Onward Search is a specialized staffing and talent solutions company that helps professionals find top jobs with the nation’s leading brands.

We’re partnering with a renowned creative agency—known for its excellence in brand packaging design and marketing innovation—to find a Design Director to join their team. This is a hybrid opportunity based in Chicago (preferred), but we're also open to remote candidates working CST hours.

In this exciting leadership role, you’ll drive strategic design initiatives while mentoring a talented creative team. As Design Director, you’ll guide projects from concept through execution, ensuring work is aligned with brand goals and executed at the highest level. You’ll collaborate with clients and internal teams to deliver compelling visual storytelling and innovative brand solutions that stand out in the market.

Key Responsibilities:

• Brand Leadership & Team Management:
  Lead brand development across client accounts, ensuring cohesive visual strategies. Provide direction, mentorship, and performance guidance to the design team.

• Creative Strategy & Execution:
  Craft impactful design solutions grounded in strategy. Oversee concept development through to final delivery, ensuring creative integrity.

• Strategic Thinking & Thought Leadership:
  Partner with strategy teams to establish creative direction. Support the agency’s industry presence by contributing thought leadership content.

• Technical & Production Oversight:
  Direct photo shoots, with a focus on food packaging photography. Manage freelance contributors and align creative output with project budgets.

• Client Engagement & Communication:
  Act as the primary creative liaison for key clients. Present ideas clearly and confidently while ensuring client goals are met.

• Innovation & Trends:
  Stay on top of design trends and drive innovative thinking within the team. Identify and champion new capabilities aligned with market needs.

• Quality Control & Brand Consistency:
  Ensure all design output meets high standards of excellence and brand consistency across all touchpoints.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of design leadership experience in a creative agency or fast-paced studio environment

• Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite and a strong grasp of brand strategy and visual storytelling

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field (Master’s degree a plus)

• Strong communication, presentation, and client management abilities

• Strategic thinker with a collaborative mindset and passion for design innovation

If you’re ready to lead bold creative work, inspire a top-tier team, and help shape the future of branding, apply today. Our team will guide you through the process and advocate for you every step of the way.

About Onward Search

Onward Search is a nationwide staffing agency and talent solutions provider specializing in creative, marketing, and technology professionals. We work with our nationwide clients to continuously pipeline and fill specialized roles. As such, not all jobs contain an application deadline.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected category. Candidates must be at least 18 years old to be considered for employment.
EOE/M/F/D/V/SO

Inclusive Hiring Practices

We’re committed to making every part of our hiring process accessible and inclusive. If you need any accommodations or adjustments to support you during the application or interview process, please contact us at inclusivehiring@onwardsearch.com.

Employment Eligibility

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. We are unable to support 1099 / Corp-to-Corp / Independent Contractor arrangements. All freelancers will be hired as W2 employees.

Benefits

We offer medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan to all eligible full-time temporary employees. Onward Search is a drug-free workplace.

Virtual Interview Process

To help streamline the hiring process and ensure a more flexible and accessible experience for all candidates, we’ve partnered with Apriora, a virtual interviewing platform. For select job openings, you may receive an invitation to interview with Alex, our virtual interviewer, via email at alex@onwardsearch.com.

Alex will guide you through a brief set of questions to help us better understand your background and interests. The virtual interview can be completed on your own time, and your responses will be reviewed by our recruiting team as part of the screening process.

To learn more about the platform, visit Apriora’s website.

Job Seeker Scam Alert

We’ve become aware of fraudulent recruiters impersonating Onward Search representatives to collect personal or financial information from potential job seekers. Please be vigilant and always protect your information. Learn more about potential threats and how to protect yourself by visiting our job seeker scam alert page.