Design Director

Reports to: Executive Creative Director
Location: San Diego, CA (onsite/hybrid)

Grizzly is an independent creative agency. We guide brands onward™ to challenge convention and impact culture. We work at the convergence of branding and advertising — blending strategy, design, and storytelling to build deeper connections between brands and people.

We partner with brands pioneering new futures. The trailblazers. The visionaries. The courageous. The businesses of tomorrow who believe in a better world and are hell-bent on building it. Adventurous Brands™ create and lead categories, secure the world’s work, and change how we live. We put creativity to work for business because we believe the most innovative brands have the power to affect just about anything. They challenge convention, impact culture, and forge connections. We help them navigate an increasingly complex and challenging world. This is how we guide brands onward.

Grizzly is looking for a Design Director to lead brand and campaign design across a portfolio of adventurous, future-facing clients. As a senior creative leader, you will drive high-level conceptual thinking and design execution across a variety of engagements while mentoring and developing a team of designers, art directors, and animators.

Design Directors at Grizzly play a critical role in translating complex challenges into clear, smart, and strategic design systems. You will collaborate across disciplines, advocate for fearless creativity, and guide projects from concept to execution. You should be comfortable engaging with clients, leading presentations, and representing the agency externally. B2B and technology brand experience is essential, along with deep proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma.

• Manage and mentor Designers, Art Directors, and Animators, fostering creativity and collaboration

• Promote a culture of inclusivity, experimentation, and continuous learning

• Partner with cross-functional teams to remove roadblocks and ensure smooth delivery

• Lead recruitment and hiring efforts; evaluate portfolio quality and team fit

• Model Grizzly’s values in day-to-day interactions and leadership

• Oversee and contribute to design from concept through execution

• Own the design process across assigned accounts and deliverables

• Identify process gaps and help improve systems and workflows

• Hold team members accountable to performance expectations, quality, and timeliness

• Ensure work is delivered on budget and to the highest standards

• Deliver and oversee design that is strategically sound and creatively distinct

• Help elevate agency design standards through internal initiatives and mentorship

• Contribute to agency marketing and internal culture-building efforts

• Share work externally, participate in industry events, and help shift perceptions of the Grizzly brand

• Build strong relationships with clients and agency leaders

• Collaborate with clients to translate business needs into design solutions

• Present and sell creative ideas with confidence and clarity

• Provide thoughtful, strategic responses to client feedback

• Stay on top of industry trends and advocate for user-first design approaches

• 7+ years of experience leading design across brand and campaign systems

• A strong portfolio showcasing best-in-class design thinking and execution

• Fluency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma

• Curiosity for emerging technologies and trends

• Comfort with ambiguity and thoughtful risk-taking

• Collaborative instincts and excellent communication skills

• Ability to balance design leadership and individual contribution

• Must be located within a one-hour drive of San Diego, CA

• Flexibility with schedule to meet client commitments

• Domestic and international travel may be required

This job description outlines the general scope of responsibilities and is not exhaustive. Grizzly is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. Employment remains at-will and may be modified to align with business needs and legal requirements.