akcelo's work, particularly their approach to the "experience era," and research current McDonald's branding and marketing initiatives to demonstrate your understanding and alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

---