What are the responsibilities and job description for the Creative Director / Lead Designer – Licensed Brands position at Design Observer?
We’re looking for a Creative Director / Lead Designer to own the creative vision and execution for our licensed brand portfolio. This role sits at the intersection of design, brand storytelling, and commercial strategy—turning licenses into compelling, on-trend product lines that resonate with major retail partners.
You’ll lead creative from concept through production, working closely with licensors, internal teams, and overseas factories to ensure every product feels intentional, elevated, and on-brand.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can think big, design beautifully, and execute fast.
What You’ll Do
Lead creative direction for new and existing licenses across categories (home, gift, accessories, seasonal, etc.)
Translate licensor brand guidelines into commercially strong, retail-ready designs
Concept and develop full product lines: mood boards, color stories, graphics, packaging, and line architecture
Oversee and contribute directly to design execution (Adobe Creative Suite)
Partner with Sales, Product Development, and Production to align creative with cost, timelines, and retailer needs
Present concepts internally and to licensors with confidence and clarity
Manage approvals, revisions, and brand compliance across all licensed programs
Stay ahead of trends, retail landscapes, and competitive assortments
Help shape long-term creative strategy for expanding license opportunities
What We’re Looking For
7–10 years of experience in creative direction and design, preferably with licensed brands
Strong understanding of licensing approvals, brand compliance, and retail requirements
Proven experience designing for mass specialty retail
Excellent taste level with a strong point of view—and the ability to adapt to different brand voices
Highly organized, deadline-driven, and comfortable juggling multiple licenses at once
Confident communicator who can collaborate cross-functionally and manage up
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign (Figma a plus)
Experience working with overseas vendors and production teams is a strong plus
You’ll lead creative from concept through production, working closely with licensors, internal teams, and overseas factories to ensure every product feels intentional, elevated, and on-brand.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can think big, design beautifully, and execute fast.
What You’ll Do
Lead creative direction for new and existing licenses across categories (home, gift, accessories, seasonal, etc.)
Translate licensor brand guidelines into commercially strong, retail-ready designs
Concept and develop full product lines: mood boards, color stories, graphics, packaging, and line architecture
Oversee and contribute directly to design execution (Adobe Creative Suite)
Partner with Sales, Product Development, and Production to align creative with cost, timelines, and retailer needs
Present concepts internally and to licensors with confidence and clarity
Manage approvals, revisions, and brand compliance across all licensed programs
Stay ahead of trends, retail landscapes, and competitive assortments
Help shape long-term creative strategy for expanding license opportunities
What We’re Looking For
7–10 years of experience in creative direction and design, preferably with licensed brands
Strong understanding of licensing approvals, brand compliance, and retail requirements
Proven experience designing for mass specialty retail
Excellent taste level with a strong point of view—and the ability to adapt to different brand voices
Highly organized, deadline-driven, and comfortable juggling multiple licenses at once
Confident communicator who can collaborate cross-functionally and manage up
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign (Figma a plus)
Experience working with overseas vendors and production teams is a strong plus