Upstatement
Location: Remote, Anywhere
Job Type: Full-time
Salary Range: $150,000 – $220,000 USD/year
The Role
As a Design Director, you’ll take a leading role throughout projects, driving design vision to benefit both clients and their users while ensuring impactful business results. This is a fully remote position.
- Lead teams and engage clients across entire projects.
- Plan and execute a design process that aligns with business goals.
- Develop solutions that unlock opportunities for clients and teams.
- Communicate the value of every decision to win stakeholder buy-in and support creative strategy.
- Balance complex business, user, and team needs with empathy.
Successful candidates are empathetic, candid, and aligned with Upstatement’s values, contributing to a supportive, inclusive, and growth-oriented environment.
Why Upstatement
Upstatement is a digital product studio combining design, engineering, and journalism to make meaningful contributions to society. Working with ethical organizations and high-profile clients (Nike, MIT, ESPN, PBS), we offer:
- Collaboration in a high-trust, creative environment.
- Opportunities to build a standout portfolio.
- Flexibility for experimentation and role-switching.
- A supportive, small studio culture full of top talent.
What You’ll Do
On Projects:
- Deliver exceptional work as a hands-on designer and team leader.
- Engage and build lasting relationships with clients through expertise and clear communication.
- Conduct research to understand client goals, user behavior, and opportunities.
- Translate insights into actionable strategies and inspiring designs.
- Mentor cross-functional teams to achieve their best.
Within Upstatement:
- Promote expertise to attract top talent and clients.
- Expand partnerships with freelancers and agencies.
- Refine and document best practices to improve project outcomes.
About You
- 7+ years of hands-on design and project leadership at a digital agency or equivalent.
- A portfolio demonstrating business impact across products and websites.
- Experience leading research initiatives such as interviews, workshops, and audits.
- Strong communication skills to inspire teams and clients.
- Ability to guide multidisciplinary teams while fostering their growth.
- Proficiency in creating user interfaces and comprehensive design systems.
Compensation & Benefits
- Transparent salary benchmarks with levels DM5 ($150k–$185k) and DM6 ($185k–$220k).
- 4-day work week.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid parental leave and generous vacation.
- Annual professional development budget and home office stipend.
- Access to co-working spaces in NYC, Boston, and Chicago.
Interview Process
The interview process is fully remote and includes:
- Resume review and introductory call.
- Take-home exercise.
- Conversations with team members, the hiring manager, and leadership.
If accommodations are needed during the process, email hr@upstatement.com.
Apply Now
Send your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials showcasing your unique background and qualifications. Upstatement encourages applications from diverse and underrepresented groups and is committed to equal opportunity employment.