Design Director, PR & Communications

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director, PR & Communications

Company: Resident

Location: Remote (USA)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-05-26T20:08:13

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creative direction and visual execution of internal and external communications for Resident and its parent company, Ashley Furniture. This involves shaping how the organization communicates to employees, partners, media, leadership, and customers.

• Oversee a team responsible for developing communication-driven creative assets across a wide range of touchpoints, including presentations, executive communications, PR campaigns, social content, events, internal initiatives, and brand storytelling moments.

• Ensure brand integrity and consistency across all communication touchpoints, maintaining a high standard of design excellence and strategic effectiveness.

• Drive innovation in creative technologies, including AI-assisted design workflows and emerging content tools, to enhance efficiency, consistency, and creative impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within the broader marketing and communications function, with a strong emphasis on brand integrity and visual storytelling. The "Design Director, PR & Communications" title indicates a focus on external-facing communications and brand representation, supported by internal operational rigor. The integration with Ashley Furniture suggests a need to balance established corporate brand guidelines with Resident's distinct brand identity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Brand Leadership & Communications Strategy:

  • Evolve and maintain the visual identity of Ashley’s internal and external communications, ensuring consistency and brand integrity across all touchpoints.
  • Partner closely with PR, Communications, Marketing, HR, and Executive Leadership to translate business objectives into compelling creative solutions that align with strategic goals.
  • Define and maintain communication-focused brand systems, scalable templates, and style guides to ensure cohesive and elevated visual storytelling.
  • Elevate the overall quality, clarity, and sophistication of visual narratives across all organizational communications.

• Creative Direction & Execution:

  • Oversee the end-to-end development and approval of creative assets for digital, print, experiential, and presentation-based communications.
  • Provide hands-on creative direction, ensuring a high standard of design excellence, attention to detail, and effective visual storytelling.
  • Develop compelling visual narratives that simplify complex information and strengthen audience engagement, utilizing an editorial mindset for layout, typography, motion, and content hierarchy.
  • Ensure all creative output is not only visually impactful but also strategically effective in achieving communication objectives.

• Team Leadership & Creative Operations:

  • Inspire, mentor, and develop a team of designers and creative contributors, fostering a culture of collaboration, curiosity, innovation, and accountability.
  • Balance the demands of creative quality with the need for speed and efficiency in a fast-paced environment.
  • Refine workflows, processes, and creative operations to improve scalability, execution, and overall team productivity.
  • Manage multiple priorities, projects, and stakeholders effectively, maintaining strong organization and clear communication.

• Innovation & Emerging Technology:

  • Explore and implement new creative technologies, including AI-assisted design workflows and emerging content tools, to enhance creative output and efficiency.

  • Stay current on industry trends in communication design, editorial systems, evolving creative platforms, and best practices for visual storytelling.

  • Identify and champion opportunities for process improvements and technology adoption to enhance efficiency, consistency, and the overall creative impact of communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on high-level strategic creative direction and hands-on execution, typical for a senior creative leadership role in a growth-oriented company. The emphasis on "creative operations" and "scalability" suggests a need for process-oriented thinking beyond pure aesthetics, crucial for managing a team and diverse project load.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Communications Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 8+ years of professional design experience with progressive leadership responsibilities, including a proven track record of leading brand and communication-focused creative initiatives across multiple channels. Experience within retail, consumer, lifestyle, or agency environments is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional typography, layout, and visual storytelling skills demonstrated through a strong portfolio.

• Deep understanding of brand strategy, communications design principles, and audience engagement techniques.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects), Figma, Keynote, and PowerPoint.

• Experience developing scalable templates, comprehensive brand systems, and detailed style guides.

• Strong presentation skills with the ability to clearly and confidently articulate creative rationale to senior leadership and diverse stakeholders.

• Proven experience in stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-assisted design workflows and emerging creative technologies.

• Background in editorial design, motion graphics, or experiential design.

• Familiarity with project management tools and creative operations software.

• Experience working within a remote-first or hybrid work environment.

• Understanding of PR and corporate communications best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "8+ years" requirement, combined with "progressive leadership responsibilities," suggests candidates should be prepared to showcase not just design prowess but also strategic impact and team management capabilities. The emphasis on "Figma" alongside Adobe Creative Suite indicates a modern design workflow incorporating collaborative tools.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio is critical, showcasing excellence in brand systems development, editorial design, presentation design (Keynote/PowerPoint), campaign creative, and overall visual storytelling capabilities.

• Demonstrate the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling visual narratives across various communication channels (digital, print, experiential).

• Include case studies that highlight your strategic thinking, creative problem-solving process, and the impact of your design solutions on business objectives.

• Showcase examples of scalable templates, brand guidelines, and style guides you have developed and implemented.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of refined creative workflows, process improvements, or operational efficiencies implemented within previous design teams or projects.

• Documentation or case studies illustrating how you've managed creative operations to improve scalability, speed, and execution in a fast-paced environment.

• Evidence of how you've leveraged or explored new technologies (e.g., AI design tools) to enhance creative processes and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Director role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not only visual talent but also strategic thinking, leadership, and process optimization skills, especially concerning creative operations and the integration of new technologies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $140,000 - $150,000 per year. This range is based on the explicit information provided in the job description and is considered competitive for a Design Director role with significant leadership responsibilities in a remote US-based capacity.

Benefits:

• Health, Vision & Dental Insurance

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions

• 401K with a company match component

• Take-what-you-need Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Wellness benefits

• Work-From-Home (WFH) office stipend

• Cell phone and internet stipend

• A FREE MATTRESS from Resident brands

• Awesome Friends and Family discount on Resident products

Working Hours: The role is listed as Full-Time, with an implied standard 40-hour work week. Given the remote-first nature and the emphasis on "speed and efficiency," flexibility is likely, but core availability for team collaboration and meetings will be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits package are clearly stated. The "Take what you need PTO" and WFH stipends are attractive benefits for remote employees. The inclusion of a free mattress and employee discount is a unique perk tied to the company's core product offering.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Retail (Home Furnishings), Direct-to-Consumer (DTC)

Company Size: Resident is described as one of the fastest-growing, scaled, and profitable omnichannel retailers in North America, indicating a significant operational footprint. Specific employee numbers are not provided, but the company operates multiple brands and has offices internationally, suggesting a mid-to-large size organization.

Founded: 2017, making it a relatively young but rapidly scaling company that has achieved significant profitability and market presence.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will report to the VP of Brand & Creative, indicating a clear hierarchical structure within the creative department.

• You will lead a team of designers and creative contributors, implying direct people management responsibilities.

• Collaboration is expected with PR, Communications, Marketing, HR, and Executive Leadership teams, highlighting a cross-functional operational environment.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: The company's foundation in data science and performance marketing suggests that creative decisions will be informed by analytics and performance metrics.

• Customer-Centricity: The emphasis on "Customer Love" as a core value indicates a strong focus on understanding and serving customer needs.

• Agile & Growth-Oriented: As a fast-growing, disruptive retailer, the culture is likely fast-paced, adaptable, and focused on continuous improvement and innovation.

• Collaborative & Inclusive: Core values include "Inclusivity" and "Big Thinking," suggesting an environment that encourages diverse perspectives and ambitious ideas.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Resident's rapid growth since 2017, coupled with its DTC and omnichannel approach, points to a dynamic, data-driven, and customer-focused culture. The integration with Ashley Furniture adds a layer of established corporate structure to a fast-paced startup environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position, a Design Director, responsible for strategic creative direction, team management, and operational execution within the PR & Communications function. It sits at a high individual contributor or early management level, overseeing a specialized creative team.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the VP of Brand & Creative, indicating a direct line to senior leadership within the creative organization. This provides visibility and influence over broader brand strategy.

Operations Impact: The role has a significant impact on how Resident and Ashley Furniture are perceived externally and internally. By leading creative communications, this role directly influences brand perception, employee engagement, public relations success, and the overall effectiveness of marketing collateral. Strong visual storytelling can enhance conversion rates, brand loyalty, and stakeholder buy-in.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Senior Director or VP-level creative role within Resident or Ashley Furniture, overseeing larger creative departments or broader brand initiatives.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the long-term visual identity and communication strategy for major brands in the home furnishings sector.

• Skill Development: Exposure to cutting-edge creative technologies (AI design), cross-functional leadership, and advanced brand strategy in a rapidly scaling e-commerce environment.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like editorial design, executive communications, or PR campaign creative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Design Director in a growing company like Resident often involves increased scope of responsibility, team growth, and strategic influence. The dual brand structure (Resident/Ashley Furniture) also presents opportunities for broader exposure within a larger corporate entity.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Resident operates as a "Remote-first" company, meaning the primary work environment is remote. This implies a distributed workforce and a culture built around remote collaboration tools and practices.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote within the USA, Resident has physical offices in San Francisco, CA; New York City, NY; London, UK; Tel Aviv, IL; and manufacturing operations in Jeffersonville, IN. This indicates a global presence and potential for hybrid work if relocating within an existing office location, though the current role is specified as remote.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect a heavy reliance on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Figma, project management software) for communication and teamwork.

• Autonomy & Flexibility: The remote-first model typically offers significant autonomy and flexibility in managing one's workday, provided deadlines and collaboration needs are met.

• Tech Stack: Access to industry-standard design software and collaborative platforms is essential and expected. Stipends for WFH office setup, cell phone, and internet are provided to support the remote workspace.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time. While flexibility is a hallmark of remote work, adherence to core business hours for team collaboration, meetings with stakeholders (potentially across different time zones), and project deadlines is crucial. The company values "Forward Momentum," suggesting a proactive and results-oriented approach to work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote-first" designation is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with asynchronous communication and proactive self-management. The mention of specific office locations suggests potential future hybrid opportunities or team gatherings, though the current role is fully remote.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: While not explicitly detailed, a typical process for a Design Director role at a company like Resident would likely involve:

• Initial Screen: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.

• Portfolio Review & Creative Discussion: A session with the VP of Brand & Creative and potentially other senior creative leads to deeply dive into the candidate's portfolio, discuss design philosophy, approach to creative challenges, and leadership style.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential direct reports, peers in Marketing/PR, and potentially executive stakeholders to assess collaboration, communication, and strategic alignment.

• Creative Challenge/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to prepare a presentation based on a hypothetical brief or to walk through a detailed case study from their portfolio, demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Final Round: Interviews with senior leadership to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your expertise in brand systems, editorial design, presentation design, and visual storytelling relevant to PR and communications.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, the creative process, your specific role, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Highlight Leadership: Include examples where you led a team, managed stakeholders, or drove process improvements.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Show a range of work across different mediums and communication types.

• Be Prepared for Detail: Be ready to discuss your design rationale, tool proficiency, and any use of AI or emerging technologies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research Resident and Ashley Furniture's current brand identities, marketing, and communication efforts.

• Think Strategically: Be prepared to discuss how design supports business objectives and drives engagement for PR and communications.

• Process Focus: Consider how you would approach improving creative operations, managing a remote team, and implementing new technologies within this context.

• Presentation Skills: Practice delivering clear, concise, and compelling presentations that articulate your strategic thinking and creative vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "creative operations" and "AI-assisted design" suggests that interviewers will be keen to understand how candidates manage creative processes and embrace new technologies to drive efficiency and innovation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for professional graphic design, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and potentially After Effects for motion graphics.

• Figma: Crucial for collaborative design, UI/UX prototyping, and creating scalable design systems.

• Keynote/PowerPoint: Required for developing presentations, executive communications, and internal/external pitches.

• Collaborative Design Tools: Platforms like Miro, Mural, or similar for brainstorming, workflow visualization, and team collaboration.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or Monday.com for managing creative projects and workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly listed as a requirement for this role, but understanding how design assets are used within CRM systems or marketing automation platforms (e.g., email marketing design) would be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma is non-negotiable. The inclusion of Keynote/PowerPoint highlights the importance of presentation design. Familiarity with project management and collaborative design tools is essential for remote team leadership and efficient operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence: A commitment to high-quality creative output and rigorous attention to detail in all communications.

• Customer Love: Ensuring all visual communications are customer-centric, clear, and create positive brand experiences.

• Big Thinking: Encouraging bold ideas, innovative approaches to visual storytelling, and ambitious creative strategies.

• Inclusivity: Fostering a diverse and inclusive team environment where all voices are heard and valued, reflected in the creative output.

• Forward Momentum: A proactive, results-oriented approach to driving creative projects forward, embracing change, and continuously improving processes and outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Strong emphasis on partnering effectively with PR, Communications, Marketing, HR, and Executive Leadership to align creative efforts with broader business goals.

• Team-Centric: Fostering a collaborative environment where designers support each other, share knowledge, and contribute to a shared vision.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages constructive feedback for continuous improvement of creative work and processes.

• Remote Collaboration: Mastery of digital collaboration tools and techniques to maintain strong team cohesion and productivity in a distributed setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values—Excellence, Customer Love, Big Thinking, Inclusivity, and Forward Momentum—provide a strong framework for understanding the expected team culture and how operations professionals are expected to contribute.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Brands: Effectively managing and evolving the visual identity for both Resident and Ashley Furniture, ensuring distinct brand voices while maintaining overall consistency.

• Remote Team Leadership: Leading and motivating a distributed team of designers, fostering strong collaboration and accountability across different locations and time zones.

• Pace of Growth: Adapting creative strategies and operations to keep pace with Resident's rapid growth and evolving business needs.

• Integrating New Technologies: Successfully exploring and implementing emerging technologies like AI-assisted design, which requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Translating Complex Ideas: Simplifying intricate business concepts or data into clear, compelling visual narratives for diverse audiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Creative Leadership: Developing skills in strategic brand management, executive communication design, and large-scale creative operations.

• Technology Adoption: Gaining expertise in AI-assisted design tools and other emerging creative technologies.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Working closely with various departments (PR, Marketing, HR) to broaden understanding of business functions and their creative support needs.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor and develop junior designers, honing leadership and coaching skills.

• Industry Trends: Staying at the forefront of communication design, editorial systems, and visual storytelling trends through ongoing research and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior creative roles in fast-growing companies, particularly those managing multiple brands and operating remotely. The growth opportunities align with advancing into higher-level strategic and leadership positions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach evolving the visual identity for Resident while maintaining consistency with Ashley Furniture's established brand guidelines?" (Focus on brand strategy, system thinking, and stakeholder management.)

• "Describe your process for leading a remote design team. What strategies do you use to foster collaboration, accountability, and creative excellence?" (Focus on leadership, operational rigor, and remote work best practices.)

• "Imagine we need to communicate a complex Q3 financial performance to our employees. How would you translate this data into a clear, engaging visual narrative?" (Focus on visual storytelling, data simplification, and audience engagement.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, how do you see your design leadership style aligning with Resident's core values of Excellence, Customer Love, Big Thinking, Inclusivity, and Forward Momentum?" (Focus on cultural fit and value alignment.)

• "How do you ensure brand integrity across diverse communication channels and manage feedback from multiple stakeholders, including executive leadership?" (Focus on brand stewardship, stakeholder management, and communication clarity.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with your strongest, most relevant projects (brand systems, editorial, presentations). For each, clearly define the objective, your strategic approach, the execution, and the measurable results.

• Showcase Leadership: Dedicate a section or highlight specific projects where you demonstrated leadership, managed a team, or drove process improvements.

• Demonstrate Process: Explain your thought process, how you arrived at creative solutions, and how you navigated challenges or feedback.

• Highlight Operations: If applicable, discuss how you optimized creative workflows, implemented new tools, or improved team efficiency.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with PR, communications, and executive messaging needs. Be ready to discuss how your work can support both Resident and Ashley Furniture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, operational efficiency, and a deep understanding of brand and visual storytelling within a corporate communications context. Be ready to discuss practical application of tools and technologies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application directly through the Resident Home careers portal (via Greenhouse.io).

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio is tailored to this role, highlighting projects related to brand systems, editorial design, presentations, and PR/communications. Clearly articulate your strategy, process, and results for each included case study.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly showcase 8+ years of progressive design leadership experience, focusing on achievements in brand integrity, creative direction, team management, and process improvement. Integrate keywords like "creative direction," "visual storytelling," "brand strategy," "creative operations," and "stakeholder management."

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research Resident and Ashley Furniture. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulate your leadership philosophy, and explain how you would approach the challenges of this role, especially concerning remote team management and brand integration. Practice presenting your work and creative rationale.

• Company Research: Understand Resident's mission, values, brands, and market position. Familiarize yourself with Ashley Furniture's brand to grasp the scope of potential collaboration and brand stewardship required.

⚠️ 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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