Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: One Rockwell

Location: NYC

Job Type: Full-time

Category: eCommerce Design, UX/UI Design, Creative Direction

Date Posted: 2025-06-10T00:00:00

Experience Level: 7+ years (with 2+ years in leadership)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead and manage a team of talented designers, fostering a culture of innovation and creative excellence within an eCommerce agency environment.
• Drive the strategic design direction for diverse fashion, beauty, and lifestyle clients, focusing on user-centered digital experiences and solid brand identity.
• Oversee the entire design lifecycle from concepting and high-fidelity prototyping to client presentations and developer hand-off, ensuring delivery of innovative creative solutions.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including solutions architects, data analysts, and developers to integrate user experience design with business goals and technical constraints.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of designers, promoting a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and high performance in digital design execution.
• Champion strategic thinking and user-centric digital experiences for clients, leveraging insights, data analysis, and user research to inform design decisions.
• Establish and maintain design best practices, standards, and guidelines to ensure consistency and quality across all client projects and digital assets.
• Direct the production and oversight of high-quality digital assets for various marketing campaigns, including email, social media, and web experiences, ensuring brand consistency and performance optimization.
• Lead website design projects from initial concepting through high-fidelity designs, interactive prototypes, client reviews, and detailed documentation for seamless development hand-off.
• Effectively manage and prioritize work across multiple project streams concurrently, ensuring timely delivery within scope and budget constraints.
• Translate complex client goals, technical constraints, and project requirements into actionable design strategies and execution plans.
• Lead UX execution in close partnership with other designers, strategists, and development teams, ensuring a cohesive and effective user journey.
• Monitor and manage project goals, timelines, and budgets, proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks to ensure project success.
• Support in the estimation, scoping, and pitching of new projects, ensuring a strategic and well-defined approach from the outset.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for this level, although equivalent professional experience with a strong portfolio demonstrating advanced design leadership and strategic thinking may be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, interactive design, or digital design within an agency or in-house setting, with at least 2 years specifically in a leadership or directorial role overseeing design teams and projects. A strong portfolio showcasing leadership in complex digital projects, particularly in eCommerce, is essential.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in eCommerce design, interactive design, and overall digital design strategy and execution.
• Demonstrated experience managing or working closely with design systems, understanding their impact on scalability, consistency, and efficiency.
• Strong understanding of digital performance metrics and experience leveraging data and analytics to inform and validate design decisions.
• Proven ability to work effectively with designers and developers within agile team environments, facilitating efficient collaboration and project delivery.
• Robust expertise in Figma, including advanced prototyping, collaboration features, and design system management.
• Excellent presentation skills with the ability to articulate design rationale, strategy, and impact clearly and persuasively to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Exceptional attention to detail in all aspects of design execution, documentation, and team management.
• Proven ability to perform effectively under pressure and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic agency environment.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm, energy, and determination to achieve outstanding results for clients and the team.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor, motivate, and develop design talent.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience working with eCommerce platforms such as Shopify and familiarity with third-party integrations like Yotpo and Klaviyo.
• Experience designing for fashion, beauty, or lifestyle brands, understanding the unique visual and user experience requirements of these verticals.
• Experience in strategic planning, project scoping, and contributing to new business pitches.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a curated selection of your most impactful design projects, with a strong focus on eCommerce and digital product design.
• Present comprehensive case studies that detail your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work on business outcomes and user experience.
• Include examples demonstrating your leadership in managing design teams and influencing strategic design decisions across complex projects.
• Highlight your proficiency with Figma, including examples of design systems, interactive prototypes, and detailed design specifications.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your approach to the research and discovery phase, including how you gather insights, define user needs, and translate them into design requirements.
• Document your ideation and iteration methods, showcasing how you explore different design solutions and refine concepts based on feedback and testing.
• Explain your approach to validation and testing, including how you use prototyping, user testing, and data analysis to inform and validate design decisions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $180,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning in design trends, tools, and leadership.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses and incentives.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position typically requiring standard business hours, with the understanding that some flexibility may be needed to meet project deadlines and client needs in a fast-paced agency environment.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Technology, Information and Internet (specifically specializing in eCommerce design, strategy, and technology for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands).

Company Size: 51-200 employees.

Founded: 2010.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will oversee and manage a team of designers, working closely with a multidisciplinary team including solutions architects, data analysts, and developers.
• The team structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration to deliver integrated eCommerce solutions for clients.
• Reporting structure likely involves reporting to a higher-level creative or executive position within the agency.

Methodology:

• The company utilizes a blend of design, strategy, and technology expertise.
• Emphasis on user-centric design led by insights, data, and research.
• Experience working in agile and nimble ways is noted, suggesting an iterative and flexible approach to project execution.

Company Website: http://1r.agency/

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position within the design team, responsible for managing designers, directing creative strategy, and overseeing project execution. It represents a significant step up from a Senior Designer or Lead Designer role.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will manage a team of designers and likely report to a Creative Director, Head of Design, or a Partner within the agency structure, overseeing the creative output and team performance.

Design Impact: Design has a significant impact on product and business decisions at One Rockwell, as the agency's core offering revolves around transforming digital shopping experiences and establishing digital brand identity for clients. The Design Director will be crucial in driving creative excellence and ensuring design solutions meet client business goals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to influence the creative direction and design methodology of the agency, shaping best practices and standards.
• Potential for growth into higher-level leadership roles such as Creative Director or VP of Design, depending on agency structure and performance.
• Continuous learning opportunities through exposure to diverse client projects, industry trends, and evolving eCommerce technologies.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: On-site office environment in NYC. The agency setting likely fosters a collaborative and dynamic workspace.

Office Location(s): New York, NY.

Design Workspace Context:

• The office environment is likely designed to facilitate collaboration among design, strategy, and technology teams.
• Access to necessary design tools, collaboration platforms, and meeting spaces for internal and client interactions.
• Opportunities for informal knowledge sharing and design critiques within the team.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site role, typically following standard business hours. Flexibility may be required to accommodate client meetings, project deadlines, and potential evening or weekend work as needed in an agency environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening call to assess experience, fit, and interest in the role and company.
• Portfolio review and presentation focusing on your most relevant eCommerce and leadership case studies, detailing your process, strategic thinking, and impact.
• Interviews with key stakeholders, including potential team members, cross-functional leads (strategy, tech), and leadership (Creative Director, Partners).
• Potential design challenge or case study exercise to assess problem-solving skills, strategic approach, and ability to articulate design rationale under pressure.
• Discussions about team management philosophy, leadership style, and experience fostering a creative and innovative design culture.
• Final interview focusing on cultural fit, long-term career goals, and alignment with the agency's values and vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience in eCommerce design and your leadership capabilities. Focus on projects where you directed a team, influenced strategy, and delivered measurable results.
• Structure your case studies to clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcome, emphasizing strategic thinking and impact.
• Be prepared to discuss your design decisions, rationale, and how you navigated challenges and collaborated with cross-functional teams.
• Showcase your proficiency in Figma, including examples of design systems, complex prototypes, and detailed hand-off documentation.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is assigned, carefully read and understand the prompt, focusing on the underlying business problem and user needs.
• Develop a clear and concise presentation that walks through your process, key decisions, and proposed solution, articulating your design rationale effectively.
• Be prepared to discuss your assumptions, constraints, and potential next steps, demonstrating a strategic and practical approach.

ATS Keywords: Design Director, eCommerce Design, UX Design, UI Design, Digital Design, Creative Direction, Team Management, Design Leadership, Design Strategy, User Experience, Interactive Design, Figma, Design Systems, Agile, Client Management, Portfolio Review, Case Studies, Prototyping, High-Fidelity Design, Wireframing, User Research, Data Analysis, Digital Performance Metrics, Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle, Agency Experience, Shopify, Yotpo, Klaviyo, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Presentation Skills, Creative Team, Innovation, Best Practices, Project Management, Time Management, Attention to Detail, Strategic Thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Figma: Robust knowledge and extensive experience required. Used for high-fidelity design, prototyping, collaboration, and potentially design system management. Expect to demonstrate advanced proficiency.
• Other design tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite) may be used for specific tasks, but Figma is highlighted as central.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Tools facilitating collaboration with solutions architects, data analysts, and developers will be used. This likely includes project management software (e.g., Asana, Jira) and communication platforms (e.g., Slack).
• Handoff tools integrated with Figma are likely used to provide developers with design specifications, assets, and interactive prototypes.

Research & Testing:

• Tools for gathering user insights, potentially including user testing platforms, survey tools, and analytics dashboards to inform design decisions based on data.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• A culture of innovation is promoted, encouraging creative exploration and pushing boundaries in digital design.
• Emphasis on user-centric digital experiences led by insights, data, and research, highlighting a commitment to understanding and meeting user needs.
• Strong focus on creative excellence and delivering high-quality digital assets and experiences that establish solid digital brand identities for clients.
• Valuing individuals who are inquisitive, have a strong visual sense, an analytical mind, and a good eye for detail.

Collaboration Style:

• Close collaboration with solutions architects, data analysts, and developers is integral to the workflow.
• Working with designers and developers in agile teams suggests a collaborative and iterative approach to project delivery.
• Expect a culture that values clear communication, effective feedback exchange, and shared ownership of project outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Managing a diverse portfolio of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle clients, each with unique brand identities and business goals, requiring adaptability and versatility in design approach.
• Balancing creative vision with technical constraints and client requirements, necessitating strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Keeping pace with the rapidly evolving eCommerce landscape and integrating new technologies and trends into design solutions.
• Leading and mentoring a design team effectively in a fast-paced environment, ensuring high performance, skill development, and team cohesion.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to deepen expertise in eCommerce design and strategy across various verticals.
• Enhance leadership and team management skills through hands-on experience and potentially professional development programs.
• Expand knowledge of eCommerce platforms, third-party integrations, and digital performance metrics.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to discuss your end-to-end design process, from initial discovery and research to final hand-off and iteration. Use specific examples from your portfolio to illustrate your approach.
• Explain how you incorporate user insights, data, and research into your design decisions and how you measure the success of your designs.
• Discuss your experience with design systems, including how you've managed or contributed to them and their impact on design efficiency and consistency.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research One Rockwell's portfolio and clients. Be prepared to discuss your interest in working with fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands in the eCommerce space.
• Ask questions about the design team structure, collaboration methods, and how design interacts with other departments like strategy and technology.
• Inquire about the agency's approach to innovation, user-centric design, and how they foster a creative and collaborative work environment.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 key case studies that best demonstrate your eCommerce design expertise, leadership skills, and strategic thinking.
• For each case study, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role (including leadership responsibilities), your design process, the final solution, and the measurable impact of your work.
• Be prepared to walk through your Figma files, showcasing design systems, prototyping, and hand-off documentation.
• Practice presenting your work concisely and confidently, highlighting your ability to articulate complex design concepts and rationale.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link.
• Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and specifically curated to showcase your eCommerce design experience, leadership roles, and strategic thinking, with detailed case studies.
• Optimize your resume to highlight relevant keywords such as Design Director, eCommerce Design, UX/UI Leadership, Figma, Design Systems, and experience with fashion, beauty, or lifestyle brands.
• Prepare for the interview process by practicing articulating your design process, leadership philosophy, and presenting your portfolio with a focus on business impact and strategic rationale.
• Research One Rockwell and their clients to understand their business, design aesthetic, and recent projects, demonstrating your genuine interest and understanding of their work.