Brand Design Leader

Join the San Diego office as a Brand Design Leader working with clients across industries and the world to inform brand experiences, graphic communications and spatial design projects that embody our clients’ mission, vision and purpose. Our approach combines design and architectural expertise with a unique point of view and strong communication skills. We believe that this approach results in brands that build trust, inspire confidence, and forge lasting relationships. 

The Regional Brand Practice is a collaborative team of designers, strategists and storytellers that engages with a wide variety of clients on projects of all sizes—from brand identity to environmental graphics to campus signage systems and international brand positioning. As a design firm, Gensler is committed to being client-first, diverse, exploratory and sustainable-minded.  

Your Role 

The position is best suited to a Brand Design Leader who is adept at developing creative up-front design concepts, environmental graphics and experiential identity for the physical space. 

As a Brand Design Leader you will be responsible for leading fast-paced interdisciplinary teams of architects, interior designers, experience strategists, graphic designers, signage designers, illustrators, photographers, and more to deliver projects ranging from strategic planning to corporate and retail interiors. You will demonstrate exceptional vision, oversee projects from conception to completion, and ensure successful project outcomes. You will also deliver creative solutions in a diverse range of markets including aviation, education, entertainment, hospitality, retail, sports, and workplace. You should be able to think creatively and execute on the technical understanding to final production. 

What You Will Do 

• Lead the creative efforts on projects, developing overall design concepts and design presentation strategies from the initial marketing stages through construction and installation 

• Develop and own overall design concepts and design presentation strategies 

• Build and sustain client relationships; act as the primary design interface with clients, team members, and a wide range of consultants and collaborators, both internal and external 

• Participate in business development and marketing efforts; work in the market to identify connections and bring business to Gensler is brand design or other areas of focus. 

• Work across the Southwest region with other brand leadership to incubate growth of the practice in the SD office. 

• As a member of the SD office you’ll collaborate across our studios with practice leaders and colleagues to enhance Gensler’s culture for design excellence, elevate the quality of design, and achieve recognition for clients and the firm. 

• Mentor and develop Gensler brand designers; provide creative direction to design teams 

Your Work 

• Demonstrates your ability to apply a client’s brand and design aesthetic across multiple mediums including environmental graphics, signage and wayfinding. 

• You have a portfolio that shows a variety of approaches and specific examples of fully realized and produced projects for space, as well as brand creation, tone of voice, messaging and visual identity work. 

• Shows your skillset across design platforms such as the built environment, signage and wayfinding, experiential design, brand design and digital design 

Your Qualifications 

• Bachelors or higher degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Architecture, Visual 

• Communication or similar 

• Minimum 15+ years experience (including leadership) in brand strategy, design, and environmental graphics 

• Exceptional design sense with the ability to provide clear, critical design reviews to project teams 

• Excellent communication skills and experience as the main point of contact for clients, vendors, consultants, and project teams 

• Ability to lead complex, multifaceted projects while exhibiting financial stewardship and adhering to demanding project schedules 

• Ability to work closely with design leadership across Gensler to promote an interdisciplinary design philosophy and to facilitate its advancement both inside and outside of the firm 

• Desire to develop, motivate and mentor young design professionals 

• Demonstrated success building, nurturing, and sustaining client relationships 

• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), CADTools, Microsoft Word and Excel 

• Revit, Sketch Up, After Effects and Adobe Premiere skills are a huge advantage 

• Working knowledge of print and production, vendor management 

• Strong sense of materials and fabrication/construction within a built environment 

• Typography and illustration skills a plus 

 
**The base salary will be estimated between $110,000 - $150,000 plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience. 
 

Life at Gensler  

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Awareness Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.