Director, Brand Design

Databricks•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

Databricks is seeking an experienced Design Director to guide and grow a team of talented designers while shaping the future of our brand. This senior role blends creative leadership with people management: you’ll lead the evolution of our visual identity across physical and digital touchpoints while mentoring and developing a high-performing design team. As Design Manager, you’ll help set the creative vision and ensure excellence in every execution—from digital and web, global campaigns and digital experiences to events and branded environments. You’ll partner closely with cross-functional teams and external agencies, balancing hands-on design insight with strategic oversight to deliver impactful, consistent brand experiences.

Requirements

10+ years of professional design experience in brand, visual, or environmental design; at least 2–3 years managing or leading a design team.
A portfolio that demonstrates strong conceptual brand systems, environmental/experiential design, and integrated campaigns.
Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and presentation tools (Keynote, Google Slides).
Proven ability to lead projects from concept to execution while guiding others to deliver outstanding work.
Experience managing agencies, vendors, and production partners.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
Strong eye for typography, layout, color, and spatial/experiential design.
A strategic mindset and ability to connect creative vision to business objectives.

Nice To Haves

Background in web, event design, wayfinding, signage, or large-scale environmental graphics.
Video production knowledge and experience.
Motion or 3D design skills.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of designers, fostering growth, collaboration, and design excellence.
Provide clear direction, constructive feedback, and career development opportunities.
Help prioritize projects, allocate resources, and set timelines to meet business and creative goals.
Brand & Creative Direction Own and evolve the Databricks brand system across physical and digital environments.
Define and communicate a cohesive design vision that supports company strategy and elevates brand impact.
Champion design thinking and advocate for best-in-class creative processes across the organization.
Willingness to get your hands dirty in design work Creative Execution & Collaboration Guide and review team work across campaigns, events, digital products, and environmental graphics.
Partner with marketing, product, events, and workplace teams to bring the brand to life in physical and digital spaces.
Direct external agencies and vendors to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment with brand standards.
Translate complex ideas into simple, bold visual narratives that reflect our values and mission.
Operational Excellence Shape creative briefs, manage project intake, and oversee schedules and deliverables.
Establish and maintain high standards for craft, clarity, and consistency across all brand expressions.
Help improve and develop processes to streamline efficiency and workflows