Brand Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Design Manager, Gatorade

Company: PepsiCo

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Brand Design Management / Creative Operations

Date Posted: August 06, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years (with implication of 10+ for leadership)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of designers to deliver exceptional 360-degree brand experiences, encompassing packaging, promotions, and immersive activations, with a strong emphasis on design strategy and execution excellence.

• Drive the conceptualization and development of innovative design solutions across the Gatorade portfolio, translating consumer insights and business objectives into compelling visual narratives that resonate with target audiences.

• Oversee the end-to-end creative process, from initial briefing and ideation through to commercialization, ensuring quality, strategic alignment, and efficient project management.

• Foster a culture of design excellence and innovation within the team, leveraging Design Thinking methodologies and staying ahead of industry trends to continuously elevate brand presence and impact.

• Integrate advanced technologies, including AI tools and software like Adobe Creative Suite and Firefly, to enhance creative output, streamline workflows, and drive efficiency in design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the provided experience level is 8+ years, the responsibilities of leading and mentoring a team, driving strategic initiatives, and managing external partnerships strongly suggest that candidates with 10+ years of experience in a relevant design leadership capacity will be most competitive. The role's focus on strategy and cross-functional collaboration also positions it within the broader GTM operations ecosystem, requiring a strategic mindset beyond pure creative execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the creative direction and execution of 360-degree brand design initiatives for the Gatorade portfolio, ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand experience across all consumer touchpoints, including packaging, digital, social media, environmental design, and new media.

• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of internal designers, fostering their professional development and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, strategically aligned design work that supports business objectives.

• Collaborate closely with the Design Director, Gatorade, and cross-functional partners in Marketing, Insights, R&D, advertising, and external suppliers to conceptualize and develop innovative design visions, scenarios, and concepts.

• Translate customer needs and market insights into actionable design strategies, guiding the team from idea generation through to final design recommendations, approvals, and artwork execution for production.

• Develop and refine brand language, visual identity systems, typography, iconography, and illustration guidelines to ensure brand consistency and elevate the aesthetic appeal of the Gatorade portfolio.

• Design and implement purpose-built creative toolkits and facilitate brainstorm sessions leveraging Design Thinking to spark innovative brand concepts and extensions, including limited-time offers (LTOs) and collaborations.

• Oversee the creative process from briefing to commercialization, with a keen eye on concept visualization, aesthetic excellence, and effective project management to ensure timely and high-quality delivery.

• Build and cultivate a robust external design network, engaging with and managing freelancers and agency partners to augment creative capabilities and enhance overall output.

• Proactively integrate AI tools into the design workflow to drive creativity, improve efficiency, and foster innovation across all design processes and projects.

• Champion design thinking as a core methodology within PepsiCo, contributing to the organization's mission of elevating design's role in solving business problems and driving growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "360-degree creative work" and "all consumer touchpoints" indicates a need for a candidate who understands the full spectrum of brand activation and GTM strategies, not just static design. The responsibility for "commercialization" and working with "external suppliers" points to a need for operational awareness in production and supply chain integration for design elements.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Brand Design, Visual Communications, or a related field. A Master's degree or equivalent advanced study in design or business is a plus.

Experience: 8+ years of progressive, hands-on experience in brand design, with a significant focus on packaging design, product design, and graphic design. Experience on both agency and client-side is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Proven leadership and team mentorship capabilities, with a track record of guiding and developing creative talent.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and emerging AI design tools like Adobe Firefly.

• Strong conceptual thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex business and consumer needs into innovative design solutions.

• Extensive experience in developing 360-degree brand design strategies and executions across various media, including print, packaging, digital, social, environmental, and experiential.

• Deep understanding of visual identity systems, brand language development, typography, and iconography.

• Exceptional graphic design skills with a strong portfolio showcasing impactful brand work and packaging systems.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with excellent time management, project management, and organizational skills.

• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and strategies effectively to diverse internal and external stakeholders.

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 15% of the time. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in systems design thinking, including packaging architecture and comprehensive visual identity systems.

• Expertise in illustration and motion design.

• Familiarity with Design Thinking methodologies and their application in a corporate environment.

• Experience working within an agile, dynamic, start-up-like environment within a larger organization.

• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with external creative partners, including freelancers and agencies.

• Strong understanding of current design trends and the ability to anticipate future shifts.

• Experience with licensing and brand extension strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "full-time agency side and or client-side experience" suggests the hiring team values candidates who understand both external agency dynamics and internal corporate brand management. The explicit mention of "Firefly" indicates a forward-thinking approach to design tools and a desire for candidates comfortable with integrating AI into their creative process.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating 8+ years of brand design experience, with a strong emphasis on packaging design and 360-degree campaign execution.

• Showcase case studies that highlight strategic thinking, concept development, and the execution of design solutions across multiple touchpoints (print, digital, social, environmental, experiential).

• Include examples of visual identity systems, brand language development, and typography that illustrate a strong understanding of brand architecture and consistency.

• Present evidence of translating consumer insights and business objectives into impactful design strategies that drove measurable business results.

• Demonstrate proficiency in using Adobe Creative Suite and AI-powered design tools (e.g., Firefly) in your design process, with clear explanations of how these tools were leveraged.

• Highlight examples of leading creative projects, managing external partners (agencies/freelancers), and contributing to the commercialization of design concepts. Process Documentation:

• Illustrate how you approach the briefing process, from understanding client needs to developing clear creative briefs for internal teams and external partners.

• Detail your methodology for concept visualization and development, including any techniques used to generate and refine design ideas.

• Provide examples of how you manage project timelines, resources, and stakeholder communication to ensure successful project delivery from ideation to commercialization.

• Showcase how you define and codify brand language and visual systems to ensure consistency across a portfolio of brands.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's strategic and leadership components, the portfolio should not just be a showcase of aesthetic work but also a testament to problem-solving abilities, strategic thinking, and process management. Candidates should be prepared to discuss the "why" behind their design choices and the impact they had.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The expected compensation range for this position is between $110,700 - $185,250 USD annually.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Financial Security: Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, and Life Insurance.

• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and bereavement. Special provision for Paid Parental Leave.

• Performance Incentives: An annual bonus based on performance, with an eligibility target payout of 12% of the annual salary.

• Support Services: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support, Accident Insurance, and Group Legal Insurance.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, reflecting a full-time commitment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Brand Design Manager role with significant leadership responsibilities in a major metropolitan area like Chicago. The bonus structure indicates a performance-driven culture, and the benefits package is robust, typical of a large CPG company like PepsiCo, offering a good balance of financial, health, and lifestyle support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (Consumer Packaged Goods - CPG). PepsiCo is a global leader in the food and beverage industry, with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands. The Design & Innovation team operates with a consumer-centric, start-up mentality, aiming to drive meaningful value and growth through design thinking.

Company Size: PepsiCo is a large, publicly traded corporation. Its extensive global reach and significant market presence offer substantial resources and opportunities, while the Design & Innovation team functions with agility and a focus on rapid iteration.

Founded: PepsiCo was formed in 1965 through the merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay, with a long history of innovation and brand building. This legacy provides a stable foundation while the company continues to evolve.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Design Manager reports to the Design Director, Gatorade, within the PepsiCo Design & Innovation organization.

• This role involves leading and mentoring a team of internal designers, as well as collaborating closely with cross-functional leaders across brand marketing, product development, insights, R&D, and advertising.

• The team works with world-class external partners, including agencies and freelancers, to augment creative capabilities. Methodology:

• Design Thinking: A core methodology used to solve brand and business problems, emphasizing empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

• Consumer-Centricity: All initiatives are driven by a deep understanding of consumer needs and preferences.

• Agile & Iterative: The team operates with a start-up mentality, embracing speed, flexibility, and continuous improvement.

• Data-Driven Insights: Leveraging market research and consumer insights to inform design strategy and decision-making.

Company Website: https://pepsicojobs.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the Design & Innovation team as having a "start-up mentality within our larger organization" is crucial. It implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment where individuals can have significant impact, but also requires adaptability and comfort with ambiguity, common in GTM operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a senior management level within the creative operations spectrum, specifically focused on brand design leadership. It requires a blend of strategic design expertise, team management, and project execution oversight. The scope includes managing significant brand portfolios and influencing business strategy through design.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Design Manager reports directly to the Design Director, Gatorade, indicating a clear hierarchy within the design function. This role will also have direct reports (designers) and will work extensively with peer-level managers and directors in marketing, product development, and other GTM functions.

Operations Impact: The Brand Design Manager plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity and consumer perception of the Gatorade brand, directly impacting market competitiveness, consumer engagement, and ultimately, revenue growth. Effective design strategies and executions are critical to driving brand preference and sales performance within the highly competitive sports drink market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance to Design Director or other senior leadership roles within PepsiCo's Design & Innovation or Marketing departments.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to gain broader GTM experience by collaborating with diverse teams (Marketing, Sales, R&D) and potentially moving into broader brand management or strategic planning roles.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in emerging design trends, AI tools, Design Thinking, and strategic brand management through internal resources, external partnerships, and industry events.

• Portfolio Expansion: Opportunity to work on a high-profile, globally recognized brand like Gatorade, significantly enhancing one's professional portfolio and industry reputation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role represents a significant step for a designer looking to move into management and strategic influence. The "operations" aspect comes from managing the design process, resources, timelines, and cross-functional integration, which are core to GTM operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role based in Chicago, Illinois. The work environment is likely a modern corporate office setting within PepsiCo's facilities.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is 433 West Van Buren Street, Chicago, IL 60607. This location is in a central business district, offering accessibility via public transportation and proximity to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office space is expected to facilitate collaboration among design teams and cross-functional partners, with designated areas for brainstorming, presentations, and team meetings.

• Technology-Rich: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Firefly), hardware, and potentially specialized equipment for prototyping or visualization.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for in-person interaction with direct reports, peers, and leadership, fostering a strong team dynamic and enabling efficient communication and feedback loops.

Work Schedule: The role requires a commitment of 40 hours per week, with the understanding that flexibility may be needed to meet project deadlines and accommodate the dynamic nature of the creative and GTM cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration and team synergy, which is often critical for creative and strategic functions. Candidates should be prepared for a standard office environment that supports intensive project work and team dynamics.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with role requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, leadership style, design philosophy, and understanding of brand strategy.

• Portfolio Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their work, detailing their process, strategic thinking, and impact on business objectives. This may involve a specific case study related to packaging or 360-degree brand campaigns.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Marketing, R&D, and other relevant departments to assess collaboration skills, communication effectiveness, and cultural fit.

• Design Director/Senior Leadership Interview: Final evaluation of strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit within the PepsiCo Design & Innovation team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Narrative: Structure your portfolio presentation not just as a showcase of work, but as a narrative demonstrating your strategic approach, problem-solving skills, and ability to drive business results through design.

• Process Emphasis: Clearly articulate your design process for key projects, highlighting how you leverage insights, utilize tools (including AI), collaborate with teams, and manage projects from ideation to commercialization.

• Impact Metrics: Quantify the impact of your design work whenever possible. Use data to demonstrate how your designs contributed to brand growth, consumer engagement, sales, or other relevant business KPIs.

• Gatorade Relevance: Tailor your presentation to highlight experience and thinking relevant to a sports beverage brand like Gatorade. Showcase understanding of its target audience and market positioning.

• AI Integration: Be prepared to discuss how you've incorporated AI tools into your workflow and the benefits derived, such as increased efficiency, enhanced creativity, or novel solutions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You may be asked to complete a design challenge or a take-home assignment that simulates a real-world project, testing your conceptualization, execution, and strategic thinking skills within a defined timeframe.

• Presentation Skills: Practice delivering clear, concise, and compelling presentations. Be ready to answer detailed questions about your design choices, rationale, and execution strategy.

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Prepare for questions that assess your ability to influence stakeholders, manage differing opinions, and drive consensus in a cross-functional environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "360-degree creative work" and "consumer touchpoints" means interviewers will look for a holistic understanding of brand application beyond just packaging. Candidates should be ready to discuss how their designs integrate across digital, social, experiential, and promotional channels.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all graphic design, layout, and image manipulation tasks. Mastery of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is expected.

• Adobe Firefly: Crucial for leveraging AI-powered generative design capabilities, image creation, and editing. Proficiency in its application is a key requirement.

• Presentation Software: Tools like PowerPoint or Keynote for developing compelling client and internal presentations.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools such as Asana, Trello, or Jira may be beneficial for tracking project progress and team workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Analytics Platforms: PepsiCo likely uses proprietary or industry-standard tools for tracking marketing campaign performance, sales data, and consumer engagement metrics that inform design strategy.

• Market Research Tools: Experience with tools that provide consumer insights and market trend analysis would be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms and CRM systems for campaign deployment is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Firefly software" alongside the Adobe Creative Suite highlights a strong emphasis on AI integration within the design workflow. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and innovative uses of these tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creative Excellence: A commitment to pushing creative boundaries and delivering visually stunning, impactful designs.

• Consumer Obsession: Deep empathy for the consumer and a dedication to creating designs that resonate with their needs and desires.

• Strategic Impact: A belief that design is a powerful tool for driving business growth and solving complex challenges.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and strong relationships with internal and external partners to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new technologies (like AI), methodologies (like Design Thinking), and a flexible, start-up-like approach to problem-solving.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Proactively engaging with Marketing, Insights, R&D, and other departments to ensure design solutions are strategically aligned and commercially viable.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback among team members and with stakeholders to refine designs and improve processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Fostering an environment where best practices, new techniques, and creative inspirations are shared freely among the design team and wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "start-up mentality" within a large corporation suggests a culture that values initiative, rapid execution, and a willingness to experiment. Candidates should demonstrate adaptability and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Vision and Execution: Effectively translating ambitious creative visions into practical, high-quality commercialized designs that meet tight deadlines and budget constraints.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholders: Navigating the needs and expectations of various internal departments and external partners to achieve consensus and drive projects forward.

• Integrating New Technologies: Staying ahead of rapid advancements in design tools, particularly AI, and effectively integrating them into existing workflows to enhance efficiency and creativity.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a unified and compelling brand identity across a vast portfolio of products and marketing initiatives under the Gatorade umbrella.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Training: Access to workshops and resources focused on emerging design trends, AI in design, and specialized creative software.

• Strategic Brand Management: Opportunities to deepen understanding of GTM strategies, market dynamics, and consumer behavior through PepsiCo's internal learning platforms and cross-functional projects.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to mentorship, executive coaching, and leadership training to hone management and strategic influence skills.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend industry conferences and events to network and stay abreast of the latest innovations in design and branding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of integrating AI tools is a significant one, presenting both a hurdle and a substantial growth opportunity for candidates eager to be at the forefront of design innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a comprehensive brand design strategy for a new product launch or brand extension. How do you ensure it aligns with business objectives and consumer insights?" (Focus on strategic framework, research integration, and GTM alignment.)

• "How do you approach leading and mentoring a team of designers? Provide an example of how you've fostered creative growth and managed performance." (Highlight leadership style, development strategies, and conflict resolution.)

• "Walk us through a challenging project where you had to balance creative vision with strict project constraints (timeline, budget, brand guidelines). How did you navigate it, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a case study showcasing problem-solving, negotiation, and execution.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about the Gatorade brand and PepsiCo's Design & Innovation team? How do you see yourself contributing to our 'start-up mentality'?" (Showcase research into the brand, understanding of the team's ethos, and alignment with values.)

• "How do you typically collaborate with marketing, product development, and other cross-functional teams? Provide an example of a successful collaboration that led to a significant business impact." (Emphasize communication, partnership, and GTM integration.)

• "How do you measure the success of your design work? What KPIs do you typically track, and how do you use data to inform your creative decisions?" (Focus on data-driven approaches and ROI demonstration.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Thematic Grouping: Organize your portfolio by project type (e.g., packaging systems, 360° campaigns, brand identity) or by impact (e.g., projects that drove significant sales growth, enhanced brand perception).

• Storytelling Framework: For each key project, articulate the challenge, your role and approach, the strategic thinking involved, the creative solutions developed, the tools/technologies used (including AI), and the measurable results achieved.

• Interactive Elements: Be prepared to discuss specific design decisions, rationale behind visual choices, and how you would adapt designs for different platforms or audiences. If possible, incorporate interactive elements or live demos of your work.

• AI Integration Discussion: Be ready to articulate specific instances where you've used AI tools (like Firefly) to enhance your creative process, improve efficiency, or generate novel design concepts, and discuss the benefits and limitations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should anticipate questions that probe their understanding of how design directly contributes to sales, marketing, and overall Go-To-Market strategy, rather than just aesthetic appeal. The ability to articulate the business impact of design is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the PepsiCo careers portal via the provided link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest projects that best showcase your brand design, packaging design, 360-degree campaign execution, and leadership experience. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your strategic thinking, creative process, and ability to drive business results. Tailor it to highlight experience relevant to a brand like Gatorade.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 8+ years of relevant experience, leadership accomplishments, proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and AI design tools (Firefly), and any experience in CPG or related industries. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice delivering your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling, strategic rationale, and quantifiable impact. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI tools and how you've integrated them into your workflow. Rehearse your answers to common interview questions related to leadership, collaboration, and design strategy.

• Research PepsiCo & Gatorade: Familiarize yourself with PepsiCo's company mission, values, and recent marketing campaigns. Understand the Gatorade brand's target audience, competitive landscape, and current strategic initiatives. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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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