Lead Web Designer

Date posted: July 8, 2026 Pay: $89,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year Job description: Syndicate Labs is looking for an experienced Lead Web Designer to join our team in Vista, CA / North County San Diego. We are growing and looking for someone to strengthen our design leadership, improve creative quality, and help deliver polished, functional websites across a wide range of client projects. This is a hands-on role for a design-first, build-capable web designer who can create strong UX/UI in Figma, understand how websites are built, and work with WordPress, Elementor, Shopify, WooCommerce, visual builders, and modern AI-enabled workflows. Our clients come to us for the full website solution, not just something that looks good. We need someone who can think through user experience, structure, messaging, and conversion, then execute at a high level. You’ll work across a wide range of projects including business websites, e-commerce stores, landing pages, and custom web-based tools, owning design direction and helping bring each project from concept through launch. Responsibilities Lead UX/UI direction for website projects Create polished Figma designs for websites, e-commerce, and landing pages Translate client goals into clear structure, messaging, and design direction Design key pages (homepages, landing pages, product/category pages, templates) Present design concepts and explain UX/UI decisions to clients Collaborate with team members and guide production designers Design and/or build key pages, then direct others to build supporting pages Jump in when needed to refine, build, or finish pages QA final builds for usability, responsiveness, and visual polish Work with marketing on landing pages and conversion-focused improvements Ensure design work is polished and ready before client review Use AI tools to improve workflow and efficiency Required Skills 5+ years of professional web design experience Strong portfolio of launched websites required Strong UX/UI skills with understanding of user flows, structure, and conversion Advanced Figma experience Experience with WordPress, Elementor, WooCommerce, Shopify, and visual builders Working knowledge of HTML/CSS Ability to build, edit, refine, troubleshoot, or QA website pages Comfortable collaborating with developers on functionality and implementation Strong attention to detail before client review Comfortable presenting design work to clients Experience using AI tools in a professional workflow Professional communication skills Proactive and comfortable taking ownership Preferred Skills Agency or client-service experience Design system experience Adobe Creative Suite Brand or identity work Motion or interactive UI CRO, landing pages, or e-commerce UX experience Experience working in project management tools (ClickUp, Asana, Jira, or similar) Work Location This is a primarily in-office role based in Vista, CA. Candidates should expect to work in the office Monday through Friday. Limited remote flexibility may be considered on a case-by-case basis. This is not a fully remote position. Candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the San Diego / North County area. This Role Is Not a Fit If You are looking for a fully remote position You only want to create mockups and not work with live websites You do not want to work with builders, QA, or implementation You prefer a narrow corporate design role You need heavy direction and do not want ownership You do not have live website examples You are a freelancer, agency, or contractor Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) + matching Paid time off and sick leave Paid federal holidays Performance-based bonus incentives Growth opportunity Collaborative team environment Application Instructions Please submit: Resume Portfolio link At least three live website examples A short note describing your role in each Applications without live website examples and portfolio or web design and UX work will not be considered. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Syndicate Labs Established in 2005, Syndicate Labs is an established digital agency with 21+ years in business. We provide web design, development, e-commerce, landing pages, SEO, PPC, and custom web-based solutions for clients across a wide range of industries.