Brand & Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand & Graphic Designer

Company: Workstream

Location: San Francisco, California - Remote

Job Type: Contract

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-04T03:33:15

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Execute high-quality visual design assets for marketing and sales channels, ensuring brand consistency across all touchpoints.

• Act as a strategic design partner, managing incoming design requests, scoping projects, and contributing to brand systems.

• Coordinate design workflows, track multiple projects, and manage relationships with stakeholders and contractors.

• Drive brand consistency through the application of brand guidelines and maintenance of design templates.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Brand & Graphic Designer," the responsibilities and expectations lean heavily into "Design Operations" and "Creative Operations" within a GTM context. The role requires not just execution but also strategic input on project scoping, prioritization, and brand system management, indicating a need for process-oriented thinking beyond pure design execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and create compelling visual assets for sales decks, enablement materials, website graphics, landing pages, campaign assets, datasheets, product marketing collateral, and social/digital marketing graphics.

• Apply and maintain strict adherence to established brand guidelines to ensure visual consistency across all company communications.

• Participate actively in the design request intake process, clarifying project details, timelines, formats, and deliverables with stakeholders.

• Collaborate closely with internal teams and stakeholders to gather comprehensive requirements for design projects.

• Track and manage the progress of multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality assets.

• Coordinate design work with a part-time contractor as needed, ensuring seamless workflow and output.

• Maintain and update design templates and reusable asset libraries to streamline future design efforts.

• Contribute to the strategic direction of design projects by offering ideas on layout, messaging hierarchy, and visual clarity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of execution and operational management. The emphasis on "project coordination," "brand consistency," and "intake process" suggests this role requires a structured approach to design requests, aligning with operations principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and a deep understanding of design principles is essential.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in brand design, graphic design, or a related creative role, with demonstrable experience in a fast-paced environment.

Required Skills:

• Strong visual design and layout skills with a keen eye for aesthetics and detail.

• Proven ability to execute design projects quickly and efficiently while maintaining high-quality standards.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design concepts and gather requirements from stakeholders.

• Developing confidence in contributing strategic ideas regarding layout, messaging hierarchy, and overall visual clarity.

• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a startup or high-growth tech environment.

• Familiarity with HR tech, payroll, or workforce management platforms.

• Experience managing design requests and workflows.

• Basic understanding of project management principles and tools.

• Experience coordinating with freelance designers or contractors.

• Familiarity with web design principles and UI/UX considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Who You Are" section in the original description directly informs the required skills. The emphasis on "beginning to contribute ideas" and "developing confidence" suggests this role is ideal for a mid-level designer looking to grow into a more strategic and operational capacity.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of visual assets demonstrating proficiency in marketing and sales collateral design (e.g., sales decks, datasheets, campaign graphics).

• Examples showcasing strong brand consistency and application of brand guidelines across diverse projects.

• Case studies or project examples that illustrate the ability to manage design requests, clarify requirements, and deliver on time.

• Visuals demonstrating an understanding of layout, hierarchy, and visual clarity in communication.

Process Documentation:

• While explicit process documentation isn't requested, the portfolio should implicitly showcase a structured approach to design execution, from brief to final asset.

• Examples of how brand guidelines were applied effectively to ensure consistency across multiple deliverables.

• Potential inclusion of workflows for managing design requests or coordinating with teams, if applicable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes "Design Operations" and "Brand Request Support," implying that candidates should demonstrate not just creative output but also an organized approach to managing design workflows and stakeholder interactions. The portfolio should reflect this operational capability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60 - $90 per hour (for San Francisco, California)

Explanation of Range: This hourly rate is based on the provided California Pay Transparency Law disclosure, factoring in the specified location (San Francisco), the mid-level experience indicated (2-5 years), and the hybrid/remote nature of the role. The range reflects typical market rates for skilled Brand and Graphic Designers with operational responsibilities in a high-cost-of-living area like San Francisco.

Benefits:

• Discretionary Bonus (as per company policy)

• Equity Package (as per company policy)

• Potential for transition to a full-time role, offering access to a broader benefits package.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid arrangement requiring 4 days in the office and 1 day remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly from the job description. The benefits mentioned are specific, and the potential for full-time conversion is a key aspect for a contract role. The working hours are inferred from standard full-time expectations and the mention of a 4-day in-office structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: HR Technology / FinTech (specifically focused on the hourly workforce)

Company Size: Series B company, indicating rapid growth and a dynamic, evolving organizational structure. This size suggests a need for efficient processes and clear communication channels.

Founded: Founded to serve the underserved hourly workforce, emphasizing a mission-driven approach to technology solutions.

Team Structure:

• This role will likely be part of or closely aligned with the Marketing team, given the focus on marketing and sales channel assets.

• Collaboration is expected with cross-functional partners, including sales, product marketing, and potentially other internal teams.

• The role involves managing incoming design requests, suggesting a central point of contact for design needs within certain departments.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on delivering high-quality, visually strong, and consistent design assets on time.

• A consultative approach to stakeholders, guiding them on visual communication best practices.

• Process-driven intake and coordination of design requests to ensure smooth project flow.

• Data-driven insights are implied through the need for effective marketing and sales collateral.

Company Website: https://www.workstream.us/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights Workstream's mission to serve the hourly workforce with an all-in-one HR, payroll, and hiring platform. This context suggests a B2B SaaS environment where clear, professional branding and effective sales enablement materials are critical for growth. The Series B funding indicates a stage of significant scaling, requiring operational efficiency.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Brand & Graphic Designer with emerging Design Operations responsibilities. It's for someone who can execute design tasks effectively and is beginning to take on ownership of design workflows, project scoping, and brand system management.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports into a Marketing Lead, Creative Director, or Head of Marketing, with close collaboration with various stakeholders across sales and product.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts the effectiveness of sales efforts through compelling collateral, the strength of marketing campaigns through engaging visuals, and overall brand perception through consistent visual identity. This role is crucial for visual communication that drives engagement and conversion.

Growth Opportunities:

• Transition to a full-time employee, potentially with expanded responsibilities in design strategy or team leadership.

• Opportunity to develop deeper expertise in Design Operations, process optimization, and strategic brand management.

• Potential to lead brand initiatives and shape the visual identity of a growing tech company.

• Mentorship opportunities with senior team members or leadership.

• Exposure to a high-growth startup environment, offering broad learning experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description explicitly mentions the potential for growth into a full-time role and the expectation for the candidate to "act as a consultant to internal teams" and "lead brand systems," indicating a clear growth trajectory beyond pure design execution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model with 4 days in the office and 1 day remote. This setup is designed to foster close collaboration with the marketing team and cross-functional partners while allowing for some flexibility.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California. This implies a vibrant tech hub environment.

Workspace Context:

• The 4-day in-office requirement suggests a collaborative physical workspace designed for team interaction and brainstorming.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology within the office environment.

• Opportunities for direct, in-person collaboration with marketing team members and other stakeholders.

• A dynamic, fast-paced environment typical of a Series B tech company.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule (approximately 40 hours/week) is implied, with the hybrid model dictating in-office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a strong emphasis on in-office days for collaboration is a key differentiator. This suggests a company culture that values in-person interaction for creative and strategic alignment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess design skills, experience, and alignment with role requirements.

• Portfolio Review: In-depth discussion of portfolio pieces, focusing on design rationale, execution process, and impact. This stage will likely assess the candidate's ability to articulate their design decisions and approach to project management.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: A practical design exercise or case study may be assigned to evaluate design execution speed, quality, and problem-solving skills under time constraints. This may involve creating assets for a specific campaign or sales scenario.

• Stakeholder/Team Interviews: Meetings with marketing team members and cross-functional partners to assess communication, collaboration style, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Discussion with hiring manager or senior leadership to finalize assessment and discuss terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Variety: Include a range of work across different channels (sales decks, digital assets, website graphics) to demonstrate versatility.

• Highlight Process: For key projects, briefly explain your role, the design process, challenges overcome, and the outcome or impact.

• Emphasize Brand Consistency: Clearly demonstrate how you applied brand guidelines and maintained visual integrity.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs contributed to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, better sales conversion), highlight these achievements.

• Focus on Collaboration: If applicable, show examples of how you worked with stakeholders or managed design requests.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Workstream's Brand: Familiarize yourself with Workstream's current branding, visual style, and messaging.

• Anticipate Request Types: Be prepared to create assets similar to those mentioned in the responsibilities (e.g., a sales slide, a social media graphic).

• Focus on Speed and Quality: Practice executing designs efficiently while maintaining a high standard of quality.

• Articulate Your Strategy: Be ready to explain your design choices, including layout, color, typography, and rationale, in relation to the project brief and Workstream's brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on both design execution and operational aspects, interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both creative talent and process management capabilities. The portfolio review will be critical for showcasing this blend.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are essential for graphic and visual asset creation.

• Figma/Sketch (likely): While not explicitly stated, these are industry standards for UI/UX and collaborative design work, especially for web graphics and landing pages.

• Presentation Software: PowerPoint or Google Slides for sales decks and enablement materials.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with how design assets are used within CRM (e.g., email templates) or marketing automation platforms could be a plus, though not a primary requirement.

• Project Management Tools: Tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira might be used for tracking design requests and project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is strong proficiency in graphic design tools. Given the description of assets produced, Adobe Creative Suite is a given. Other collaborative or web-focused design tools are likely beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Consistency: A strong emphasis on delivering visually strong, consistent, and on-brand assets.

• Efficiency & Timeliness: Ability to execute quickly and meet deadlines for multiple projects.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Acting as a strategic partner to internal teams, guiding stakeholders with design expertise.

• Mission-Driven: Contributing to Workstream's mission of empowering the hourly workforce through effective visual communication.

• Continuous Improvement: Developing skills in project management and strategic design thinking.

Collaboration Style:

• Consultative: Acting as an expert to guide internal stakeholders on design best practices.

• Responsive: Efficiently managing and responding to design requests.

• Team-Oriented: Working closely with the marketing team and cross-functional partners, and coordinating with contractors.

• Detail-Oriented: Maintaining brand standards and ensuring high-quality output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value both creative excellence and operational efficiency. The role is expected to be a proactive partner, not just an order-taker, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: The need to execute quickly while maintaining high design standards across diverse assets.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively scoping requests, providing clear communication, and delivering assets that meet varied needs.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all visual output aligns with Workstream's brand, especially as the company scales.

• Project Prioritization: Juggling multiple design projects with competing deadlines.

• Adopting New Processes: Adapting to Workstream's evolving design operations and workflows.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Thinking: Developing the ability to contribute strategically to design projects beyond execution.

• Design Operations: Gaining experience in managing design workflows, intake processes, and contractor coordination.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Enhancing skills in working with sales, marketing, and product teams.

• Brand System Development: Potentially contributing to the evolution and maintenance of Workstream's brand guidelines.

• Full-Time Conversion: Opportunity to secure a permanent role with greater benefits and responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for a designer to step into a more operational and strategic capacity, addressing common challenges in fast-growing companies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach managing multiple design requests with competing deadlines?" (Focus on process, prioritization, and communication.)

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex business need into a clear visual design." (Highlight problem-solving and communication skills.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across a wide range of marketing materials?" (Emphasize understanding of brand guidelines and systematic application.)

• "What is your process for taking a design request from initial brief to final delivery?" (Detail your workflow, tools, and stakeholder interaction.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Workstream's mission and our focus on the hourly workforce?" (Research the company's impact and values.)

• "How do you see yourself fitting into a hybrid work environment and collaborating with a marketing team?" (Demonstrate adaptability and teamwork.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating a progression of skills.

• Storytelling: For 2-3 key projects, tell a story: the challenge, your role, your process, the solution, and the outcome/impact.

• Highlight Operations: If possible, include examples that show how you managed requests, adhered to timelines, or ensured brand consistency systematically.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your work efficiently and answer questions directly.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is visually appealing and reflects your design capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating both design acumen and operational thinking—how you manage your work, collaborate, and contribute strategically.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight examples most relevant to Workstream's needs, such as sales decks, digital marketing graphics, and examples of strong brand consistency.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience with visual design, brand management, project coordination, and stakeholder communication, using keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, how you manage requests, and how you ensure brand consistency. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio to illustrate these points.

• Company Research: Gain a strong understanding of Workstream's mission, target audience (hourly workforce), and current branding to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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