Awwwards is hiring: Design Director (Brand & Web) in New York

About Madeo Madeo is an award winning brand and web design & development agency with a focus on social impact. We partner with foundations and nonprofits tackling today's challenging issues. Some of our clients include Innocence Project, the Equal Justice Initiative, Echoing Green, Creative Capital for Artists, and Robin Hood Foundation. We are an inclusive and diverse team of designers, strategists, writers, project managers, and web developers. We value mission-driven work that relies on empathy, analytical thinking, and collaboration. About the Role We’re looking for a Design Director who believes that great design has the power to clarify complex ideas, strengthen mission‑driven work, and create meaningful change. As a key creative leader at Madeo, you’ll guide our design practice across branding and web projects, lead and nurture our design team, and partner closely with clients and colleagues to produce work we’re all proud of. This is a role for someone who loves both the craft of design and the practice of leadership—someone equally energized by diving into a challenging design problem and coaching a designer through their own creative process. What You’ll Do Lead design on mission‑driven projects: You’ll be the creative lead on brand identity and website redesign projects for organizations and institutions working to make a positive impact. Some projects you’ll design directly, collaborating with branding, motion, and UX/UI designers. Others you’ll guide from a strategic level, coaching designers as they lead the work. You’ll coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, keeping teams aligned and work moving forward thoughtfully. Grow and support our design team: As a people manager, you’ll mentor designers at different stages of their careers, helping them develop their skills, find their creative voice, and advance professionally. You’ll be comfortable giving thoughtful feedback and critique that challenges and encourages growth. You’ll foster a collaborative, welcoming culture that values each person’s contributions and supports everyone’s development. Partner as a leader across disciplines: You’ll work hand‑in‑hand with strategists, engineers, project managers, and operations team members to ensure our work is thoughtful, cohesive, and delivered with care. You’ll bring a proactive, hands‑on approach to collaboration that helps the whole team navigate challenges and find solutions together. Your organizational skills and good judgment will help coordinate complex projects across disciplines. Build meaningful client relationships: You’ll be a confident, trusted partner to clients—from project kickoff through long‑term engagements. You’ll guide conversations about design direction, present work with clarity and conviction, and help clients see new possibilities for their brand and digital presence. Minimum Qualifications Candidates need to meet the below requirements to be considered for the role: Strong design management experience for more than 4 years as a people manager to other designers, with demonstrated ability to give constructive feedback and develop designers across various career stages At least 10 years of professional design experience, with majority of that in an agency setting, with a portfolio showcasing expertise in branding and web design, ideally with some experience with design for organizations or institutions Strong examples of editorial design, mission or issue‑based communication work Demonstrated expertise in projects where digital‑first branding and website redesigns are deeply connected Experience leading design projects with multiple designers in a team setting, with strong organizational and coordination skills Confidence in working directly with clients as a creative partner on both individual projects and long‑term relationships Genuine interest in social impact and working with progressive nonprofit organizations A curious, strategic approach to design challenges and team development Remote/Hybrid This is a hybrid position based in New York, with one day per week in person for team meetings and collaboration. The rest of the week you’ll work from home, with flexibility to connect virtually with coworkers and clients. We also organize frequent get togethers, dinners, events, and invite team members across the country on two retreats a year. You’ll join a close‑knit team that values both rigorous creative work and a sustainable, supportive work culture. We believe in giving people the space to do their best work while building genuine connections with each other. Benefits & Compensation Up to 5% additional income through 401k employer match (after 3 months of employment) 7% to 15% of additional tentative income through discretionary end of year profit sharing and bonuses Generous health, dental, and vision insurance benefits Employer matched donations to causes you care about Flexible PTO in addition to federal and team‑wide days off A work culture that prioritizes collaboration, learning, and growth Remote work from home with weekly in‑person meetings with coworkers or clients Starting salary $135,000 to $175,000 commensurate with experience #J-18808-Ljbffr In Summary: Madeo is an award-winning brand and web design & development agency with a focus on social impact . The position is a hybrid position based in New York, with one day per week in person for team meetings and collaboration . The rest of the week you’ll work from home, with flexibility to connect virtually with coworkers and clients . En Español: Sobre Madeo Madeo es una agencia de diseño y desarrollo web galardonada con un enfoque en el impacto social. Nos asociamos con fundaciones y organizaciones sin fines de lucro para abordar los problemas desafiantes actuales. Algunos de nuestros clientes incluyen Innocence Project, Equal Justice Initiative, Echoing Green, Creative Capital for Artists y la Fundación Robin Hood. Somos un equipo inclusivo y diverso de diseñadores, estrategas, escritores, gerentes de proyectos y desarrolladores web. Valoramos el trabajo impulsado por la misión que se basa en la empatía, pensamiento analítico y colaboración. About the Role We're looking for a Design Director who believes that great design has the power to clarify complex ideas, strengthen mission-driven work and create meaningful change. Otros serán guiados desde un nivel estratégico, entrenando a los diseñadores mientras dirigen el trabajo. Coordinará múltiples proyectos simultáneamente, manteniendo alineaciones de equipos y trabajando en progreso reflexivo. Crecerá y apoyará nuestro equipo de diseño: como gerente de personas, asesorará a los designers en diferentes etapas de sus carreras, ayudará a desarrollar sus habilidades, encontrar su voz creativa y avanzar profesionalmente. Se sentirá cómodo dando comentarios pensativos y críticas que desafían y fomentan el crecimiento. Fomentará una cultura colaboradora y acogedora que valora las contribuciones de cada persona y respalda el desarrollo de todos. Como socio líder en todas las disciplinas: Trabajará junto con estrategas, ingenieros, gestores de proyecto y miembros del equipo operativo para garantizar que el trabajo sea intenso, cuidadoso y confiable. Dirigirá las conversaciones sobre la dirección del diseño, presentará el trabajo con claridad y convicción, y ayudará a los clientes a ver nuevas posibilidades para su marca y presencia digital. Calificaciones mínimas Los candidatos deben cumplir con los siguientes requisitos para ser considerados en el puesto: Experiencia sólida en gestión de diseños durante más de 4 años como gerente de personas ante otros diseñadores, con capacidad demostrada para dar retroalimentación constructiva y desarrollar diseñadores a través de varias etapas de carrera Al menos 10 años de experiencia en diseño profesional, la mayoría en un entorno de agencia, con una cartera que muestra conocimientos especializados en branding y diseño web, idealmente con alguna experiencia con diseño para organizaciones o instituciones Ejemplos fuertes de diseño editorial, misiones o trabajos basados en comunicación El resto de la semana trabajará desde casa, con flexibilidad para conectarse virtualmente con colegas y clientes. También organizamos reuniones frecuentes, cenas, eventos e invitar a miembros del equipo en todo el país en dos retiros al año. Se unirá a un equipo estrechamente unido que valora tanto el trabajo creativo riguroso como una cultura laboral sostenible y solidaria. Creemos en darles a las personas el espacio para hacer su mejor trabajo mientras construyen conexiones genuinas entre sí.