Design Director (UX/UI/Brand) (Remote, US-Based, Full-time)

Remote, US-Based | EST Collaboration | Preference for Bethesda, MD Area Full-time: $180,000–$210,000 Extraordinary brands are built by extraordinary leaders. Variate is looking for a Design Director to lead high-impact programs and elevate the standard of design across our firm. This is not a coordination role. This is a leadership role defined by ownership, clarity, and measurable results. You will shape vision, guide senior designers, partner directly with executives, and ensure every engagement turns hesitation into confident decisions and measurable growth. If you have mastered both craft and leadership, operate with high accountability, and want your work judged by real-world impact, we want to meet you. This is a remote, US-based role with collaboration during Eastern Time working hours. You will partner directly with the leadership team to define excellence across our client work and internal culture. What You Will Do Own the outcome Lead major client programs from discovery to delivery. Define success in business terms. Align teams around measurable metrics. Deliver results that move markets. Lead the vision Set the creative and strategic direction across multiple engagements. Ensure every system, flow, and interaction reflects clarity, precision, and intent. Elevate the team Manage and mentor 2–6 designers. Hold weekly 1:1s focused on growth, mastery, and accountability. Raise the standard of thinking, execution, and ownership. Partner at the highest level Serve as the primary creative and strategic partner for 1–2 active client programs. Present directly to founders, CMOs, product leaders, and executive stakeholders. No layers. No buffers. Make the client the hero Operate with humility and strategic empathy. Ensure our clients receive the spotlight for wins. Design Director success is measured not by personal visibility, but by how confidently and visibly our clients succeed. Build systems, not outputs Ensure design systems, workflows, and governance models scale across teams and programs. Turn excellence into repeatable performance. Move fast with discipline Lead the use of AI as a force multiplier across research, synthesis, ideation, and delivery. Build and refine GPT-driven workflows that enhance clarity and compress timelines without sacrificing quality. Shape the future of the craft Define how AI responsibly amplifies design leadership. Train designers to use these tools intelligently and with discipline. Set the bar for what modern design leadership looks like. Represent Variate publicly Actively contribute to thought leadership. Publish insights, speak at industry events, participate in panels, and articulate a clear point of view on the future of CX, AI, and Decision Design™ on behalf of Variate. What You Bring Proven leadership 8 years in UX, product, or interaction design, including 3 years leading designers and owning measurable outcomes. Systems mastery Deep experience in interaction design, scalable design systems, governance models, and operational workflows using tools like Figma. Strategic depth Strong command of user research, content strategy, and how design directly drives business growth. Executive presence Clear, confident communication in high-stakes environments. You can lead executive rooms, defend decisions, and simplify complexity under pressure. Credible soft skills Emotional intelligence. Calm authority. Strategic empathy. The ability to navigate tension, earn trust quickly, and guide clients without ego. You know how to lead without overpowering. Operational rigor Ability to balance creative ambition with timelines, resourcing, and financial accountability. AI fluency Demonstrated experience integrating AI into workflows, building GPT-based tools, or establishing intelligent systems that improve speed, insight, and consistency. Uncompromising standards You expect excellence from yourself and others. Outcomes matter more than opinions. What Sets You Apart • You have directed design for recognized global brands or top-tier agencies. • You have built or scaled a design organization that improved performance and culture. • You have created or deployed AI-driven workflows that improved efficiency or creative output. • You actively publish, speak, or share informed perspectives about the future of design and AI. • You are equally passionate about mentoring designers and delivering world-class results. • You are comfortable being measured by results, not activity. What Success L