Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: JDO Global

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Permanent employee

Category: Creative & Design / Brand Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-09-08T13:27:50

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of designers in a fast-paced agency environment, ensuring the delivery of high-quality packaging and branding solutions.

• Drive creative excellence and strategic alignment for projects within the Personal Care, Beauty, Alcohol, and Tobacco categories.

• Foster a collaborative studio culture that encourages bravery, clarity, and continuous growth among team members.

• Manage multiple workstreams, balancing creative ambition with commercial viability and efficient project delivery.

• Apply a strategic, insightful, and creatively driven approach to all design challenges, leveraging AI where appropriate to enhance human creativity.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Design Director with a strong emphasis on hands-on creative leadership and day-to-day design delivery within a specific niche of FMCG packaging. The "5-10 years" experience level suggests a senior individual contributor or a junior management role, aligning with the "Design Director" title. The hybrid work arrangement with specific in-office days is a key detail for operations professionals to consider in their work-life balance planning.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Set and maintain the creative standard for the New York studio team, guiding the development of original, relevant, and aesthetically pleasing design work.

• Ensure all creative output is strategically aligned with client business objectives, audience insights, and brand purpose.

• Oversee the execution of packaging and branding projects across Personal Care, Beauty, Alcohol, and Tobacco categories, ensuring adherence to JDO's high standards.

• Manage project scope, creative viability, and resource allocation in close collaboration with account management and production teams.

• Provide clear, constructive, and inspiring feedback to junior designers and team members, fostering their professional development and skill enhancement.

• Champion the thoughtful and strategic use of AI tools to augment human creativity and drive design innovation.

• Maintain commercial awareness, balancing creative ambition with sustainable delivery, including accurate time tracking and respect for budgets and timelines.

• Contribute to a positive and collaborative studio environment, encouraging bravery, clarity, and constructive dialogue.

• Partner with clients to present creative concepts, articulate strategic rationale, and build confidence in JDO's capabilities.

• Develop and nurture relationships with clients, understanding their business needs and market landscapes to deliver impactful brand solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative direction, team leadership, project management, and client interaction, typical for a senior design role in an agency setting. The explicit mention of AI usage and specific industry categories (Personal Care, Beauty, Alcohol, Tobacco) are critical for candidates to address in their applications and portfolios.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mentioned, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Brand Design, or a related creative field is typically expected for this level of role.

Experience: 6+ years of experience in agency environments, with a proven track record in delivering successful packaging and branding projects for global FMCG clients.

Required Skills:

• Packaging Design Expertise: Demonstrated ability to create compelling and effective packaging designs, particularly within the Personal Care, Beauty, Alcohol, and Tobacco sectors.

• Brand Strategy & Development: Strong understanding of brand architecture, positioning, and how to translate strategy into visual identity and design execution.

• Creative Leadership: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and mentor design teams, setting high creative standards and guiding project execution.

• Project & Workstream Management: Experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery within scope, budget, and timeline constraints.

• Client Presentation & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and strategic thinking to clients and stakeholders.

• Commercial Acumen: Understanding of business objectives, market dynamics, and financial considerations to balance creative ambition with sustainable delivery.

• Proficiency in Design Software: Advanced skills in industry-standard design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• AI Tool Familiarity: Comfortable and strategic in the application of AI tools to enhance creative processes and outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working across global offices and collaborating with diverse, international teams.

• Familiarity with sustainability considerations in packaging design.

• Experience with innovation and product development processes.

• Exposure to experiential and campaign activation design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a specialized niche within FMCG packaging and branding, requiring not just creative talent but also strategic thinking, leadership, and commercial understanding. The explicit call-out for AI proficiency is a forward-looking requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of FMCG Packaging: A strong portfolio showcasing successful global FMCG packaging projects, with a specific focus on Personal Care, Beauty, and Alcohol categories. Each case study should clearly articulate the client’s challenge, JDO’s strategic approach, the creative solution, and demonstrable results.

• Brand Strategy Integration: Examples that illustrate how design strategy was developed and integrated into the creative output, demonstrating an understanding of brand purpose and audience.

• Process & Workflow Demonstration: Visual or written documentation of your design process, including how you approach briefs, conduct research, iterate on concepts, and collaborate with teams.

• Leadership & Mentoring Examples: Evidence of your ability to lead and mentor junior designers, potentially through project examples where you guided team members.

• Commercial Impact: Showcase projects where your design work contributed to tangible business outcomes such as increased sales, improved brand perception, or successful product launches.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you structure design projects, allocate resources, and optimize workflows for efficiency and creativity.

• Implementation & Automation: Examples of how you have implemented design solutions and potentially utilized tools (including AI) to streamline processes or enhance deliverables.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Demonstrate how you track the success of your design work, linking creative execution to business metrics and client objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific to the role's focus on FMCG packaging and branding. Candidates must demonstrate not only creative output but also strategic thinking, process management, and the ability to link design to commercial results. The inclusion of AI in the process discussion is a crucial differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $140,000 per year. This range is estimated based on the experience level (6+ years agency experience), seniority of the role (Director level), and location (New York City, a high-cost-of-living area for creative roles).

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with potential company match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, conferences, and access to learning resources.

• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to balance in-office collaboration with remote work.

• Creative Environment: Working in a dynamic studio with a focus on innovation and design excellence.

• Employee Assistance Program: Support services for personal and professional well-being.

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with an expectation of 3 days per week in the Manhattan studio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for a Design Director with 6+ years of agency experience in a major metropolitan area like New York. The benefits listed are standard for full-time permanent roles in the US creative industry but should be confirmed with the employer. The hybrid work model details are precise.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Design Agency / Branding & Packaging Consultancy. JDO Global operates within the competitive landscape of brand experience creation, specializing in packaging design for global FMCG clients. Their focus on Personal Care, Beauty, Alcohol, and Tobacco places them in highly visible and trend-driven consumer markets.

Company Size: JDO Global is an international network with studios in the UK, USA, and Shanghai. The New York studio is described as "small but ambitious," suggesting a lean, agile team environment where individual contributions have a significant impact. This size often fosters a close-knit culture and direct access to leadership.

Founded: JDO was founded with a clear mission to create brand experiences people can see, feel, and believe. The company emphasizes being "Independent. International. Indispensable." and has a history of partnering with visionaries and disruptors.

Team Structure:

• The New York studio team is likely composed of designers, strategists, and client partnership experts.

• The Design Director will report to a senior creative leader (potentially an ACD/CD, as mentioned in the job description) and will directly manage a team of junior designers.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with account management, production, and potentially strategy teams within the New York studio and across JDO's global network. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While emphasizing creativity, JDO's approach involves connecting brand promises to powerful belief, suggesting a foundation in research and strategic insight.

• Process Optimization: The company values "smart ways of working" and "efficiency," indicating a focus on streamlined processes and effective project delivery.

• Collaborative Innovation: JDO fosters an environment that encourages "bravery, generosity, and clarity," promoting open dialogue and shared problem-solving.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as valuing bravery, generosity, and clarity, with a strong emphasis on individual growth and contribution within a collaborative, international network. The "small but ambitious" nature of the New York studio implies a hands-on, impact-driven environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the creative operations and design leadership track. It is a pivotal role for individuals transitioning from senior designer to a leadership capacity, focusing on both creative output and team management. The Design Director is expected to be a key contributor to the studio's success and culture.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will report to a more senior creative lead within the New York studio (potentially an Associate Creative Director or Creative Director) and will directly manage and mentor junior designers. This structure offers exposure to senior leadership while providing direct team leadership experience.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact extends beyond creative quality. They are responsible for the efficient delivery of projects, the development of the design team, and contributing to the overall strategic direction and client relationships of the New York studio. Their ability to balance creative vision with commercial realities directly influences the agency's profitability and client satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Creative Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress to Associate Creative Director (ACD) or Creative Director (CD) roles within JDO, leading larger teams and more significant client accounts.

• Strategic Impact: Opportunity to influence brand strategy and contribute to the growth of JDO's North American presence, shaping the studio's culture and capabilities.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific categories (Personal Care, Beauty, Alcohol, Tobacco) or expand into broader brand experience design.

• Mentorship & Development: Develop strong leadership and mentoring skills, a critical asset for future career progression.

• Global Exposure: Collaborate with international teams and contribute to global brand initiatives, broadening professional perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression within a specialized design agency, moving from hands-on design leadership to broader strategic and directorial responsibilities. The emphasis on mentorship and studio culture development provides opportunities for leadership growth beyond core design skills.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a physical design studio located in Midtown Manhattan, New York. This environment is designed to foster collaboration, creative brainstorming, and client interaction.

Office Location(s): The studio is located in Midtown Manhattan, New York, specifically noted as being "steps from the Empire State Building." This prime location offers excellent accessibility via public transportation and proximity to various amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The studio is intended as a central point for creative work, team meetings, and client presentations, encouraging face-to-face interaction.

• Tools & Technology: While not explicitly detailed, a design studio of this caliber would be equipped with high-performance workstations, industry-standard design software, and potentially advanced visualization or prototyping tools.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model (3 days in office) is designed to facilitate regular interaction with colleagues, fostering team cohesion, knowledge sharing, and spontaneous creative exchanges.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, with a requirement to be in the studio for 3 days. This structure allows for focused work in the office while providing some flexibility for personal needs or remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes a physical studio environment in a prime Manhattan location, designed for collaboration and client engagement, with a structured hybrid work model to balance in-office and remote work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, creative output, and alignment with JDO's niche (FMCG packaging in Personal Care, Beauty, Alcohol, Tobacco).

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing key projects, strategic thinking, design process, and leadership experience. Expect detailed questions about case studies, problem-solving, and team management.

• Team/Leadership Interview: Meeting with senior leadership and potentially team members to assess cultural fit, leadership style, and collaborative approach.

• Client Scenario/Challenge (Potential): Candidates might be given a brief or a hypothetical scenario to discuss how they would approach it, demonstrating strategic thinking and creative problem-solving relevant to JDO's client base.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior executive to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and final offer terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Prioritize projects within Personal Care, Beauty, and Alcohol packaging. Showcase your best work that demonstrates strategic thinking, originality, and commercial impact.

• Tell the Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your role, the strategic approach, the creative solution, and the results. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Leadership: Include examples of how you've mentored junior designers, led teams, or managed complex workstreams.

• Showcase Process: Detail your design process, including research, concept development, iteration, and collaboration.

• Be Prepared for AI Discussion: Be ready to discuss how you've integrated AI into your workflow and its impact on your creative output.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand JDO's Niche: Research JDO's clients and recent work in Personal Care, Beauty, and Alcohol to understand their style and strategic approach.

• Think Strategically: Prepare to discuss how you would approach a brief for a new product launch or brand refresh in these categories, considering market trends, consumer insights, and competitive landscapes.

• Articulate Leadership: Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy, how you motivate teams, and how you handle constructive feedback and challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and review process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio for relevance to JDO's core industries and their ability to articulate strategic and leadership capabilities. Preparation should focus on showcasing specific, relevant work and demonstrating a mature understanding of agency operations and client management.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all visual design work. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is non-negotiable.

• Prototyping/3D Software (Potentially): Depending on specific projects, familiarity with tools like Adobe Dimension, Keyshot, or similar 3D rendering software might be beneficial for packaging visualization.

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

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analytics role, understanding how design impacts key metrics is crucial. Familiarity with tools used for market research and consumer insights (e.g., Mintel, Euromonitor) could be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the design role, but understanding how design assets are managed and deployed within broader marketing automation or content management systems could be a plus.

• AI Tools: Increasingly important. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with generative AI tools for ideation, asset creation, and workflow enhancement (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly).

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary focus is on advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite. The inclusion of AI tools is a significant differentiator, and candidates should be prepared to discuss their practical application in a design context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Bravery: Encouraging bold creative ideas and taking calculated risks to push boundaries and deliver impactful designs.

• Clarity: Ensuring clear communication, strategic thinking, and a well-defined design process that leads to understandable and effective solutions.

• Generosity: Fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where team members share knowledge, mentor each other, and contribute to collective success.

• Craftsmanship: A commitment to high standards of execution, attention to detail, and producing beautifully crafted design work that resonates with audiences.

• Growth: Supporting continuous learning and professional development, encouraging individuals to expand their skills and advance their careers within the agency.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with account management, strategy, and production teams to ensure holistic project success.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: Openness to giving and receiving feedback in a constructive manner to elevate the quality of work and foster team development.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and new trends within the design team and across the wider JDO network.

• Client Partnership: Building strong, collaborative relationships with clients, acting as trusted advisors who understand their business and bring creative solutions to life.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values of Bravery, Clarity, and Generosity, alongside Craftsmanship and Growth, define JDO's operational ethos. Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values and collaborative style align with these principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Niche Specialization with Broad Application: Excelling in specific FMCG categories (Personal Care, Beauty, Alcohol, Tobacco) while remaining adaptable to broader design challenges and client needs.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Navigating the evolving landscape of AI in design, ensuring its strategic and ethical application without compromising human creativity and quality.

• Managing Diverse Workstreams: Juggling multiple projects with varying client demands, timelines, and creative complexities across global brands.

• Fostering Team Growth in a Hybrid Model: Maintaining a strong team culture and facilitating effective mentorship and collaboration within a hybrid work environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to explore new design software, 3D rendering, and advanced visualization tools.

• Industry Trends & Insights: Staying abreast of the latest trends in packaging design, consumer behavior, and brand strategy within key sectors.

• Leadership Development: Formal and informal training in management, mentorship, and team leadership.

• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Gaining experience working with international teams and understanding diverse market perspectives.

• Strategic Brand Consulting: Developing a deeper understanding of brand strategy and its application to creative output, moving beyond pure design execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle complex design challenges within specialized markets and to grow as a leader in a dynamic agency environment, with a strong focus on continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies like AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a client's ambitious creative vision with practical budget or timeline constraints. How did you manage this?" (Focus on commercial acumen and problem-solving).

• "How would you approach developing a new brand identity for a premium beauty product entering a crowded market? What are the key considerations?" (Focus on strategic thinking and category understanding).

• "Walk us through your process for developing packaging for a new alcohol brand. What are the critical elements you focus on?" (Focus on process, category knowledge, and design rationale).

• "How do you use AI tools in your design process, and what are the benefits and limitations you've observed?" (Focus on AI proficiency and critical thinking). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to JDO's values of Bravery, Clarity, and Generosity?" (Demonstrate alignment with company culture).

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid setting?" (Showcase teamwork and leadership).

• "What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for design agencies in the Personal Care and Beauty sectors today?" (Showcase industry awareness). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by category or by the type of challenge you solved. Start with your most relevant and impactful projects.

• Narrative Flow: For each case study, ensure a clear narrative: Problem -> Solution -> Result. Quantify results where possible.

• Highlight Your Role: Be precise about your contributions, especially if you led the project or mentored others.

• Visual Impact: Use high-quality mockups and visuals. Be prepared to discuss the rationale behind specific design choices.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation. Be enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and ready to answer questions thoughtfully.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating deep expertise in JDO's target industries, strong strategic and leadership capabilities, and a clear understanding of how to integrate modern tools like AI into a design workflow while embodying the company's core values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the JDO Global careers page.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 6+ years of agency experience, specific achievements in FMCG packaging (Personal Care, Beauty, Alcohol), and any leadership or mentoring roles. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features relevant packaging design case studies, clearly articulating strategy, process, and results. Be prepared to discuss your use of AI tools.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience, leadership style, and creative approach. Be ready to discuss how you embody JDO's values of Bravery, Clarity, and Generosity.

• Research JDO Global: Understand their client roster, recent work, and company ethos to demonstrate genuine interest 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.

---