Digital Graphic Designer II
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Digital Graphic Designer II
Company: SOREL
Location: Portland, Oregon, United States
Job Type: Full time
Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations
Date Posted: September 09, 2026
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-4 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Role Summary
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Design and produce comprehensive digital design executions for sorel.com to enhance brand awareness, engagement, and sales objectives.
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Translate seasonal brand creative directions into omnichannel assets and solutions across web, email, retail displays, paid media, content development, and organic social.
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Interpret creative concepts into compelling visual designs, ensuring effective and engaging end-user experiences.
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Collaborate closely with internal design, site/email, development, European/Canadian partners, and operations teams to bring creative ideas from concept to execution.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for bridging the gap between brand creative strategy and its digital manifestation, directly impacting e-commerce performance and consumer engagement. The emphasis on omnichannel execution and cross-functional collaboration places it firmly within the scope of Marketing Operations and Creative Operations, requiring a strong understanding of how design initiatives support broader Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Develop and produce a wide range of digital assets, including website layouts, product graphics, banners, static and rich banner ads, email campaigns, and email templates, all within seasonal brand guidelines.
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Execute production design across multiple marketing channels, ensuring consistency with SOREL's brand voice and visual identity.
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Collaborate with Site Managers and the Brand Marketing Team to achieve high-level site objectives and enhance the overall user experience.
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Translate wireframes into intuitive, responsive user interfaces optimized for various platforms and devices.
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Create paid media assets, including light video edits and static executions, to support marketing campaigns.
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Design visual elements for in-store marketing, such as window displays, posters, and signage, ensuring alignment with digital creative.
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Translate product positioning, market research, and digital marketing strategies into effective designs across all creative executions.
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Design visually appealing and mobile-friendly email marketing campaigns to drive engagement and conversions.
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Lead and produce designs for large-scale digital campaigns, including Cyber, Holiday, and Seasonal Sales events.
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Maintain and enhance the existing creative marketing strategy with a focus on expanding reach across digital channels.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can not only execute visually but also understand the strategic purpose behind each design element, particularly in relation to e-commerce performance and brand storytelling. The mention of "internal operations team" suggests a need for understanding operational workflows that support design deployment.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Digital Arts, Graphic Design, or a related field.
Experience: A minimum of 2-4 years of progressive design marketing experience, gained either in-house or at an agency, with a strong preference for experience in the footwear, apparel, or retail industries.
Required Skills:
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Expert proficiency in Macintosh computer skills and industry-standard design software, including: Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
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Strong production design skillset with the ability to execute tasks efficiently and accurately.
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Solid foundation in typography, layout, color theory, scale, contrast, balance, and hierarchy.
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Experience with transitions, animation, motion design, and dynamic interaction.
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Excellent visual, written, and verbal communication skills, including presentation and negotiation abilities.
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Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, communicate progress, and meet deadlines.
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Demonstrated experience working cross-functionally with digital marketing teams.
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Experience in the execution of a digital brand campaign.
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Strong problem-solving skills with a keen eye for detail.
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Ability to take direction effectively and work both collaboratively and autonomously. Preferred Skills:
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Understanding of web design principles, including browser usability and cross-platform compatibility.
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Experience with responsive design and e-commerce platforms, such as Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), is a plus.
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Passion for the fashion, footwear, and apparel industry.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software like Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite, coupled with the requirement for a strong portfolio showcasing solutions to business problems, indicates a need for a candidate who can immediately contribute to production workflows and strategic design initiatives. The preference for industry experience underscores the importance of understanding market nuances.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A robust portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a diverse range of design work that clearly demonstrates the ability to solve business problems through effective design solutions.
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Portfolio must highlight expertise in digital design executions for web, email, and paid media, illustrating a strong understanding of user experience and conversion optimization.
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Include case studies that detail the design process, from initial concept to final execution, and articulate the business objectives addressed.
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Showcase proficiency in translating brand guidelines and seasonal creative directions into cohesive omnichannel assets. Process Documentation:
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Demonstrate experience in managing the design process from concept through to final asset delivery, adhering to quick-turn deadlines and navigating multiple platforms.
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Ability to translate wireframes and creative briefs into functional and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces.
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Showcase understanding of how design assets are integrated into various marketing systems and platforms (e.g., CMS, email marketing platforms).
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Evidence of collaboration with development teams to ensure design integrity and adherence to web standards.
📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio linked on the resume or application is a critical filter. Candidates should curate their portfolios to specifically address the responsibilities of a digital designer in an e-commerce and brand marketing context, emphasizing problem-solving and measurable results where possible.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Digital Graphic Designer II with 2-4 years of experience in the Portland, Oregon area, the estimated salary range is $65,000 - $85,000 annually. This range accounts for the required skill set, experience level, and the hybrid work model.
Benefits:
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Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
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Financial security: 401k plan with a generous company match, Life Insurance, Disability insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and Health Savings Account (HSA).
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Additional protection: Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, and Legal Services.
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Employee well-being: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services, extensive wellness benefits, and a generous time off program.
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Perks: Employee discounts on SOREL and Columbia Sportswear products.
Working Hours: Standard full-time position, approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement requiring 4 days in the office.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data from similar roles in the Portland, OR metropolitan area, considering the specified experience level and the hybrid nature of the role. Benefits are directly sourced from the provided job description, highlighting a robust package designed to support employee well-being across multiple dimensions.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Apparel and Footwear Retail, with a strong focus on premium, fashion-forward winter footwear. SOREL operates within the broader Columbia Sportswear Company, a well-established global leader in the outdoor and active lifestyle industry.
Company Size: SOREL is part of Columbia Sportswear Company, which is a large, publicly traded company. The SOREL brand likely operates with a dedicated team within this larger structure, offering the resources of a major corporation with the focus of a specialized brand.
Founded: Columbia Sportswear Company was founded in 1938. SOREL itself was established in 1962, bringing its heritage of craftsmanship and heritage-inspired design to the market.
Team Structure:
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The Digital Graphic Designer II is a key member of the SOREL Global Brand Marketing Creative team.
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This team likely comprises other creative roles such as copywriters, art directors, and potentially other specialized designers.
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Collaboration is expected with cross-functional teams including Site Managers, Brand Marketing, Development, Europe/Canada partners, and an internal operations team.
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The role reports directly to the Brand Creative Director. Methodology:
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Design work is guided by seasonal brand creative directions and established brand guidelines.
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Emphasis is placed on translating creative concepts into effective, engaging end-user experiences across digital touchpoints.
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A data-driven approach is implied through the focus on sales growth objectives and consumer lifetime value.
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Collaboration and iterative feedback are crucial, involving internal teams and external partners.
Company Website: https://www.sorel.com/
📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding SOREL's position within Columbia Sportswear provides context for the brand's values, resources, and market approach. The creative team structure suggests a collaborative environment where design is integrated into broader marketing and e-commerce strategies.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-level position (Digital Graphic Designer II), typically requiring 2-4 years of experience. It signifies a step beyond entry-level design roles, demanding a solid production design background and the ability to handle more complex projects and cross-functional collaborations independently.
Reporting Structure: The designer reports to the Brand Creative Director, indicating a direct line of communication for creative direction and project oversight. This structure allows for strategic guidance while maintaining autonomy in design execution.
Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant, directly influencing the visual presentation of SOREL's digital presence on sorel.com. By creating compelling designs, the designer contributes to:
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Fostering brand awareness and strengthening brand identity.
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Increasing consumer engagement and time spent on site.
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Supporting sales growth objectives through effective product presentation and campaign execution.
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Enhancing the overall consumer lifetime value by creating positive brand experiences.
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Ensuring a consistent and appealing omnichannel customer journey. Growth Opportunities:
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Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of digital design, such as motion graphics, animation, video editing, or advanced UI/UX for e-commerce.
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Project Leadership: Potential to lead design execution for major digital campaigns (e.g., Cyber, Holiday, Seasonal Sales), gaining experience in campaign management and strategic planning.
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Cross-Functional Advancement: Exposure to other departments like Brand Marketing, Site Management, and Operations can open doors to roles with broader strategic responsibilities or a focus on GTM execution.
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Mentorship: Learning from the Brand Creative Director and senior team members, fostering professional development and potentially leading to senior designer or art director roles.
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Industry Exposure: Staying abreast of digital innovations, competitor strategies, and emerging design trends within the fashion and footwear industry.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized creative function, with opportunities to expand into more strategic or leadership roles by leveraging experience in e-commerce design and cross-functional collaboration.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: The role is designated as hybrid, based out of SOREL's headquarters near Portland, Oregon. This suggests a professional office environment designed for collaboration and creative work.
Office Location(s): Headquarters near Portland, Oregon. Specific details about office amenities or accessibility would typically be available upon inquiry or during the interview process.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model (4 days in-office) is designed to foster in-person collaboration, team synergy, and spontaneous idea generation essential for creative roles.
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Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially other collaborative tools is expected.
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Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the internal design team, site/email teams, development, and other marketing functions provides opportunities for knowledge sharing and integrated project execution.
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement allows for some flexibility, with 4 days expected in the office and 1 day remote, subject to business needs and company discretion.
📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role balances the need for focused individual work with the benefits of in-person team collaboration, a common and often preferred model for creative and marketing operations roles.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications, design skills, and relevant experience.
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Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design process, problem-solving approaches, and impact. Expect questions about how designs addressed business objectives.
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Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Candidates may be given a design challenge or asked to critique existing designs to evaluate their problem-solving abilities, creative thinking, and technical proficiency under timed conditions.
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Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Brand Marketing, Site Management, and potentially Operations to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.
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Final Interview: Discussion with the Brand Creative Director and potentially other leadership to finalize assessment of skills, experience, and alignment with team goals.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your proficiency in digital design for e-commerce, web, email, and paid media. Highlight projects that demonstrate problem-solving and measurable results.
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Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the business objective, your role, the design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the outcome (quantify results if possible).
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Showcase Versatility: Include examples demonstrating your ability to work across different mediums and adapt to brand guidelines.
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Highlight Technical Skills: Ensure your portfolio reflects expertise in the required software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite).
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Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design choices, inspirations, and how you approach collaboration and feedback.
Challenge Preparation:
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Understand SOREL's Brand: Familiarize yourself with SOREL's current website, social media presence, and marketing campaigns to understand their aesthetic, target audience, and brand voice.
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E-commerce Focus: Anticipate challenges related to optimizing user experience, driving conversions, and presenting products effectively online.
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Brand Consistency: Be prepared to demonstrate how you maintain brand consistency across various digital touchpoints.
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Time Management: Practice executing design tasks within a given timeframe, simulating a real-world scenario.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that showcases solutions to business problems, combined with potential creative challenges, indicates that SOREL is looking for a designer who is not just technically skilled but also a strategic thinker and a proactive problem-solver.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and interface design. Proficiency is expected for UI/UX and asset creation.
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Adobe Creative Suite:
- Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
- InDesign: For layout design, brochures, and potentially email templates.
- Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and web asset creation.
- After Effects: For motion graphics, animations, and dynamic visual elements.
- Premiere: For video editing and producing light touch video assets.
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Microsoft PowerPoint: For presentations and potentially creating simpler graphic assets or mockups.
Analytics & Reporting:
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While not explicitly listed as required tools for the designer, understanding how to interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) and reporting dashboards is beneficial for informing design decisions and demonstrating impact. CRM & Automation:
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Experience with Content Management Systems (CMS) like Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is a plus, indicating potential interaction with systems that manage digital content and website structure.
📝 Enhancement Note: The comprehensive list of required design software underscores the need for a technically proficient designer. Familiarity with AEM and an understanding of analytics would be advantageous for a candidate looking to demonstrate a broader understanding of the digital marketing ecosystem.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Brand Integrity: Upholding and enhancing the SOREL brand voice and visual identity across all digital touchpoints.
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Collaboration: Working effectively with internal teams (design, marketing, development, operations) and external partners to achieve shared goals.
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Innovation: Staying current with digital design trends, technologies, and competitor activities to bring fresh ideas to the team.
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Efficiency & Accuracy: Producing high-quality design work efficiently and accurately, meeting quick-turn deadlines.
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Problem-Solving: Applying design thinking to solve business challenges and create effective user experiences.
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Customer Focus: Designing with the end-user experience in mind, ensuring accessibility, usability, and engagement.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with various departments, necessitating strong communication and the ability to integrate design efforts with broader marketing and operational strategies.
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Feedback Exchange: A culture of open feedback and iterative design is implied, where designers contribute to and receive constructive criticism to refine creative executions.
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Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share design insights, best practices, and learnings with team members and stakeholders.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on brand voice, collaboration, and efficiency suggests a team culture that values both creative excellence and practical execution within a structured marketing environment.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining strict adherence to seasonal brand guidelines while also incorporating fresh, innovative design elements to keep the brand engaging.
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Managing Multiple Projects & Quick Turnarounds: Juggling numerous design requests from various stakeholders with tight deadlines, requiring excellent time management and prioritization skills.
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Translating Creative Concepts: Effectively interpreting abstract creative directions or wireframes into tangible, user-friendly digital assets that meet business objectives.
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Adapting to Evolving Digital Landscape: Keeping pace with rapid changes in digital technology, user behavior, and design trends, and applying them effectively to SOREL's digital presence.
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Cross-functional Communication: Ensuring clear and effective communication with diverse teams (technical, marketing, international partners) who may have different priorities and perspectives.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Advanced Design Software Skills: Deepening expertise in After Effects for motion graphics, or exploring new design tools and technologies.
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E-commerce Optimization: Gaining a deeper understanding of conversion rate optimization (CRO), A/B testing principles, and how design impacts e-commerce performance.
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Campaign Strategy: Contributing to the strategic planning and execution of large-scale digital campaigns, offering exposure to campaign management.
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User Experience (UX) Design: Developing a stronger focus on UX principles and user-centered design methodologies for web and mobile interfaces.
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Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior creative leaders and potentially mentor junior designers as the role progresses.
📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to grow not just as a designer but as a marketing operations professional by understanding the strategic impact of design on business outcomes and by developing skills in campaign execution and e-commerce optimization.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a time you had to translate a complex seasonal brand creative direction into a cohesive set of digital assets for an e-commerce website. What was your process, and what were the key considerations?" (Focus on process, brand adherence, and outcome).
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"How do you approach balancing creative innovation with strict brand guidelines, especially when working under tight deadlines for campaigns like Cyber or Holiday?" (Highlight adaptability, efficiency, and strategic thinking).
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"Walk us through a specific digital design project from your portfolio that successfully solved a business problem for an e-commerce brand. What was the problem, your solution, and the results?" (Be prepared to detail metrics and impact). Company & Culture Questions:
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"What do you admire about the SOREL brand and its current digital presence? How would you contribute to its evolution?" (Showcase research and brand alignment).
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"This role requires significant cross-functional collaboration. Describe your experience working with marketing, development, and operations teams. How do you ensure clear communication and alignment?" (Emphasize collaboration and communication skills).
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"How do you stay updated on the latest digital design trends and technologies, and how have you applied them in previous roles?" (Demonstrate continuous learning and proactive engagement). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the objective, your role, the challenge, your solution, and the measurable results. Use a consistent framework.
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Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your presentation visually demonstrates your proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and your ability in motion graphics or video editing if applicable.
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Focus on E-commerce Impact: Emphasize how your designs contributed to user experience, engagement, and sales for e-commerce platforms.
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Be Ready for Technical Deep Dives: Prepare to discuss technical aspects of your designs, such as responsiveness, cross-browser compatibility, and asset optimization.
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Engage Your Audience: Present with enthusiasm and be prepared for interactive discussions about your creative choices and problem-solving approach.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only design talent but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to integrate design work into a broader marketing and operations framework. A strong portfolio that tells a story of business impact is crucial.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Digital Graphic Designer II position:
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Submit your application through the provided Workday link on the SOREL Careers page.
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Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight the specific skills and experience mentioned in the job description, focusing on your 2-4 years of design marketing experience, proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and any relevant footwear/apparel/retail industry background. Use keywords from the job posting.
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Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (linked on your resume or within the application) and prominently features digital design work for web, email, and paid media. Prepare case studies that detail your process, problem-solving, and quantifiable results where possible.
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Prepare for the Interview: Research SOREL's brand, recent campaigns, and digital presence. Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, focusing on how you achieved business objectives. Practice answering strategy and behavioral questions related to collaboration and problem-solving.
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Understand the Hybrid Model: Be prepared to discuss your comfort and experience with hybrid work environments and your understanding of the 4-day in-office expectation.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in Digital Arts or Graphic Design and 2-4 years of progressive design marketing experience. Proficiency in industry-standard design software like Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite is required, along with a strong portfolio demonstrating production design skills.