Global Design Director, Shark Home

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Global Design Director, Shark Home

Company: SharkNinja

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-09-07

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the conceptual and design direction for the Shark Home brand across a comprehensive range of touchpoints, including packaging, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) platforms, Amazon, retail environments, and social media content.

• Define and build new product identities from inception, collaborating closely with product development and consumer insights teams to ensure strategic positioning and market resonance.

• Architect scalable visual systems and creative platforms that effectively drive demand and maintain brand consistency across diverse channels and consumer journeys.

• Champion a data-driven and performance-aware approach to design, ensuring that all creative outputs not only build brand equity but also contribute to measurable business outcomes.

• Drive innovation in creative processes by leveraging AI tools to accelerate exploration, enhance quality, and maintain a high standard of originality and taste in design execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is highly strategic, requiring a leader who can influence product development upstream and build comprehensive design systems. The emphasis on AI integration suggests a forward-thinking team that values rapid iteration and novel creative approaches. The "Global Design Director" title implies significant autonomy and responsibility for setting the visual direction of the Shark brand in the home category worldwide.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end design strategy for Shark Home products, from initial concept development through to final execution across all consumer-facing channels.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Management, Insights, and Marketing teams to shape product positioning, identify opportunity areas, and inform go-to-market strategies before formal briefs are developed.

• Develop and maintain a robust visual identity system and creative platform that ensures brand consistency and scalability across packaging, digital assets (DTC, Amazon), retail displays, video content, and social media.

• Design creative solutions that are platform-native, performance-aware, and contribute to strong brand building, adapting to the unique demands of each channel.

• Lead, mentor, and foster the growth of a team of designers, providing clear direction, constructive feedback, and upholding high standards for craft and conceptual thinking.

• Actively integrate and experiment with AI tools (e.g., Chat, Claude, node-based canvas tools) to enhance creative exploration, expedite asset creation, and push the boundaries of design innovation.

• Present and articulate creative concepts, design rationale, and strategic recommendations effectively to senior leadership and key stakeholders to gain buy-in and drive decision-making.

• Ensure a high level of creative rigor and attention to detail across all design outputs, from overarching system architecture to the minutiae of pixel-perfect execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design expertise, and team management. The emphasis on "upstream" collaboration and defining "product identities from 0 to 1" indicates a role deeply embedded in the product development lifecycle, not just a downstream execution function. The requirement to "sell creative direction" underscores the importance of strong presentation and communication skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Industrial Design, or a related field is typically expected for a Director-level role in design.

Experience: 10-15+ years of progressive experience in creative direction, design, or art direction, with a significant portion of that time spent in senior or director-level leadership positions.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in creative direction and art direction, with a strong portfolio showcasing conceptual thinking, visual systems, and product identity work.

• Demonstrated ability to define and launch brand and product identities from scratch, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

• Experience in shaping product positioning and identifying strategic opportunity areas in partnership with product and insights teams.

• Fluency across a wide range of brand and performance channels, including packaging, DTC e-commerce, Amazon marketplaces, retail environments, video production, and social media.

• Strong instincts for motion design and creating platform-native content suitable for social media.

• Exceptional craft standards and attention to detail, from high-level system architecture to granular execution.

• Deep proficiency in industry-standard design software, including the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects) and modern design workflows.

• Experience with collaborative design tools such as Figma.

• A demonstrated understanding and practical application of AI tools within the creative process.

• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and grow a team of designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to effectively present and "sell" creative direction to senior stakeholders. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a fast-paced, consumer-centric product design and technology company.

• Familiarity with node-based canvas tools for image and video creation (e.g., Weave).

• Experience in designing for global markets.

• Understanding of performance marketing principles and how design contributes to demand generation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "10-15+ years" with "significant time at a senior or director level" clearly positions this as a senior leadership role. The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating "conceptual thinking, visual systems, packaging, and product identity work" is critical. Fluency in AI tools is highlighted as a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a strong narrative of conceptual thinking and the development of robust visual systems.

• Must include examples of defining and launching product identities from the ground up, illustrating the process from initial insight to final execution.

• Showcase significant work in packaging design, demonstrating an understanding of how to create compelling and effective packaging solutions.

• Present case studies of scalable visual systems and campaign platforms that have successfully traveled across multiple channels (e.g., digital, print, retail).

• Include examples of designing for modern attention, demonstrating platform-native and performance-aware creative strategies.

• Highlight experience working upstream with product and insights teams to influence product positioning and opportunity areas. Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly demonstrate a structured approach to design, highlighting the process of moving from broad strategic objectives to detailed creative execution.

• Evidence of iterative design processes, including refinement and pressure-testing of ideas, should be apparent.

• Showcase how design systems were developed and implemented consistently across various applications and touchpoints.

• Demonstrate how AI tools were integrated into the design workflow to accelerate exploration and enhance outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. It needs to go beyond aesthetics to demonstrate strategic thinking, system design, and the ability to influence product development. The emphasis on "systems, not assets" and "platforms, not one-offs" means the portfolio should clearly articulate how the candidate builds repeatable and scalable creative frameworks.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Global Design Director role with 10-15+ years of experience in London, UK, the estimated salary range is £90,000 - £130,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior creative leadership roles in major metropolitan areas, considering the company's global presence and the specialized nature of the position. Factors such as specific team size, budget responsibility, and the candidate's proven track record in driving measurable business impact would influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• Competitive health insurance plans.

• Comprehensive retirement savings plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) policies.

• Employee stock purchase options, offering a stake in the company's success.

• Wellness programs designed to support employee health and well-being.

• Discounts on SharkNinja products, providing access to innovative lifestyle solutions.

• High-impact Learning Programs focused on personal and professional growth, featuring industry leaders.

Working Hours: The role is based on a standard full-time schedule, estimated at 40 hours per week. While a standard schedule is expected, the dynamic nature of a global creative role may require flexibility to accommodate international team collaboration, project deadlines, and key stakeholder meetings across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for London, UK, given the typical compensation for a Director-level creative role with extensive experience. The benefits package is detailed, emphasizing professional development and employee well-being, aligning with SharkNinja's culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: SharkNinja operates in the consumer product design and technology sector, known for its disruptive innovation and market share growth in lifestyle solutions. The company leverages two strong global brands, Shark and Ninja, to penetrate multiple product categories.

Company Size: With over 4,100 associates globally, SharkNinja is a substantial organization, indicating a structured environment with opportunities for significant impact and career progression. This size suggests a balance between established processes and the agility needed for rapid innovation.

Founded: Headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts, SharkNinja has a history of bringing innovative consumer products to market, demonstrating a long-term commitment to growth and consumer satisfaction. The company's "AI-native culture" signals a modern, forward-looking approach to business and product development.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely comprises specialists across various design disciplines (product, graphic, digital, motion) and reports into a senior marketing or brand leadership structure.

• This Global Design Director role will likely manage a team of designers, potentially distributed across different regions, requiring strong remote leadership and collaboration skills.

• Close collaboration is expected with Product Management, Consumer Insights, Marketing, and potentially Engineering teams to ensure cohesive product development and go-to-market strategies. Methodology:

• SharkNinja emphasizes an "Outrageously Extraordinary" mindset, encouraging bold experimentation, pushing boundaries, and achieving ambitious goals.

• The company champions an AI-native culture, expecting associates to adopt new tools and continuously explore possibilities for meaningful impact.

• Design processes are characterized by being consumer-centric, iterative, product-led, and idea-driven, focusing on building platforms and systems rather than just isolated campaigns.

• A strong emphasis is placed on speed, ownership, and craft, with leaders expected to be both strategic thinkers and hands-on practitioners.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: SharkNinja's culture is defined by its "Outrageously Extraordinary" mindset, a drive for innovation, and a commitment to an AI-native approach. This suggests a fast-paced, results-oriented environment where individuals are empowered to take ownership and challenge the status quo. The emphasis on systems and platforms is crucial for this design leadership role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Global Design Director position represents a senior leadership role within the creative and design function. It is a strategic position that requires not only exceptional design talent and execution capabilities but also the ability to shape brand direction, build and lead teams, and influence product strategy at a global level. The scope extends beyond typical design execution to encompass brand architecture and long-term creative vision.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Vice President or Chief Marketing Officer, overseeing the design function for the Shark Home portfolio. This position will have direct reports, likely consisting of design managers and individual contributors.

Operations Impact: The Global Design Director's impact is profound, directly influencing consumer perception, brand loyalty, and ultimately, sales performance through compelling product identities and effective creative campaigns. By shaping how products are presented and experienced, this role drives demand, differentiates SharkNinja in competitive markets, and reinforces the brand's value proposition. The strategic upstream involvement ensures that design is integrated from the earliest stages of product conceptualization, maximizing its commercial potential.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand leadership scope to encompass additional brands or product categories within SharkNinja.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to play a more significant role in overall brand strategy and long-term product innovation roadmap.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Development of broader business acumen through deeper collaboration with executive leadership across product, marketing, and sales.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Continued development in nurturing and scaling high-performing design teams, establishing best practices for creative operations.

• Industry Recognition: Potential to represent SharkNinja at industry events or contribute to thought leadership in design and AI integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant step up for experienced design leaders, offering broad strategic influence and team-building opportunities. The emphasis on AI and system design suggests a path toward leading future creative innovation at SharkNinja.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: SharkNinja operates a hybrid work model. This role is based in London, UK, and will require a blend of in-office presence for collaboration and strategic meetings, alongside remote work flexibility. The office environment is designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): The role is based in London, United Kingdom. Specific office location details would be provided during the application process, but it is implied to be a central hub supporting the company's UK and potentially European operations.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, encouraging interaction among design teams and cross-functional partners.

• Access to modern design tools and technology, including advanced software and AI platforms, will be standard.

• Opportunities for team brainstorming sessions, design critiques, and strategic planning meetings will be integral to the workflow.

• The environment supports both focused individual work and dynamic group collaboration.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected. However, given the global nature of the role and the fast-paced industry, flexibility may be required to accommodate urgent project needs, international calls, and critical stakeholder engagements across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model suggests a need for strong self-management and effective communication skills, balancing in-office collaboration with remote productivity. The emphasis on modern tools and collaborative spaces indicates a contemporary work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by the recruitment team to assess alignment with the core requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will be invited to present their portfolio to the hiring team (likely including the hiring manager and senior design/marketing leaders). This session will focus on conceptual thinking, visual systems, leadership experience, and strategic approach. Be prepared to discuss specific projects in detail, including your role, challenges, solutions, and impact.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, Insights, and Marketing to assess collaboration style, strategic thinking, and ability to influence upstream.

• Team Fit & Leadership Assessment: Interviews to evaluate leadership style, mentorship capabilities, and alignment with SharkNinja's "Outrageously Extraordinary" culture.

• Final Round: Typically with senior leadership to discuss overall vision, strategic alignment, and final offer details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your ability to define product identities, build visual systems, and lead creatively. Prioritize work relevant to consumer products, packaging, and multi-channel campaigns.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the business objective, your role and contribution, the strategic approach, the creative process (including challenges and solutions), and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: Emphasize projects where you developed comprehensive visual systems or platforms, demonstrating scalability and consistency across diverse applications.

• Highlight Upstream Influence: Include examples where you worked with product or insights teams to shape strategy or positioning before creative briefs were fully defined.

• Demonstrate AI Integration: If applicable, clearly articulate how you've used AI tools to enhance your creative process, accelerate exploration, or achieve unique results.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough to ensure a clear, concise, and engaging presentation within the allotted time. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your decision-making.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design challenges or case studies that require you to articulate a strategic approach to a hypothetical Shark Home product or campaign.

• Focus on demonstrating your systems thinking, conceptual rigor, and ability to translate business objectives into compelling creative direction.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and confidently, even if you don't have a fully polished solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the centerpiece of the application. Candidates must be prepared to present it with a strategic narrative, focusing on systems, upstream influence, and leadership. The inclusion of AI in the requirements suggests interviewers may probe on this aspect.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design, illustration, photo editing, and video post-production (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects).

• Figma: A key tool for collaborative design, prototyping, and UI/UX design, especially for digital assets and system development.

• AI Creative Tools: Fluency with AI platforms for image and video generation/enhancement (e.g., Chat, Claude, node-based canvas tools like Weave, or similar emerging technologies).

• Presentation Software: Tools like PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides for presenting creative concepts and strategies to stakeholders.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analytics role, understanding how to interpret performance data from DTC, Amazon, and social media channels to inform design decisions is crucial. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable for this design role, but an understanding of how CRM and marketing automation platforms are used to deliver creative content will be helpful for context. Other Potential Tools:

• Project management software (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, Trello) for managing design workflows.

• Prototyping tools (e.g., Adobe XD, InVision) may be used.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in core design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) is a given. The explicit mention of AI tools like Chat, Claude, and "node-based canvas for image and video creation like Figma Weave or a similar platform" is a critical requirement, indicating a need for early adoption and experimentation with generative AI in design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Outrageously Extraordinary: A core value driving the pursuit of ambitious goals, pushing boundaries, and achieving exceptional results that exceed industry norms.

• AI-Native Culture: Embracing and integrating AI as a fundamental tool for innovation, efficiency, and elevating creative possibilities.

• Consumer-Centricity: Deeply understanding and prioritizing consumer needs and insights to drive product innovation and design relevance.

• Speed & Iteration: A commitment to rapid execution, continuous learning, and iterative improvement in both product development and creative processes.

• Ownership & Accountability: Empowering individuals to take full responsibility for their work and drive projects to successful completion.

• Craft & Rigor: Maintaining exceptionally high standards for quality, detail, and strategic thinking in all aspects of the work.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working seamlessly with product, insights, and marketing teams to ensure cohesive strategy and execution.

• Upstream Partnership: Actively engaging early in the product development cycle to influence strategy and positioning.

• Constructive Critique: Fostering an environment where ideas are openly shared, challenged, and refined through rigorous critique sessions.

• Hands-On Leadership: Leaders are expected to be actively involved in the creative work, setting standards by doing and demonstrating excellence.

• Global Mindset: Collaborating effectively with teams and stakeholders across different regions and cultures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a high-performance, innovative, and collaborative culture. The "Outrageously Extraordinary" mindset and "AI-Native Culture" are key differentiators that will shape how work is approached and executed.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Consistency with Local Relevance: Ensuring a cohesive global brand identity while adapting creative to diverse regional market needs and cultural nuances.

• Rapid Pace of Innovation: Keeping pace with the fast-moving consumer product market and evolving digital landscapes, especially with the integration of AI.

• Driving Upstream Influence: Effectively partnering with product and insights teams to embed design strategy early in the development process, overcoming potential silos.

• Leading and Scaling a Creative Team: Managing and mentoring a team of designers, potentially across different locations, while maintaining high creative output and quality.

• Measuring Design Impact: Quantifying the ROI of design initiatives and demonstrating their contribution to business objectives in a performance-driven environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Mastery: Deepening expertise in leveraging cutting-edge AI tools for creative exploration, asset generation, and workflow optimization.

• Global Brand Strategy: Developing a nuanced understanding of global brand architecture and market-specific creative strategies.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Enhancing skills in influencing and collaborating with executive leadership across diverse business functions.

• Team Development: Gaining experience in building and scaling high-performing, creative teams within a dynamic organizational structure.

• Product Innovation Cycles: Gaining exposure to the full product lifecycle, from ideation and design to market launch and post-launch analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a global, fast-paced company, particularly with the integration of new technologies like AI. The growth opportunities are geared towards expanding strategic leadership and technical expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you defined a product identity from scratch. What was your process, who did you collaborate with, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on upstream influence, systems thinking, and results.)

• "How do you approach building a scalable visual system that can be applied across packaging, digital, and social channels? Provide an example." (Highlight system architecture, consistency, and channel adaptation.)

• "Walk us through your experience integrating AI tools into your design workflow. What benefits did it provide, and what are your thoughts on its future in creative direction?" (Be specific about tools used and impact; demonstrate an opinionated stance.)

• "How do you balance the need for creative rigor and perfection with the demand for speed and iteration in a fast-paced environment?" (Showcase your understanding of trade-offs and agile methodologies.)

• "Describe your approach to presenting and selling creative concepts to senior stakeholders who may not have a design background." (Emphasize storytelling, strategic rationale, and business impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about SharkNinja's 'Outrageously Extraordinary' mindset and AI-native culture?" (Connect your personal work ethic and aspirations to these values.)

• "How would you foster a collaborative and innovative design culture within your team at SharkNinja?" (Discuss mentorship, feedback, and team dynamics.)

• "Based on your understanding of SharkNinja's brands, where do you see opportunities for design innovation in the Shark Home category?" (Demonstrate research and strategic thinking about the brand.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your presentation with a clear beginning (objective/challenge), middle (process/solutions), and end (results/impact).

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your projects (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved brand perception scores, sales uplift).

• Showcase Systems: Clearly illustrate how your design work forms cohesive systems rather than isolated assets. Use visual aids effectively to demonstrate this.

• Highlight Leadership: For team projects, clearly define your specific role and contribution, emphasizing leadership and mentorship aspects.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your decision-making process, creative choices, and challenges encountered. Be prepared to defend your work with strong rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating strategic thinking, system design, leadership, and the practical application of AI. Candidates must be ready to present their portfolio as a testament to their ability to drive business results through design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Global Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse platform.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 10-15+ years of experience in creative direction, art direction, and leadership roles. Use keywords from the job description such as "visual systems," "product identity," "packaging design," "AI integration," and "stakeholder management."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that align with the role's requirements, focusing on conceptual thinking, system design, and demonstrated results. Prepare a compelling narrative for each project.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough thoroughly, anticipating questions about your strategic approach, creative process, leadership style, and experience with AI tools. Practice articulating your value proposition concisely.

• Research SharkNinja: Familiarize yourself with SharkNinja's brands (Shark and Ninja), their product categories, and their company culture, particularly their "Outrageously Extraordinary" mindset and AI-native approach.

⚠️ 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.