Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: McAfee

Location: San Jose, California, United States; New York, New York, United States; Frisco, Texas, United States; Remote City, Texas, United States; Newport Beach, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

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

Date Posted: August 05, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and elevate the design vertical within Brand Creative Services, focusing on creating impactful brand work and coaching a team of designers.

• Drive concepting and execution for integrated campaigns, lifecycle marketing, product storytelling, social media, web, and partner channels, ensuring modern, distinctive, and effective creative.

• Operationalize and champion the McAfee design system, ensuring consistent application and educating internal teams and agency partners on guidelines and best practices.

• Balance brand-building craft with performance-driven insights, leveraging data and testing to refine creative effectiveness while maintaining brand integrity.

• Act as a player-coach, actively contributing to design creation while providing clear, actionable feedback and fostering growth plans for junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "player-coach" within the design vertical, indicating a need for both hands-on design execution and strong leadership/mentorship skills. The emphasis on "operationalizing our design system" and "smarter workflows" suggests a focus on process efficiency and scalability, which are key tenets of Revenue Operations and Sales Operations roles, albeit applied within a creative context. The mention of "responsible adoption of AI-enabled design tools" points to an innovative and forward-thinking approach to creative production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead design concepting and execution across integrated campaigns, lifecycle marketing, product storytelling, social, web, and partner channels, delivering work that is modern, distinctive, and unmistakably McAfee.

• Champion and evolve the McAfee design system, developing strong visual systems, layouts, typography, illustration, and brand expression that scale effectively across all touchpoints.

• Partner closely with Copy, Brand Strategy, Creative Production, Growth/Lifecycle Marketing, and Product Marketing to translate briefs and insights into clear design approaches and compelling creative executions.

• Coach, mentor, and review work from designers, providing clear, actionable feedback, developing individual growth plans, and fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and inclusive creativity.

• Operationalize and steward the refreshed brand identity and design system, educating internal teams and agency partners, ensuring consistent application, and evolving guidelines as the brand scales.

• Balance brand-building craft with performance-minded design, using testing and channel insights (e.g., paid social learnings, lifecycle metrics) to iterate and improve creative effectiveness without compromising brand integrity.

• Partner with Creative Production to accurately scope work, align timelines, and ensure deliverables are feasible, on-brand, and on time, supporting a healthy, scalable creative workflow.

• Champion the responsible adoption of AI-enabled design tools to accelerate iteration, explore more creative routes, and improve efficiency, while maintaining quality, originality, and brand safety.

• Collaborate with external agencies and freelancers as needed, reviewing work, aligning to guidelines, and ensuring seamless integration with in-house creative efforts.

• Present design strategies and creative concepts to executive leadership, including E-Staff and the CMO/CEO, to gain buy-in and alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong need for process management and cross-functional collaboration, akin to GTM operations. Specifically, "operationalize and steward our refreshed brand identity and design system," "ensuring consistent application," and "supporting a healthy, scalable creative workflow" directly relate to operations principles of standardization, process improvement, and efficiency. The emphasis on balancing "brand-building craft with performance-minded design" and using "testing and channel insights" also aligns with data-driven decision-making common in operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, or a related field is typically expected for a Director-level role. Advanced degrees or certifications in design leadership or brand strategy may be advantageous.

Experience: 10+ years of experience creating and leading design work across brand and marketing, with a strong foundation in craft and concept. Experience as both an individual contributor and a people leader within agency and brand-side environments is required.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to set and uphold a high bar for design quality across integrated campaigns and always-on creative, including digital, social, paid media, and lifecycle channels.

• Excellence in design craft and conceptual thinking, with a strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end campaign design.

• Strong design systems and brand identity experience—able to translate strategy into scalable frameworks and clear guidelines.

• Demonstrated experience mentoring designers and leading through feedback, critique, and hands-on collaboration in a player-coach capacity.

• Growth mindset and curiosity, with a proactive approach to embracing new tools and platforms (including AI-enabled workflows) to increase speed, iteration, and creative exploration.

• Proficiency in core design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite - Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and present design rationale to senior stakeholders.

• Experience in operationalizing design processes and workflows for efficiency and scalability. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics, animation, or UI/UX design principles.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Monday.com) for workflow management.

• Understanding of data analytics and A/B testing methodologies to inform design decisions.

• Experience managing external agencies and freelancers effectively.

• Knowledge of emerging design technologies and AI applications in creative fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "operationalizing design processes and workflows for efficiency and scalability" is a direct link to operations functions. The requirement for understanding "data analytics and A/B testing methodologies to inform design decisions" also strongly aligns with data-driven operations practices. The emphasis on "AI-enabled workflows" suggests a need for individuals comfortable with technology adoption and process innovation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is required, demonstrating strong brand systems thinking and end-to-end campaign design across both brand-building and performance-focused channels.

• Showcase examples of how you have translated brand strategy into scalable visual frameworks and clear, actionable design guidelines.

• Include case studies that highlight your ability to balance creative craft with performance insights, illustrating how data informed your design iterations and improved effectiveness.

• Demonstrate experience in mentoring designers and leading design initiatives, providing examples of your feedback and coaching approach. Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate an understanding of design workflow optimization, from concept to final deliverable, showing how efficiency and quality were maintained.

• Examples of how you have operationalized a design system or brand guidelines, detailing the process of education, implementation, and ongoing stewardship, would be highly beneficial.

• Evidence of using performance data or testing insights to iterate on designs, showcasing a data-informed approach to creative problem-solving and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is heavily focused on portfolio requirements that directly mirror operations expectations: demonstrating process thinking, system implementation, data-driven decision-making, and measurable impact. The emphasis on "scalable frameworks," "clear guidelines," "workflow optimization," and "data-informed approach" are all critical components of a strong operations professional's portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The anticipated compensation for this position is USD $141,680.00/Yr. - USD $232,760.00/Yr. depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Financial Wellness: Bonus Program, 401k Retirement plan with company contributions.

• Health & Well-being: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance; Basic Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage.

• Work-Life Integration: Paid Parental Leave, Support and Community Involvement programs.

• Time Off: 14 Paid Company Holidays; Unlimited Paid Time Off for Exempt Employees; 96 Hours of Sick Time and 120 Hours of Vacation for Non-Exempt Employees Accrued Each Year.

Working Hours: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the "Hybrid" work arrangement and "Unlimited Paid Time Off" for exempt employees suggest flexibility. Operations roles often require adaptability to meet project deadlines and business needs, which may occasionally involve extended hours, balanced by the generous PTO policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a strong indicator of the role's seniority and strategic importance. The benefits package is comprehensive, offering standard corporate offerings. For an operations-focused candidate, the "Unlimited Paid Time Off" and "Hybrid" work arrangement are key considerations for work-life balance and autonomy, which are often valued in operations roles that require focused, deep work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cybersecurity and Personal Security for Consumers. McAfee operates in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving technology sector, requiring agility and continuous innovation. This context means operational processes must be robust yet adaptable to market changes and new threats.

Company Size: McAfee is a significant player in the cybersecurity market, indicating a large organization with established processes, departments, and potentially complex internal structures. This size necessitates strong operational frameworks to ensure efficiency and cross-functional alignment.

Founded: McAfee has a long history in the cybersecurity space, suggesting a mature company with a deep understanding of its market. However, its ongoing evolution implies a culture that embraces change and aims for modern approaches, even within an established framework.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director reports to the Senior Director, Creative (Design, Concept & Copy), indicating a clear hierarchy within the Brand Creative Services department.

• This role will lead a vertical of designers and will collaborate closely with Copy, Creative Production, Brand Strategy, Growth/Lifecycle Marketing, and Product Marketing teams. This cross-functional collaboration is crucial for GTM alignment.

• The structure implies a matrixed environment where design leadership is integrated into broader marketing and brand initiatives, requiring strong communication and influence skills. Methodology:

• The emphasis on a "refreshed brand identity" and "design system" points to a structured approach to brand management and creative execution.

• The integration of "performance insights" and "data to refine and improve creative effectiveness" highlights a data-driven approach to creative optimization, mirroring operations' focus on metrics and ROI.

• The "responsible adoption of AI-enabled design tools" suggests a forward-thinking methodology that embraces technological advancements to enhance efficiency and iteration speed.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry and size suggest a need for operations professionals who can navigate complex systems and drive efficiency in a dynamic environment. The cross-functional collaboration model is typical of GTM operations, where seamless handoffs and shared objectives are critical for success. The "data-driven approach" and "AI adoption" are strong indicators of a company that values operational excellence and innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Design Director role is a senior leadership position within the creative function. While not a traditional "operations" title, the responsibilities related to operationalizing the design system, optimizing workflows, and driving efficiency place it at a strategic level where operational thinking is paramount. It sits within the management and leadership tier, requiring strategic oversight, team development, and cross-functional influence.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Senior Director, Creative, and manages a team of designers. This leadership position requires the ability to influence upwards, laterally, and downwards, a common requirement for operations leaders who often bridge gaps between departments.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact extends beyond aesthetics. By ensuring a consistent, modern, and high-performing brand identity across all touchpoints, they directly influence customer perception, brand recall, and ultimately, conversion rates and customer loyalty. Operationalizing the design system and optimizing creative workflows contributes to faster go-to-market cycles and more efficient resource allocation, impacting revenue generation and operational costs.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential progression to Senior Director of Creative, VP of Brand, or similar executive creative leadership roles.

• Strategic Operations Integration: Opportunity to deepen involvement in GTM strategy, process optimization, and cross-functional operational initiatives, potentially transitioning into a more direct operations leadership role within Marketing or Brand.

• Innovation Leadership: Leading the charge on adopting new creative technologies and methodologies, including AI, which can position the individual as a thought leader in creative operations and digital transformation.

• Cross-Departmental Influence: Gaining broader exposure and influence across marketing, product, and sales teams, enhancing strategic business acumen.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities highlight how a senior creative role with strong operational components can lead to broader business leadership. For operations professionals, understanding this path shows how skills in process, efficiency, and data can be leveraged in creative-adjacent strategic roles, and vice-versa. The "strategic operations integration" path is a direct bridge for operations candidates.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a "Hybrid" work environment, suggesting a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration. This model is increasingly common in technology companies and allows for flexibility while maintaining opportunities for in-person teamwork and ideation.

Office Location(s): The role is available in San Jose, California; New York, New York; Frisco, Texas; Remote City, Texas; and Newport Beach, California. This wide distribution indicates a commitment to talent acquisition across major tech hubs and a robust remote infrastructure.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model fosters a collaborative environment where in-office days can be utilized for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and critical stakeholder interactions, while remote days allow for focused, deep work.

• As a Director, the workspace will likely involve access to standard creative tools and technologies, with an expectation to leverage AI-enabled design tools for rapid iteration and enhanced productivity.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with design teams, creative production, brand strategy, and marketing leadership are integral to the role, facilitating seamless communication and alignment on GTM initiatives.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, but the nature of a Director-level role in a dynamic industry like cybersecurity often requires flexibility to meet project demands, launch timelines, and strategic initiatives. The "Unlimited Paid Time Off" policy for exempt employees suggests a results-oriented culture that values output and employee well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and multi-location setup requires strong remote collaboration skills and process adherence, which are critical for any operations role. The emphasis on "focused, deep work" and "results-oriented culture" aligns well with the expectations for operations professionals who often manage complex projects requiring sustained concentration and measurable outcomes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and alignment with company culture. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and approach to design operations.

• Hiring Manager Interview: An in-depth discussion with the Senior Director, Creative, focusing on strategic vision, leadership philosophy, and operational approach to design.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where you will present your portfolio. This will involve showcasing specific projects that demonstrate brand systems thinking, end-to-end campaign design, performance-driven insights, and leadership/mentorship capabilities. Be ready to articulate the "why" behind your design decisions and the impact they had.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Copy, Creative Production, Brand Strategy, and Marketing to assess collaboration skills and understanding of GTM processes.

• Executive Interview: Potential interview with higher-level leadership (e.g., VP of Marketing, CMO) to assess strategic alignment and executive presence.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the requirements: brand systems, campaign execution, performance impact, and leadership.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the challenge, your role, the process (especially any operational or workflow improvements), the solution, and the measurable results (ROI, performance metrics, efficiency gains).

• Highlight Operations: Explicitly call out how you operationalized design systems, improved workflows, leveraged data, or managed creative production processes efficiently.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Include examples of how you coached, mentored, or led teams to achieve creative excellence.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, leadership style, approach to feedback, experience with AI tools, and how you handle conflict or tight deadlines.

Challenge Preparation:

• A design challenge or case study might be presented, requiring you to develop a creative concept or design approach based on a brief. Focus on demonstrating your strategic thinking, understanding of the brand, and ability to articulate a clear, actionable plan.

• For operations-minded candidates, be prepared to discuss how you would approach operationalizing a new brand initiative, streamlining a creative workflow, or measuring the effectiveness of creative campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process emphasizes the need for candidates to demonstrate not just creative talent, but also strategic thinking, operational acumen, and leadership. Operations professionals should focus on highlighting their experience in process optimization, data analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and driving measurable business impact within their portfolio and interview responses.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is essential. Proficiency in these tools is foundational for any design role.

• Design Systems Management: Experience with tools or platforms used for managing and documenting design systems (e.g., Figma, Sketch, InVision Design System Manager) will be critical for operationalizing the McAfee design system.

• AI-Enabled Design Tools: Familiarity with emerging AI tools for rapid iteration, content generation, or asset creation (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Adobe Firefly, or similar platforms) is explicitly mentioned and expected.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Performance Data Tools: While not explicitly design tools, understanding how to access and interpret data from platforms like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or specific marketing analytics dashboards is crucial for performance-minded design.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Familiarity with tools used for A/B testing creative variations (e.g., Optimizely, VWO, or built-in platform tools) will be beneficial for iterating on creative effectiveness.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Asana, Jira, Monday.com, or similar platforms for managing creative workflows, timelines, and team assignments is highly relevant for operational efficiency.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace for communication and collaboration across a hybrid team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack highlights a blend of creative tools and operational/efficiency-focused platforms. For operations professionals, demonstrating familiarity with project management, workflow automation, and data analytics tools, alongside an openness to adopting AI in creative processes, will be highly advantageous. The emphasis on AI tools indicates a forward-thinking approach to creative operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Craft: A commitment to delivering high-quality, modern, and distinctive creative work that upholds brand integrity.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Fostering a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and teams work together effectively across functions.

• Data-Driven Improvement: Utilizing performance insights and data analytics to inform design decisions, optimize creative effectiveness, and drive measurable business outcomes.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Implementing smart workflows and leveraging technology (including AI) to accelerate iteration, improve creative output, and ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new tools, platforms, and methodologies to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry and market.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A strong emphasis on partnering closely with Copy, Creative Production, Brand Strategy, Growth Marketing, and Product Marketing to ensure cohesive GTM strategies and creative execution.

• Feedback & Critique: A culture of constructive feedback and critique, both for individual designers and for broader creative initiatives, to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings from performance data, and insights on new tools and techniques across the design and creative teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style described are highly aligned with effective operations teams. The focus on data-driven improvement, efficiency, scalability, and cross-functional integration are core principles in operations roles. Candidates with a strong understanding of these principles will likely resonate well within this team culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand and Performance: Effectively merging high-level brand-building craft with data-driven performance optimization without compromising either. This requires strategic thinking and a deep understanding of both brand strategy and marketing analytics.

• Operationalizing Design Systems at Scale: Ensuring consistent and effective application of the refreshed brand identity and design system across a large organization with diverse touchpoints and numerous internal/external stakeholders.

• Adopting and Integrating AI Tools: Responsibly integrating AI-enabled design tools into existing workflows to enhance speed and creativity while maintaining quality, originality, and brand safety.

• Leading and Mentoring a Creative Team: Guiding designers through creative challenges, fostering their growth, and maintaining high standards of quality and productivity in a hybrid work environment.

• Influencing Executive Stakeholders: Clearly articulating design strategy and demonstrating ROI to senior leadership to secure buy-in and resources.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Opportunity to shape the future of McAfee's brand identity and creative output at a senior leadership level.

• Innovation in Creative Operations: Leading the charge on adopting and integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI into creative workflows, positioning oneself as a leader in this space.

• Cross-Functional Business Acumen: Deepening understanding of marketing, product, and sales operations through close collaboration, enhancing overall business strategic thinking.

• Mentorship and People Development: Honing leadership skills by coaching and developing a team of talented designers, with potential pathways to broader management roles.

• Industry Trends & Best Practices: Staying at the forefront of design, marketing, and cybersecurity industry trends, with opportunities for professional development and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities presented are substantial and require a blend of creative expertise and strong operational capabilities. For operations professionals, understanding these challenges provides insight into the complex ecosystem where creative and operational efficiency must converge. The growth opportunities highlight potential career trajectories that leverage both creative and operational skill sets.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you operationalize and scale the new McAfee design system across all brand touchpoints and teams?" (Focus on process, documentation, training, and enforcement mechanisms).

• "Describe your approach to balancing brand-building craft with performance-driven creative. How do you use data to inform design decisions without sacrificing brand integrity?" (Highlight data analysis, A/B testing experience, and strategic prioritization).

• "How would you approach the responsible adoption of AI-enabled design tools within our creative workflow? What are the key considerations for quality, originality, and brand safety?" (Discuss strategic implementation, risk assessment, and workflow integration). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of McAfee's position in the cybersecurity market, how would you ensure our brand creative remains modern, distinctive, and effective?" (Show research on McAfee's brand, competitors, and market trends).

• "Describe your experience leading and mentoring design teams. How do you foster a culture of collaboration, excellence, and inclusive creativity in a hybrid environment?" (Provide specific examples of your leadership style and team management).

• "How do you measure the success and ROI of creative initiatives? What metrics are most important to you, and how do you track them?" (Demonstrate a data-driven approach to evaluating creative impact). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Case Study Focus: For each portfolio piece, structure it as a mini case study: Problem (brief/challenge), Solution (your design approach, process, and any operational efficiencies implemented), and Results (measurable impact, performance metrics, brand consistency achieved).

• Highlight Operational Elements: Explicitly point out how you managed workflows, implemented systems, used data, or coached team members to achieve objectives.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use numbers and data to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work (e.g., increased engagement rates, improved conversion, reduced production time, consistent brand application).

• Demonstrate Leadership: Be ready to discuss your role in leading projects, mentoring designers, and presenting to senior stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing a strong understanding of operational principles, process thinking, data utilization, and leadership, even within a creative context. Candidates should frame their experience in terms of driving efficiency, scalability, and measurable business impact, aligning with operations best practices.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the McAfee careers portal via the provided URL.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to specifically highlight projects demonstrating strong brand systems thinking, end-to-end campaign design, performance-driven creative, and leadership/mentorship. Emphasize any instances where you operationalized design processes or improved creative workflows for efficiency.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 10+ years of experience, leadership roles, and key skills in design direction, brand strategy, design systems, and AI tool adoption. Use keywords from the job description and operations best practices where applicable.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your strategic approach to design leadership, operationalizing creative processes, and leveraging data and AI. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio to illustrate your points, focusing on measurable results and cross-functional collaboration.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research McAfee's current brand positioning, recent campaigns, and their role in the cybersecurity market. Understand their approach to innovation and technology adoption, particularly regarding AI, to demonstrate your strategic 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.

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