Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: MATTE PROJECTS

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative Leadership / Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-02-26

Experience Level: 15+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office, 1 day WFH)

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversee the creative quality, technical precision, and design excellence across all campaign, content, and experiential projects, embodying MATTE's standard of innovation and craft.

• Lead and mentor the design team, ensuring consistent creative output and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

• Implement and uphold rigorous processes for design reviews, quality control, and technical execution for both digital and physical outputs.

• Drive innovation by identifying and integrating emerging trends, tools, and technologies to elevate the studio's design offerings and push creative boundaries.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and clients to articulate and execute a unified creative vision, ensuring seamless integration of design into larger projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges creative direction with operational rigor, demanding a leader who can manage complex workflows, ensure high-quality output, and foster team growth within a fast-paced creative studio environment. The emphasis on "design operations" is inferred from the need for process implementation, quality control, technical precision, and team development alongside creative leadership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Creative Vision & Leadership: Provide strategic design direction and mentorship to the design team across campaign, content, and experiential disciplines, ensuring all deliverables meet or exceed MATTE's high standards for innovation and craft.

• Quality Assurance & Standards: Establish, implement, and enforce robust processes for design reviews, ensuring technical precision, creative integrity, and consistent visual identity across all project touchpoints and mediums.

• Innovation & Trend Integration: Champion the exploration and adoption of emerging design trends, tools, and technologies, leading the team in developing groundbreaking and differentiating design solutions.

• Technical Execution Oversight: Drive best practices in file preparation, asset management, and technical delivery for digital and physical outputs, ensuring flawless execution from concept to final product.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner effectively with Creative Directors, Producers, Strategists, and other project leads to ensure integrated and cohesive project outcomes.

• Client Engagement & Articulation: Serve as a key advocate for design excellence, capable of clearly articulating creative concepts and strategies to clients to secure buy-in and guide project execution.

• Team Development & Talent Management: Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment, actively recruiting, onboarding, and developing top design talent to maintain the studio's reputation.

• Project & Workflow Management: Directly oversee the design process for key projects, ensuring alignment with timelines, budgets, and strategic objectives, while managing creative workflows efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on high-level creative direction and detailed operational management. The "design operations" aspect is evident in the emphasis on implementing processes, quality control, technical excellence, and workflow management, which are crucial for a studio delivering multifaceted projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in a senior creative leadership role within an agency or creative studio setting.

• Demonstrated experience with a focus on campaign, content creation, and experiential design projects.

Required Skills:

• Creative Leadership & Vision: Ability to set and articulate a compelling creative vision, inspire teams, and drive innovative design solutions.

• Design Process Management: Expertise in defining, implementing, and refining design workflows, ensuring quality control and technical precision from concept to delivery.

• Team Mentorship & Development: Strong ability to lead, mentor, and empower a team of designers, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.

• Client Relationship Management: Proven experience in building and managing strong client relationships, particularly at the executive level, and successfully presenting and defending creative strategies.

• Operational Acumen: Solid understanding of project management principles, resource allocation, and workflow optimization within a creative context.

• Technical Proficiency: Deep understanding of design software, file preparation, asset management, and best practices for digital and physical outputs.

• Trend Analysis & Innovation: Keen eye for emerging trends in design, technology, and culture, with the ability to translate these into innovative creative concepts.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in agency pitch processes and winning significant business.

• Familiarity with various production methods for experiential, digital, and content projects.

• Strong understanding of branding, identity systems, and their application across diverse platforms.

• Proficiency in prototyping tools and methodologies.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "operational capabilities" requirement in the original description is interpreted as a need for strong workflow management, process implementation, and cross-functional collaboration skills, which are core to design operations. The emphasis on "winning big business" implies a strategic and client-facing operational component.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Creative Excellence Showcase: A curated selection of high-impact projects demonstrating exceptional artistry, conceptual thinking, and execution across campaign, content, and experiential domains.

• Process & Workflow Examples: Evidence of how you have structured and managed design processes, including workflow optimization, quality control mechanisms, and team collaboration strategies.

• Technical Execution Demonstrations: Examples illustrating your team's ability to manage technical requirements, file preparation, and flawless delivery across digital and physical deliverables.

• Client & Stakeholder Management: Case studies or project descriptions that highlight successful client engagement, strategic articulation, and the ability to manage complex stakeholder expectations.

• Innovation & Trend Integration: Projects that showcase the successful integration of emerging trends, new technologies, or innovative approaches to design challenges.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their methodologies for:

  • Designing and optimizing creative workflows.

  • Implementing quality assurance and technical review processes.

  • Managing cross-functional team collaboration and communication.

  • Integrating new tools and technologies into existing processes.

  • Measuring the impact and success of design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on leadership and operational rigor within a creative studio, a portfolio that demonstrates not just aesthetic output but also the strategic thinking and operational management behind it is crucial. This includes showcasing how processes are defined, improved, and executed to ensure consistent quality and innovation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $190,000 - $210,000 per year

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

• 401k with a 4% company contribution match

• Fully covered yearly Citibike membership (wellness perk)

• Talkspace membership (wellness perk)

• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) package

• End of Year Recharge paid time off

• Sabbatical Program option after three years of employment

Working Hours:

• The role operates on a standard full-time basis, likely around 40 hours per week. The company offers a hybrid work model with 4 days per week in the office and Fridays designated for remote work, providing a degree of flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided. The benefits package is comprehensive, with specific wellness perks and generous time-off policies that indicate a focus on employee well-being, a common characteristic of forward-thinking creative organizations. The hybrid work arrangement is also detailed.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Creative Services / Advertising / Design Studio

Company Size: The exact number of employees isn't specified, but the description implies a growing, dynamic studio with multiple capabilities and a global reach, suggesting a medium-to-large size with specialized teams.

Founded: Not specified, but the description suggests a well-established studio with a strong reputation at the "convergence of hype, storytelling, and design."

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will lead a dedicated design team across campaign, content, and experiential disciplines.

• This team will work in close collaboration with other studio departments, including Strategy, Creative Directors, Producers, and Web Development.

Methodology:

• Strategic Ideation & Insights: MATTE Projects emphasizes a foundation in strategic thinking and market insights to inform creative development.

• 360° Creative Development: A holistic approach is taken, covering everything from initial concepts to full-scale production and execution.

• Storytelling & Engagement: The studio focuses on creating experiences that engage audiences, provoke thought, and entertain.

• Innovation & Craft: A core value is the pursuit of new ways of engaging and a commitment to high-quality execution and design excellence.

Company Website: matteprojects.com

📝 Enhancement Note: MATTE Projects positions itself as a forward-thinking creative studio blending art, culture, and commercial objectives. The culture is described as innovative, collaborative, and focused on impactful storytelling and design, suggesting an environment where creative talent can thrive and push boundaries.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the creative operations and design hierarchy, equivalent to a Vice President or Senior Director level in larger organizations. It demands strategic oversight, team management, and significant impact on business development and client satisfaction.

Reporting Structure:

• The Design Director will likely report to a Chief Creative Officer, a Partner, or a similar senior executive responsible for the studio's overall creative output.

Operations Impact:

• The Design Director's impact is critical to MATTE Projects' success. They are responsible for:
  • Upholding and elevating the studio's design reputation and creative quality.
  • Ensuring the technical and artistic excellence of all client deliverables.
  • Driving innovation that keeps the studio competitive and relevant.
  • Contributing to business development through successful pitches and client relationships.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Opportunity to shape the creative and operational direction of the design function within a leading creative studio.

• Broader Creative Influence: Potential to expand influence into new service areas or client segments as the studio grows.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Develop and lead a team of talented designers, contributing to their career growth and the studio's overall talent pool.

• Industry Recognition: Contribute to award-winning work that enhances both personal and company prestige within the creative industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a key leadership role with significant responsibility and influence. Growth potential lies in shaping the studio's creative output, expanding its capabilities, and advancing within the organizational structure, impacting both the creative product and the business's commercial success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The description mentions "four days per week in office," indicating a physical office space where collaboration and in-person interaction are valued. The mention of "work from home on Fridays" suggests a hybrid setup that balances in-office synergy with remote flexibility.

Office Location(s):

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on "bringing people together" and cross-functional collaboration suggests a workspace designed to foster interaction, idea sharing, and teamwork.

• Tools & Technology: As a creative studio, the workspace will undoubtedly be equipped with industry-standard design software, hardware, and potentially specialized tools for digital and physical prototyping and production.

• Creative Hub: The environment is likely stimulating and inspiring, reflecting the studio's work at the "convergence of hype, storytelling, and design."

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, with a hybrid arrangement. The standard 4-day in-office schedule is designed to maximize collaborative opportunities while offering flexibility with remote work on Fridays. This structure supports both deep work and team cohesion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key feature, indicating a modern approach to work-life balance. The New York location places the studio within a vibrant creative ecosystem, offering a dynamic work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, leadership capabilities, and creative output.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing key projects, their role, the creative process, and operational management. This is a crucial stage to evaluate leadership, vision, and technical/operational understanding.

• Leadership & Team Interviews: Interviews with senior leadership and potentially other team leads to assess strategic thinking, collaboration style, and cultural fit.

• Operational & Workflow Assessment: Discussions focused on how the candidate manages creative workflows, implements quality control, and leads teams, potentially including case studies or hypothetical scenarios.

• Final Round/Executive Interview: Meeting with top executives to discuss strategic vision, business impact, and long-term fit within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate leadership, operational management, creative innovation, and successful execution across campaign, content, and experiential work.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, leadership decisions, and the impact of your guidance.

• Showcase Process: Include examples of how you've structured workflows, managed teams, implemented quality controls, and driven technical excellence. Use diagrams or flowcharts where appropriate.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics or client testimonials to demonstrate the success and business impact of your projects.

• Tell a Story: Frame your project presentations with a narrative that includes the challenge, your strategic approach, the creative solution, and the outcome.

• Address Innovation: Be prepared to discuss how you identify and integrate new trends and technologies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach specific design challenges, manage difficult client feedback, or resolve workflow bottlenecks.

• Prepare to articulate your leadership philosophy and how you foster a collaborative and innovative team environment.

• Consider how you would balance creative ambition with project constraints (time, budget, technical feasibility).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this caliber, the interview process will be rigorous, focusing on both creative vision and operational leadership. The portfolio review is paramount; it must showcase not just design talent but also the structured approach to leading teams and ensuring high-quality, innovative output.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro), Figma, Sketch, potentially 3D software (Cinema 4D, Blender).

• Prototyping Tools: Figma, Adobe XD, InVision, Principle.

• Project Management & Workflow: Asana, Monday.com, Trello, Jira, or similar tools for tracking projects, tasks, and deadlines.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Less directly relevant for this specific role, but an understanding of how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM campaigns could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is creative, strong operational responsibilities imply proficiency with project management and collaboration tools. The ability to guide teams on best practices for digital asset creation and delivery is also key, suggesting familiarity with a range of design and production software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Craft: A commitment to delivering work of the highest aesthetic and technical standard.

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: A drive to explore new ideas, trends, and technologies to stay at the cutting edge of the industry.

• Collaboration & Integration: Valuing teamwork across disciplines to create cohesive and impactful projects.

• Client Partnership: Building strong, trust-based relationships with clients through excellent communication and delivery.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for project success, from concept through execution.

• Diversity & Inclusion: MATTE Projects explicitly states a commitment to building a diverse team and an inclusive environment where differences are celebrated.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Synergy: The studio operates with a strong emphasis on collaboration between strategy, creative, production, and design teams.

• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, feedback, and sharing of ideas across departments.

• Process-Oriented: While creative, the studio also values structured processes to ensure efficiency, quality, and successful project completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values both creative boldness and operational discipline. The emphasis on diversity and inclusion is a significant cultural indicator. The Design Director will be expected to embody these values and foster them within their team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Execution: Constantly pushing creative boundaries while ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to exacting technical standards.

• Managing Diverse Creative Talent: Leading and motivating a team with varied skill sets and creative approaches, ensuring cohesion and high performance.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Rapidly evolving digital and cultural landscapes require continuous learning and adaptation of design strategies and tools.

• Client Expectations Management: Navigating complex client needs and feedback while upholding creative integrity and strategic objectives.

• Cross-Departmental Alignment: Ensuring seamless integration and communication between design and other teams (strategy, production, web development).

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Creative Leadership: Deepen expertise in shaping creative vision and driving business growth through design.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to high-profile projects that gain industry recognition and set new standards.

• Team Building & Mentorship: Develop strong leadership skills by nurturing and growing a talented design team.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Work across a wide range of clients and project types, from digital campaigns to large-scale experiential events.

• Continuous Learning: Opportunities to explore emerging technologies, design methodologies, and industry best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges that are also ripe for professional growth. The ability to navigate these complexities will define success and provide ample opportunities for career advancement within the creative industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a design strategy for a campaign that needs to break through current cultural noise?"

• "Describe a time you had to implement a new design process or workflow. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?"

• "How do you ensure technical precision and quality control across a diverse range of design outputs (digital, print, experiential)?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How does your leadership style align with MATTE Projects' values of innovation, craft, and collaboration?"

• "What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion in creative teams, and how do you foster it?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your leadership philosophy and approach to design operations. Then, present 3-4 key projects. For each project:

  • Context: Briefly explain the client, objective, and your role.
  • Strategy: Detail the creative and operational strategy you employed.
  • Process: Walk through the workflow, collaboration, and quality control measures.
  • Execution: Showcase the final deliverables and highlight any technical challenges overcome.
  • Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., engagement, client satisfaction, business wins).

• Delivery: Speak confidently, be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your decisions and processes, and demonstrate passion for both design and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative vision and operational prowess. Be ready to articulate your strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and how you manage processes to achieve exceptional creative outcomes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on greenhouse.io.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that best showcase your leadership in campaign, content, and experiential design, emphasizing your operational management and quality control processes.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 15+ years of experience, leadership roles, operational capabilities, and successes in client relations and business development. Use keywords like "Creative Leadership," "Design Operations," "Workflow Management," and "Team Development."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to lead teams and processes effectively. Prepare specific examples for operational challenges and creative successes.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research MATTE Projects' work, clients, and stated values to demonstrate a genuine understanding of their brand and how your leadership can contribute to their continued success.

⚠️ 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.