Design Lead

Job Description 
The Design Lead owns the end-to-end visual identity and creative output of the firm, spanning social media creatives, brand identity, marketing collateral, and website design/development.
This role combines hands-on design execution, front-end web design oversight, team leadership, client-facing creative direction, and process ownership.
Key Responsibilities
1. Creative & Brand

• Lead creative direction for social media campaigns, brand identities, and marketing collateral, including static, motion, and video-adjacent assets.
• Own and evolve brand guidelines for the agency and key client accounts.
• Translate client briefs and marketing strategies into compelling visuals across platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

2. Website Design & Development

• Lead website design projects end-to-end, including wireframes, UI mockups, and responsive visual design for client and internal websites.
• Oversee or personally execute front-end development/implementation using platforms such as WordPress, Webflow, Shopify, or custom HTML/CSS/JS.
• Ensure websites are responsive, accessible, SEO-friendly, and aligned with brand guidelines.
• Coordinate with developers, where applicable, on design handoff, QA, and website launches.
• Own UI/UX strategy for landing pages, microsites, and client web properties, including user flows, wireframes, and prototypes.

3. Team & Client Management

• Manage, mentor, and review a team of designers, including graphic and web/UI designers.
• Present design and website concepts directly to clients and clearly communicate creative rationale.
• Incorporate client feedback efficiently while maintaining design quality and consistency.
• Manage design and web project workflows, timelines, and deliverables using project management tools such as Asana, Trello, or ClickUp.
• Collaborate with content strategists, copywriters, social media managers, and account managers.

4. Process & Quality

• Maintain high visual and functional quality standards across all creative and web deliverables.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and skill development within the design team.
• Stay current with design trends, web technologies, and platform-specific best practices.

Required Skills & Qualifications
5+ years of professional design experience, including 2+ years in a lead/senior role, with strong website design/UI experience.
Proven portfolio demonstrating experience in:
Social media creatives
Brand identity
Marketing collateral
Website design
UI/UX
Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Strong UI/UX and web design skills using Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.
Working knowledge of website builders/CMS such as WordPress, Webflow, and Shopify, and/or HTML/CSS/JS fundamentals.
Understanding of responsive design, basic SEO principles, and web accessibility standards.
Strong understanding of typography, color theory, layout, and brand systems.
Excellent client-facing communication and presentation skills.
Proven team management experience, including feedback, workload distribution, and mentoring.
Ability to manage multiple client accounts and projects under tight deadlines.
Preferred / Bonus Skills

• Hands-on front-end coding experience with HTML/CSS/JavaScript or frameworks such as React.
• Experience with After Effects and Premiere Pro for motion content.
• Familiarity with AI design tools such as Midjourney and Adobe Firefly for ideation.
• Prior agency experience handling both marketing and web deliverables.
• Familiarity with web and social analytics, including Google Analytics and Meta Insights, to inform design decisions.

Key Competencies

• Creative Vision
• UI/UX & Web Design
• Leadership & Mentorship
• Client Management
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management
• Collaboration
• Trend Awareness