Design Director

SYLVAIN is a strategy and creative company making work that actually solves hard, high-stakes problems.. Dissatisfied with the status quo, we collect unorthodox perspectives and uncommon ways of framing the future. By seeking better answers, and pushing for more purpose, we’re solving the most consequential business challenges of our time—always inspiring, inciting, and provoking progress.

Founded in2010, SYLVAIN is a member of kyu Collective, a group of independently-led companies that share a similar mission. We have offices in New York City; Richmond, VA; Los Angeles, CA; and Amsterdam, NL.

Some of our clients include: Amazon, American Express, Nielsen, Synchrony, JPM, Google, Walmart, Kate Spade, Milk Makeup, TAIT, Meta, Spotify, Netflix, Uber, The New York Times, CBS, Nike, General Motors, Blackrock, Chanel, and the WNBA.

About the job
The Design Director is a conceptual thinker, a craft obsessive, and a generous leader who knows great design starts with thoughtful strategy. They live between insight and execution, happily wading with teammates in the messy early stages while pushing for a high bar for where the work lands. Rigor and process matter. Ideas that feel human, true, and new to the world matter even more.

They turn business opportunity, strategy, and research into moodboards, concepts, and finished work that works. One moment they’re at 30,000ft shaping the big idea. The next, they’re at 3ft fussing over kerning–and both are fun. They sharpen the team’s thinking, direct collaborators across disciplines, and roll up their sleeves when the work calls for it.

In the room, they’re the creative voice clients trust, leading presentations and work sessions that turn nervous nods into bold decisions. They make sure the work is as viable as it is beautiful, and they’ll have an honest conversation when the idea deserves it.

They also make design a great place to grow. With their triad, they keep spirits up when projects get tough, protect SYLVAIN’s creative reputation, and spot the next opportunity before anyone else does.

TYPICAL ACTIVITIES + RESPONSIBILITIES

Sets a craft standard that is aesthetically compelling and rigorously executed with systems that hold up across every aspect of design: brand, colors, typography, imagery, words — big, small, and everything in between.

Generates conceptual and visionary ideas, pushes others’ ideas to their sharpest articulation, and builds shared clarity around the concept internally and with clients.

Thoughtfully and effectively galvanizes team members to align with a bold vision and creative expression and bring everyone to the finish line.

Understands client creative needs, manages expectations, challenges constructively when it serves the work, and builds relationships that last beyond the project.

Thrives at the intersection of strategy and design, translating research, insights, and business objectives into a distinct creative POV and visual language that brings the strategy to life.

Presents the work with clarity and conviction, telling a story that’s tight, evocative, and ready for any room, whether it’s a CMO or the team.

Draws on a deep understanding of the design and communications landscape, including emerging tools and AI, to direct a diverse set of collaborators and produce the artifacts the work needs.

Mentors and leads junior creative team members, providing continuous feedback and constructive critiques of their work.

Manages up, down, and sideways with ease, keeping everyone in the loop and knowing when to ask for support from Creative Directors or discipline leads.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be a...

Obsessive craftsperson

Empathetic leader

Strategic multi-tasker

Relationship builder

Other requirements:

7+ years of brand design experience in a studio, agency, or in-house environment

2+ years mentoring design teams within the context of a project

A portfolio that reflects a diverse array of brand identity projects elevated craft

Deep knowledge of typography and design systems

Mastery of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite

Comfortable working across multiple projects concurrently

Experience presenting to and leading senior clients

Bonus for familiarity with motion, digital, and AI tools

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position is based in New York City and the base salary is $150,000-$170,000 per year. Individual compensation may vary based on business needs, experience, responsibility level, and qualifications. Not all applicants’ experience will match the qualifications of this role, in which case an alternative role or level may be suggested.

We’re in the office together 3 days a week, and we balance that with ‘Work from Anywhere’ time throughout the year.

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Matching

Paid Holidays

Up to 85% Paid Insurance Premiums

3% Safe Harbor Employer Contribution

Life Insurance

$300 Annual Culture + Learning Budget

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Health Savings Account (HSA) for High Deductible Health Plans

One Medical Membership

Kindbody Membership

Talkspace Membership

New Business Referral Program

Employee Referral Program

Preferred Skills

Brand identity design

Typography

Conceptual ideation

Presentation Skills

Client relationship management

Workshop and work-session facilitation

Figma and Adobe Creative Suite proficiency

Emerging tools and AI fluency

Multi-project management and prioritization

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