Brand & Marketing Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand & Marketing Designer

Company: Sandboxx

Location: Middleburg, VA / Remote

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-28T14:42:54

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Preference for on-site in Middleburg, VA)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for shaping and maintaining the visual identity of Sandboxx across all consumer touchpoints, demanding a strong focus on brand consistency and visual storytelling.

• The position requires the ownership and evolution of a comprehensive design system within Figma, enabling efficient content creation for marketing, product, and internal communications.

• A key aspect involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Product, and Ad Operations, to translate complex information into clear, engaging visual assets.

• The designer will also be responsible for optimizing creative assets for digital channels, focusing on performance metrics like Click-Through Rate (CTR) and Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) through A/B testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Brand & Marketing Designer," the detailed responsibilities and success metrics, particularly around design systems, A/B testing for marketing campaigns, and collaboration with Ad Operations, indicate a strong need for operations-minded design thinking. This role bridges creative execution with performance-driven marketing operations and the systematic management of brand assets, making it a unique hybrid within the GTM and Marketing Operations spheres. The emphasis on building templates and guidelines for non-designers also points to a focus on operationalizing creative processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end visual design for all marketing collateral, including mail inserts, digital advertisements, social media assets, email templates, sales presentations, and event graphics.

• Maintain and continuously evolve the company's visual brand guidelines, encompassing typography, color palettes, and iconography, ensuring strict adherence across all company materials.

• Design in-app UI assets and mockups, such as app splash screens, icons, and illustrations, to align seamlessly with the existing mobile user experience.

• Develop, manage, and maintain a living design system and comprehensive template library in Figma, empowering non-designers to create on-brand assets efficiently.

• Partner with Marketing, Product, Ad Operations, and Sandboxx News teams to produce infographics, explainer visuals, and one-pagers that simplify complex information into easily digestible graphics.

• Collaborate with the Growth Marketing team to design and execute A/B tests for ad creatives, analyze performance data, and rapidly iterate based on audience resonance and business impact.

• Support event marketing efforts by designing booth layouts, signage, and promotional merchandise (swag) to create memorable brand experiences for recruits and supporters.

• Lead the design and production of all merchandise and swag, including apparel, stickers, mugs, and lapel pins, ensuring each item is a true reflection of Sandboxx's brand identity and mission.

• Design slide decks and dashboards to ensure visual clarity and engaging layouts for effective stakeholder reporting and internal communications.

• Manage freelance design relationships to effectively scale creative output while maintaining high-quality standards and brand consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed emphasize not only creative output but also the systematic management of design assets and processes. The focus on creating a "living design system and template library" for non-designers, partnering with Ad Operations for A/B testing, and managing freelance relationships highlights the operational aspects of this creative role, aligning it with a GTM Operations mindset.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, or a related discipline is preferred, but equivalent practical experience with demonstrated skill will be considered.

Experience: 7+ years of experience in brand or marketing design, with a strong emphasis on working at a SaaS company, consumer brand, or agency where design work demonstrably drove business impact. Experience in a high-growth startup environment is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Figma (or Sketch) and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Proven experience building and maintaining a design system, including reusable components, clear naming conventions, and comprehensive documentation that teams actively follow.

• Strong understanding of visual storytelling principles and the ability to translate brand messaging into compelling visual assets.

• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to pixel-perfect execution and visual excellence.

• Proven project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple deadlines and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly to non-designers and stakeholders.

• Experience designing digital templates and UI assets for both web and mobile platforms.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic motion graphics skills (e.g., Adobe After Effects) for simple animations in social media clips, email headers, or in-app promotions.

• Familiarity with merchandise production processes, including material selection, vendor collaboration, and end-to-end creation management.

• Basic understanding of HTML/CSS and their application in email templates or microsites, including knowledge of channel constraints.

• Experience designing for direct-mail or print-on-demand, including understanding bleed, die-lines, and vendor handoff requirements.

• Proficiency in Canva for creating on-brand templates that empower non-designers.

• Experience collaborating with growth marketers on ad creative A/B tests and interpreting basic performance reports (e.g., CTR, CPM).

• Familiarity with HTML/CSS and handoff processes to front-end development teams.

• Prior work experience with military, veteran, or family-support organizations.

• Prior work experience with lifestyle, apparel, or veteran-support brands.

• Agency management or freelance management experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is phrased as "7+ years," but the "Preferred Qualifications" section also lists "3-5 years as a brand or marketing designer." This suggests that while 7+ years is the ideal, candidates with a strong portfolio and 3-5 years of relevant experience might also be considered, especially if they meet other key criteria like design system development. The emphasis on Figma/Sketch and Adobe Suite, along with design system experience, strongly aligns with operations-focused roles that require standardized creative output.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 7+ years of design experience, with a significant emphasis on layout-driven work across both print and digital mediums.

• Demonstrations of successfully built or maintained design systems, including examples of reusable components, clear documentation, and evidence of adoption by teams.

• Case studies or examples of visual storytelling that clearly articulate brand messaging and impact on business objectives.

• Examples of in-app UI assets, mobile and web design templates, and marketing campaign collateral (digital ads, email templates, social assets).

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating and maintaining brand guidelines, typography scales, and iconography libraries.

• Examples of developing and implementing streamlined design request processes and workflows that enable efficient asset creation.

• Documentation demonstrating how you've enabled non-designers to produce on-brand assets using templates and design systems.

• Case studies or project examples that illustrate collaboration with marketing operations, ad operations, or growth teams, particularly concerning A/B testing and performance optimization of creative assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "living design system," "template library," and "streamlined processes" points to the need for a portfolio that showcases not just aesthetic output, but a systematic approach to design operations and brand management. Candidates should highlight how their work operationalized creative processes and improved efficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on market research for a Brand & Marketing Designer with 7+ years of experience in the Middleburg, VA area, and considering the preference for on-site work, the estimated salary range is typically between $90,000 and $130,000 annually. This estimate accounts for the specialized skills in design systems, marketing operations integration, and the cost of living in Northern Virginia. A higher compensation package may be offered for candidates willing to be fully on-site.

Benefits:

• Equity incentive plan

• 401k with matching and sharing

• Top-tier health insurance and family benefits

• Flexible paid vacation

• Paid parental leave

• Generous relocation stipend for candidates moving to the Middleburg, VA area.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, W2 position. A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility often available for on-site employees, particularly in a hybrid work environment. The role requires dedication to meeting project deadlines and supporting business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the specified region, considering the experience level and the hybrid/on-site preference. The relocation stipend is a significant benefit that suggests the company is keen on attracting on-site talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Technology, focused on supporting service members and their families throughout their military lifecycle. The company operates at a national scale and works closely with the Department of Defense ecosystem.

Company Size: Sandboxx is a growing company, likely falling into the 50-200 employee range, indicated by the need for a dedicated Brand & Marketing Designer to manage scale and consistency.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly stated, but the description of operating at "national scale" and serving "millions of users" suggests a company that has moved beyond its early startup phase and is in a growth and scaling trajectory.

Team Structure:

• The design function appears to be a central role within the Marketing and GTM teams, with the Brand & Marketing Designer acting as the primary creative owner.

• This role will likely collaborate closely with Marketing, Product, Ad Operations, Growth Marketing, and Sandboxx News teams, indicating a cross-functional operational structure.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a data-driven approach to marketing, with the expectation of A/B testing ad creatives and iterating based on performance metrics (CTR, ROAS).

• A strong focus on operationalizing creative processes through design systems, templates, and clear guidelines is evident, aiming to increase efficiency and brand consistency.

• The culture values ownership, speed, and impact, with a drive to build products that serve the military community.

Company Website: Sandboxx.us

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is built around serving the military community, emphasizing speed, ownership, and impact. The operational structure involves close collaboration across departments, which is typical for a GTM or Marketing Operations environment. The preference for on-site work suggests a value placed on in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor, a "single creative owner," with significant responsibility for brand stewardship and operationalizing design processes. It sits at a mid-to-senior level within the creative function, with potential to influence broader GTM strategies through impactful visual design and systematic asset management.

Reporting Structure: The exact reporting structure is not specified, but it's likely that the Brand & Marketing Designer reports into a Marketing Director, Head of Marketing, or potentially a Creative Director if such a role exists. The emphasis on collaboration suggests interaction with various department heads.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to improving brand consistency, optimizing marketing campaign performance through effective creative, and increasing organic growth via SEO-optimized content. By building scalable design systems and templates, this role will significantly enhance the operational efficiency of the marketing and GTM teams, allowing them to produce more high-quality, on-brand assets faster. Success metrics like improved CTR, ROAS, and reduced turnaround times highlight the direct operational and GTM contribution.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in design operations, developing and scaling design systems, managing digital asset management (DAM) solutions, and optimizing creative workflows for efficiency.

• Marketing Strategy Influence: Grow by directly influencing marketing campaign effectiveness through data-informed creative design and A/B testing. Potential to take on more strategic roles in visual branding and GTM campaign development.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunity to lead freelance relationships and potentially build out a design team in the future, taking on more managerial responsibilities. The role also offers growth in cross-functional collaboration, influencing how other departments utilize brand assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique blend of creative ownership and operational impact. The growth path leans towards specialized design operations and strategic creative leadership within a GTM context, rather than pure people management initially.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company has a physical office located in Middleburg, Virginia, which is described as dog-friendly. While remote talent is considered, there is a strong preference for in-person collaboration at this headquarters.

Office Location(s): Middleburg, Virginia, USA. The company offers a relocation stipend to support candidates moving to this area.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is described as dog-friendly, suggesting a relaxed yet professional atmosphere.

• The preference for in-person collaboration indicates an environment that values spontaneous ideation, team synergy, and direct communication for complex creative tasks.

• The presence of a design system and templates implies that the necessary digital tools and infrastructure are in place to support efficient design work.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected. While the role requires consistent output and meeting deadlines, the mention of "flexible paid vacation" and the potential for remote work (though preferred on-site) suggests a degree of flexibility in managing personal time within the operational demands of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature with a strong preference for on-site work in a dog-friendly office suggests a culture that balances professional output with a comfortable and engaging work environment. This blend can be attractive to operations professionals who value both structured work and a positive team atmosphere.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, walking through key projects that demonstrate relevant skills, particularly in design systems, brand evolution, and marketing campaign design. Be prepared to discuss your process, decision-making, and the business impact of your work.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: A practical exercise, potentially involving a design task related to Sandboxx's brand, or a discussion around optimizing existing creative assets. This might include a short turnaround time to simulate real-world pressures.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Marketing, Product, and Ad Operations to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of their respective needs.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Marketing) to discuss overall fit, strategic vision, and long-term growth potential within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Design Systems: Dedicate a section to your experience building and maintaining design systems. Showcase component libraries, style guides, and examples of how these systems improved efficiency and consistency for teams.

• Showcase Impactful Marketing Campaigns: Include case studies of marketing campaigns where your design work directly contributed to measurable business outcomes (e.g., increased CTR, ROAS, lead generation). Quantify results whenever possible.

• Demonstrate Brand Evolution & Consistency: Present examples of how you've evolved or maintained brand consistency across various channels, showcasing your ability to create a cohesive visual identity.

• Detail Collaboration: Use examples to illustrate how you've collaborated with non-designers, marketers, and product teams, emphasizing your ability to translate their needs into effective visual solutions.

• Organize Clearly: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Use clear headings and concise descriptions for each project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Sandboxx's Brand: Thoroughly research Sandboxx's current brand identity, target audience, and mission. Familiarize yourself with their existing marketing materials, website, and app.

• Anticipate Design System Tasks: Be ready to discuss how you would approach building or enhancing a design system for Sandboxx, considering their specific needs and channels.

• Prepare for Performance-Oriented Questions: Think about how design decisions impact marketing performance. Be ready to discuss A/B testing strategies for creative assets and how you would measure success.

• Practice Articulating Process: Be articulate about your design process, from brief to final delivery, and how you manage feedback and revisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review will heavily emphasize operational aspects of design, including systemization, efficiency, and performance. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just creative talent but also a systematic, results-oriented approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (primary, with strong emphasis on libraries, components, and version control), Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) for specialized tasks.

• Motion Graphics: Adobe After Effects (for basic animations, preferred).

• Design System Management: Figma's capabilities for component libraries, style guides, and documentation.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM): While not explicitly named, the company aims to implement one; candidates should be familiar with DAM principles and potentially specific platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Marketing Performance Analysis: Familiarity with interpreting performance reports from advertising platforms and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Meta Ads Manager) to understand metrics like CTR, CPM, ROAS, and engagement rates.

• A/B Testing Tools: Experience with platforms or methodologies for conducting A/B tests on ad creatives and potentially email templates.

CRM & Automation:

• Email Marketing Platforms: Understanding of how design assets integrate into email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, HubSpot, or similar).

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with how web graphics are integrated into CMS platforms.

• Basic HTML/CSS: For email template customization and understanding web design constraints.

Other Tools:

• Canva: Proficiency for building templates that empower non-designers.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira for managing design requests and project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack highlights a strong need for expertise in modern design tools, particularly Figma, and an understanding of how design integrates with marketing performance and operational efficiency. Proficiency in building and managing design systems is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking full responsibility for design outcomes, from concept to execution, and driving projects to completion.

• Speed & Agility: Moving quickly to meet business demands and iterating rapidly based on feedback and performance data.

• Impact & Results: Focusing on design that makes a tangible difference in achieving business objectives, such as improving engagement, driving conversions, or enhancing brand perception.

• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeking ways to optimize processes, enhance design quality, and stay updated with industry best practices and emerging technologies.

• Community Focus: A strong commitment to Sandboxx's mission of supporting the military community, reflected in the thoughtful and empathetic design approach.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with Marketing, Product, Ad Operations, and other teams to ensure design solutions meet diverse needs and align with broader GTM strategies.

• Empowerment Through Systems: Building tools and guidelines (design systems, templates) that enable other teams to execute on-brand creative, fostering a collaborative and efficient workflow.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: Openness to constructive feedback from stakeholders and a willingness to iterate on designs based on insights and performance data.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication regarding project status, design decisions, and potential challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of creative excellence and operational rigor. The values align with a proactive, results-oriented approach common in GTM and operations roles, where efficiency and impact are key drivers.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Operational Needs: Ensuring high-quality, innovative design while adhering to brand guidelines, system constraints, and rapid production demands for marketing campaigns.

• Scaling Creative Output: Meeting the growing demand for diverse creative assets across multiple channels with a small team, requiring efficient processes and potential management of freelancers.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a unified brand experience across a wide array of touchpoints, from digital ads to physical merchandise, especially as new offerings are introduced.

• Driving Performance Through Design: Translating marketing objectives into visually compelling creative that demonstrably improves key performance indicators like CTR and ROAS.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design Operations Specialization: Deepen expertise in building and scaling design systems, implementing Digital Asset Management (DAM) solutions, and optimizing creative workflows for maximum efficiency.

• Performance Marketing Integration: Gain deeper insights into growth marketing strategies, A/B testing methodologies, and data analysis to inform creative decision-making.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop skills in managing stakeholder relationships and influencing strategic decisions across marketing, product, and operations teams through compelling visual communication.

• Merchandise & Production Expertise: Acquire hands-on experience in merchandise production, vendor management, and the operational aspects of physical product creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior creative role in a scaling company; the growth opportunities focus on leveraging this role to build specialized skills in design operations and performance marketing integration.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for building a design system from the ground up, or for evolving an existing one. How do you ensure adoption and ongoing maintenance?" (Focus on process, documentation, and stakeholder buy-in).

• "How do you approach A/B testing creative assets for marketing campaigns? Can you share an example where your design decisions led to measurable improvements in CTR or ROAS?" (Highlight data-driven design, performance metrics, and iterative improvement).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you see your role contributing to Sandboxx's mission of supporting the military community?" (Connect your design philosophy and work to the company's purpose).

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with a non-design team (e.g., Ad Ops, Product) to achieve a project goal. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Evaluate cross-functional collaboration and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin your portfolio presentation by highlighting 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your ability to drive business impact through design, particularly those involving design systems or performance marketing.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your approach (emphasizing process and system usage), the solutions you developed, and the measurable results achieved.

• Showcase Systems: Dedicate specific slides or sections to your design system work, explaining its components, guidelines, and how it enabled efficiency and consistency.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to support the success of your designs. Be prepared to discuss KPIs like CTR, ROAS, engagement rates, and turnaround time improvements.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your specific design choices, tool proficiency, and how you would apply your skills to Sandboxx's unique challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also an operational mindset, a strong understanding of business impact, and proficiency in scalable design processes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand & Marketing Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Greenhouse.

• Customize Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects showcasing your experience with design systems, brand guideline development, marketing campaign design, and any quantifiable impact on business metrics. Tailor the portfolio to highlight skills most relevant to Sandboxx's needs.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 7+ years of relevant experience, expert proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and specific achievements in creating scalable design solutions and driving marketing performance. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio with a focus on your process, problem-solving approach, and the business results of your work. Be ready to discuss how you would operationalize design at Sandboxx.

• Research Sandboxx: Thoroughly understand Sandboxx's mission, target audience, and current brand presence. Be prepared to articulate how your skills and approach align with their culture and operational goals.

⚠️ 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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