Email (UI) Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Email (UI) Designer

Company: OKTOBER

Location: Netherlands

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design engaging and high-converting emails and pop-ups for e-commerce brands, including animated content (GIFs).

• Develop and maintain robust Email Design Systems to ensure brand consistency and efficiency across all client outputs.

• Proactively manage project timelines and deadlines, ensuring timely delivery and project completion without oversight.

• Drive design innovation by continuously exploring new trends, inspiration, and creative directions within the e-commerce email marketing space.

• Contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the design team through process improvements and smart workflow strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core of this role is focused on the visual and interactive elements of email marketing within an agency setting that specializes in e-commerce retention. The emphasis on "growing Shopify Retention Agencies" and "8-figure+ eCommerce brands" indicates a high-stakes, results-oriented environment where design directly impacts client revenue. The mention of "helping our design team work smarter and better" suggests a need for proactive problem-solving and process improvement contributions beyond individual design tasks. This role bridges UI Design with a strong understanding of marketing objectives and customer retention strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and execute visually appealing and effective email campaigns and website pop-ups for a diverse portfolio of e-commerce clients, incorporating dynamic elements such as GIFs and animations.

• Establish, document, and implement comprehensive email design systems, including style guides, component libraries, and best practices, to ensure brand consistency, scalability, and efficient campaign production.

• Take full ownership of project delivery, meticulously managing timelines, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring all design deliverables meet or exceed client expectations and internal quality standards.

• Actively research and identify emerging design trends, competitor strategies, and innovative visual approaches within the e-commerce and email marketing sectors to inform and elevate design output.

• Collaborate with fellow designers and account managers to identify opportunities for process optimization, tool enhancement, and workflow automation, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Translate client brand guidelines and marketing objectives into compelling visual narratives that drive engagement, conversions, and customer loyalty.

• Contribute to the development of A/B testing frameworks for email design elements, analyzing performance data to iterate and optimize future campaign designs.

• Ensure all email designs adhere to accessibility best practices and are optimized for various email clients and devices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed around delivering tangible results for e-commerce clients within an agency context. This implies a need for not just creative design skills but also a strong understanding of conversion rate optimization (CRO) principles as applied to email marketing. The emphasis on "design systems" and "helping our design team work smarter and better" highlights a strategic component, suggesting the ideal candidate will contribute to scalable processes and team efficiency, not just individual tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, candidates with a background in Graphic Design, Digital Design, Marketing, or a related field will find their education beneficial. Demonstrable practical experience and a strong portfolio are prioritized over formal education.

Experience: A minimum of 2 years of dedicated experience in email design, with a proven track record of creating effective campaigns for e-commerce brands. Experience within a design agency or a fast-paced client-facing role is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in email UI design, with a strong portfolio showcasing relevant work.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma, including mastery of auto-layout, component creation, local styles, and collaborative design workflows.

• Demonstrated experience with generative AI tools, such as Gemini, for ideation, content generation, or design assistance.

• Ability to design and implement animated elements within emails, including GIFs and basic motion graphics.

• Strong understanding of e-commerce marketing principles and customer retention strategies.

• Excellent project management skills with a proven ability to manage multiple deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively.

• Proactive and self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and a results-oriented mindset.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other design and prototyping tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch).

• Familiarity with Shopify's platform and its email marketing integrations.

• Knowledge of email marketing platforms (e.g., Klaviyo, Mailchimp, Omnisend).

• Understanding of email marketing best practices, deliverability, and accessibility standards.

• Experience in developing and maintaining design systems.

• Basic understanding of HTML/CSS for email development context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "non negotiable" requirements strongly emphasize practical, hands-on skills in Figma and generative AI, alongside direct email design experience. The preference for agency or client-facing experience suggests the role requires adaptability and the ability to work with diverse client needs and tight turnaround times. The inclusion of "ambitious" and "team-player" points to a cultural fit requirement alongside technical proficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A dedicated section showcasing at least 3-5 distinct email design projects for e-commerce brands, clearly detailing the client's objective, your design process, and the achieved results.

• For each project, include high-fidelity mockups of the email designs, any animated elements (e.g., GIFs), and pop-up designs where applicable.

• Demonstrate the application of Figma's advanced features, such as auto-layout and component-based design, within your portfolio projects.

• Include examples of how you've utilized generative AI tools to enhance your design workflow or output.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies within the portfolio should articulate the design process from brief to final delivery, emphasizing problem-solving and decision-making.

• Showcase how you managed project timelines and ensured successful delivery within specified constraints.

• Examples of how you've contributed to team efficiency or workflow improvements, even if informal.

• If applicable, include examples of how you've collaborated with developers or other stakeholders on email implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial, and the emphasis on "non negotiable" means it must clearly demonstrate 2+ years of email design experience and Figma proficiency. The AI experience needs to be visible. Given the agency context and focus on "growth," quantifying results (e.g., "clients and brands love us," "8-figure+ eCommerce brands") will be highly impactful, so portfolio entries should ideally hint at or explicitly state performance metrics where possible, even if anonymized.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Mid-Level Email (UI) Designer with 2-5 years of experience in a fully remote role within the Netherlands, and considering the agency's focus on high-growth e-commerce brands, a competitive salary range is estimated between €45,000 - €65,000 per annum. This range is dependent on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and proficiency in required tools and AI.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: A salary that is commensurate with your experience, skills, and the value you bring to OKTOBER and its clients.

• Remote-Friendly Environment: The flexibility and autonomy of working remotely, allowing for a better work-life balance and the ability to work from anywhere within the Netherlands.

• Access to Tools & AI: Full access to all necessary tools, cutting-edge AI workflows, and professional development courses to support your success and continuous learning.

• Client Impact: The opportunity to work directly with high-growth, 8-figure+ eCommerce brands, contributing to their success and gaining invaluable experience.

• Agency Growth Influence: Real influence on the strategic direction and growth of a fast-scaling agency, with opportunities to shape processes and contribute to its evolution.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning and skill enhancement through provided courses and access to AI technologies.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically aligning with standard professional working hours in the Netherlands (approximately 40 hours per week). While remote, a consistent commitment to project deadlines and team collaboration during core business hours is expected. Flexibility may be offered, but proactive communication regarding availability is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical Dutch market rates for experienced designers in a remote setup, factoring in the agency's specialization and client caliber. The benefits highlight the unique aspects of working for a growing agency, such as direct impact, influence, and access to advanced tools, which are key selling points for ambitious professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising / E-commerce Services. OKTOBER operates as a specialized Shopify Retention Agency, focusing on helping e-commerce brands increase customer lifetime value and repeat purchases through strategic email marketing and design.

Company Size: The company is described as "one of the fastest growing" and emphasizes "real influence on the direction of the agency as we scale." This suggests a dynamic, growing environment, likely in the startup to small/medium-sized business (SMB) range, experiencing rapid expansion.

Founded: While the founding date is not provided, the emphasis on rapid growth and scaling implies a relatively young or recently accelerated company that is actively building its infrastructure and client base.

Team Structure:

• The design team is part of a larger agency structure focused on client success within the e-commerce retention space.

• The role implies working within a collaborative design team, with potential interaction with account managers, strategists, and potentially client stakeholders.

Methodology:

• Data-driven design: Emphasis on client success and retention suggests that design decisions are informed by performance metrics and A/B testing.

• Agile and iterative processes: The fast-paced agency environment and focus on growth imply a need for adaptability and quick iteration on designs.

• Collaborative workflows: The mention of "team-player" and "helping our design team" indicates a strong emphasis on teamwork and shared effort.

• Technology-forward approach: The explicit mention of generative AI and access to "all tools, AI workflows, and courses" points to a company that embraces modern technology to drive efficiency and innovation.

Company Website: https://www.oktoberagency.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is likely fast-paced, ambitious, and results-oriented, driven by client success in the competitive e-commerce landscape. The "growing" aspect means opportunities for individuals to shape processes and contribute significantly to the agency's development. The remote-friendly nature is a key cultural component.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Designer with a specific focus on email UI design within an agency context. It requires a solid foundation of 2+ years of experience but also offers opportunities for growth beyond individual contributor tasks, into areas of process improvement and design system development.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Design, working collaboratively with other designers, account managers, and potentially client success teams. The emphasis on "real influence" suggests that contributions are valued across different levels.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to client revenue and retention. By designing effective emails and pop-ups, the designer directly influences customer engagement, conversion rates, and repeat purchases for 8-figure+ eCommerce brands. This means the design work has a measurable financial impact on the agency's clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Ownership: Opportunity to lead the development and refinement of email design systems, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Senior Design Roles: Progression to Senior Email Designer or UI/UX Designer roles, taking on more complex projects and client engagements.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Contributing to and potentially leading initiatives for improving design team workflows, tool adoption, and efficiency.

• Client Strategy Involvement: Gaining deeper insights into e-commerce retention strategies and potentially contributing to client strategy discussions.

• AI Specialization: Deepening expertise in generative AI for design, becoming a go-to resource within the agency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path here is not just about moving up a ladder but also about expanding influence and specialization. The agency's rapid growth provides a fertile ground for individuals who can demonstrate initiative in process improvement and strategic contributions, leading to leadership opportunities within the design function or broader agency operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, meaning there is no central physical office for daily work. The "remote-friendly environment" suggests that the company is structured to support remote collaboration and productivity effectively.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, it is specified that candidates must be located within the Netherlands. This is likely due to legal, tax, or timezone alignment requirements.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Digital Space: The primary workspace will be digital, relying heavily on online collaboration tools (e.g., Figma, Slack, video conferencing) for communication and teamwork.

• Access to Tools: Employees are provided with full access to necessary software, AI tools, and learning resources to perform their roles effectively from their remote setup.

• Team Interaction: While remote, the company fosters team interaction through regular virtual meetings, project collaborations, and potentially virtual team-building activities. The emphasis on being a "team-player" means active participation in these digital interactions is expected.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. While remote, adherence to core business hours within the European timezone (likely CET/CEST) is generally expected to facilitate collaboration. However, the remote nature may offer some flexibility in daily scheduling, provided project deadlines and team availability are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote setup within a specific country (Netherlands) indicates a structured approach to remote work, likely ensuring compliance and effective team synchronization. The focus on digital collaboration tools implies a need for strong self-management and communication skills in a virtual setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your resume and, crucially, your portfolio to assess minimum experience and relevant skills.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your design process, your use of Figma and AI, and the results you've achieved for clients. Be prepared to articulate your role and contributions clearly.

• Skills & Cultural Fit Interview: An interview focused on your technical skills (Figma, AI, email design principles) and your cultural alignment with OKTOBER (curiosity, team-player, ambitious, proactive). Expect behavioral questions.

• Practical Exercise (Potential): You might be asked to complete a small design task or case study, potentially related to email design or a design system component, to assess your practical application of skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or founder, to discuss your career aspirations, your vision for the role, and how you can contribute to the agency's growth.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight E-commerce & Retention: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work for e-commerce brands and, if possible, demonstrates impact on retention or sales.

• Showcase Figma Mastery: Clearly illustrate your use of Figma's advanced features like auto-layout and components. Consider including a brief screencast or explanation of your Figma setup for a project.

• Demonstrate AI Integration: Explicitly show how you've used generative AI. This could be in mood boarding, initial concept generation, or even generating placeholder content.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, follow a clear narrative: Problem/Objective -> Your Approach/Process -> Solution/Design -> Results/Impact. Quantify results whenever possible.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to discuss your design choices, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. For this role, be ready to talk about how your designs drive conversions and customer loyalty.

Challenge Preparation:

• Figma Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate your Figma skills live or discuss complex component setups and auto-layout strategies.

• Design System Thinking: Understand the principles of building and maintaining scalable design systems.

• AI Application: Be prepared to discuss how AI can be integrated into design workflows to improve efficiency and creativity.

• Client-Centricity: Frame your answers around delivering value and results for clients, particularly in the e-commerce retention space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily emphasizes the portfolio and practical skills. Candidates should prepare to not just show their work but to deeply discuss their process, decision-making, and the tangible impact of their designs, especially concerning Figma and AI usage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool. Mastery of its advanced features like auto-layout, components, variants, and collaborative functionalities is essential.

• Generative AI Tools: Proficiency with tools like Gemini is required for ideation, content assistance, and potentially design exploration.

• Animation/GIF Tools: Experience with creating animated GIFs or basic motion graphics for email content.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Experience with e-commerce platforms like Shopify is highly relevant. Understanding how email marketing integrates with CRM and automation workflows is an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily skewed towards design and AI. Figma is the absolute centerpiece, and generative AI is a mandatory skill. A basic understanding of the broader e-commerce tech stack (Shopify, email platforms) is beneficial for context and collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ambitious: A drive for personal and agency growth, aiming for high performance and significant client impact.

• Team-Player: Collaborative spirit, willingness to support colleagues, and contribute to a positive team dynamic.

• Curious: An eagerness to learn, explore new design trends, AI advancements, and client strategies.

• Proactive: Taking initiative, identifying opportunities for improvement, and driving tasks forward without constant supervision.

• Results-Oriented: Focus on delivering tangible outcomes and contributing to client success and agency growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Digital First: Heavy reliance on online tools and platforms for communication and collaboration.

• Transparent Communication: Open sharing of ideas, feedback, and project updates.

• Iterative Design: Willingness to share work early and often, incorporating feedback to refine designs.

• Cross-Functional: Collaboration extends beyond the design team to account management, strategy, and potentially client-facing roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values proactive, ambitious individuals who can thrive in a fast-paced, remote, and growth-oriented environment. Teamwork and a shared commitment to client success are paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity and Client Demands: Meeting diverse client needs and brand guidelines while pushing creative boundaries and ensuring brand consistency.

• Rapidly Evolving AI Landscape: Staying current with fast-paced advancements in generative AI and effectively integrating new tools and techniques into workflows.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a fully remote setting, especially with complex design projects.

• Driving Measurable Impact: Clearly demonstrating the ROI of design work in a performance-driven e-commerce environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized AI Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in generative AI for design through courses and hands-on application.

• E-commerce Design Mastery: Gaining in-depth knowledge of e-commerce strategy, customer psychology, and retention tactics through working with high-value clients.

• Design System Development: Opportunities to build and scale robust design systems, a highly valuable skill in UI/UX design.

• Agency Growth Contribution: Participating in the growth of a scaling agency provides unique leadership development opportunities and exposure to business strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a dynamic agency environment and the cutting edge of design technology. The growth opportunities are substantial for individuals who are proactive learners and eager to contribute beyond their immediate design tasks.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used Figma's auto-layout and components to create a scalable design system for email campaigns. What was the impact?" (Focus: Figma proficiency, design systems, impact)

• "How do you approach balancing creative freedom with strict brand guidelines for e-commerce clients? Provide an example." (Focus: Client management, creative problem-solving)

• "How have you integrated generative AI into your design workflow? What was the outcome?" (Focus: AI skills, innovation, practicality)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for a Shopify Retention Agency like OKTOBER?" (Focus: Understanding of niche, client focus)

• "How do you contribute to a team's efficiency and collaborative environment, especially when working remotely?" (Focus: Teamwork, remote work ethic)

• "What does being 'ambitious' and 'proactive' mean to you in a professional context?" (Focus: Cultural fit, initiative)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative is Key: For each portfolio piece, tell a compelling story: the client's problem, your strategic approach, your design solution, and the quantifiable results.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively. Demonstrate your Figma files, show the animated elements in action, and clearly present the design system components.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics (e.g., conversion lift, engagement increase) to showcase the effectiveness of your designs. If exact metrics are unavailable, use qualitative statements about client satisfaction or strategic alignment.

• Focus on Process: Be ready to discuss your thought process, the tools you used (especially Figma and AI), and any challenges you overcame.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should center around demonstrating a strong understanding of e-commerce retention goals, exceptional Figma and AI skills, and a proactive, collaborative attitude that aligns with the agency's growth trajectory.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Ashby application link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, highlights your 2+ years of email design experience, and prominently features your Figma and generative AI skills with specific examples. Tailor any cover letter to emphasize your understanding of e-commerce retention and your proactive, team-player mindset.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your experience with Figma, AI tools, and email/UI design. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., "email design," "UI design," "Figma," "auto-layout," "generative AI," "e-commerce," "Shopify," "design systems"). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, discussing your portfolio projects in detail, and preparing answers for behavioral questions related to teamwork, proactivity, and ambition. Be ready to discuss how your designs contribute to client success and retention.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with OKTOBER's website and their approach to e-commerce retention. Understand their client base and their focus on growth and technology integration.

⚠️ 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.