Design Director

11/5/25

Salary: 110k + Benefits
Location: Philadelphia

Looking for a design leader + maker. Someone to lead the development, execution, and presentation of brand identity systems (and everything/anything that may be born from them) while still rolling up their sleeves as a designer. Bringing world-class craft, sharp thinking, and good vibes—every day. We are a small but potent team and you’ll be part of pushing us forward. You’ll have earned autonomy to grab the work and make it your own as both a leader and creator.

We want you to teach us new tricks, push us into new territory, make our clients proud, and never stop reinventing.

You’ll partner directly with the Creative Directors to set the creative bar, steer the work, and shape the team—while designing alongside us each and everyday. You’ll mentor and art direct designers, collaborate with strategy, and cultivate client relationships so the best ideas are nurtured, the details are obsessed over, and the finished product sings.

We’re looking for someone who believes positivity and iteration are vital to the creative process. Someone who thinks on their feet. Someone who thrives in a highly collaborative environment. Bonus points for experience leading branded environments, digital experiences, campaigns, and motion.

Ideally, you remain relatively calm under pressure and show good judgment (with our clients and in your gif choices) – we’re a tight-knit team and we want to spend our time with fun people who inspire us.

A few specifics we’re looking for:

—Lead and do—you’ll need to help lead a small team, push your own projects forward and be a maker of beautiful things daily.

—Elevate the work and the way we work—build processes and rituals that make us faster, sharper, and more consistent. Make us better.

—Clearly and passionately present ideas to Creative Directors, internal teams, and clients to consistently sell great work and build trust.

—Provide thoughtful art direction across photography, illustration, video, motion graphics, and environmental applications.

—Partner with Strategy to translate research and insights into crisp creative territories, narratives, and systems.

—Oversee multiple work streams and internal initiatives (there’s a lot going on around here) and keep timelines and priorities in check.

—Coach designers through feedback, 1:1s, and reviews; help set goals, grow skills, and celebrate wins.

—Collaborate with Account/PM on scopes, resourcing, and schedules; contribute to proposals and new business pitches.

—You are not an asshole.

—You have 10–15+ years of brand design experience with a portfolio of drool-worthy identity systems and 3–5+ years leading teams/projects.

A bit about J2:

We build brands with purpose. We’re a tight-knit team of ambitious researchers, strategists, designers and makers building brands and experiences for organizations, institutions, and companies that are making the world a better place. Our approach is rooted in solid and true research and strategy supported by brand identity, brand activations, campaigns, and websites – all driven by a deep respect for our clients’ missions and values. We have been doing our thing since 2007. Our office is located in the sunny Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Benefits:

Health + wellness benefits including vision and dental
Competitive salary + 401K
Competitive paid time off
Hybrid work model (3 days in office in Northern Liberties)
Paid parental leave

Committed to a culture of inclusivity and understanding:

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and the unique perspectives current and future team members bring related to experience, culture, education, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, ableness, sexual orientation, and beliefs.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every one of our qualifications listed.

To apply:

Please send a link to your work and a few words about yourself to careers@j2made.com — put Design Director in the subject line.