Seattle Design Director

Tube Art Group (TAG) is seeking a Seattle Design Director to join their team in Bellevue, Washington. Reporting to the Executive Vice President, you will play a key role strategic direction, creative vision, and overall design excellence within the realm of sign design. This role oversees all design for TAG Seattle, and will have approximately 5 direct reports. This role will be responsible for setting advanced design standards, and strategizing methods to ensure the successful execution of projects. The ideal candidate will lead creative direction, client engagement, cross functional collaboration, quality control, brand alignment, and managing design workload & resources. This position plays a pivotal role in shaping the creative vision of the company while collaborating with upper management on design strategy.

Tube Art Group is the largest, locally owned custom sign company in Washington. We offer a broad range of services which include the fabrication and installation of architectural signs, illuminated signs, wayfinding, placemaking and environmental & experiential graphics. In addition to sign manufacturing and installation, Tube Art Group offers design, permitting and project management services. Employees of Tube Art Group are associated with one of the best companies in the industry. The pillars we use to guide decision making can be found in our vision, mission and values.

Vision: To help people enjoy, identify, and navigate the spaces around them.

Mission: To craft complete branding and signage solutions that align people with the space they are in.

Values:

Forward Thinking: We use our strategic approach, vision, innovation, and adaptability to effectively navigate the ever-changing needs of our employees, clients, and our partners.

Authentic: We genuinely care about our work, each other, our clients, and our partners. Regardless of the challenges we face, we abide by our strong moral principles and always do the right thing.

Collaborative: We leverage the strengths of our employees, clients, and partners to deliver exceptional products and services that represent all facets of our company. We believe that when we bring diverse minds together, we create timeless products and achieve higher levels of success.

Dedicated: We have an unwavering commitment and devotion to our company, our clients, our partners, and each other.

Expertise: Our team demonstrates exceptional competence, mastery in our craft, and proven problem-solving techniques to deliver an extraordinary product.

Responsibilities:

Design Leadership:

• Develop and articulate a compelling design vision that aligns with the company’s brand and strategic objectives.
• Oversee all Seattle design projects, ensuring consistency, accuracy and timeliness for all projects
• Be the primary design resource for sales, project management, estimating, manufacturing and installation departments
• Lead new product and technology implementation through design development
• Participate in weekly internal company meetings to provide status updates with design team

Team Management:

• Lead, mentor, and manage the Seattle design team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. This role has approximately 5 direct reports.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide professional development opportunities, and support the growth of team members.
• Review designers’ drawings to ensure quality and correctness, coach designers wherever needed.
• Accurately track time across projects, oversee design resource management and project allocation.

Client Collaboration:

• Serve as the primary design liaison with clients, understanding their needs and translating them into effective signage solutions.
• Present design concepts, manage feedback, and ensure client satisfaction throughout project lifecycles.
• Actively participate in project presentations and client meetings, in collaboration with sales and project management teams.

Project Oversight:

• Establish and maintain design standards, processes, and best practices that drive efficiency and excellence in project delivery.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including production, installation, and project management to ensure seamless execution.
• Serve as the primary design point of contact for large and complicated projects.

Innovation and Community:

• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in signage design to keep Tube Art Group at the forefront of innovation.
• Lead brainstorming sessions and design reviews to continuously elevate the creative output of the team.
• Engage in the design community through industry organizations like SEGD and ISA.
• Research and lead sustainability initiatives for materials and processes

Qualifications:

· Seven years or more experience in signage design, 3 years in management position preferred

· Ability to read architectural drawings

· Sign materials and build knowledge

· Associate or bachelor’s degree in design or related field preferred.

· Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite – Illustrator, InDesign & Photoshop.

· Experience with 3D design applications preferred (i.e. SketchUp, Rhino, Solid Works, etc.)

· Computer savvy; proficiency in MS Word, Outlook and Excel.

· Familiarity with digital design tools and emerging technologies in signage and environmental design.

· Experience with web-based applications such as Smartsheet preferred.

· Exceptional organization and high attention to detail with dedication to follow-through.

· Effective in building understanding and creating trust among employees and managers at every level of the business.

· Ability to consistently operate with a high level of integrity and emotional intelligence.

· Strong leadership and team management skills with an ability to inspire creativity and collaboration

· Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.

· Flexible and adaptable: the ability to switch gears and balance multiple priorities effectively

Essential Functions:

• Ability to work minimum office hours of Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm
• Ability to travel to the Yakima, WA and Auburn, WA production facilities and the South Portland office.
• Must comply with the Company’s drug and alcohol policy
• Must pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The duties of this position require the employee to constantly operate a computer and other office equipment, as well as the ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. The duties of this position also require the employee to frequently communicate with employees and clients, and the employee must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

What we offer

We are a close-knit, hard-working group of professionals who take pride in the work we do, and the relationships we build along the way. We acknowledge the contributions and talents of our team members by providing benefits that support you at work and in life:

· Competitive pay commensurate with skills and experience (Salary range: $90,000 - $120,000 annually.)

· Annual discretionary bonus.

· Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance – TAG covers approximately 90% of Employee Premiums

· Life, AD&D and Long-Term Disability Insurance.

· Additional voluntary insurance.

· 6 paid holidays each year, no waiting period.

· Paid Time-Off (PTO) - Full-time employees accrue 3.08 hours per pay period (80 hours annually) beginning on date of hire. After five years of service this increases to 4.62 hours per pay period, or 120 hours per year.

· SEGD Membership

How you’ll grow

TAG is committed to investing in our team members’ ongoing professional development. As the Seattle Design Director, you will work directly with executive team which will be invested in your training, growth, success and ongoing development.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Tube Art Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, TAG complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Tube Art Group expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of TAG’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Compensation Package:

• Bonus opportunities
• Yearly pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Bellevue, WA 98005 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Bellevue, WA 98005: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $90,000 - $120,000