Job Details

About The Role

A Design Director will assume a pivotal role in the end-to-end execution of wayfinding and information design projects for both interior and exterior environments. The position requires overseeing the full project lifecycle from concept to delivery, ensuring high quality design work, client satisfaction, and budget control. Based in San Francisco, this role offers leadership across complex projects, collaboration with cross‑functional teams, and opportunities for travel to support projects and inter‑company events.

Responsibilities

• Lead project and discipline teams, ensuring project delivery from conception to production with minimal supervision.
• Play the Creative Director role when required by the project team structure.
• Delegate tasks and provide oversight and support to the wider design team.
• Maintain relationships with sub‑contractors and suppliers, and coordinate internal and external workshops.
• Partner with Account Managers/Project Managers for client communications, scope management, budget negotiation, and progress reporting.
• Develop positive relationships with existing clients and identify opportunities for new projects.
• Set up full project plans, including objectives, milestones, priorities, team composition, and deliverable calendar.
• Monitor scope creep, define cost and schedule changes, and negotiate changes with clients.
• Balance multiple priorities by evaluating risk, importance, urgency, political impacts, and inter‑dependencies.
• Present project work to clients and stakeholders, ensuring deliverables align to client business needs.
• Manage less experienced staff and teams.

Benefits

• Excellent medical and dental benefits package for employees and families.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Micro kitchen on site.
• 17 days paid vacation plus public holidays and up to 3 additional paid vacation days for years of service.
• Paid sick days – accrual method.
• Training and development budget.
• One paid day a year to volunteer for a charity of choice.
• Opportunities to travel globally for projects.
• Hybrid working flexibility.

How we hire

We are fully committed to advancing individual, social and environmental equality. All qualified applicants will receive consideration solely based on merit, relevant experience, skills, and interest in the role.

Selected applicants will be contacted for an initial screening followed by an online interview with other Applied team members. The project will be discussed under a non‑disclosure agreement. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed once a successful candidate has been hired.

If you are interested and believe you meet the qualifications, please contact us.

Additional Information

• Seniority level: Director
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Job function: Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
• Industries: Non‑profit Organizations

Location: San Francisco, CA

Salary: $95,000.00 – $110,000.00 per year