What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director for Design (Design Director) position at Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)?
The Associate Director for Design is an experienced creative leader who will guide the growth, quality and impact of our design practice. As both a people manager and a strategic contributor, this role balances oversight of the design team with shaping how design solutions advance client goals across industries.
This position requires someone who can build trust with clients, mentor and elevate design talent and collaborate closely with peers across communications and digital. The Associate Director will set the tone for how our design-driven public affairs firm executes, ensuring creative output is innovative and aligned to client needs.
The Associate Director For Design Serves Three Core Functions
Team Leadership & People Management (40%): As a people manager, the Associate Director will oversee the firm’s design team, providing mentorship, guidance and clear expectations. They will play a central role in talent development including hiring, onboarding and coaching designers at all levels. The Associate Director will be responsible for fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and creative excellence.
Client & Project Leadership (30%): The Associate Director will serve as a key design lead across client engagements, ensuring deliverables meet the highest standards of creativity and strategic alignment. They will represent the design function in client discussions, build trust with stakeholders and partner with strategy leads to integrate design into broader firm offerings. While leading teams, they will also take on select design assignments directly, contributing their own creative work when it strengthens the team’s capacity and output.
Strategic Design Direction (30%): The Associate Director will establish and maintain design standards, systems and workflows that allow the firm to scale while maintaining quality. They will drive innovation across branding, digital experiences and visual storytelling. By combining hands-on design with big picture direction, the Associate Director will ensure the firm pushes creative boundaries while staying rooted in client objectives.
Qualifications
7-10 years of professional design experience with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role
Background in brand, digital or visual communication design; agency or consultancy experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated success leading and mentoring creative teams including mid- and senior-level designers
Strong portfolio showcasing ability to elevate brand and communication outcomes through design
Skilled at balancing client needs with creative integrity and communicating design’s value to non-design stakeholders
Proficiency in design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.) and awareness of emerging tools including AI
Bachelor’s degree in Design, Visual Communication or related field required; Master’s degree a plus
Benefits & Compensation
Base salary range is $110,000 to $145,000 per year
Benefits include bonus eligibility, unlimited PTO, paid family leave, healthcare, dental and 401(k) with company match
Unlimited PTO
Paid family leave
Healthcare and dental insurance
This position requires someone who can build trust with clients, mentor and elevate design talent and collaborate closely with peers across communications and digital. The Associate Director will set the tone for how our design-driven public affairs firm executes, ensuring creative output is innovative and aligned to client needs.
The Associate Director For Design Serves Three Core Functions
Team Leadership & People Management (40%): As a people manager, the Associate Director will oversee the firm’s design team, providing mentorship, guidance and clear expectations. They will play a central role in talent development including hiring, onboarding and coaching designers at all levels. The Associate Director will be responsible for fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and creative excellence.
Client & Project Leadership (30%): The Associate Director will serve as a key design lead across client engagements, ensuring deliverables meet the highest standards of creativity and strategic alignment. They will represent the design function in client discussions, build trust with stakeholders and partner with strategy leads to integrate design into broader firm offerings. While leading teams, they will also take on select design assignments directly, contributing their own creative work when it strengthens the team’s capacity and output.
Strategic Design Direction (30%): The Associate Director will establish and maintain design standards, systems and workflows that allow the firm to scale while maintaining quality. They will drive innovation across branding, digital experiences and visual storytelling. By combining hands-on design with big picture direction, the Associate Director will ensure the firm pushes creative boundaries while staying rooted in client objectives.
Qualifications
7-10 years of professional design experience with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role
Background in brand, digital or visual communication design; agency or consultancy experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated success leading and mentoring creative teams including mid- and senior-level designers
Strong portfolio showcasing ability to elevate brand and communication outcomes through design
Skilled at balancing client needs with creative integrity and communicating design’s value to non-design stakeholders
Proficiency in design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.) and awareness of emerging tools including AI
Bachelor’s degree in Design, Visual Communication or related field required; Master’s degree a plus
Benefits & Compensation
Base salary range is $110,000 to $145,000 per year
Benefits include bonus eligibility, unlimited PTO, paid family leave, healthcare, dental and 401(k) with company match
Unlimited PTO
Paid family leave
Healthcare and dental insurance
Salary : $110,000 - $145,000
