Overview

Microsoft's Creative, Advertising & Integrated Marketing team is looking for a Head of Design to lead the design vision and visual identity systems for Windows, Surface and Services.

This role is responsible for defining, evolving and governing the visual expression of Microsoft's largest consumer-facing brands. From foundational identity systems and brand design principles to campaign design systems, photography frameworks, retail experiences, digital touchpoints and product storytelling, you will ensure a cohesive, distinctive and scalable design language across every customer-facing surface.

The role partners closely with Creative Directors, Integrated Marketing leads, Product Marketing, Product Design, Retail, Digital and external agency partners to ensure creative work is expressed ambitiously and consistently across channels while maintaining the integrity of the brand.

We're looking for a design leader with exceptional taste, an ambition to reinvigorate some of the most recognized brands on the planet, while possessing strong systems thinking.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design vision for Windows, Surface and Services

Define and evolve the visual identity systems for Windows, Surface and Services.

Establish design principles, standards and frameworks that guide creative expression across all customer-facing touchpoints.

Ensure brand systems remain modern, relevant, distinctive and scalable across markets, audiences and platforms.

Create cohesion across Microsoft's consumer ecosystem while preserving the unique identity and role of each brand.

Own end-to-end brand expression

Lead the development and implementation of visual identity systems across advertising, digital, social, photography, film, retail, experiential and product marketing experiences.

Oversee the application of brand systems across global campaigns and launches.

Ensure creative work aligns with established design principles and visual standards regardless of channel or execution partner.

Partner with teams across the organization to maintain consistency while enabling flexibility and innovation.

Build world-class design systems

Develop scalable systems including typography, color, layout, motion, imagery, iconography and visual frameworks.

Establish standards that enable efficient execution while maintaining exceptional quality.

Create tools and frameworks that simplify execution across internal teams, agency partners and regional markets.

Ensure brand systems can flex across a wide variety of business, marketing and customer needs.

Lead and develop the design organization

Recruit, mentor and lead a team of designers, brand designers, art directors and design specialists.

Foster an environment centered on craft, rigor, curiosity and continuous improvement.

Establish design review processes that elevate both the quality and consistency of the work.

Build strong partnerships with agency, production and design partners around the world.

Partner across the creative ecosystem

Collaborate closely with cross-functional creative leadership team to ensure campaign work and brand systems reinforce one another.

Partner with Integrated Marketing, Product Marketing, Retail and Communications teams to ensure cohesive execution across every customer touchpoint.

Influence key business and marketing decisions through the lens of design excellence and customer experience.

Serve as the primary steward of visual brand integrity across Windows, Surface and Services.

Qualifications

Required/minimum qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Design, Fine Arts, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Communications or related art field AND 8+ years experience in art design or a related art field working on computer games or entertainment OR equivalent experience.

5+ years people management experience (e.g., serving as a Lead Artist, Art Manager, Creative Director, etc.).

Preferred Qualificiations:

12+ years of experience in brand design, visual design, design leadership or related fields.

Experience building, evolving and managing brand identity systems for globally recognized brands.

Proven success leading multidisciplinary design teams and large-scale design initiatives.

Deep expertise across visual identity, typography, photography, motion, digital experiences and design systems.

Experience scaling design systems across multiple channels, markets and customer touchpoints.

Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence in identity design, brand systems and visual storytelling.

Experience leading brand design organizations within technology, consumer products, retail or media.

Experience partnering with advertising and creative leadership teams on large-scale campaign ecosystems.

Demonstrated ability to balance long-term brand stewardship with evolving business and customer needs.

Exceptional attention to craft, detail and systems thinking.

Experience building and mentoring high-performing design teams.

Art M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $296,400 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000 - $331,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

About the company

Microsoft builds workplace software, operating systems and cloud infrastructure for consumers, businesses and government agencies, from small organizations to global enterprises. Microsoft 365 combines Word and Excel with Teams communication and Copilot AI features, while Windows runs PCs and Surface supplies the company's own computers. Azure rents computing capacity, storage and databases to build and run web applications. Microsoft also sells Xbox consoles and games, collecting revenue through software licenses, subscriptions, usage charges and product sales. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Redmond, Washington

Founded

1975

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

US corporate staff receive education support: eligible, approved graduate coursework qualifies for up to $10,000 annually.
Cloud demand expands: July 2026 results showed Azure and other cloud services revenue grew 43% year-over-year in fiscal Q4.
Investment has an earnings cushion: July 2026 results reported $155.2 billion consolidated operating profit for fiscal 2026.

What critics are saying

Performance reviews include security: every Microsoft employee must discuss their security contribution with their manager.
Office flexibility depends on the role: Microsoft's postings specify requirements ranging from fully remote to fully on-site.
Cloud capacity faces local limits: Microsoft describes power-grid delays and water constraints affecting US datacenter expansion.

What makes Microsoft unique

Hybrid customers stay within reach: Azure Arc manages servers across customer datacenters and competing clouds.
Developer reach extends beyond Azure: Microsoft's GitHub hosts code collaboration alongside AI coding tools.
Professional data widens its business: Microsoft owns LinkedIn's recruiting, advertising and workplace-learning network.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Professional Development Budget
Conference Attendance Budget
Flexible Work Hours
Remote Work Options

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6 month growth

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Microsoft

Head of Design

About the job

About the company

Get referred to Microsoft

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

What critics are saying

What makes Microsoft unique

Benefits

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth