Description
We are seeking an Associate Design Director to join our Experience & Engineering team in the Netherlands. As an Associate Design Director, you will operate at a studio-wide level, shaping the craft vision, elevating design excellence, and steering the strategic direction of our visual design practice.
Responsibilities:
- Own craft direction across complex projects and accounts, ensuring work is aligned, elevated and unmistakably DEPT.
- Raise the bar by defining standards, sharpening processes, and enabling teams to deliver consistently exceptional work.
- Guide clients and internal teams with clear, high-level creative and product direction that goes beyond the brief.
- Drive innovation through experimentation and curiosity, creating work that sets benchmarks and wins awards.
- Shape the future of the design practice by evolving craft vision, building team capabilities, and fostering a culture of mentorship and continuous learning.
- Support pitches and growth opportunities with strong creative POVs that connect craft to business impact.
- Represent DEPT externally through talks, posts and publications that amplify our creative reputation.
Requirements:
- 10+ years of experience in visual/UI/UX design, including 3+ years at senior or leadership level.
- Serious craft expertise: a portfolio demonstrating strategic impact, systems thinking, and high-quality execution across complex digital ecosystems.
- A strategic thinker who influences product, design, and business decisions with clear vision and rationale.
- A recognised design voice: inspires teams, elevates craft standards, and contributes to the wider design community.
- Mentorship mindset: actively builds others up through coaching, structured feedback, and knowledge sharing.
- Continuously curious: eager to master emerging tools, AI workflows, motion, and design trends.
- Deep understanding of visual principles, accessibility, and modern interaction patterns.
- Mastery of Figma and design systems; motion skills (Jitter, AE, etc.) are a plus.
- Confident communicator able to articulate design direction with clarity and conviction.
- Working proficiency in English.
Benefits:
- A flexible, hybrid working policy (2-3 days from the office, depending on location) and the opportunity to work from abroad for 13 weeks a year.
- 24 vacation days per year and the possibility to buy an unlimited number of extra vacation days.
- DEPT/YOU Learning Menu and DEPT/YOU Special Programs.
- Stay happy and healthy with a contribution to your health through the OpenUp platform, gym and wellness discounts, and healthy lunches at the office.
- Get a discount on your lease bike and ride in style. You can also enjoy hassle-free commutes with an NS Business Card.