Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: Saylor Agency

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Management & Leadership

Date Posted: January 15, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and inspire a team of designers to deliver exceptional creative output for social and 360 brand and entertainment marketing campaigns.

• Drive the visual strategy and execution for high-profile client projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and pushing creative boundaries.

• Serve as a senior creative liaison, effectively communicating design strategies and vision to internal teams and external stakeholders, including clients.

• Champion a culture of collaboration, mentorship, and continuous improvement within the design team and across the agency.

• Balance hands-on design work, especially in the exploratory phase of establishing visual languages, with high-level creative oversight and direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within a creative agency specializing in entertainment marketing. The emphasis on "visionary but grounded," "creative-obsessed," and leading "design creative for social and 360 brand and entertainment marketing campaigns" indicates a need for strategic thinking coupled with practical execution and team management. The hybrid work model with specific in-office days suggests a need for strong on-site collaboration and team engagement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Client-Facing Creative Leadership:

  • Lead graphic and motion design creative for client projects in collaboration with Art Director/Executive Creative Director; contribute to concept development.
  • Set creative direction and standards for senior-level projects, ensuring they meet strategic goals and innovate creatively.
  • Act as the primary creative point of contact for key clients, clearly articulating design strategies and ensuring client vision is realized on time and within budget.
  • Cultivate strong, long-term client relationships through consistent delivery of outstanding design work.
  • Periodically engage in hands-on design execution, particularly during the initial phases of defining campaign visual languages.
  • Spearhead the creation of campaign pitch decks, working closely with Executive Creative Directors and Strategy teams to develop winning proposals.
  • Collaborate with Account and Strategy teams to establish, maintain, and execute the visual identity for brands and campaigns.
  • Conduct thorough reviews of all creative assets before internal and client presentation.

• Design Team Nurturing:

  • Build and maintain a robust network of creative talent to meet project demands and scale resources effectively.

  • Foster an environment of open communication and collaboration within the Creative department and across agency teams, ensuring clear understanding and adoption of the creative vision.

  • Provide consistent, actionable feedback and mentorship to designers on their projects, offering solutions to overcome challenges and elevate creative quality.

  • Act as an advocate for the design team, ensuring their perspectives are valued and integrated into departmental discussions.

  • Oversee the professional development and growth of the agency's design team, including the hiring of new design talent.

  • Inspire team members to engage in internal creative initiatives and foster enthusiasm for creative production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: driving client-facing creative excellence and nurturing the internal design team. The emphasis on "setting creative direction and standards," "fostering long-term client relationships," and "overseeing the professional development" indicates a strategic and managerial component to the role, requiring strong leadership and people management skills in addition to creative expertise.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of professional design experience, with a significant portion in senior-level leadership roles within creative agencies or similar fast-paced environments.

• Proven track record of successfully leading, mentoring, and developing multidisciplinary design teams.

• Extensive experience working in agency settings with multiple clients and concurrent workstreams, demonstrating strong project management and prioritization skills.

Required Skills:

• Creative Leadership: Ability to inspire, guide, and motivate design teams towards exceptional creative outcomes.

• Graphic and Motion Design Expertise: Strong command of visual design principles, typography, layout, and motion graphics, with a keen eye for aesthetics and detail.

• Client Relations & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for articulating creative concepts, strategies, and feedback to clients and internal stakeholders.

• Team Mentorship & Development: Proven ability to guide junior designers, provide constructive feedback, and foster professional growth.

• Visual Storytelling: Deep understanding of narrative construction through visual elements for brand and entertainment campaigns.

• Brand Systems & Campaign Development: Expertise in establishing and applying consistent visual languages across diverse marketing initiatives.

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams (Strategy, Account, Production) and external partners.

• Problem Solving: Capacity to identify creative challenges and develop innovative solutions within project constraints.

• Portfolio Management: Ability to curate and present a compelling portfolio showcasing a range of high-caliber creative work.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within entertainment marketing or related industries.

• Proficiency in modern design software and collaborative tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, project management software).

• Experience in pitch deck creation and presentation.

• Understanding of digital and social media creative best practices.

• Ability to network and build relationships with freelance creative talent.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "10+ years of professional design experience, including senior-level leadership roles" and "strong portfolio demonstrating excellence across brand, digital, and campaign work" clearly indicate a senior position. The emphasis on "balancing hands-on design work with high-level creative oversight" suggests the ideal candidate is versatile and capable of both strategic direction and tactical contribution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly showcases a minimum of 10 years of professional design experience, with a strong emphasis on leadership roles and successful team management.

• Demonstrations of excellence across a variety of creative outputs, including brand identity development, digital design, and large-scale marketing campaigns, particularly within the entertainment sector.

• Case studies illustrating the process of establishing and executing visual languages for brands and campaigns, highlighting strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.

• Examples of motion design work, as the role specifically mentions a love for motion assets and leading motion design creative.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase an understanding of design workflows from concept to completion, including collaboration with strategy and account teams.

• Demonstrate experience in building and maintaining creative talent networks, including processes for vetting and onboarding freelancers.

• Provide examples of mentorship and feedback processes used to guide and develop junior designers, illustrating a structured approach to team growth.

• Outline methodologies for creative review and quality assurance, ensuring all work meets agency and client standards before final delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio requirement," the description strongly implies that a robust portfolio is essential. The enhancement focuses on detailing what constitutes a "strong portfolio" for this senior creative role, emphasizing leadership, breadth of work, and specific project types mentioned in the job description.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $140,000 - $190,000 per year

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage.

• 401k: Retirement savings plan with potential employer match.

• Generous Vacation: Paid time off to promote work-life balance.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time, exempt role, typically implying a standard 40-hour work week. However, given the agency environment and client-facing responsibilities, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and client needs. The role is hybrid, requiring in-office presence on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits are explicitly stated in the job description. The enhancement adds context by comparing the range to industry standards for such a senior role in the specified location and clarifying the implications of an "exempt" status.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advertising & Marketing / Entertainment Marketing / Creative Agency

Company Size: The description implies a growing agency, likely between 50-200 employees, with teams in Los Angeles and New York. This size allows for direct impact and cross-functional collaboration without excessive bureaucracy.

Founded: 2021. The agency is relatively new but founded by former entertainment executives, suggesting a modern, agile approach with deep industry roots.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will lead the design team, reporting to an Executive Creative Director or similar senior creative leadership.

• This role involves close collaboration with Art Directors, Strategists, Account Managers, and potentially other creative disciplines.

Methodology:

• Entertainment-Led Creative: The agency operates on the principle that "every brand is an entertainment brand," focusing on crafting ideas that earn attention and build fandoms.

• Culture-Driven: Emphasis on ideas that move with culture, sparking connection and creating lasting impact.

• Collaborative & Ego-Free: Fostering a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed, and hierarchy does not impede great ideas.

• Empowerment & Problem-Solving: Encouraging team members to actively participate, solve problems, and push creative boundaries.

Company Website: [Provide URL if available, otherwise state "Refer to job posting for company website"]

https://saylor.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description provides rich context about Saylor's unique positioning as an "entertainment-led creative agency." The enhancement synthesizes this information to highlight its core values and operational methodology, making it clear what kind of environment a Design Director would be entering.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Management / Creative Leadership

Reporting Structure:

• The Design Director will likely report to an Executive Creative Director (ECD) or Chief Creative Officer (CCO), depending on the agency's specific structure.

• They will directly manage a team of designers, potentially including Art Directors, Graphic Designers, and Motion Designers.

Operations Impact:

• The Design Director's impact is critical to the agency's success, directly influencing the quality of creative output, client satisfaction, and the agency's reputation.

• Strong design leadership drives compelling campaigns that capture audience attention, build brand fandom, and contribute to client business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Executive Creative Director (ECD) or Chief Creative Officer (CCO): With proven success in this role, a path to higher creative leadership positions within the agency or at larger organizations is possible.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of design or entertainment marketing, becoming a recognized thought leader.

• Mentorship & Training: Developing leadership and management skills through hands-on experience and potentially agency-sponsored leadership programs.

• Expanding Creative Influence: Taking on larger, more complex client accounts and leading broader creative initiatives.

• Contributing to Agency Growth: Playing a key role in shaping the agency's creative vision and attracting new business.

📝 Enhancement Note: This enhancement translates the "Design Director" title into concrete career progression terms within the operations of a creative agency, focusing on leadership scope, impact, and future opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Model. The Saylor office is located in Echo Park, Los Angeles.

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, California (Echo Park). The role requires presence in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The agency emphasizes collaboration without ego, suggesting an open and interactive workspace designed to facilitate idea sharing and teamwork.

• Creative Hub: As an entertainment-led creative agency, the workspace is likely designed to foster inspiration and creativity, potentially with visual displays of work and a dynamic atmosphere.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design software and technology will be standard, supporting high-quality creative production.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model with specific in-office days is designed to maximize in-person collaboration, team building, and spontaneous creative exchanges on designated days.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, exempt, with a standard 40-hour work week expected. However, the dynamic nature of agency work and client demands may necessitate flexibility and extended hours during peak periods or for critical projects. The hybrid schedule requires physical presence in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid aspect is a key differentiator. The enhancement clarifies the implications of this model for a creative role, emphasizing the need for both focused individual work and dynamic team collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role.

• Hiring Manager/ECD Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely an ECD) to delve into creative philosophy, leadership style, and specific experience. Portfolio review will be a key component here.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with other creative leads or senior designers to assess collaborative fit and creative approach.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with senior agency leadership (e.g., CEO, CCO) to evaluate strategic fit, cultural alignment, and overall leadership potential.

• Creative Challenge (Potential): While not explicitly stated, agencies often present a hypothetical creative brief or problem for candidates to solve, either as a take-home assignment or an in-person exercise, to gauge problem-solving and creative thinking under pressure.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Leadership: Showcase projects where you led creative direction, managed teams, and influenced strategy, not just individual contributions.

• Highlight Entertainment Focus: Prioritize work relevant to entertainment marketing, brand campaigns, and social media creative.

• Demonstrate Process: Include case studies that explain the "why" behind your design decisions, the challenges faced, and how you overcame them.

• Showcase Motion & Visual Systems: Ensure your portfolio includes strong examples of motion graphics and well-developed brand visual systems.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or results that demonstrate the success of your creative work (e.g., engagement rates, brand recognition, campaign performance).

• Tailor to Saylor: Research Saylor's work and client roster. Highlight projects that align with their style and industry focus.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach developing a visual language for a new entertainment property or a brand campaign targeting a specific audience.

• Think about how you would provide constructive feedback to a junior designer on a challenging project.

• Consider how you would articulate the value of design to a client who may be less design-literate.

• Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling and highlighting your leadership role.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is built by inferring a typical agency interview process for a senior creative role and integrating the specific requirements and company context. The emphasis on portfolio review is crucial for this position.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design, motion graphics, and video editing (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro).

• Figma/Sketch: Increasingly used for collaborative design, UI/UX, and prototyping.

• Presentation Software: Tools like Keynote or PowerPoint for creating client pitch decks and internal presentations.

• Project Management Software: Platforms such as Asana, Monday.com, or Trello for managing workflows, tasks, and team collaboration.

• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams for daily communication and team coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but familiarity with how creative assets are managed and deployed within client marketing automation platforms could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates the likely tools and technologies used in a modern creative agency, especially one focused on digital and entertainment marketing. The emphasis is on tools that support design creation, collaboration, and project management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core drive to produce original, impactful, and culturally relevant work.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief that the best ideas emerge from collective effort, with a strong emphasis on ego-free collaboration.

• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: A commitment to staying ahead of trends, exploring new ideas, and constantly evolving creative approaches.

• Client Focus & Partnership: Dedication to understanding client needs and building strong relationships through exceptional creative delivery.

• Mentorship & Growth: A value placed on developing talent, sharing knowledge, and supporting the professional development of team members.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: A commitment to fostering a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are celebrated and respected.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Design is not siloed but works closely with Strategy, Account, and Production teams from concept to execution.

• Open Feedback Loops: Regular sharing of work and ideas, with constructive and respectful feedback encouraged at all levels.

• Ego-Free Problem Solving: Focus on finding the best creative solution, regardless of who originated the idea.

• Proactive Communication: Ensuring clear and timely communication across teams to keep projects on track and aligned.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section distills the agency's stated values and cultural attributes into actionable points relevant to a Design Director's daily interactions and leadership approach within the agency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Client Demands: Navigating client expectations and feedback while advocating for innovative and impactful design.

• Managing Multiple High-Profile Projects Simultaneously: Juggling the demands of various clients and campaigns, ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery.

• Leading and Motivating Diverse Creative Talent: Inspiring a team with varied skill sets and personalities, fostering a cohesive and high-performing unit.

• Staying Ahead of Evolving Creative Trends: Continuously adapting to new platforms, technologies, and audience preferences in the fast-paced entertainment and marketing landscape.

• Hybrid Work Integration: Effectively leading and collaborating with a team that splits time between remote work and in-office presence.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to refine management, mentorship, and strategic leadership skills.

• Industry Exposure: Working with leading brands in entertainment and marketing, gaining exposure to cutting-edge campaigns and strategies.

• Creative Exploration: Encouragement to experiment with new design techniques, tools, and conceptual approaches.

• Networking: Building a professional network within the entertainment and advertising industries through client work and agency events.

• Potential for Agency Growth: As a relatively new agency, there's potential to influence its trajectory and grow with the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section anticipates potential hurdles and significant growth avenues for a Design Director in this specific agency context, providing a realistic outlook.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a new visual identity for a major entertainment franchise launch, considering its target audience and competitive landscape?"

  • Preparation Advice: Discuss your process for research, mood boarding, concept development, and stakeholder alignment. Emphasize how you'd ensure the visual system is flexible yet consistent.

• "Describe a time you had to deliver difficult creative feedback to a designer. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?"

  • Preparation Advice: Focus on constructive criticism, empathy, and guiding the designer towards improvement without demotivating them. Highlight your mentorship approach.

• "How do you ensure your team stays creatively inspired and avoids burnout, especially when working on demanding client projects?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Saylor's 'entertainment-led creative' philosophy?"

  • Preparation Advice: Research Saylor's recent work and client roster. Connect their philosophy to your own creative approach and passion for entertainment.

• "How would you foster a culture of collaboration and inclusivity within your design team, especially in a hybrid work environment?"

  • Preparation Advice: Discuss specific tactics for encouraging participation, transparent communication, and valuing diverse perspectives. Mention how you'd leverage both in-office and remote interactions.

• "How do you measure the success of your design work beyond aesthetics, particularly in relation to client business objectives?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation as a story, guiding the interviewers through your thought process for each project.

• Highlight Leadership: For each case study, clearly articulate your role, your team's contribution, and the strategic decisions you made.

• Focus on Impact: For key projects, be prepared to discuss the results achieved, using metrics where available.

• Showcase Versatility: Demonstrate your ability across different media (social, digital, motion) and client types.

• Engage and Discuss: Treat the portfolio review as a conversation, inviting questions and being open to feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides targeted advice for preparing for interviews for a Design Director role at a creative agency, focusing on strategic questions, cultural fit, and effective portfolio presentation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features your most impactful work, with a clear emphasis on leadership, brand campaigns, and entertainment marketing. Tailor any accompanying materials to highlight your relevant experience for Saylor Agency.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 10+ years of experience, focusing on leadership achievements, team management, and successful campaign delivery. Use keywords from the job description such as "Creative Leadership," "Motion Design," "Brand Systems," and "Client Relations."

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review the "Interview Preparation" section above. Practice articulating your creative philosophy, leadership style, and problem-solving approaches. Prepare to walk through your portfolio with confidence and clarity.

• Company Research: Deeply research Saylor Agency's work, clients, and company culture. Understand their "entertainment-led creative" philosophy and how your skills and experience align with their mission and values.

⚠️ 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.