Lead Designer

Onward Search is a specialized staffing and talent solutions company that helps professionals find top jobs with the nation’s leading brands.

We’re hiring a Lead Designer to help define and elevate the visual identity of a leading education-focused organization. In this hands-on, player/coach role, you’ll guide creative direction while actively contributing to design execution — particularly during the early stages of team growth. This is a unique opportunity for a design leader who’s passionate about translating STEM concepts into fun, accessible content for students, educators, and families.

This is a full-time, hybrid role based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and candidates must be local and available for on-site collaboration as needed.

Lead Designer Responsibilities:

• Own and evolve the overall visual identity and design systems across all products, platforms, and brand materials
• Execute graphic design work for educational content, including student handouts, teacher guides, infographics, and interactive visuals
• Design engaging assets for web, print, packaging, and digital platforms, including a website refresh
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, marketing, curriculum, and engineering teams to deliver impactful visuals
• Translate complex educational topics into clear, playful designs
• Build and lead a small design team, providing direction, mentorship, and feedback
• Develop scalable design systems and processes to support rapid growth and maintain quality

Lead Designer Requirements:

• 5+ years of senior-level experience in graphic design, visual design, or art direction
• Proven experience leading and mentoring design teams while contributing hands-on
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and Figma
• Strong portfolio showing work across digital, print, packaging, and marketing
• Experience working on education, content-driven, or consumer product brands
• Ability to simplify and visually explain complex topics, particularly STEM-related content
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and communication skills
• Bonus: Experience in motion graphics, animation, or education-focused design

Perks & Benefits: 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401k Program
• Commuter Benefit
• eLearning
• Education Reimbursement
• Ongoing Training & Development
• *To qualify for our benefits package, you must work over 30 hours per week and the length of assignment must be a minimum of 10 weeks.

No deadline to apply.

Employer Details:

• Onward Search is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in an employment with regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal, state and local laws and ordinances. Candidates must be at least 18 years old to be considered for employment. EOE/M/F/D/V/SO.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
• Onward Search is unable to support 1099 / Corp-to-Corp or Independent Contractor arrangements at this time. All freelancers will be paid as W2 employees.
• Onward Search offers medical, dental, vision benefits, as well as a 401k program, for all eligible full time temporary assignments.
• Onward Search is a drug-free workplace.
• Onward Search is a nationwide staffing agency and talent solutions provider specializing in creative, marketing and technology. Our clients are continuously turning to us to fill their open positions. Therefore, there is no application deadline for this position, as we are seeking candidates for this type of role across all our clients on an ongoing basis.