---
title: 'Principal, Visual Design at DEPT®'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-visual-design-dept-ny-us-ca-us-il-r9ffz01rnwp3'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-18'
---

# Principal, Visual Design at DEPT®

- **Company:** DEPT®
- **Location:** NY US CA US IL, United States
- **Compensation:** $96k–$146k
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-08-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-18
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/dept/jobs/8110118

## Job description

WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

## THE ROLE:

The Principal, Visual Design role requires a visionary approach, collaborating with the creative team to not only meet client needs but to establish new benchmarks for conceptual and visual design excellence. A core responsibility is to challenge the team's thinking, pushing beyond conventional problem-solving to deliver transformative, best-in-class solutions.

The ideal candidate is a design expert combining a deep focus on users and an exceptional eye for detail with strong leadership, collaboration, and execution skills. You possess the conviction to lead when necessary and the humility to follow great ideas, regardless of their source. You are committed to meticulous detail and leveraging every challenge as an opportunity for growth.

As part of the creative leadership team, you will play a crucial role in executing the overarching creative and design strategy, ensuring the team's activities align with and significantly contribute to the organization's strategic short and long-term success.

## WHAT YOU’LL DO:

- Closely collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of talented people.
- Lead and mentor the creative team, fostering a collaborative, optimistic, and proactive culture.
- Bring a fresh, insightful point of view that inspires both the internal team and the client, putting the team and client first.
- Define and implement successful design strategies, setting high visual and conceptual standards for all company efforts (including websites, branding, UX, and content).
- Generate strategic insights and moodboards to facilitate creative innovation.
- Drive complex digital projects from kick-off to completion, ensuring the team's deliverables exceed client expectations and stay within budget and deadlines.
- Establish project direction, craft guidelines, and assist with production as needed.
- Identify key client decision-makers and leverage excellent interpersonal skills to grow and maintain these relationships, collaborating across all internal departments and external stakeholders to achieve desired results.
- Actively contribute to the design discipline through mentoring, conversation, and proposing ideas to elevate company operations and improve processes.

## WHAT YOU BRING:

- 5+ years of proven experience in design and interactive work for leading brands, including 2+ years in a leadership role.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Design, Visual Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Mastery of Figma (including components, variants, and auto layout) and familiarity with essential collaboration tools (e.g., Hubspot, Google Suite, Slack).
- Strong knowledge and experience in visual design, user-centered experience design, interaction design, and brand development. Experience developing and maintaining a robust design system.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic vision and creative inspiration to large, diverse teams.
- Excellent public speaking and presentation skills with the ability to clearly articulate complex information to clients and internal stakeholders.
- Highly detail-oriented, proactive, comfortable navigating complex organizations, and focused on strategic problem-solving and process efficiency.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our  benefits package:

- Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
- 401k plan, plus matching
- PTO
- Paid Company Holidays
- Parental Leave

## WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU:

DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.

DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.

We are a[B Corp-certified](https://www.deptagency.com/the-good-company/becoming-a-good-company/) company passionate about[purpose-driven work](https://www.deptagency.com/the-good-company/).  Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place.

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI.

[Learn more about DEPT®](http://www.deptagency.com)

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you  to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts[here](https://www.deptagency.com/the-good-company/).

#LI-Remote The anticipated salary range for this position is listed below. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we’re flexible.

US Remote Range $96,200—$145,855 USD

## About DEPT®

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: DEPT® is a global digital agency that combines technology and marketing to help ambitious brands grow faster.
- **Entity Type**: Private (backed by The Carlyle Group)
- **Headquarters**: Amsterdam, Netherlands (global HQ; 30+ offices across 5 continents)
- **Founded**: 1996 (founded as TamTam; rebranded to DEPT® in 2019)
- **Founders**: Paul Manuel and Bart Manuel (founded TamTam, the predecessor agency)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Digital Agency, Technology, Marketing, Commerce, AI
- **Target customers**: B2B, Enterprise (clients include Google Store, KFC, Beats by Dre, Patagonia, Lego, YouTube, National Geographic, Meta, Adidas, Microsoft, Hulu, Supercell, Tomorrowland)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To be the best agency for the world, not just in the world. A certified B Corporation, they aim to pioneer tech and marketing while balancing purpose and profit.

## Products & Services
- **Integrated Agency Services**: A 50-50 blend of technology and marketing services, including strategy, creative, data, and media.
- **DEPT®/AI**: A dedicated AI practice launched in 2023, with 50% of revenue now AI-enabled.
- **Commerce Services**: Recognized by Forrester as a top 10 Commerce Services Provider.
- **Specialized Studios**: Includes BASIC/DEPT®, Hello Monday/DEPT®, STUDIO DUMBAR/DEPT®, and Dogstudio/DEPT®—each with unique creative and technical specialties.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed; backed by The Carlyle Group (partnership announced in 2023).
- **Key Metric**: Over 4,000 employees (Depsters) across 30+ offices in 5 continents.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: The Carlyle Group (strategic partner), Waterland Private Equity (historical partner). Key clients include Google, Meta, Microsoft, Lego, Adidas, Patagonia, and KFC.
- **Growth Signals**: 30 acquisitions since 2015; named Webby Agency of the Year 2022, 2023, 2024; Campaign Digital Innovation Agency of the Year 2023; launched Asia Pacific operations in 2021; 50% AI-enabled revenue; 85+ nationalities and 50+ languages spoken in-house.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Partner-led model**: 200+ owners with "skin in the game," ensuring entrepreneurial accountability and long-term client relationships.
- **Global scale with craft depth**: 4,000+ digital specialists available as one integrated team across all time zones.
- **B Corp & Climate Label certified**: First global agency to become a Certified B Corporation, with a strong focus on sustainability and social impact.
- **Award-winning track record**: Consistently recognized as Agency of the Year by Webby and Lovie Awards.
- **50-50 tech/marketing split**: Rarer in the industry, enabling full 360-degree client solutions.

## Strategic Focus
- **AI integration**: Deep investment in DEPT®/AI to embed AI into all service lines (50% of revenue already AI-enabled).
- **Global expansion**: Continued growth through acquisitions and new market entries (e.g., Asia Pacific, Americas).
- **Sustainability & Impact**: Active impact strategy focused on four pillars: Impactful Work, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Community, and Climate.
- **Talent development**: Heavy investment in learning ("DEPT®/YOU" curated learning experiences) and internal mobility.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as "inclusive, supportive, open" with a strong emphasis on diversity (85+ nationalities), equity, and inclusion. Certified B Corporation with a clear purpose.
- **Flexibility**: Open to discussing flexible and hybrid working arrangements to achieve work/life balance.
- **Benefits**: Health and wellness benefits, DEPT®/CARES (annual day of giving), DEPT® Festival (all-expenses-paid global gathering), and DEPT®/YOU (curated learning experiences for personal and professional growth).
- **Global opportunities**: Ability to work from offices across 5 continents, with a strong internal mobility ethos.
- **Engineering culture**: Emphasis on pioneering, innovation, and craft; 50-50 tech/marketing split means engineers and technologists are core to the business.
- **Notable perks**: Climate Label company (100% climate neutral, 37% renewable energy), strong sustainability focus, and community impact programs.

## Sources
1. [DEPT® Careers Page](https://www.deptagency.com/careers/)
2. [DEPT® Homepage](https://www.deptagency.com/)
3. [DEPT® About Us](https://www.deptagency.com/about-us/)
4. [DEPT® Culture Page](https://www.deptagency.com/en-in/culture/)
5. [DEPT® Job Board (Greenhouse)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/dept)

## Other roles at DEPT®

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- [Motion Designer (FTC)](https://feeny.ai/job/motion-designer-ftc-dept-sydney-rz220eg3j13c) — Sydney, Australia
- [Senior Digital Project Manager - 6 month FTC](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-digital-project-manager-6-month-ftc-dept-vancouver-94spjx2fx1x7) — Vancouver, Canada
- [Manager, Influencer Marketing](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-influencer-marketing-dept-argentina-n613qxxpn2hk) — Argentina
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