Design Lead

This is a boutique, women-led branding studio in New York, founded in 2012; it has spent over a decade guiding organisations through the moments that define them: IPOs, acquisitions, market launches. The work reaches decision-makers directly. This role exists because the studio is maturing. Its art directors have outgrown pure individual contribution, and there's now a deliberate middle layer being built between them and the Creative Director. The RoleYou'll lead projects end-to-end - packaging, brand identity, space-tech, naming, high-profile rebrands - while staying hands-on in Figma yourself. You'll manage a team of genuinely exceptional art directors who are strong makers but new to being managed, giving them a layer to run to and freeing creative leadership to lead. The point of this role is authorship: you'll shape creative direction, not just contribute to it, and defend the standard at speed. Turnarounds are measured in weeks, not the eighteen-month brand exercises that happen elsewhere. The variety keeps the work sharp; the direct client access keeps it honest. The Package$100,000 - $140,000Hybrid working: four days in-studio14-person teamStructured onboardingProven internal growth model The PersonYou're a Senior Designer or Art Director at a small, excellent branding agency, used to high pace and high volume rather than long single-brand engagements. Your craft and taste are strong, your brand identity portfolio is real, and CPG experience helps. You've started leading projects and are ready for a formal layer of responsibility over talented individual contributors. - A more diverse team is a more creative team.It’s our job to build teams of people, and we’re proud to bring together a global network of diverse talent. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, nationality, religious persuasion, sexual orientation, sex, marital or parental status, physical ability, gender, or age.