Design Director Jobs in North Carolina
Design Director jobs in North Carolina are active and competitive, concentrated in branding, product design, and user experience across the state's technology, financial services, and consumer goods sectors, with openings at every level from emerging creative leads to senior executive directors. Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham account for the largest share of hiring, anchored by major employers such as Bank of America, Lenovo North America, and Red Hat. The most consistent demand is for design directors with expertise in digital product design, brand strategy, and cross-functional team leadership. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Hayward Holdings Inc. (NYSE "HAYW") is the largest manufacturer of residential swimming pool equipment in the world, with a significant presence in the commercial pool market that is continuously growing. Hayward designs, manufactures, and markets a full line of residential and commercial pool and spa equipment including pumps, filters, heating, cleaners, salt chlorinators, automation, lighting, safety, flow control and energy solutions at our company owned facilities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hayward also has facilities in Tennessee, Arizona, and Rhode Island as well as Canada, Spain, France, Australia, and China.
Hayward Holdings Inc. (NYSE "HAYW") is the largest manufacturer of residential swimming pool equipment in the world, with a significant presence in the commercial pool market that is continuously growing. Hayward designs, manufactures, and markets a full line of residential and commercial pool and spa equipment including pumps, filters, heating, cleaners, salt chlorinators, automation, lighting, safety, flow control, and energy solutions at our company-owned facilities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hayward also has facilities in Tennessee, Arizona, and Rhode Island as well as Canada, Spain, France, Australia, and China.
As the Industrial Design Director within Hayward’s Global Innovation organization, you will define and lead the industrial design vision, strategy, and execution across key product platforms and innovation roadmaps spanning connected physical products and digital ecosystems.
This is a leadership role responsible for shaping Hayward’s product experience strategy, advancing the Visual Design Language (VDL), and ensuring cohesive, differentiated, and manufacturable design solutions across the global portfolio.
You will lead and develop a high-performing design team while partnering with Product Management and Engineering as part of Hayward’s NPD trifecta to deliver long-term platform strategy and near-term execution excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
Design Strategy and Leadership
- Define and drive the industrial design vision, strategy, and roadmap aligned to business objectives and innovation priorities
- Establish and govern Hayward’s Visual Design Language (VDL) across all product categories and touchpoints
- Ensure design excellence, consistency, and differentiation across global product portfolios
- Serve as a key design authority influencing executive-level product and brand decisions
Portfolio Ownership and Product Experience
- Lead design across multiple product platforms and programs, ensuring cohesive and scalable product ecosystems
- Champion a systems-thinking approach that integrates hardware, software, UX, and service experiences
- Drive a holistic product experience spanning installation, usage, service, and lifecycle ownership
- Ensure alignment of design intent through complex trade-offs involving engineering, cost, and manufacturability
Innovation and Concept Development
- Own early-stage innovation efforts, including vision concepts, future-state product strategies, and advanced concept development
- Guide concept exploration, prototyping, and validation efforts to de-risk innovation opportunities
- Translate emerging customer insights and technologies into differentiated product experiences and platform opportunities
Customer Insight and Design Direction
- Champion customer-centric design by synthesizing VOC, Human Factors, and market insights into strategic design direction
- Ensure insights are translated into clear product requirements and compelling design narratives
- Partner with Product Management to influence roadmap decisions and value propositions
Cross-Functional Leadership and Execution
- Act as a strategic partner within the NPD trifecta (Product, Engineering, Design) to define problems, align priorities, and drive decisions
- Influence cross-functional teams, including Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, Software, UX, and Cloud, to maintain design integrity
- Drive design governance, ensuring alignment across programs, risk mitigation, and design-for-manufacturing excellence
- Manage external design partners and agencies as needed
Team Leadership and Design Culture
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Industrial Design team, including hiring, coaching, and performance management
- Establish clear standards, processes, and best practices for design execution
- Foster a culture of innovation, creativity, accountability, and collaboration
- Elevate design maturity and influence across the organization
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design or related field (Master’s preferred)
- 10+ years of progressive Industrial Design experience, including leadership of teams and complex product portfolios
- Proven success leading design for connected devices and systems integrating hardware and digital experiences
- Demonstrated ability to define and scale design strategy, VDL systems, and product ecosystems
- Strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design, leadership impact, and design system consistency
- Deep understanding of the full product development lifecycle from research through production
- Experience influencing senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
- Ability to travel domestically (10–20%) with some international travel
What We Look For (Preferred)
- Experience in both corporate and consultancy environments
- Advanced expertise in CAD, surfacing, and design-for-manufacturing
- Strong executive presence and ability to communicate design vision at all levels
- Passion for mentorship, team development, and design culture building
Hayward Holdings Inc. (NYSE "HAYW") is the largest manufacturer of residential swimming pool equipment in the world, with a significant presence in the commercial pool market that is continuously growing. Hayward designs, manufactures, and markets a full line of residential and commercial pool and spa equipment including pumps, filters, heating, cleaners, salt chlorinators, automation, lighting, safety, flow control and energy solutions at our company owned facilities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hayward also has facilities in Tennessee, Arizona, and Rhode Island as well as Canada, Spain, France, Australia, and China.
Hayward Holdings Inc. (NYSE "HAYW") is the largest manufacturer of residential swimming pool equipment in the world, with a significant presence in the commercial pool market that is continuously growing. Hayward designs, manufactures, and markets a full line of residential and commercial pool and spa equipment including pumps, filters, heating, cleaners, salt chlorinators, automation, lighting, safety, flow control, and energy solutions at our company-owned facilities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hayward also has facilities in Tennessee, Arizona, and Rhode Island as well as Canada, Spain, France, Australia, and China.
As the Industrial Design Director within Hayward’s Global Innovation organization, you will define and lead the industrial design vision, strategy, and execution across key product platforms and innovation roadmaps spanning connected physical products and digital ecosystems.
This is a leadership role responsible for shaping Hayward’s product experience strategy, advancing the Visual Design Language (VDL), and ensuring cohesive, differentiated, and manufacturable design solutions across the global portfolio.
You will lead and develop a high-performing design team while partnering with Product Management and Engineering as part of Hayward’s NPD trifecta to deliver long-term platform strategy and near-term execution excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
Design Strategy and Leadership
- Define and drive the industrial design vision, strategy, and roadmap aligned to business objectives and innovation priorities
- Establish and govern Hayward’s Visual Design Language (VDL) across all product categories and touchpoints
- Ensure design excellence, consistency, and differentiation across global product portfolios
- Serve as a key design authority influencing executive-level product and brand decisions
Portfolio Ownership and Product Experience
- Lead design across multiple product platforms and programs, ensuring cohesive and scalable product ecosystems
- Champion a systems-thinking approach that integrates hardware, software, UX, and service experiences
- Drive a holistic product experience spanning installation, usage, service, and lifecycle ownership
- Ensure alignment of design intent through complex trade-offs involving engineering, cost, and manufacturability
Innovation and Concept Development
- Own early-stage innovation efforts, including vision concepts, future-state product strategies, and advanced concept development
- Guide concept exploration, prototyping, and validation efforts to de-risk innovation opportunities
- Translate emerging customer insights and technologies into differentiated product experiences and platform opportunities
Customer Insight and Design Direction
- Champion customer-centric design by synthesizing VOC, Human Factors, and market insights into strategic design direction
- Ensure insights are translated into clear product requirements and compelling design narratives
- Partner with Product Management to influence roadmap decisions and value propositions
Cross-Functional Leadership and Execution
- Act as a strategic partner within the NPD trifecta (Product, Engineering, Design) to define problems, align priorities, and drive decisions
- Influence cross-functional teams, including Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, Software, UX, and Cloud, to maintain design integrity
- Drive design governance, ensuring alignment across programs, risk mitigation, and design-for-manufacturing excellence
- Manage external design partners and agencies as needed
Team Leadership and Design Culture
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Industrial Design team, including hiring, coaching, and performance management
- Establish clear standards, processes, and best practices for design execution
- Foster a culture of innovation, creativity, accountability, and collaboration
- Elevate design maturity and influence across the organization
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design or related field (Master’s preferred)
- 10+ years of progressive Industrial Design experience, including leadership of teams and complex product portfolios
- Proven success leading design for connected devices and systems integrating hardware and digital experiences
- Demonstrated ability to define and scale design strategy, VDL systems, and product ecosystems
- Strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design, leadership impact, and design system consistency
- Deep understanding of the full product development lifecycle from research through production
- Experience influencing senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
- Ability to travel domestically (10–20%) with some international travel
What We Look For (Preferred)
- Experience in both corporate and consultancy environments
- Advanced expertise in CAD, surfacing, and design-for-manufacturing
- Strong executive presence and ability to communicate design vision at all levels
- Passion for mentorship, team development, and design culture building
See All 10 Design Director Jobs in North Carolina
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Find Design Director JobsDesign Director Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Director Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Retail
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design director jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in design, graphic design, or a related creative field
- Seven or more years of progressive design experience including team leadership
- Demonstrated portfolio of brand, digital, or product design work at a strategic level
- Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and collaborative design tools
- Experience managing and mentoring designers across multiple concurrent projects
- Strong communication skills for presenting design decisions to executive stakeholders
Design Director Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design director in North Carolina?
Design director is not a state-licensed role in North Carolina, so there is no required board exam or registration. Most employers in North Carolina look for a bachelor's degree in graphic design, interaction design, or a related field, followed by progressive experience leading creative teams. Building a strong portfolio of strategic design work and gaining exposure to business outcomes accelerates the path to director-level roles in the state's technology and financial services sectors.
Which companies hire design directors in North Carolina?
Employers hiring design directors in North Carolina right now include CRB, Biogen, and Labcorp, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's concentration of technology firms in the Research Triangle and major financial institutions in Charlotte creates steady, recurring demand for senior creative leadership.
Which North Carolina cities have the most design director jobs?
Durham, Charlotte, and Cary have the most design director openings in North Carolina. Charlotte's density of financial services and Fortune 500 corporate headquarters drives the largest share of demand, while Raleigh and Durham benefit from the Research Triangle's technology and life sciences companies, which regularly hire design directors to lead product and digital experience teams.
Are there remote design director jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, and more than many senior creative roles. About 40% of design director openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on strategy, stakeholder presentations, and digital collaboration rather than physical production. The portions of the role most commonly performed remotely are brand strategy, UX oversight, and design system governance.
How can I get hired as a design director in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a senior designer or design lead role at a North Carolina technology company or agency, where team leadership responsibilities are built in from the start. Large employers in the Research Triangle such as software and healthtech firms often promote internally and value candidates who combine a strong portfolio with demonstrated project ownership. Pursuing a Certified User Experience Professional credential and contributing to open-source or community design projects in Charlotte or Raleigh can strengthen a candidacy before a formal director title is reachable.
Where can I find and apply to design director jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to design director jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find ones that match your background and the location you want, and apply directly.
See All 10 Design Director Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Director Jobs