Lead Designer

We're looking for a senior-level Lead Designer to own creative output across a digital agency's client portfolio and set the standard for all design work. You'll translate concepts, rough visual directions, and strategic goals into multiple compelling creative options, allowing clients to react to strong ideas rather than a single safe execution. Reporting directly to the agency owner, you'll work closely with the technical lead and participate in creative reviews with senior marketing stakeholders on the agency's most demanding accounts. This role requires strong conceptual thinking, polished execution, speed, accuracy, and confident client communication. Responsibilities Own design output across the client portfolio, from initial concept through final delivery. Translate loose direction into several distinct creative directions quickly, allowing clients to react, combine, and select ideas. Produce brand-caliber creative for national accounts, with a visual standard comparable to work from a large agency. Maintain quality control across all design work leaving the agency, including reviewing and elevating work produced by other team members. Ensure consistency and accuracy across copy, specifications, calls to action, and brand guidelines. Partner closely with the technical lead on projects that move from design into development or production. A strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual range, finished polish, and experience working on projects with meaningful brand stakes. Senior-level conceptual ability, with the confidence to begin from a blank page and generate multiple creative options from an idea or broad visual direction. The ability to work quickly and consistently, producing strong first drafts that require refinement rather than a complete redesign. Genuine fluency with AI creative tools and a demonstrable process for using them to generate concepts, evaluate outputs, and develop finished creative. Strong client-facing presence, with the ability to present, defend, and adjust creative work when engaging with senior marketing stakeholders. Ability to work during US Central Time business hours. Tools: Required: Adobe Creative Suite, with real depth in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Required: Working fluency with current AI creative tooling and a demonstrable process for using it. Strongly preferred: Figma, for UI and UX work and for collaboration with development. A plus: Motion, animation, or video capability, and comfort with email design and build.