AI Design Lead

Summary

Highwire is a strategic marketing communications agency that partners with innovative companies. As the AI Design Lead, you will define and operationalize AI-driven creative workflows, ensuring high-quality outputs that resonate culturally while accelerating project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Architect AI-Native Creative Systems: Partner with our Innovation and Creative teams to build and refine workflows that translate approved human-first designs into scalable, multi-format asset systems
• Bridge Craft and Scale: Maintain Highwire’s standard for high-quality, high-gravity creative output while overseeing the automated generation, versioning, and adaptation of assets for global campaigns
• Human Oversight: Execute AI-assisted production workflows in accordance with client branding and compliance requirements, with mandatory human review and approval at all production stages before submission
• Operationalize AI Integration: Deeply integrate LLMs and design APIs (Figma, Canva, Adobe Firefly, etc.) into our daily creative lifecycle, streamlining the journey from concept to execution
• Brand Compliance: Maintain and execute AI-assisted compliance checks against client brand guidelines and visual standards
• Modular Production: Build and version modular asset systems that can support scaled campaign production across formats and channels, with the flexibility to surge as launch volume fluctuates
• Guardrails Maintenance: Maintain and update AI production guardrails libraries and brand standards documentation as brands and campaigns evolve, documenting prompt structures, workflow decisions, and asset versioning for team knowledge and QA purposes
• Creative Governance & QA: Conduct quality assessment of AI-generated output across diverse client industries (B2B tech, healthcare, financial services), ensuring assets meet brand standards and strategic intent before escalating to senior Creative leads for final approval
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with senior Creative leads and account teams to ensure all AI outputs align with client-specific marketing objectives, ensuring our technology-enabled services increase multi-service attachment and client ROI
• Mentorship: Champion the use of AI tools across the wider creative team, fostering a culture of experimentation and raising the baseline of our agency’s AI fluency

Skills

• 3+ years of professional, hands-on experience working directly with LLM-driven platforms and AI-integrated design apps (e.g., generative image models, LLM-based layout tools)
• Demonstrated fluency in structuring, iterating, and version-controlling prompts within production AI environments, beyond what general LLM platforms can do
• A robust portfolio of large-scale brand work that demonstrates mastery of typography, layout, motion design, and visual storytelling—competing with top-tier agency work
• Proven ability to translate creative strategy into technical workflows; you don't just understand the 'what,' but the 'how' of automating high-quality design
• Comfort operating in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment with fluctuating production demands and the ability to adapt quickly to shifting campaign priorities
• Experience working in a fast-paced agency environment, comfortable with shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and complex, multi-stakeholder feedback loops
• Experience working as an embedded contributor, executing within defined systems and escalating creative decisions to senior leads appropriately
• Experience in building design systems, template libraries, and component-based creative architectures that scale
• A demonstrated history of partnering across disciplines (Content, Strategy, Accounts) to ensure design is a primary driver of business outcomes

Qualifications

Must Haves

• 3+ years of professional, hands-on experience working directly with LLM-driven platforms and AI-integrated design apps (e.g., generative image models, LLM-based layout tools)
• Demonstrated fluency in structuring, iterating, and version-controlling prompts within production AI environments, beyond what general LLM platforms can do
• A robust portfolio of large-scale brand work that demonstrates mastery of typography, layout, motion design, and visual storytelling—competing with top-tier agency work
• Proven ability to translate creative strategy into technical workflows; you don't just understand the 'what,' but the 'how' of automating high-quality design
• Comfort operating in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment with fluctuating production demands and the ability to adapt quickly to shifting campaign priorities
• Experience working in a fast-paced agency environment, comfortable with shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and complex, multi-stakeholder feedback loops
• Experience working as an embedded contributor, executing within defined systems and escalating creative decisions to senior leads appropriately
• Experience in building design systems, template libraries, and component-based creative architectures that scale
• A demonstrated history of partnering across disciplines (Content, Strategy, Accounts) to ensure design is a primary driver of business outcomes

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package with medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) matching
• Generous paid time off
• Additional perks designed to support your overall well-being and growth
• Flexible hybrid work model tailored to your schedule and lifestyle
• Generous vacation policy, including extended summer and winter breaks
• Early log-off on Fridays through our Empower Hours program
• 401(k) plan with employer matching
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus FSA options
• Paid parental leave benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Annual Growth Mindset stipend for books, events, or learning experiences
• Monthly technology reimbursement
• Wellness benefit program for mental and physical health
• 501c3 donation matching program
• Mentorship and ongoing professional development opportunities
• Monthly recognition and team celebrations
• Employee referral and new business referral bonuses
• Quarterly Highwire events and team gatherings
• Dog-friendly office environment