Design Director

Description ABOUT THE COMPANY Marks is a consumer experience agency creating engaging moments across the entire brand spectrum-from brand design and packaging to content and consumer connections. Rooted in a deep understanding of human behavior, we help brands win in an age of constant change. We are a global, collaborative network of 1,900+ team members across 25+ studios and 20+ countries, partnering with some of the world's most recognized brands to solve complex business challenges through design, strategy, and craft. ABOUT THE ROLE As a Design Director, you are both a creative leader and a practicing designer.You lead by example: guiding teams, shaping ideas, and elevating creative quality while remaining deeply engaged in the work itself. You're equally comfortable sketching concepts, refining typography, presenting to clients, or coaching a designer through a breakthrough. This is a coach-player role. You'll own projects from concept through execution, partnering closely with Creative, Strategy, and Client Services to transform strategy into compelling brand experiences across packaging, identity, retail, and marketing communications. You understand that great design doesn't happen in isolation. You foster collaboration, provide thoughtful feedback, and help teams produce work that is strategically grounded, beautifully crafted, and commercially effective. CORE SKILLS & CREATIVE CAPABILITIES CREATIVE LEADERSHIP You lead through vision, conviction, and example.* Translate strategy into compelling creative platforms that solve real business challenges. * Lead the development of brand identities, packaging systems, and omnichannel campaigns from concept through execution. * Establish the creative standard for projects and inspire teams to exceed it. * Make confident creative decisions that move work forward while encouraging thoughtful exploration. * Balance bold creative ambition with commercial effectiveness and real-world constraints. COACH-PLAYER LEADERSHIP You believe the best leaders make the people around them better.* Lead by example through your own design work and creative thinking. * Mentor Designers and Senior Designers through thoughtful feedback, creative direction, and day-to-day coaching. * Create an environment where curiosity, experimentation, and continuous learning thrive. * Lead critiques that elevate both the quality of the work and the confidence of the team. * Recognize individual strengths and adapt your leadership style to help each designer reach their potential. DESIGN EXCELLENCE & CRAFT You obsess over the details because they matter.* Demonstrate exceptional craft across typography, layout, color, composition, photography, and visual storytelling. * Build design systems that scale seamlessly across packaging, retail, digital, and campaign touchpoints. * Balance conceptual exploration with disciplined execution. * Maintain uncompromising attention to detail from first sketch through final production. * Champion design integrity across every deliverable. CLIENT LEADERSHIP & COMMUNICATION You build trust through clarity, confidence, and collaboration.* Lead client presentations with compelling storytelling and a strong point of view. * Clearly articulate the strategic rationale behind creative decisions. * Build trusted relationships by navigating feedback thoughtfully while protecting the integrity of the work. * Partner with Strategy and Client Services to shape briefs, unlock stronger insights, and identify opportunities to elevate the work. OMNICHANNEL BRAND THINKING You design about brands well beyond packaging.* Think in connected systems rather than individual deliverables. * Develop creative solutions that flex across packaging, retai