Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: Southwood Corporation

Location: Rock Hill, SC, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design & Operations Management

Date Posted: August 03, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversees the end-to-end design workflow for architectural signage projects, ensuring seamless integration from concept to fabrication and installation.

• Leads and mentors a team of graphic designers, fostering a collaborative environment focused on creative excellence and operational efficiency.

• Ensures all design files are production-ready, technically accurate, and adhere to brand standards and client specifications, thereby reducing production errors and rework.

• Drives process improvements within the design department to enhance accuracy, speed, and alignment with manufacturing and installation requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Design Manager," the core responsibilities and qualifications heavily emphasize operational aspects like workflow management, production readiness, cross-functional collaboration, and understanding fabrication/installation. This role bridges creative design with operational execution, making it a hybrid role with significant GTM (Go-To-Market) implications through client-facing product quality and timely delivery. The candidate needs to possess both strong design acumen and robust operational discipline.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the daily workload and project schedules for the design team, prioritizing tasks to ensure timely delivery of all design assets, from initial concepts to final production-ready files.

• Conduct thorough reviews and final approvals of all design work, verifying accuracy against project briefs, brand guidelines, and technical specifications for manufacturability.

• Collaborate closely with Project Managers, Sales teams, Production staff, and Installation crews to ensure designs are feasible, cost-effective, and align with all project constraints and client expectations.

• Maintain a highly organized system for design files, templates, and documentation, ensuring version control, accessibility, and consistency across all projects.

• Proactively identify opportunities for workflow optimization, implementing new processes or tools to increase design accuracy, reduce turnaround times, and improve overall team productivity.

• Lead, mentor, and develop the graphic design team, providing constructive feedback, performance management, and fostering professional growth to enhance individual and collective capabilities.

• Ensure that all designs are developed with a deep understanding of sign fabrication techniques, material properties, and installation challenges to prevent costly errors and ensure successful project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on process, accuracy, and cross-functional collaboration, which are critical in operations roles. The "Identify workflow improvements" and "Ensure designs are developed with fabrication, materials, and installation requirements in mind" points are particularly indicative of an operations-focused approach to design management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Industrial Design, or a related field is typically expected for a Design Manager role.

Experience: 5+ years of direct design experience in environmental graphics, architectural signage, or large-format production environments. Proven experience in leading or coordinating a design team is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, with a strong command of the entire Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, InDesign) for complex design tasks.

• Deep understanding of sign fabrication processes, material science relevant to signage (e.g., metals, plastics, illumination), and best practices for large-format production.

• Demonstrated ability to manage design workflows, including task prioritization, scheduling, and resource allocation to meet project deadlines.

• Strong quality control and attention to detail to ensure design accuracy and adherence to brand standards and technical specifications.

• Excellent cross-functional communication and collaboration skills to effectively liaise with Project Managers, Sales, Production, and Installation teams.

• Proven leadership and mentoring capabilities to guide and develop a team of designers. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with project management software or systems for tracking design progress and timelines.

• Familiarity with 3D modeling or rendering software for visualizing complex signage concepts.

• Knowledge of architectural design principles and how signage integrates into built environments.

• Experience in process improvement methodologies to enhance design department efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "production readiness," "fabrication, materials, and installation requirements," and "workflow improvements" suggests that candidates with experience in manufacturing operations or production environments will be highly valued. The "advanced proficiency" in Adobe Suite is a baseline, but understanding how these tools translate to physical products is key.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of environmental graphics and architectural signage projects, demonstrating creative problem-solving and aesthetic execution.

• Specific examples of designs that highlight technical accuracy, consideration for material constraints, and manufacturability.

• Case studies or project examples that illustrate successful collaboration with production and installation teams, detailing how design challenges were overcome.

• Documentation of workflow management, including how projects were organized, scheduled, and tracked to meet deadlines. Process Documentation:

• Examples of standardized design templates and documentation practices that ensure consistency and efficiency across projects.

• Evidence of process improvements implemented in previous roles, detailing the challenge, the solution, and the measurable impact on efficiency or accuracy.

• Demonstration of how design files are prepared and handed off to production, including specifications for materials, finishes, and fabrication methods.

• Workflow charts or diagrams illustrating the design process from client brief to final output.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role that bridges design and operations, the portfolio should not only showcase creative output but also the candidate's ability to manage processes, ensure production feasibility, and drive efficiency. Explicitly demonstrating how designs are "production-ready" and how workflows are managed will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers with 5-10 years of experience in the specialized field of architectural signage and large-format production in the Rock Hill, SC area, the estimated salary range is $75,000 - $95,000 per year. This estimate accounts for the required technical design skills, leadership experience, and operational responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Competitive pay based on experience.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation, personal days, and sick leave.

• Paid holidays throughout the year.

• Opportunities for growth and skill development within the company.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional overtime during peak project periods. The role requires on-site presence during regular business hours to effectively manage the team and collaborate with other departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for Design Managers in similar industries and locations. Specific salary will be determined by the candidate's experience, qualifications, and interview performance. The benefits listed are standard for a full-time role and align with industry offerings.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architectural Signage & Manufacturing. SouthWood Corporation operates within the specialized niche of designing, manufacturing, and installing architectural signage nationwide. This industry demands precision, durability, and a keen understanding of branding and environmental integration. The company's 55-year history indicates stability and deep-rooted expertise.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, "55-year-old, turn-key sign company" suggests a mid-sized to large organization with established departments for sales, design, production, and installation. This size implies a structured environment with clear operational processes but also opportunities for impact.

Founded: Founded 55 years ago, SouthWood Corporation has a long-standing presence in the signage industry, signifying a stable, experienced, and potentially traditional yet innovative company culture.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will lead a team of graphic designers, likely comprising individuals with varying levels of experience.

• This team operates within a broader organizational structure that includes Project Management, Sales, Production, and Installation departments.

• The reporting structure likely involves the Design Manager reporting to a Director of Operations, VP of Production, or a similar senior leadership role overseeing GTM or product delivery functions. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making for design and workflow optimization, utilizing project performance metrics.

• Emphasis on process-oriented workflows to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency in design output.

• Collaborative approach to problem-solving, encouraging input from all functional teams to achieve project success.

• Commitment to continuous improvement in design techniques, material utilization, and production integration.

Company Website: https://southwoodcorp.isolvedhire.com (Note: This appears to be an HR/recruitment portal; the primary company website might be different and worth investigating for deeper insights into their brand and project portfolio).

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's longevity and "turn-key" nature suggest a robust operational framework. The core values (passion, curiosity, relentlessness, commitment to excellence) should guide how candidates approach their work and interactions within this environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-to-senior management level, overseeing a critical function that directly impacts product quality and project timelines. It requires a blend of creative leadership and operational rigor, serving as a bridge between the creative vision and the physical realization of signage products.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will likely report to a higher-level operations or production executive, such as a Director of Operations, VP of Manufacturing, or Chief Operating Officer. They will, in turn, manage a team of graphic designers.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's role has a significant impact on revenue and business decisions by ensuring that designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also cost-effective, manufacturable, and deliverable on time.