Design Director

Overview

Anchour is seeking a talented and experienced Design Director to join our team in a hybrid capacity, based primarily out of our Maine headquarters. This role is pivotal in shaping and executing brand identities, brand systems, and brand extensions for clients across various industries, working in close partnership with the creative leadership and the Brand team to bring our creative vision to life.

This is a brand-first role, and we’re looking for a designer who thinks in systems, sweats the details, and can translate brand strategy into work that’s distinctive, consistent, and built to last.

In this hybrid position, you will work closely with cross-functional teams, including strategists, writers, client service, motion designers, and other key stakeholders. You will also play a hands-on role in supporting and mentoring designers, helping them grow their craft and deliver work that meets the highest standards.

To excel in this role, you should possess a strong portfolio of brand design work that showcases your ability to build and extend brand systems, along with the presentation skills to bring clients and internal teams along with your thinking. Your dedication to excellent work will be crucial in driving the success of our brand team, instilling a collaborative and creative atmosphere that consistently exceeds client expectations.

This role reports directly to the VP, Creative and requires strong design craft, brand fluency, and confident communication skills to help elevate our brand work to new levels.

About Anchour

Anchour is a creative agency of 37 and growing, focused on building unforgettable brands and digital experiences that help businesses punch above their weight.

Headquartered in Maine, we support SMBs and startups in various industries, including consumer goods, financial services, retail, and professional services. As a full-service agency, we offer a range of services, including strategy, branding, website design, development, copywriting, and full-service digital marketing solutions.

At Anchour, we are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all employees, regardless of their background, can thrive and contribute their best work.

What You’ll Do

As Design Director, you will help drive brand creative initiatives and ensure the delivery of exceptional work across brand projects. Your craft and eye for detail will elevate the quality of our brand design output and contribute to the growth and success of our business.

Responsibilities include:

• Set and drive the creative vision: Help establish and execute the creative vision for brand projects, from brand identities and brand systems to brand refreshes and brand extensions. You’ll bring a sharp eye for design principles and industry trends to create work that’s visually compelling, strategically sound, and unmistakably on-brief.
• Foster a culture of excellence: Through hands-on design reviews, thoughtful feedback, and day-to-day collaboration, you’ll help build a culture of excellence within the brand team. Your mentorship will support designers as they grow their craft and level up their work.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams: Work closely with cross-functional teams—including UX/UI designers, developers, copywriters, strategists, and marketers—to bring cohesive brand experiences to life. By aligning design with business and audience needs, you’ll help ensure our brand work communicates clearly and lands with impact.
• Do the work: As Design Director, you’ll be hands-on in the design process, from concepting through final execution. You’ll lead by example, contributing directly to brand projects and setting the standard for craft and quality across the team.
• Present with confidence: Present brand concepts and creative rationale to clients and internal teams alike, with the confidence and clarity to bring people along with your thinking. You’ll gather feedback, defend the work where it counts, and refine concepts based on client and internal input.
• Manage time and priorities: You will take ownership of managing your own time and priorities, as well as working collaboratively with the project management team to effectively allocate resources and manage your team's time. Additionally, you will provide accurate time estimates and workflows for new design projects, ensuring efficient and timely delivery.

What We’d Like To See

• 5+ years of experience in a creative agency, marketing agency, or in-house creative department, with a portfolio demonstrating strength in brand identity and brand systems work.
• Strong design and mentorship skills, with experience guiding and supporting other designers.
• Expert knowledge of brand-focused design deliverables, including brand identity, brand guidelines, brand collateral, packaging, and brand campaign extensions.
• A brand-forward portfolio that demonstrates both strategic thinking and hands-on craft.
• Expertise in Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and other relevant design tools. Bonus points for After Effects and prototyping tools.
• Ability to problem-solve within designated timelines, achieving the best result according to available resources and timelines.
• Excellent client presentation and communication skills, with proven experience presenting creative work to clients and internal teams.
• A constant curiosity for brand, design, and the culture that shapes it.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with other departments to align creative work with overall client and company goals.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive Salary.
• Hybrid Work Flexibility. Primarily remote, with regular in-office collaboration days.
• Retirement. Savings plan with a 4% company match.
• Premium Insurance. Premium health, dental, vision, and life insurance with generous coverage for our US-based team members.
• Optional HSA. An optional health savings account (HSA) for employees to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for medical expenses.
• Home Office Setup. Get a laptop + 50% reimbursement for home office equipment.
• Paid & Flexible Holidays. 12 paid holidays throughout the year, including three flexible holidays.
• Paid Time Off. Minimum three weeks of paid time off per year.
• Paid Leaves. Paid parental, medical, bereavement, and other types of leave.
• Flexible & Summer Fridays. Half-day Fridays throughout the summer, and a get-it-done-and-go mindset year-round.
• Lifelong Learners Fund. Cash for professional development (books, conferences, courses), and team bonding fun times.
• Baby Bonding Bucks. $500 bonus to cover diapers, meals, or other baby-related expenses for any employee welcoming a new child.