Brand Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Design Manager

Company: Molson Coors

Location: Chicago, IL, United States

Job Type: Regular/Permanent, Full-Time

Category: Brand Design & Marketing Operations

Date Posted: May 19, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Orchestrates aesthetic design solutions and manages brand assets, including packaging, to drive business growth and ensure brand consistency across all consumer touch points.

• Leads the brand world development process, acting as a creative director and perennial brand steward for assigned brands within the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and beverage industry.

• Collaborates extensively with cross-functional teams (Project Management, Sales Planning, Legal, R&D) and external creative agencies to align on budgets, timelines, and resources for design projects.

• Facilitates the crafting of creative briefs and conducts creative reviews to ensure design solutions are on-brand, on-brief, and effectively meet business objectives, optimizing for both aesthetic appeal and production feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a major beverage company, implying a high volume of work, a need for robust brand governance, and significant cross-functional interaction. The emphasis on "Brand Stewardship" and "Brand World Development" suggests a strategic approach to design beyond mere execution, requiring a deep understanding of brand strategy and market dynamics. The hybrid work model with 4 days in office indicates a preference for in-person collaboration and oversight.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute design strategies that align with brand objectives, cultural context, competitive landscape, and consumer insights for assigned brands.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for design-related matters, guiding creative assessment and ensuring the optimal aesthetic and effectiveness of creative solutions.

• Manage the execution of day-to-day brand asset management, with a specific focus on packaging design and ensuring correct, consistent brand application across all consumer touch points.

• Lead the Brand World development process, acting as a creative director and brand steward to maintain a cohesive and compelling brand identity.

• Facilitate open dialogue and collaboration with cross-functional teams and creative agencies to ensure budgets, timelines, and resources are aligned throughout project lifecycles.

• Partner with Brand Managers to select the most suitable creative agencies based on talent and cost considerations for specific projects.

• Guide the crafting of Creative Briefs and lead subsequent creative reviews and presentations to ensure focused design solutions are derived from clear objectives.

• Collaborate with Graphics Specialists to evaluate projects at each production stage, ensuring design intent is maintained through production, with careful consideration for color, substrate limitations, and overall feasibility.

• Identify project timelines and meticulously track progress for the design development of all packaging projects.

• Solve design challenges across a variety of formats while maintaining brand consistency and integrity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic creative leadership and tactical project management. The role requires not only a strong design sensibility but also the ability to manage complex workflows, external partners, and internal stakeholders within a fast-paced CPG environment. The mention of "substrate limitations" and "color/substrate limitations" indicates a need for practical knowledge of print and production processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 8+ years of hands-on design experience, with a proven track record in brand design, packaging design, and creative direction.

Required Skills:

• Brand Design & Strategy: Deep understanding of brand positioning, market dynamics, and consumer insights to inform creative direction and ensure brand alignment.

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Extensive hands-on experience in graphic design principles, with a strong aesthetic sensibility and ability to assess creative quality.

• Packaging Design Expertise: Proven experience in developing and managing packaging designs from concept to production, understanding technical constraints.

• Creative Direction: Ability to guide creative processes, provide constructive feedback, and lead creative reviews.

• Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects, timelines, budgets, and resources effectively.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with diverse teams (Marketing, Legal, R&D, Project Management) and external agencies.

• Presentation Skills: Excellent ability to articulate creative concepts, strategies, and project updates to various stakeholders.

• Emotional Intelligence & Professional Communication: High level of interpersonal skills, professional demeanor, and ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.

• Process Management: Ability to define, manage, and optimize design workflows and project lifecycles.

• Business Acumen: Understanding of how design drives business objectives, including productivity efficiencies and ROI.

• Integrity: Demonstrated commitment to honesty, accountability, and honoring commitments.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the alcohol/beverage industry or consumer-packaged goods (CPG) sector.

• Familiarity with agency selection processes based on talent and cost.

• Experience in developing "Brand Worlds" and acting as a perennial brand steward.

• Knowledge of production processes, including limitations of color and substrates.

• Familiarity with tools for asset management and workflow tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level (8+ years hands-on) combined with a Bachelor's degree suggests a highly skilled individual capable of independent work and strategic input. The emphasis on "emotional intelligence," "professional communication," and "integrity" points to a role requiring significant interpersonal skills and a mature professional approach, typical of management-level positions in established corporations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a diverse range of brand design projects, with a strong emphasis on packaging design and brand identity development.

• Demonstrate successful execution of creative briefs, illustrating the journey from concept to final asset.

• Include case studies that highlight strategic thinking, problem-solving, and the impact of design on business objectives (e.g., brand perception, market share, production efficiency).

• Showcase experience managing external creative agencies and cross-functional project teams, detailing collaboration and project management methodologies.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of designing and implementing efficient design workflows, including project initiation, creative development, review cycles, and final asset delivery.

• Examples of process optimization in design projects, such as timelines, budget management, or agency brief development, demonstrating measurable improvements.

• Demonstrate understanding of production processes and how design considerations (e.g., color, substrate limitations) are integrated into workflow management.

• Showcase experience in managing brand asset libraries and ensuring consistent application through defined processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Brand Design Manager role, a portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond just visual appeal to demonstrate strategic thinking, process management, and business impact. The "Process Documentation" requirements emphasize the need to showcase not just creative output but also the ability to manage the "how" behind design execution within a corporate structure.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $96,600.00 - $126,700.00 USD annually.

Target Short-Term Incentive: 15% of base salary.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance; an engaging Wellness Program; and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with extensive resources.

• Retirement: A retirement savings plan with an above-market employer match.

• Time Off: Generous paid time off plans, including holidays, vacation days, and sick days.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work programs and a hybrid work model (4 days in office), promoting work-life balance.

• Financial: Competitive base salary, incentive plans, and parental leave.

• Perks: Access to brand clothing and swag, opportunities to attend top events, and free beer and beverages.

• Development: Participation in "First Choice Learning" opportunities for career growth and development.

Working Hours: Assumed to be a standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility implied by the hybrid work model and emphasis on work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Brand Design Manager role in a major metropolitan area like Chicago, especially for a well-established company like Molson Coors. The inclusion of a target short-term incentive and significant benefits package, including a strong retirement match and perks like free beverages, adds substantial value beyond the base salary. The hybrid model with 4 days in office is a key detail for work arrangement expectations. The methodology for the salary range is directly provided by the input data.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (specifically Beer, Seltzers, Spirits, and Non-Alcoholic Brands). Molson Coors is a major player with a significant market presence and a long history in the beverage industry, known for iconic brands.

Company Size: Large enterprise (implied by the extensive benefits and corporate structure). Molson Coors is a global company with thousands of employees, suggesting a structured environment with established processes and opportunities for advancement.

Founded: Has a proud legacy of excellence, indicating a long-standing presence and evolution within the industry.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Design Manager likely operates within the Marketing department, specifically supporting brand teams.

• They will collaborate closely with Brand Managers, Project Managers, Sales Planning, Legal, R&D, and external creative agencies.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: The role requires blending consumer insights, market analysis, and business strategy to inform creative decisions.

• Collaborative Workflow: Emphasis on cross-functional partnerships and open dialogue to achieve project goals efficiently.

• Brand Stewardship: A core methodology focused on maintaining brand consistency, integrity, and strategic alignment across all touchpoints.

• Agile Execution: The fast-paced environment necessitates efficient project management and quick adaptation to business priorities.

Company Website: https://careers.molsoncoors.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: Molson Coors presents itself as a company that values innovation ("transforming the beverage industry," "defy the status quo"), collaboration ("collaborate as a team," "stronger together"), and individual growth ("crafting careers," "creating new legacies"). The emphasis on "curiosity," "tenacity," and "fail forward" suggests a culture that encourages learning from mistakes and pushing boundaries.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a management-level position within the marketing and brand operations function. It requires a significant level of experience (8+ years hands-on design) and demonstrates a progression from individual contributor to a strategic and leadership-oriented role, overseeing design initiatives and managing external partners.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Design Manager likely reports to a Director or VP of Marketing or Brand Management. They will manage relationships with Brand Managers, Project Management, Legal, R&D, and external creative agencies, acting as a central point for design execution and oversight.

Operations Impact: The Brand Design Manager directly influences brand perception, market competitiveness, and consumer engagement through aesthetic appeal and strategic design execution. By ensuring brand consistency and effective creative solutions, they contribute to sales performance, market share growth, and brand equity. Their role in optimizing design processes and managing agency relationships also impacts productivity and cost efficiency within the marketing function.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Design Leadership: Potential to advance to Senior Brand Design Manager, Director of Brand Design, or VP of Creative/Marketing, overseeing larger teams and broader brand portfolios.

• Brand Management: Opportunity to transition into Brand Management roles, leveraging deep design and brand understanding to drive overall brand strategy.

• Specialization: Develop expertise in specific areas such as packaging innovation, digital design strategy, or global brand consistency.

• Cross-functional Movement: Potential to move into related operational roles within marketing or supply chain management, leveraging project and process management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is a significant step towards leadership in brand-focused operations. The emphasis on "business driver," "productivity efficiencies," and "ROI" clearly frames design as a strategic function, not just an aesthetic one. Growth opportunities are substantial within a large corporation like Molson Coors.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, requiring 4 days per week in the Chicago office. This suggests a structured office environment designed for collaboration, with necessary resources and facilities for creative work and team interaction.

Office Location(s): Chicago, IL. This is a major hub with access to talent and resources, likely offering a dynamic urban work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional collaboration indicate a workplace that encourages in-person teamwork, brainstorming sessions, and project meetings.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office technology, design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), and potentially project management or asset management systems will be available.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with marketing teams, brand managers, project managers, and other design/creative professionals.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule, likely around 40 hours per week, with the flexibility of a hybrid model. The company culture emphasizes work-life balance, suggesting that while the role is demanding, there's an effort to support employee well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "4 days in office" hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, signaling a preference for in-person collaboration and oversight while still offering some flexibility. This is common for roles that require significant team interaction and hands-on oversight of creative processes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into experience, responsibilities, and strategic thinking, focusing on how the candidate approaches brand design challenges.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their work, explaining their process, strategic rationale, and the impact of their designs. This will likely involve presenting case studies of relevant projects.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders (e.g., Brand Managers, Project Managers) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to work within a team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit with the company culture and strategic vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase brand strategy, packaging design, creative direction, and process management. Prioritize CPG or beverage industry examples if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, walk through the challenge, your strategic approach, the creative process, your specific role, the solutions developed, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Process & Collaboration: Emphasize how you managed projects, collaborated with teams and agencies, handled feedback, and navigated constraints. Use visual aids to illustrate workflows or key decision points.

• Demonstrate Brand Stewardship: Show how you ensured brand consistency, adhered to brand guidelines, and contributed to the overall brand vision.

• Be Prepared for Production Details: Given the mention of substrate and color limitations, be ready to discuss the practical aspects of bringing designs to life.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study Analysis: Be prepared to discuss a hypothetical brand challenge or analyze a Molson Coors brand from a design perspective.

• Creative Brief Development: Practice crafting a concise, effective creative brief based on a given objective.

• Design Critique: Be ready to provide constructive feedback on existing designs (potentially Molson Coors' own brands) and suggest improvements.

• Process Improvement: Think about how you would optimize design workflows or agency collaboration within a large corporate structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase beautiful design but also articulate the strategic "why" and the operational "how" behind their work. Demonstrating an understanding of business objectives and the ability to manage complex projects through a corporate structure will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is essential.

• Presentation Software: Expertise in PowerPoint or Google Slides for creating and delivering presentations.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with platforms like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or similar systems for tracking project progress, timelines, and tasks.

• Asset Management Systems: Experience with Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems for organizing, storing, and retrieving brand assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a core analytics role, understanding how design performance is measured (e.g., consumer feedback, sales impact, campaign effectiveness) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Less direct relevance, but understanding how marketing automation platforms or CRM data might inform campaign design or target audience segmentation could be advantageous.

• Familiarity with collaboration platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams for day-to-day communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is advanced proficiency in design software. The role also necessitates strong project and asset management capabilities, common in operations roles within creative departments. While not an analytics role, an understanding of how design impacts business metrics is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Acting with honesty and honoring commitments, as stated in the "Key Ingredients." This is foundational for trust in cross-functional relationships and with external partners.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working together across teams and with agencies to achieve shared goals. This translates to an open, communicative, and team-oriented approach.

• Thirst for Learning: A commitment to continuous improvement, staying updated on design trends, and supporting the growth of colleagues.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of results and driving projects to completion with a focus on business priorities.

• Customer Focus: Understanding consumer insights and market dynamics to create designs that resonate and drive business success.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: The role involves close partnerships with Brand Managers, Project Management, and external agencies. This requires a proactive, communicative, and solutions-oriented approach.

• Strategic & Insight-Driven: Collaboration is geared towards leveraging data and insights to inform creative decisions and achieve business objectives.

• Efficient & Goal-Focused: Given the fast-paced environment, collaboration needs to be efficient, with clear objectives and timely decision-making.

• Feedback-Welcoming: The role encourages constructive reviews and dialogue to refine creative output and ensure alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Molson Coors emphasizes values that foster a productive and supportive work environment. For a Brand Design Manager, embodying these values means being a reliable team player, a clear communicator, and someone who actively contributes to learning and improvement within the design and marketing functions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Business Constraints: Managing competing demands from brand strategy, production limitations, legal requirements, and budget/timeline pressures.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Portfolios: Ensuring a cohesive brand identity across multiple product lines and marketing campaigns, especially in a large organization.

• Navigating Agency Relationships: Effectively managing external creative agencies to deliver high-quality work on time and within budget, while ensuring alignment with brand strategy.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to frequent changes, tight deadlines, and high volumes of work typical in the CPG/beverage industry.

• Digital Transformation: Keeping design strategies relevant and effective in an evolving digital landscape, alongside traditional packaging and print needs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to explore new design software, digital design trends, and innovative packaging materials.

• Brand Strategy Deep Dives: Access to market research, consumer insights, and brand planning sessions to deepen understanding of business objectives.

• Leadership & Management Training: Development programs focused on managing teams, stakeholders, and external partners more effectively.

• Industry Exposure: Participation in industry conferences, workshops, and networking events relevant to branding, design, and the beverage sector.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior leaders within Molson Coors' marketing and design departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior design role in a large CPG company. Success will depend on strong organizational skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence stakeholders. The growth opportunities are well-defined, offering clear paths for career advancement and skill enhancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a strong creative vision with significant business or production constraints. How did you resolve it?" (Focus on problem-solving, negotiation, and strategic compromise.)

• "How do you approach developing a creative brief for an agency? What are the key elements you ensure are included?" (Demonstrate understanding of strategic input and clear communication.)

• "Walk me through your process for managing a complex packaging design project from concept to final production. What tools and methodologies do you use?" (Highlight project management, workflow, and production awareness.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Molson Coors and its brands?" (Research their portfolio, recent campaigns, and company values.)

• "How do you embody our company values of Integrity, Collaboration, Thirst for Learning, Accountability, and Customer Focus in your work?" (Provide specific examples from your experience.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically: Introduction of the brand/project, the challenge, your strategic approach, the creative process, your specific contributions, the final solution, and the results/impact.

• Quantify When Possible: If you have data on sales lift, market share improvement, cost savings, or efficiency gains directly attributable to your design work, present it clearly.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you worked with brand managers, legal, R&D, and agencies.

• Showcase Process: Use visuals to demonstrate wireframes, mood boards, initial concepts, revisions, and final production artwork.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, challenges faced, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also strategic thinking, project management acumen, and cultural fit. Candidates should be ready to articulate their value proposition in terms of driving business results and effectively managing complex processes within a large corporate structure.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Molson Coors careers portal.

• Tailor your Resume: Optimize your resume to highlight your 8+ years of hands-on design experience, focusing on brand design, packaging design, creative direction, and project management. Use keywords from the job description such as "brand stewardship," "creative brief," "cross-functional collaboration," and "CPG/beverage industry."

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate strategic thinking, creative execution, process management, and business impact, especially in CPG or beverage contexts. Ensure it's easily accessible online.

• Research Molson Coors: Familiarize yourself with their brand portfolio, recent marketing campaigns, company values, and any sustainability or community initiatives. Understand their market position and key competitors.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on storytelling, strategic rationale, process explanation, and measurable results. Be prepared to articulate how your skills align with Molson Coors' needs and culture.

⚠️ 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.