Creative Communications Design Manager - CTBC

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Communications Design Manager - CTBC

Company: Continental Group Sector ContiTech

Location: Timișoara, Timiș, Romania

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Brand Management / Creative Operations

Date Posted: August 18, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the visual identity and brand evolution for Automotive Interior across all customer touchpoints, ensuring brand guideline consistency.

• Drive innovative communication concepts and customer experiences by applying design-thinking principles to complex technical information.

• Create and manage compelling communication assets, including presentations, brochures, digital content, and campaign materials, for sales and marketing initiatives.

• Oversee external agencies and suppliers, providing creative direction, quality control, and budget management for outsourced communication projects.

• Manage communication projects end-to-end, maintaining digital asset libraries and fostering collaboration across marketing, product management, and sales teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges creative design with strategic marketing operations, focusing on visual brand consistency and impactful communication for the Automotive Interior division. The "CTBC" likely refers to a specific business unit or project within Continental.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and continuously evolve the visual brand identity and aesthetic for Continental's Automotive Interior division across all customer touchpoints, from digital platforms to physical materials.

• Act as the primary visual brand guardian, ensuring strict adherence to brand guidelines and visual standards across all communications and marketing collateral.

• Conceptualize and execute creative strategies that enhance customer engagement, strengthen brand perception, and drive innovation in communication formats and tools.

• Translate complex technical product information and strategic company messages into clear, compelling, and visually engaging narratives and assets for diverse audiences.

• Produce or coordinate the creation of a wide range of communication assets, including high-impact presentations, detailed brochures, dynamic digital content, integrated campaign materials, and professional event communications.

• Manage and cultivate relationships with a network of external creative agencies, designers, and suppliers, providing clear briefs, constructive feedback, and effective creative direction.

• Oversee the quality, timing, and budget adherence for all outsourced communication design activities, ensuring alignment with project objectives and company standards.

• Lead and manage diverse communication projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery, adherence to quality benchmarks, and efficient budget utilization.

• Maintain and enhance the company's digital asset management (DAM) system and develop reusable communication modules to streamline content creation and ensure brand consistency.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Product Management, Sales, and Engineering, to align communication strategies with business goals and product roadmaps.

• Conduct ongoing market analysis to monitor competitor communications, identify emerging design trends, and incorporate industry best practices into the company's creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic role requiring both strong creative execution and project management skills within a complex organizational structure. Emphasis on translating technical details into visual communication is a key aspect.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Marketing Communications, or a closely related creative field.

Experience: 3-5 years of progressive experience in graphic design, brand management, marketing communications, or within a creative agency setting.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in graphic design principles, typography, visual identity development, and aesthetic composition.

• Strong visual storytelling capabilities, with the ability to translate complex technical information into engaging visual narratives.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Experience in creating and managing communication assets across multiple channels, including print, digital, and social media.

• Demonstrated ability to manage external agencies, creative partners, and suppliers, including briefing and quality assurance.

• Solid understanding of brand management principles and experience in ensuring consistent application of brand guidelines.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with a capacity to articulate creative concepts and project requirements clearly.

• A robust portfolio showcasing strong visual design skills, creative problem-solving, and successful communication projects. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with video creation tools, animation software, or motion graphics.

• Familiarity with AI-supported design and creative tools for enhanced workflow and innovative output.

• Experience working with Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems and Content Management Systems (CMS) platforms.

• Knowledge of social media management tools and best practices for digital content distribution.

• Experience in design-thinking methodologies and applying user-centric design principles.

• German language proficiency, which would be advantageous for collaboration within the broader Continental organization.

• Experience working within an international matrix organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "AI-supported design tools" indicates a forward-looking approach to creative operations, and familiarity with DAM/CMS systems is crucial for managing a large volume of assets. The portfolio is critical for demonstrating practical application of these skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of projects demonstrating a strong grasp of graphic design principles, visual identity development, and brand consistency.

• Case studies that highlight the ability to translate complex technical or business information into clear, compelling visual communications.

• Examples of multi-channel campaign materials, including digital assets, print collateral, and presentation designs.

• Projects showcasing experience in managing creative projects from concept to completion, including timelines and stakeholder collaboration.

• Visuals that reflect an understanding of customer engagement strategies and innovative communication formats. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrated ability to document creative processes, from concept ideation and mood boarding to final asset delivery and approval workflows.

• Experience in establishing and maintaining brand guideline documentation for consistent visual application.

• Examples of how you have managed project workflows, including task delegation, feedback loops, and quality control measures.

• Evidence of managing digital assets, including organization, tagging, and retrieval within a DAM system or similar structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative operations role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only display aesthetic talent but also the ability to execute strategically, manage projects efficiently, and integrate with broader marketing and business objectives. Documenting process shows a structured approach to creative execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Creative Communications Design Manager with 3-5 years of experience in Timișoara, Romania, a competitive annual salary would likely range from €30,000 to €45,000 gross. This estimate considers the cost of living in Timișoara, the specific industry (automotive/manufacturing), and the responsibilities outlined.

Benefits:

• 13th Salary: An annual bonus paid in December, providing additional financial security.

• Meal Tickets: Provided with a value of 40 RON, contributing to daily living expenses.

• Private Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage through Signal Iduna, prioritizing employee well-being.

• Referral Bonuses: Incentives for employees who successfully refer new candidates to the company.

• Bookster Subscription: Access to a library of books, fostering continuous learning and personal development.

• Sports Benefits: A 7Card membership, encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle.

• Partner Discounts: Exclusive discounts on a variety of products and services from collaborating vendors (e.g., retail, restaurants, childcare).

• Idea Management Program: An internal system rewarding innovative improvement ideas with attractive bonuses.

• Happy Days: Additional paid leave for significant life events such as weddings or the birth of a child.

• Life Events Celebration: A bonus to celebrate the growth of your family through childbirth.

• Support for Unfortunate Events: Financial and time-off support provided on a case-by-case basis for personal hardships.

• Extra Vacation Days: Starting with 22 days annually, increasing with tenure (an additional day from the 3rd year, and further days for 15 and 20 years of service), up to a maximum of 29 days.

• Professional Development: Abundant opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth within the organization.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for some flexibility within the framework of project deadlines and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on Romanian market data for similar roles. The extensive list of benefits indicates a strong focus on employee well-being, work-life balance, and long-term commitment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing and Materials Expertise. Continental is a global leader in tire manufacturing and an industry specialist, with ContiTech focusing on material expertise for industrial applications across various sectors, including automotive, industrial environments, and beyond. This context suggests a company that values precision, innovation, and reliability.

Company Size: Continental is a large, globally operating enterprise with approximately 78,000 employees worldwide. ContiTech, as a group sector, employs around 20,000 people. This size implies a structured, professional environment with established processes, but also opportunities for significant impact and career development.

Founded: Continental was founded in 1871, boasting over 150 years of history and expertise. This long legacy suggests a stable, experienced organization with a deep understanding of its markets and a commitment to long-term growth and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The operations team within Automotive Interior is likely structured to support global product launches and ongoing marketing efforts. It will involve close collaboration with product management, engineering, sales, and global marketing functions.

• Reporting is expected to be within a marketing or communications hierarchy, potentially reporting to a Marketing Director or Head of Communications, within a matrix organization that also involves reporting to regional or divisional leadership.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, requiring seamless integration with product development cycles, sales strategies, and global brand initiatives to ensure unified messaging and visual representation. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are likely used to inform creative strategies, measure campaign effectiveness, and understand customer engagement metrics, although the primary focus of this role is creative execution.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies will be employed to manage the creative production pipeline efficiently, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality assets.

• Automation and efficiency practices may be leveraged through DAM systems, AI tools, and streamlined agency management processes to enhance productivity and consistency.

Company Website: https://www.continental-industry.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's extensive history and global reach suggest a robust, process-driven environment where innovation is balanced with established standards. The matrix structure is a key element for candidates to understand, requiring strong communication and adaptability.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level management or senior specialist level, often referred to as "Leading Self." It requires independent execution of responsibilities, strategic input into creative direction, and the ability to manage projects and external resources. The focus is on delivering high-quality creative output and contributing to the overall brand strategy within the Automotive Interior sector.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Communications Design Manager will likely report to a Marketing Communications Manager or Director within the Automotive Interior division. They will also collaborate extensively with Product Management, Sales leadership, and potentially global marketing teams, navigating a matrix organizational structure.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant in shaping the external perception of Continental's Automotive Interior products and services. By creating compelling visual communications, the manager directly influences customer engagement, brand loyalty, lead generation (through effective marketing materials), and the overall success of product launches and marketing campaigns. This role is crucial for translating technical value into market appeal.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Potential to deepen expertise in specialized areas like digital design, video production, or AI-driven creative tools. Opportunity to lead larger, more complex creative projects and campaigns.

• Leadership Development: Progression to a Senior Design Manager role, overseeing a larger creative team or a broader scope of marketing communications. Potential to move into broader marketing leadership roles within the Automotive Interior or ContiTech sectors.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to transition into roles within Product Marketing, Brand Management, or Global Marketing Communications, leveraging developed industry and communication expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Leading Self" leadership level indicates a role where individual contribution and project ownership are key, with potential for future team leadership. Growth opportunities are tied to deepening specialized skills or broadening strategic marketing responsibilities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is located at the ContiTech Business Center in Timișoara, Romania, described as a modern business center. This suggests a professional, well-equipped office environment designed for collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s): The primary location is the ContiTech Business Center, AFI Europe Timisoara, Building A, Floors 4 and 5, 10 Coriolan Brediceanu Street, 300011, Timișoara, Timiș, Romania. This indicates a central, accessible business hub within the city.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely to be collaborative, encouraging interaction with marketing colleagues, product managers, and sales teams. The modern business center setting will provide access to necessary technology and facilities.

• Operations tools and technology will be readily available, including high-performance workstations for design software, access to DAM systems, and communication platforms for internal and external collaboration.

• Opportunities for team interaction will be frequent, given the cross-functional nature of marketing and product development, fostering a dynamic and engaged work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically adhering to standard business hours (e.g., 40 hours per week). While a structured schedule is expected, the nature of creative project management may require occasional flexibility to meet deadlines or accommodate urgent campaign needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the office as a modern business center implies a professional and well-resourced environment conducive to design work and collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by the HR team and hiring manager to assess qualifications and creative fit.

• First Interview (Hiring Manager): A discussion focusing on your experience, creative approach, project management skills, and understanding of brand strategy. Be prepared to walk through specific examples from your portfolio.

• Creative/Technical Assessment: This may involve a design challenge or a more in-depth portfolio review session where you'll be asked to elaborate on your creative decisions, problem-solving processes, and technical proficiency (e.g., software usage, AI tool application).

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product Management, Sales, or other relevant departments to assess collaboration skills and strategic alignment.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss cultural fit, long-term career aspirations, and overall contribution to the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase a range of skills: branding, campaign design, technical-to-visual translation, and project management.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, the creative process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Operations: Emphasize how you managed timelines, budgets, agency relationships, and ensured brand consistency. Showcase your process for creating and managing assets.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your use of Adobe Creative Cloud and any AI-supported design tools. Demonstrate an understanding of DAM/CMS systems if applicable.

• Tailor to ContiTech: Research ContiTech's current branding and marketing efforts. If possible, include a concept or idea that aligns with their industry and target audience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a creative challenge, thoroughly analyze the brief, target audience, and objectives.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across ideation, execution, and presentation.

• Articulate Your Process: Be prepared to explain your design thinking, rationale behind your creative choices, and how you would manage the project if it were real.

• Focus on Impact: Frame your solutions in terms of how they would achieve business goals, enhance customer engagement, or improve brand perception.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical demonstration of skills through portfolio and potential challenges. Candidates should prepare to articulate their creative process and project management approach in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential for graphic design, illustration, and layout. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is a must.

• Video Creation Tools: Familiarity with video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects) for creating dynamic content.

• AI-Supported Design Tools: Experience with emerging AI tools for ideation, asset generation, or workflow enhancement (e.g., Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, or similar).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Standard for presentations (PowerPoint), documentation (Word), and data organization (Excel).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how to interpret basic campaign performance data to inform creative decisions will be beneficial.

• Familiarity with tools that integrate with creative workflows for tracking asset usage or campaign impact. CRM & Automation:

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

• CMS Platforms (Content Management Systems): Understanding how content is managed and deployed on digital platforms (e.g., websites) is a plus.

• Social Media Management Tools: Familiarity with platforms used for scheduling, publishing, and monitoring social media content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI-supported design tools signifies a modern approach to creative workflows. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud is a baseline requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, visually compelling creative assets that meet business objectives and brand standards.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging new ideas, exploring novel communication formats, and staying ahead of design trends to keep the brand fresh and engaging.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where cross-functional teams work together seamlessly to achieve common goals.

• Data-Informed Creativity: Using insights from market analysis and campaign performance to guide creative decisions, ensuring that design serves strategic purposes.

• Efficiency & Reliability: A focus on structured processes, effective project management, and dependable delivery to meet internal and external stakeholder expectations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with Marketing, Product Management, and Sales teams to ensure creative output is aligned with business needs and product messaging.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive criticism and open dialogue to refine creative concepts and improve deliverables.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the exchange of ideas, best practices, and learnings within the creative team and across departments to foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on both creativity and structured execution, alongside strong collaboration, is typical of successful marketing operations and creative functions within large, global organizations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Business Needs: Effectively merging artistic vision and innovative design with strict brand guidelines, technical constraints, and commercial objectives.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Navigating the varied requirements and feedback from multiple departments (Sales, Product, Global Marketing) to deliver universally accepted creative solutions.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Design Trends and Technology: Continuously learning and adapting to new design tools, platforms, and AI capabilities to maintain a cutting-edge visual presence.

• Translating Highly Technical Information: The ongoing challenge of simplifying and visualizing complex engineering or product specifications into easily understandable and appealing content for diverse audiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Training: Access to advanced courses and workshops in areas like motion graphics, UX/UI design, or specific AI creative applications.

• Industry Conferences & Webinars: Opportunities to attend marketing and design industry events to gain insights into emerging trends and network with peers.

• Mentorship Programs: Participation in mentorship initiatives, either as a mentee to gain guidance from senior leaders or as a mentor to develop leadership skills.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to learn about product development, market strategy, and sales processes to better inform creative work and potential career pivots.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents the classic challenge of blending creative artistry with operational efficiency and strategic business alignment, common in many marketing and design management positions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a visual identity for a new product line within the automotive sector. How would you ensure it aligns with Continental's overall brand?" (Focus on process, brand alignment, and industry relevance).

• "How do you balance creative innovation with strict brand guidelines and technical limitations when designing marketing collateral?" (Focus on problem-solving, compromise, and strategic execution).

• "Walk me through a project where you had to translate a complex technical concept into a compelling visual story. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on storytelling, clarity, and impact). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about ContiTech and Continental's presence in the Automotive Interior market? How would your design philosophy contribute to our brand positioning?" (Focus on research, strategic thinking, and brand fit).

• "How do you approach collaboration with teams like Product Management and Sales, who may have different priorities or perspectives?" (Focus on communication, stakeholder management, and matrix navigation).

• "How do you measure the success of your design work, beyond aesthetic appeal?" (Focus on impact, ROI, and data-driven insights). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenge, your creative process, the tools/techniques used, and the results achieved. Quantify impact where possible.

• Highlight Process & Operations: Emphasize your project management skills, how you managed timelines and budgets, your experience with agency management, and how you ensured brand consistency.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, any AI design tools, and your experience with DAM/CMS systems.

• Engage and Discuss: Treat it as a conversation. Be ready to answer detailed questions about your decisions and be open to feedback or alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating a structured creative process, strong project management capabilities, and an understanding of how design contributes to business objectives within a corporate environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating brand identity development, technical-to-visual translation, multi-channel asset creation, and project management within a corporate or agency setting. Showcase examples of translating complex information into clear visuals.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3-5 years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and AI-supported design tools, and any experience managing agencies or DAM/CMS systems. Use keywords from the job description to highlight relevant skills and responsibilities.

• Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on the strategic rationale behind your design choices, your process for managing creative projects, and your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Prepare examples demonstrating how you've balanced creativity with business requirements.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Continental and ContiTech's current branding, marketing initiatives, and their position within the automotive industry. Understand their commitment to innovation and material expertise.

⚠️ 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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