Design Director, Brand Expression | P&G North America Gillette

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director, Brand Expression | P&G North America Gillette

Company: Procter & Gamble

Location: Boston, MA, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Brand Management & Design Operations

Date Posted: September 3, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic visual identity and overarching brand expression for the Gillette North America portfolio, ensuring cohesive and impactful consumer experiences.

• Translate global brand strategies and consumer insights into actionable design directives for packaging, retail environments, digital touchpoints, and communication materials.

• Serve as the primary creative steward for Gillette's North American brand presence, championing design excellence and elevating brand equity across all touchpoints.

• Manage and inspire a network of external agency partners, including design, advertising, retail, and digital firms, to deliver best-in-class creative output aligned with business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Design Director," operates at a strategic intersection of Brand Management, Marketing Operations, and Creative Direction. The emphasis on translating global strategy into regional execution, managing agencies, and driving business growth through design suggests a strong operational component, requiring robust project management and cross-functional leadership skills typical of senior operations roles in consumer goods.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the North American design strategy for Gillette brands, encompassing visual identity, brand guidelines, and aesthetic standards across all consumer touchpoints.

• Partner closely with Global Design teams to ensure regional design initiatives are aligned with the overarching brand vision while advocating for and incorporating North American market specificities.

• Drive the design direction for regional innovation pipelines, retail programs, and go-to-market activations, overseeing the creative process from conceptualization through to final execution.

• Translate deep consumer understanding, cultural trends, retailer requirements, and grooming industry insights into compelling and effective design solutions that directly contribute to business growth.

• Lead and inspire a diverse group of external agency partners, fostering strong relationships and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, impactful creative work that meets strategic objectives.

• Facilitate design sprints, workshops, and cross-functional collaboration sessions to effectively address complex business challenges and drive innovative design solutions.

• Champion exceptional design craftsmanship and elevate the overall quality, effectiveness, and distinctiveness of all consumer-facing brand experiences.

• Cultivate and maintain strong collaborative relationships with internal Brand, R&D, Product Supply, Sales, and Global Design teams to ensure seamless integration and alignment of design initiatives.

• Act as a vocal advocate for design as a critical strategic driver of brand equity, consumer satisfaction, and overall business performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strong project management and execution capabilities, akin to a GTM Operations role. The emphasis on translating global strategy to regional execution, managing multiple stakeholders (internal and external agencies), and driving initiatives from concept to completion are core operational functions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, or a closely related field.

Experience: A minimum of 6-10 years of progressive experience in brand expression, design leadership, or a similar role within a consumer goods environment, with a strong focus on brand strategy and execution.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to lead and manage complex design projects from initial concept through to successful completion, demonstrating strong project management and execution skills.

• Deep understanding of visual identity systems, brand architecture, and the strategic application of design to build brand equity and drive consumer engagement.

• Expertise in translating consumer insights, market trends, and business objectives into compelling and effective design solutions across various media.

• Proficiency in design software and technologies, including but not limited to Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and any relevant 3D rendering or prototyping tools.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design vision, influence stakeholders, and inspire teams.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and direct external agency partners, fostering productive relationships and ensuring the delivery of high-quality creative output.

• A keen eye for aesthetic detail, craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to design excellence.

• Ability to work methodically, prioritize effectively, and consistently meet deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with packaging design, retail store design, and digital/e-commerce creative strategies.

• Familiarity with grooming products, consumer electronics, or other relevant fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) categories.

• Experience in facilitating design thinking workshops and cross-functional ideation sessions.

• Knowledge of brand strategy frameworks and their application in design development.

• Understanding of manufacturing processes and their impact on design execution, particularly for packaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level of 6+ years and the emphasis on leading projects and managing agencies suggest a role that requires significant operational acumen beyond pure creative talent. The mention of specific software like InDesign, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver points to hands-on involvement or at least deep familiarity with the tools used in creative operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing successful brand expression initiatives, with a focus on how design strategy translated into tangible business results for North American markets.

• Include case studies that highlight leadership in translating global brand frameworks into localized, consumer-relevant expressions across packaging, retail, and digital platforms.

• Present examples of managing and directing external design agencies, illustrating the process of briefing, guiding, and evaluating creative output.

• Showcase projects that required deep consumer insight integration and trend analysis to inform design direction and drive innovation.

• Include examples of cross-functional collaboration and how design leadership was used to align diverse teams towards a common brand vision. Process Documentation:

• Illustrate a clear process for managing the design lifecycle, from initial brief and concept development through to final production and execution, with a focus on efficiency and quality control.

• Provide examples of how you have developed and implemented brand guidelines or design systems to ensure consistency and strengthen brand identity across multiple touchpoints.

• Detail methodologies used for evaluating design effectiveness, including metrics for brand perception, consumer engagement, and business impact.

• Showcase experience with design review processes, including how feedback is gathered, synthesized, and incorporated to refine creative work.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Director role, a portfolio is critical. The emphasis should be on demonstrating strategic thinking, process management, and quantifiable results, aligning with the operational demands of the role, rather than solely aesthetic appeal. The ability to document and articulate processes for managing creative projects and agencies is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $144,000 - $190,000 per year

Benefits:

• Salary: Competitive base salary within the specified range, reflecting experience and qualifications.

• Bonus: Eligibility for an annual bonus program, tied to individual and company performance, providing an incentive for driving business growth and operational excellence.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.

• Retirement Savings: Access to a 401(k) plan with company matching contributions to support long-term financial planning.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and company holidays, to promote work-life balance.

• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling and support services for personal and professional challenges.

• Product Discounts: Potential for employee discounts on P&G products.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for extended hours as needed to meet project deadlines and business demands. Flexibility may be offered based on team needs and operational requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and competitive for a Design Director role in a major metropolitan area like Boston, particularly within a large CPG company like P&G. The mention of bonus eligibility alongside salary emphasizes a performance-driven compensation structure, common in roles with direct business impact.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) / Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), with a specific focus on Personal Care and Grooming.

Company Size: Procter & Gamble is a global leader with tens of thousands of employees worldwide, indicating a large, established corporate structure with extensive resources and established processes.

Founded: Founded in 1837, P&G has a long history of innovation, brand building, and operational excellence, shaping its deeply ingrained culture of quality, consumer focus, and long-term growth.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will be embedded within a multifunctional North American Gillette business team, likely including Brand Management, Marketing, R&D, Product Supply, and Sales leadership.

• This role reports into a senior leader within the North American Gillette organization, with a strong dotted-line reporting relationship to Global Design leadership for strategic alignment.

• Collaboration is key, requiring seamless integration with brand managers, product developers, marketing strategists, and external agency teams to bring brand visions to life. Methodology:

• P&G emphasizes a data-driven approach, utilizing deep consumer insights and market analytics to inform strategy and decision-making across all functions.

• Workflow planning and optimization are critical, especially in a large organization, with a focus on efficient processes for product development, marketing execution, and brand management.

• Automation and efficiency practices are continuously sought to streamline operations, from supply chain to digital marketing, enabling faster go-to-market strategies.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: P&G's established industry presence and long history suggest a culture that values both tradition and innovation. For a Design Director, understanding how to navigate a large corporate structure, collaborate across diverse functions, and leverage robust consumer data will be crucial for success, reflecting the operational backbone of such an organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the Brand Expression and Design Operations function. It requires strategic oversight, team leadership (managing agencies), and significant influence on business outcomes, placing it at an experienced professional level with potential for advancement into broader brand leadership or global design roles.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will likely report to a Director or Vice President of Marketing or Brand Management for North America, with a strong collaborative link to the Global Design organization. This structure necessitates strong communication and alignment skills across different leadership levels and functional groups.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts revenue growth by shaping consumer perception and driving purchase intent through compelling brand expression. Effective design strategy and execution are critical for strengthening brand equity, differentiating products in a competitive market, and ensuring successful go-to-market launches, all of which are key operational objectives for driving business performance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advanced Brand Leadership: Potential to move into broader Brand Director or General Manager roles within P&G, overseeing larger portfolios or business units.

• Global Design Leadership: Opportunity to transition into global design strategy roles, influencing brand expression across multiple markets and product categories.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop deep expertise in marketing operations, product innovation, and go-to-market strategy through close collaboration with other business functions.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to P&G's extensive leadership development programs, offering training in strategic thinking, financial acumen, and people management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path from this role within P&G likely involves deepening expertise in CPG brand operations, expanding strategic responsibilities, and potentially moving into P&L ownership. The emphasis on managing external partners and influencing internal cross-functional teams is a strong indicator of operational leadership development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the BOSTON GO & TECH CENTER, suggesting a modern, collaborative hub designed for innovation and cross-functional teamwork. It is likely an on-site environment with dedicated workspaces and collaborative zones.

Office Location(s): Boston, MA, United States. This location offers access to a vibrant talent pool and a dynamic business ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be highly collaborative, encouraging interaction with multifunctional teams, including brand managers, product developers, and marketing specialists, fostering an environment conducive to creative problem-solving.

• Access to state-of-the-art design tools, technology, and potentially advanced prototyping or rendering capabilities will be available to support the creative process.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with both internal teams and external agency partners are inherent to the role, supporting a dynamic and integrated work approach.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time (40 hours per week). While core hours will likely be expected for team collaboration and meetings, there may be some flexibility to manage project timelines and personal needs, provided operational demands and deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "GO & TECH CENTER" designation implies a focus on innovation and agile ways of working, which is crucial for a Design Director managing brand expression in a fast-paced CPG market. This environment is designed to facilitate operational efficiency and cross-functional synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role's core requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Hiring Manager to delve deeper into experience, leadership style, and strategic thinking related to brand expression and design operations.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing past work, design process, strategic rationale, and quantifiable results. This will likely involve presenting case studies of successful brand expression initiatives and demonstrating leadership in managing creative projects.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Brand Management, R&D, and potentially Sales to assess collaboration skills, ability to influence, and understanding of business needs.

• Final Round: May involve a presentation on a hypothetical business challenge or a deeper dive into strategic vision, followed by a final decision from senior leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your ability to lead brand expression, translate strategy into execution, and drive business results. Focus on North American Gillette-relevant examples if possible, or transferable CPG brand experience.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the business challenge, your strategic approach, the design solutions implemented, your role in managing the process (including agency collaboration), and the measurable outcomes (e.g., increased brand perception, sales lift, market share improvement).

• Highlight Process: Showcase your process for understanding consumer insights, developing design strategies, managing agency partners, and ensuring design consistency. Emphasize how you ensure operational efficiency and quality control.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your design work. This is crucial for showing business impact and operational success.

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design philosophy, how you collaborate with cross-functional teams, your approach to managing creative conflict, and how you stay abreast of industry trends and technologies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential case studies or hypothetical scenarios that require you to outline a design strategy for a specific Gillette product or initiative, considering the North American market.

• Practice articulating your design vision and strategic rationale concisely and persuasively.

• Prepare to discuss how you would manage agency relationships, budgets, and timelines for a given project.

• Anticipate questions about how you would integrate consumer insights and business objectives into your design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is central to this role. Candidates must be prepared to demonstrate not just creative talent but also strategic thinking, operational management of creative processes, and the ability to deliver measurable business impact. This is where candidates can showcase their GTM and operations-related skills in a creative context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop for visual design, layout, and asset creation. Dreamweaver may be relevant for digital touchpoint design.

• 3D Rendering Software: Familiarity with tools like KeyShot, Adobe Dimension, or similar for visualizing packaging and product designs.

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Asana, Monday.com, Jira, or Microsoft Project for managing design workflows, timelines, and cross-functional tasks.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Google Workspace for day-to-day communication and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Consumer Insight Platforms: Familiarity with tools used for market research, consumer segmentation, and trend analysis (e.g., Nielsen, Kantar, internal P&G research tools).

• Brand Performance Dashboards: Ability to interpret data from dashboards that track brand health, consumer sentiment, and campaign effectiveness.

CRM & Automation:

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) Systems: Experience with systems for organizing, storing, and retrieving digital creative assets.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Understanding of how automation can streamline creative review processes or asset delivery, even if not directly managing the tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "operations" role, the Design Director must be proficient with the tools that enable creative operations. This includes design software, project management tools for workflow tracking, and understanding how data analytics informs design strategy. Proficiency in these areas is key to operationalizing creative vision.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Consumer First: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the consumer, ensuring all design decisions are rooted in consumer needs and desires. This translates into a focus on user experience and market relevance in all operations.

• Bias for Action: A proactive approach to problem-solving and execution, encouraging swift decision-making and efficient project management to drive forward progress.

• Ownership: Taking personal accountability for projects and outcomes, driving initiatives to completion and ensuring high standards of quality and effectiveness.

• Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all business dealings, from agency partnerships to internal collaborations.

• Data-Driven: Utilizing consumer insights, market data, and performance metrics to inform strategic decisions and measure the impact of design initiatives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working collaboratively with diverse teams (Brand, R&D, Sales, Global Design) to ensure integrated strategies and seamless execution of brand expression.

• Agency Partnership: Cultivating strong, strategic relationships with external agencies, fostering a collaborative environment where creative excellence is a shared goal.

• Feedback & Iteration: An open culture for constructive feedback and iterative refinement of creative work, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with objectives.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, consumer insights, and design trends across teams to foster collective learning and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: P&G's established values like "Bias for Action" and "Ownership" directly relate to operational efficiency and accountability. For a Design Director, embodying these values means ensuring design processes are efficient, projects are managed effectively, and outcomes are achieved consistently.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global & Local: Navigating the tension between adhering to a unified global brand identity and adapting expression to resonate with specific North American consumer nuances, cultural contexts, and retailer demands. This requires strong strategic interpretation and negotiation skills.

• Managing Agency Networks: Effectively leading, inspiring, and holding accountable a diverse array of external agencies to ensure consistent brand quality, manage budgets, and meet demanding timelines. This involves robust vendor management and operational oversight.

• Driving Innovation within Constraints: Championing new design approaches and innovative consumer experiences while operating within established brand guidelines, product development cycles, and manufacturing limitations.

• Measuring Design Impact: Quantifying the direct business impact of brand expression initiatives, which can be challenging in a complex marketing environment, requiring sophisticated analytical and reporting capabilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen CPG Brand Strategy: Gain unparalleled experience in building and evolving iconic brands within the fast-moving consumer goods sector.

• Expand Operational Leadership: Develop advanced skills in project management, agency management, cross-functional team leadership, and strategic planning within a large corporate structure.

• Industry Exposure: Access to industry conferences, trend reports, and competitive analysis to stay at the forefront of design and consumer marketing trends.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders within P&G's marketing and design organizations, and to mentor junior talent.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational complexity of managing brand expression at scale. Successfully navigating these requires strong strategic thinking, excellent stakeholder management, and a disciplined approach to process and execution, all hallmarks of effective operations leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating a global brand strategy into a compelling North American brand expression for a category like men's grooming. What are the key considerations?" (Focus on strategic interpretation, consumer insight integration, and operational planning.)

• "How do you manage and motivate a diverse team of external agencies to consistently deliver high-quality creative work on time and within budget?" (Highlight your agency management, project oversight, and performance evaluation strategies.)

• "Walk us through a time you championed a new design direction that faced resistance. How did you build consensus and drive adoption?" (Demonstrate your influence, communication skills, and ability to advocate for design as a strategic driver.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Gillette's brand in North America, and how would you evolve its visual expression to connect with today's consumers?" (Show your research and strategic brand thinking.)

• "How do you see design operations contributing to P&G's broader business objectives, such as driving market share or enhancing consumer loyalty?" (Connect your role to business impact and operational efficiency.)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative relationship with Brand Management and R&D teams. How do you ensure alignment and efficient workflow?" (Illustrate your cross-functional collaboration and operational integration skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level overview of your design philosophy and approach to brand expression. Then, present 2-3 key case studies, dedicating significant time to each.

• Emphasize the 'Why' and 'How': For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, your strategic approach, the specific design solutions, your role in managing the process (including agency interaction), and the quantifiable results achieved.

• Showcase Operational Rigor: Highlight your process for managing projects, ensuring quality, and driving efficiency. Mention specific tools or methodologies you employ.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your decision-making process, challenges encountered, and how you measured success. Be prepared to discuss budget and timeline management.

• Connect to Gillette: Where possible, draw parallels between your past work and the challenges or opportunities facing the Gillette brand in North America.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative vision and operational execution. Candidates must be ready to articulate not just what they designed, but how they managed the process, collaborated with stakeholders, and drove measurable business outcomes, showcasing their GTM and operations acumen.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position at Procter & Gamble:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the P&G careers portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in brand strategy, visual identity, design leadership, agency management, and cross-functional collaboration, using keywords from the job description such as "Brand Expression," "Design Strategy," "Packaging Design," and "Consumer Insights." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a digital portfolio showcasing 3-5 of your strongest projects. Each project should include a clear narrative detailing the challenge, your strategic approach, the design solutions, your role in managing the process (including agency collaboration), and measurable business results. Ensure it's easily accessible online.

• Research P&G and Gillette: Familiarize yourself with P&G's company values, history, and its portfolio of brands, with a specific focus on Gillette's current brand positioning, target audience, and competitive landscape in North America. Understand their recent marketing campaigns and design initiatives.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on storytelling, clarity of process, and articulation of business impact. Be ready to answer strategic questions about design leadership and brand building in the CPG space.

⚠️ 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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