Design Director
San Francisco · United States · USD 120,000-140,000 · 8+ years experience · Onsite · Posted Oct 15, 2026
At a glance
- Experience
- 8+ years experience
- Workplace
- Onsite
- Location
- San Francisco · United States
- Salary
- USD 120,000-140,000
About Monks
- Monks is the global, digital-first, data-driven, unitary operating brand of S4Capital plc, where our culture centers on how we show up for the work and for one another. That begins with the commitment to strive for mastery—taking deep pride in our craft and creating work that sets the bar. In everyday execution, we drive momentum by choosing bold action rather than waiting for certainty. Above all, our teams are stronger together, bringing diverse perspectives into a unified team that communicates with clarity, trust, and mutual respect.
- This commitment to craft and innovation translates directly into widespread industry acclaim: Monks was named a Contender in The Forrester Wave™: Global Marketing Services and a leader in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Global Digital Marketing Agencies. It ranks among Cannes Lions' Top 10 Creative Companies (2022-25) and remains the only partner featured in AdExchanger’s Programmatic Power Players list every year (2020-24). Named Adweek’s first AI Agency of the Year (2023) and The One Show’s inaugural AI Pioneer Organization (2025), Monks was also awarded Business Intelligence Group’s 2026 Excellence in Artificial Intelligence Award in the Human-Machine Interaction Team category. Additionally, Monks.Flow earned AI-based Marketing Solution of the Year at the 2026 AI Breakthrough Awards and a 2026 Global Generative AI Award in the Agentic Marketing Innovation category. Finally, Monks achieved a record-breaking number of FWAs and continues to hold the most of any partner.
- We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a respectful and empowering work environment for all people to freely express themselves amongst colleagues who embrace diversity in all respects. Including fresh voices and unique points of view in all aspects of our business not only creates an environment where we can all grow and thrive but also increases our potential to produce work that better represents—and resonates with—the world around us.
About the role
- Monks is seeking an experienced Design Director to provide creative leadership for an embedded team supporting a major technology client. This role involves maintaining creative continuity, upholding high standards of craft, and ensuring work remains cohesive across teams and deliverables. The position requires working onsite at the client's office in Menlo Park, CA.
Responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day creative leadership for the embedded design and motion team.
- Maintain continuity and a consistent creative standard across locations, shifts and workstreams.
- Translate established brand guidelines and design systems into clear, actionable direction.
- Ensure work is visually cohesive, accurate and appropriately tailored to its audience and channel.
- Review and guide digital, web, editorial, presentation, graphic and motion deliverables.
- Partner closely with the Executive Producer to balance creative quality with timing, capacity and business priorities.
- Work directly with client stakeholders to clarify creative direction, resolve feedback and keep work moving.
- Provide clear, consolidated feedback that enables teams to execute efficiently.
- Support the evolution of templates, component libraries and documentation as program needs develop.
- Mentor designers and motion creatives, providing practical guidance and helping them operate with greater independence.
Requirements
- 8+ years of experience in design, art direction or creative direction within an agency, technology company or in-house creative organization.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary design teams and maintaining quality across high-volume or rapid-turn work.
- Deep familiarity with established brand systems, component libraries, templates and scalable design frameworks.
- Strong digital and web design experience, including responsive layouts and accessibility considerations.
- Ability to assess work quickly, provide decisive direction and distinguish critical issues from subjective preferences.
- Strong understanding of typography, hierarchy, composition, visual storytelling and motion principles.
- Experience collaborating with production, editorial, product, legal and technical stakeholders.
- Professional fluency in written and spoken English.
- Excellent presentation, communication and feedback skills.
- Interest in AI, emerging technology and production innovation.
Benefits
- Excellent, full coverage medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous PTO
- 15 company-wide holidays
- 401k with company contribution
- Paid parental leave
- Work-life balance with an emphasis on personal well-being
- Entrepreneurial opportunities within the Monks network
- Globally diverse & inclusive culture with employee resource groups
Workplace
- Requires working onsite at the client's office in Menlo Park, CA, 4–5 days per week.
- Subject to company Return to Office (RTO) policy.
Skills
- Design Systems
- Web Design
- Responsive Layouts
- Accessibility
- Typography
- Visual Storytelling
- AI
- Creative Technology
