Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: Hustle

Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

Experience Level: 8+ Years (with emphasis on leadership and hands-on contribution)

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office, 1 day WFH)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead a team of three designers, fostering stability, consistency, and creative energy within the design discipline.

• Drive the creative vision and execution for major national rebranding and brand identity projects, ensuring fresh and impactful output.

• Maintain a hands-on approach to design, actively contributing to and elevating the quality of client work across branding, campaigns, digital experiences, and more.

• Collaborate closely with the founder and leadership team, with potential to influence broader management and agency strategy.

• Champion the agency's design standards and processes, while exploring innovative tools like AI to enhance creative workflows and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within a creative agency, emphasizing a blend of strategic direction, team mentorship, and direct creative contribution. The ideal candidate is not just a manager but a hands-on creative leader who is passionate about staying current and making a tangible impact on client projects and the agency's overall creative output. The "Design Director" title, combined with the responsibilities, suggests a strong focus on brand identity and creative strategy, with a mandate to push creative boundaries.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the conceptualization and execution of major national brand identity projects, from initial concept development through to the creation of robust design systems and comprehensive rollout plans.

• Establish and uphold the highest creative standards for brand and design work across all agency projects, ensuring consistency and excellence.

• Remain actively involved in the design process, personally contributing to and elevating the quality of creative output for key client deliverables.

• Provide effective leadership and mentorship to a team of three designers, fostering their professional development and creative growth.

• Guide and support junior creatives, nurturing their craft, building their confidence, and ensuring their contributions align with the agency's creative vision.

• Confidently present and articulate creative concepts and strategic ideas to clients and senior stakeholders, effectively selling the agency's vision.

• Facilitate Brand Expression workshops, guiding clients through collaborative sessions to define and refine brand strategies and identities.

• Actively contribute to new business pitches, leveraging creative expertise to secure new client opportunities and projects.

• Proactively identify and implement improvements to design systems, workflows, and overall operational processes to enhance efficiency and creative quality.

• Effectively manage multiple concurrent projects, ensuring adherence to deadlines, budgets, and quality standards.

• Explore and integrate emerging AI tools and technologies to streamline creative workflows, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation without compromising the originality and impact of the work.

• Contribute creative insights and opinions to broader campaign development, including Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising, digital experiences, and other creative outputs beyond core branding initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: leading the design function and directly contributing to high-impact creative work. The emphasis on "improving design systems, processes and ways of working" and "exploring AI tools" indicates a forward-thinking approach to operations within the creative domain. The requirement to manage multiple projects and budgets points to strong project management skills being crucial.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational foundation in Graphic Design, Branding, Fine Arts, or a related creative field is expected, demonstrated through a compelling portfolio.

Experience: Approximately 8+ years of progressive experience within a reputable brand, design, or creative agency environment, with a proven track record of leading significant brand identity and rebranding projects for recognized national brands.

Required Skills:

• Brand Identity & Rebranding Expertise: Demonstrated success in leading and executing major national rebrands or comprehensive brand identity projects.

• Creative Leadership: Proven ability to set creative direction, inspire teams, and elevate the overall quality of design work.

• Hands-on Design Proficiency: Still actively engaged in design execution, with a portfolio showcasing personal contributions and current creative relevance.

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Experience in leading, mentoring, and developing a team of designers, fostering their skills and confidence.

• Client Presentation & Facilitation: Strong skills in presenting creative concepts, facilitating workshops (e.g., Brand Expression), and confidently selling ideas to clients.

• Software Proficiency: Advanced command of Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Design & Production Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of print design, digital design, production processes, and final art preparation.

• Project & Budget Management: Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring quality, timeliness, and budget adherence.

• Strategic & Conceptual Thinking: Capacity to develop strong creative strategies and translate them into compelling visual executions.

• Curiosity & Innovation: An inquisitive mindset towards new tools, technologies, and the application of AI in creative workflows.

Preferred Skills:

• Working understanding of UX (User Experience) and UI (User Interface) principles.

• Experience contributing to broader creative outputs beyond branding, such as campaigns and OOH advertising.

• Familiarity with AI tools and their application in creative workflows to enhance efficiency and innovation.

• Experience in new business development and pitching.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "around eight or more years" coupled with the emphasis on "still loves the work" and a "genuinely strong, current portfolio" indicates that while leadership is key, hands-on creative contribution and a contemporary aesthetic are equally, if not more, important than purely managerial experience. The specific mention of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite highlights critical technical requirements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate Personal Contribution: Clearly articulate your specific role and contributions to each project showcased, especially in team-based initiatives.

• Focus on Brand Identity & Rebranding: Showcase recent and relevant work in brand identity development, refreshes, and major rebranding projects.

• Showcase Creative Currency: The portfolio must reflect a contemporary and fresh design sensibility, demonstrating an understanding of current trends and aesthetics.

• Illustrate Process & Strategy: Include insights into your strategic thinking, conceptual development, and the design process behind the work.

• Highlight Project Scope & Impact: Present projects that demonstrate leadership in managing complex, national-level brand initiatives.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you have improved design workflows, implemented new processes, or introduced efficiencies in previous roles.

• Design System Implementation: Examples of how you have developed, implemented, or managed design systems for brands.

• Quality Assurance & Production Standards: Evidence of your understanding and application of print and digital production standards, ensuring high-quality final outputs.

• Client Workshop Facilitation: Examples or descriptions of how you have led client workshops to drive creative strategy and alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit instruction that "Your portfolio matters more than the logos on your CV" and the detailed description of what the portfolio should include strongly emphasize its critical importance. This suggests that candidates should curate their portfolios meticulously, focusing on recent, impactful brand work and clearly articulating their personal involvement and strategic thinking.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Approximately AUD $130,000 - $160,000 per year, plus superannuation. The final salary will be dependent on the candidate's experience and demonstrated capabilities.

Benefits:

• Superannuation: Standard Australian superannuation contributions will be provided.

• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to work from home one day per week, with in-office presence required for the remaining four days.

• Creative Environment: Opportunity to work in an ambitious, award-winning independent brand and creative agency.

• Impactful Work: Lead significant Tier 1 brand projects and have real influence on client work and agency direction.

• Career Progression: Potential to step up into broader management responsibilities and shape an ambitious agency.

• Team Development: Opportunity to shape and grow a talented design team.

• Industry Recognition: Platform to create work that can achieve awards and industry recognition.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated as a fixed number, the role implies a full-time commitment, with a strong emphasis on in-office presence Tuesday to Friday for collaboration and leadership. Standard industry hours for creative roles are typically around 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime during peak project periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided in the raw data (AUD $130,000 - $160,000) aligns with the "practical bits" mentioning "$140k + super, with flexibility." The inclusion of "super" as a benefit is standard in Australia. The hybrid work arrangement is detailed, specifying 4 days in-office and 1 day WFH.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Brand & Creative Agency. This agency operates within the competitive landscape of brand development and creative services, focusing on delivering innovative solutions for national clients.

Company Size: The description implies a medium-sized independent agency, likely with a core team of specialists that grows with project needs. The immediate design team is three individuals, suggesting a collaborative and close-knit environment.

Founded: The agency is described as "award-winning" and "independent," suggesting a history of successful client work and a distinct ethos. The founder is actively involved, indicating a leadership presence that fosters a direct and agile culture.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: A core team of three designers, led by the Design Director. This structure allows for focused expertise and manageable team dynamics.

• Leadership Collaboration: Close working relationship with the agency founder and broader leadership team. Potential for the Design Director to join the wider management team based on experience and interest.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: The role requires interaction with other creative disciplines, account management, and potentially new business teams. The emphasis on contributing to campaigns beyond branding implies broad collaboration.

Methodology:

• Brand-Centric Approach: Focus on brand identity, refresh, and rebranding as core offerings.

• Integrated Creative Process: The agency encourages creative input across various outputs, including campaigns, digital experiences, and OOH, fostering a holistic creative strategy.

• Hands-on & Collaborative: A culture that values direct contribution and teamwork, with leaders staying close to the work and supporting junior talent.

• Innovation Focus: Encouragement to explore new tools, technologies, and AI to enhance creative workflows and outcomes.

Company Website: https://hustle.com (derived from the organization_url)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as "open, collaborative and very human," emphasizing personable leadership and strong interpersonal skills. This suggests an environment where creativity thrives on mutual respect and shared passion for good work. The "independent" nature of the agency implies agility and a direct line to decision-makers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the creative operations of an agency. It's a step up from a Senior Designer or Art Director, offering significant autonomy and influence over the design discipline and its output. It can also be a stepping stone for an exceptional emerging Creative Director of Brand.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director reports directly to the agency founder and works closely with the broader leadership team. There is a clear reporting line to the three designers on the team.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact is multi-faceted:

• Creative Output: Directly influences the quality and innovation of all design work produced by the agency.

• Client Relationships: Shapes client perception and satisfaction through impactful presentations and workshop facilitation.

• Team Development: Cultivates talent within the design team, enhancing the agency's overall creative capability.

• Process Improvement: Drives efficiency and effectiveness within the design function through process optimization and technology adoption.

• Business Growth: Contributes to new business acquisition and the agency's reputation through award-winning work.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into broader management roles within the agency, influencing overall business strategy and operations.

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in brand identity and design systems, leading high-profile national projects.

• Creative Innovation: Platform to experiment with and implement cutting-edge creative tools and methodologies, including AI, shaping future agency practices.

• Mentorship & Influence: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior talent and influencing the creative culture of the agency.

• Entrepreneurial Involvement: Potential to contribute to the strategic direction and growth of an independent agency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is framed as a significant opportunity for progression, either for an established Design Director looking for more influence or an emerging Creative Director seeking to lead a design function. The agency's "exciting phase" with major projects offers a chance to make a visible impact and accelerate career growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The agency operates from a physical office in Sydney, with a hybrid work model. The emphasis on in-office presence Tuesday to Friday highlights a preference for collaborative work, team interaction, and direct mentorship.

Office Location(s): Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Specific office details are not provided, but it's implied to be a professional workspace conducive to creative collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office serves as the primary space for team meetings, client presentations, workshops, and hands-on design work, fostering a dynamic and interactive environment.

• Creative Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) and a culture that encourages exploring new tools like AI.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model, with dedicated in-office days, facilitates regular interaction with the design team, leadership, and other agency personnel, promoting knowledge sharing and a cohesive culture.

Work Schedule: A hybrid schedule is in place, requiring 4 days in the Sydney office (Tuesday-Friday) and offering 1 day of remote work (Monday). This structure balances the need for in-person collaboration with personal flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement, with specific in-office days, is a key aspect of the work environment. This structure is designed to foster team cohesion and collaborative synergy, which are crucial in a creative agency setting, while still allowing for some remote flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Portfolio Review: Candidates will submit their CV and, crucially, their portfolio. The portfolio is the primary screening tool, focusing on recent, hands-on brand identity work and clear articulation of personal contribution.

• Creative Assessment/Workshop: Expect a stage involving a creative challenge or a simulated workshop scenario. This could involve presenting a case study from your portfolio, responding to a hypothetical client brief, or participating in a facilitated design discussion.

• Team & Leadership Interviews: Interviews with the founder, leadership team, and potentially senior designers to assess creative vision, leadership style, cultural fit, and strategic thinking.

• Final Evaluation: Discussion focusing on your potential impact, growth aspirations, and alignment with the agency's culture and future direction.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Ruthlessly: Focus on your strongest, most relevant brand identity and rebranding projects. Quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the brief, your strategic approach, your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the final outcome. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Hands-on Work: Ensure your personal involvement is evident. If it was a team project, clearly delineate your role.

• Demonstrate Freshness: Showcase work that reflects current design trends and a contemporary aesthetic. Avoid outdated styles.

• Prepare for Presentation: Be ready to walk through your portfolio confidently and articulate your creative process and strategic thinking.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Agency: Research Hustle's work, clients, and values. Be prepared to discuss how your style and approach align.

• Brand Strategy Focus: Anticipate questions or tasks related to brand strategy, identity development, and design systems.

• Process & Workflow: Be ready to discuss how you improve design processes, manage projects, and leverage tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.

• AI & Innovation: Prepare to discuss your thoughts on AI's role in creative workflows and how you might integrate it.

• Client Communication: Practice articulating creative ideas clearly and persuasively, as client presentations and workshop facilitation are key responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily emphasizes the portfolio's significance. Candidates should invest considerable time in curating and presenting their work, ensuring it directly addresses the role's requirements for hands-on brand leadership and creative currency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and creating design systems. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Including Photoshop (image manipulation, digital assets), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, illustrations), and InDesign (layout, print collateral). Advanced skills are expected.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for this design role, understanding how design impacts user engagement or campaign performance might involve light use of analytics dashboards. The emphasis is on creative output and process efficiency rather than deep data analysis. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but an awareness of how design integrates with marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven customer journeys could be beneficial. The focus here is on design systems and creative workflows. Emerging Tools:

• AI Creative Tools: Explicitly mentioned as an area of interest. Candidates are expected to be curious about and potentially explore AI tools that can enhance creative workflows and efficiency without making work feel generic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on core design software. The prominent mention of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite underscores their importance. The inclusion of AI tools indicates a forward-looking approach to creative technology adoption.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creative Excellence: A relentless pursuit of high-quality, impactful, and fresh creative work that wins awards and client recognition.

• Collaboration & Openness: A culture where ideas are shared freely, feedback is constructive, and teamwork is paramount. An "open, collaborative and very human culture."

• Hands-on Contribution: A value placed on leaders who are actively involved in the creative process and stay close to the work, rather than solely managing from afar.

• Curiosity & Innovation: An encouragement to explore new tools, technologies, and methodologies, including AI, to push creative boundaries and improve workflows.

• Client Focus: A commitment to understanding client needs and delivering strategic, effective creative solutions.

• Integrity & Niceness: An emphasis on hiring excellent creative leaders who are also "actually nice people," fostering a positive and respectful work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Human: Communication is expected to be open, honest, and personable, fostering strong relationships across the team and with clients.

• Cross-Functional Integration: The agency encourages creative input across various disciplines, meaning designers will likely collaborate with strategists, account managers, and potentially other creative specialists.

• Mentorship & Development: A culture that supports the growth of junior talent, with senior members actively guiding and developing less experienced team members.

• Workshop-Driven: Facilitating collaborative workshops is a key method for engaging clients and driving strategic alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on being an "excellent creative leader who is also an actually nice person" is a strong indicator of the agency's cultural priorities, valuing both professional capability and interpersonal qualities.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Elevating Creative Output: The primary challenge is to push the agency's creative output to the "next level," ensuring its work remains fresh, impactful, and award-worthy in a competitive market.

• Team Transition & Stability: The design team has "been through some change," so establishing stability, consistency, and a positive team dynamic will be a key initial challenge.

• Balancing Leadership & Hands-on Work: Effectively managing a team and client relationships while remaining deeply involved and hands-on with the creative execution requires strong time management and prioritization skills.

• Integrating New Technologies: Exploring and integrating AI and other emerging tools into creative workflows without compromising the human element or originality of the work presents an ongoing challenge and opportunity.

• Managing Client Expectations: Successfully presenting and selling creative ideas to senior stakeholders and clients, especially for major national rebrands, requires strong communication and strategic persuasion skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to refine leadership, mentorship, and strategic management skills within an agency setting.

• Creative Specialization: Deepen expertise in brand identity, design systems, and integrated campaign creative through leading Tier 1 projects.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to shaping the creative direction of an ambitious independent agency and gain recognition through award-winning work.

• Innovation Exploration: Experiment with and champion the adoption of new creative technologies and methodologies, positioning yourself and the agency at the forefront of industry trends.

• Strategic Business Involvement: Potential to move into broader management roles, gaining exposure to agency operations and business strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed not just as obstacles but as opportunities for growth and impact. The role offers a chance to address team dynamics, drive creative innovation, and influence the strategic direction of a growing agency.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a major national rebrand you led. What was your specific role, what were the key strategic decisions, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, strategy, and personal contribution.)

• "How do you approach setting creative standards for a design team, and how do you mentor junior designers to meet those standards?" (Demonstrate leadership, mentorship, and quality assurance.)

• "Imagine you're facilitating a Brand Expression workshop for a new client. Walk us through your approach and key activities." (Showcase facilitation skills and strategic thinking.)

• "What are your thoughts on the role of AI in creative agencies, and how would you leverage it responsibly within our design team?" (Assess curiosity, innovation, and strategic application of technology.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What appeals to you about an independent agency like ours, and how do you see yourself contributing to our culture?" (Align personal values with the agency's "open, collaborative, and human" ethos.)

• "How do you balance staying hands-on with design while also leading a team and managing client relationships?" (Address the core duality of the role.)

• "Describe a time you had to push back creatively on a client's request or a senior stakeholder's direction. How did you handle it?" (Assess communication, persuasion, and strategic conviction.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your strategic solution, your specific contributions (use "I" statements), and the measurable or qualitative results.

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality visuals that showcase the breadth and depth of your work. Highlight key design elements and system applications.

• Demonstrate Process: Be ready to discuss the thinking behind your designs, including research, concept development, iteration, and final execution.

• Articulate Your Role: Emphasize your leadership and hands-on involvement. If it was a team effort, clearly specify your part.

• Highlight Currency: Ensure your presented work reflects a modern aesthetic and understanding of current design trends.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you would approach similar situations for Hustle's clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on showcasing a blend of strategic thinking, creative leadership, hands-on design skill, and a collaborative, human-centric approach, all supported by a strong, relevant portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the Hustle teamtailor portal, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Portfolio Customization: Meticulously curate your portfolio to highlight your strongest, most recent brand identity and rebranding projects. Ensure your personal contributions are clearly defined and that the work reflects current creative trends. Prepare to articulate the strategic thinking behind each piece.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize leadership experience, significant brand projects, proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with team mentorship or process improvement. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, strategic rationale, and your hands-on involvement. Prepare responses to common interview questions related to creative leadership, team management, and agency culture.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Hustle's portfolio, clients, and any available information on their culture. Understand their brand aesthetic and identify how your skills and style align with their work and values.

⚠️ 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.