Head of Design (Arbitrage)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design (Arbitrage)

Company: Makeberry

Location: Ukraine (Remote or Office)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Design Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-09-21

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote Eligible

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage a multi-faceted design department comprising Visual Graphic & Motion Design, Motion Creators Design, Visual Graphic & Motion App Design, and Product Design.

• Drive strategic planning, resource allocation, and performance management for design teams to achieve business objectives.

• Optimize creative production workflows, implement A/B/n testing methodologies, and ensure design output directly impacts key performance indicators (KPIs) like CTR and conversion rates.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration, reporting directly to C-level executives on design function performance and strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership role within a marketing agency focused on high-volume performance marketing, specifically within the arbitrage model. The emphasis is on measurable business results driven by design, rather than purely brand aesthetics. The "Arbitrage" in the title suggests a focus on optimizing paid acquisition channels where design plays a critical role in conversion rate optimization (CRO) and return on ad spend (ROAS).

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage four distinct design functional areas: Visual Graphic & Motion Design, Motion Creators Design, Visual Graphic & Motion App Design, and Product Design.

• Set clear objectives, conduct regular performance evaluations, and develop individual development plans (IDPs) for all team members, fostering growth across all levels.

• Recruit, onboard, and develop Team Leads to build a robust and effective management layer within the design department.

• Strategically allocate team priorities and workloads across different design directions based on business needs and individual competencies.

• Analyze existing design processes, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions to enhance team productivity and efficiency.

• Standardize and optimize the production of creative assets, ensuring timely delivery, high quality, and consistent output volume.

• Establish and maintain a transparent workflow for task management, from briefing and prioritization to production, review, and final handover.

• Collaborate with Media Buying and Marketing teams to implement A/B/n testing for creatives, analyzing the impact of various formats and styles on CTR and conversion rates.

• Coordinate closely with Marketing, Media Buying, Product, and other relevant departments to ensure seamless integration and alignment of design efforts with broader business goals.

• Report on the performance of the design function, its impact on key performance metrics, challenges, and resource requirements to C-level executives.

• Develop and execute the strategic roadmap for the design function for the next 6-12+ months, ensuring alignment with the overall company business strategy.

• Define team structure, roles, and competencies, actively recruiting and onboarding new designers and leadership.

• Drive the adoption of automation, AI, templates, libraries, and Design Systems to accelerate creative production and improve efficiency.

• Manage the design department's budget, including tools, stock resources, and freelance/outsourced services, and advocate for necessary resources and priorities at the C-level.

• Make critical decisions in ambiguous situations and take accountability for business outcomes.

• Stay abreast of industry trends in advertising creatives, platform formats, banner networks, and native advertising, adapting team approaches accordingly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on process management, data-driven decision-making, and direct impact on revenue-generating activities. The mention of "arbitrage," "performance marketing," and "media buying" indicates a need for a leader who understands how design directly influences conversion metrics and ROI, not just aesthetic appeal. The scope of managing four distinct design areas suggests a complex organizational structure requiring strong leadership and delegation skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, marketing strategy, and business management is crucial. Relevant certifications in project management or leadership may be advantageous.

Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of experience in design, with a significant portion dedicated to leadership and team management roles within performance-driven environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience managing a design team of 15+ individuals with a two-tier hierarchy (multiple departments and Team Leads).

• Direct experience with performance creatives for media buying/affiliate/performance marketing (banners, video ads, landing pages), understanding the specific requirements beyond brand design.

• Expertise in managing diverse production formats: static graphics, full-fledged motion/video, ASO creatives for App Stores, and product landing pages/intermediates.

• Deep understanding of media buying metrics (CTR, CPA, CR, ROI) and how design decisions influence them.

• Demonstrated experience in building and standardizing high-volume production processes (dozens to hundreds of creatives per week), including a well-defined workflow from brief to handover.

• Full lifecycle people management experience: recruitment, onboarding, performance appraisal, IDP, and developing Team Leads into strong management figures.

• Experience in shaping team structures, defining roles and competencies, and resource planning for functional growth.

• Ability to communicate effectively with C-level executives, translating design initiatives into tangible business results.

• Strong strategic thinking skills to envision and guide the development of the design function over 6-12+ month horizons.

• Experience in high-volume performance verticals such as gambling, betting, or fintech. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with ASO creatives and a solid understanding of App Store/Google Play visual material requirements.

• Familiarity with tracking and media buying tools (e.g., Keitaro, Voluum) from a funnel understanding perspective.

• Experience implementing AI tools in creative production to accelerate team workflows.

• Experience building Design Systems or template libraries from scratch.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements strongly emphasize practical, results-oriented experience in performance marketing creative production and team leadership within high-volume environments. The distinction between "brand design" and "performance creatives" is key, indicating a need for a leader who can optimize for conversion metrics. The "10+ years" and "15+ people" in management suggest a very senior leadership role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a history of leading and scaling design teams, demonstrating organizational growth and effective people management strategies.

• Present case studies of successful performance creative campaigns, detailing the problem, your strategic approach, the design solutions implemented, and the quantifiable business impact (e.g., increased CTR, improved conversion rates, higher ROAS).

• Include examples of process optimization initiatives you've led, illustrating how you standardized workflows, improved efficiency, and managed high-volume creative production.

• Demonstrate experience in building and managing design systems or template libraries, showcasing their impact on production speed and consistency.

• Provide evidence of strategic planning and resource management, including examples of budget oversight and justification of resources to senior leadership. Process Documentation:

• Documented examples of workflow design and optimization, such as a clear "brief -> prioritize -> assign -> produce -> review -> deliver" process for creative assets.

• Evidence of implemented automation, AI tools, or template libraries that have demonstrably accelerated creative production cycles.

• Metrics and analysis demonstrating the performance of implemented design processes, including A/B/n testing results and their impact on KPIs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this caliber, a portfolio is not just about showcasing design work, but about demonstrating strategic leadership, process optimization, and quantifiable business impact. The focus should be on how the candidate has driven revenue and efficiency through design leadership and operational excellence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the seniority of the role (Head of Design, 10+ years experience, managing 15+ people, C-level reporting), and considering the specified locations (Ukraine), a competitive salary range would typically fall between $6,000 - $10,000+ USD per month, depending on experience, specific skill set, and negotiation. This estimate is derived from industry benchmarks for senior design leadership roles in high-growth tech/marketing companies operating in performance-driven markets and considering the cost of living and talent market in Ukraine.

Benefits:

• Professional development budget to enhance your skills and knowledge.

• Participation in industry conferences and meetups, fully sponsored.

• Monthly compensation for your preferred hobbies, promoting work-life balance.

• Regular team-building events and corporate gatherings.

• Corporate English classes for improved international communication.

• 20 days of paid vacation annually.

• Paid sick leave and observance of public holidays.

• Medical insurance for comprehensive health coverage.

• Compensation for consultations with a psychologist via the Pleso platform, prioritizing mental well-being.

• Official employment in Ukraine or Poland, with the company handling all bureaucratic and documentation processes.

• Company merchandise, gifts, and special acknowledgments for significant life events.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate remote work and international team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on a combination of executive-level design leadership roles in similar industries and regions. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance, which are attractive to senior operations and leadership candidates. The inclusion of employment in Poland as an option is also a significant benefit for international remote work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing Agency (Full-Cycle) specializing in helping brands grow, scale, and differentiate. They combine strategy, analytics, creative, and technology to deliver measurable business results, focusing on powerful marketing that yields real outcomes. The company explicitly states it does not work with clients from the aggressor country or any other Russian-speaking market.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the need for a Head of Design to manage four departments and report to C-level suggests a medium to large-sized agency with significant operational scale and ambition.

Founded: The company was founded with a mission to provide effective, measurable marketing solutions, emphasizing a data-driven and results-oriented approach from its inception. The current growth phase indicates a successful trajectory and a forward-looking strategy.

Team Structure:

• The Design department is structured into four key areas: Visual Graphic & Motion Design, Motion Creators Design, Visual Graphic & Motion App Design, and Product Design, indicating specialization within the creative function.

• A two-tier hierarchy is implied, with the Head of Design overseeing Team Leads who manage individual contributors.

• The role requires significant cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Media Buying, and Product teams, highlighting an integrated, team-oriented approach to achieving business goals. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Strategy: A core methodology involves combining analytics with creative execution to ensure marketing campaigns deliver measurable business results.

• Performance Optimization: The agency focuses on strategies that directly impact KPIs like CTR and conversion rates, particularly within performance marketing and arbitrage models.

• Process Standardization & Automation: Emphasis is placed on optimizing production workflows, standardizing creative output, and leveraging automation and AI to increase efficiency.

Company Website: https://career.upstars.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is clearly performance-oriented and results-driven, with a strong ethical stance against specific markets. The structure suggests a professional, growth-focused environment where design is a critical component of business success.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership position, equivalent to a Director or VP level within a specialized function. The Head of Design is responsible for the strategic direction, operational efficiency, and team development of the entire design department, with direct reporting lines to the C-suite. This role involves significant P&L responsibility for the design function and requires a blend of strategic vision, operational excellence, and people management.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Design will report directly to C-level executives, likely the CEO, COO, or Chief Creative Officer, depending on the company's specific organizational structure. They will, in turn, manage Team Leads for each of the four design sub-departments.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on revenue generation and business scalability. By optimizing creative production, improving campaign performance through data-driven design, and managing resources effectively, the Head of Design directly influences key performance metrics such as CTR, conversion rates, CPA, and ROAS, which are critical for the arbitrage business model. The role is central to ensuring the company's marketing efforts are efficient and profitable.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand influence over broader marketing strategy or take on additional operational responsibilities within the company.

• Functional Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific high-growth performance marketing verticals (e.g., advanced AI integration in design, complex ASO strategies, or scaling Design Systems for massive output).

• Executive Advancement: Path to executive-level positions within the company or the broader marketing/design industry, potentially CPO (Chief Product Officer) or a more senior leadership role in a larger organization.

• Mentorship & Team Development: Opportunity to build and mentor a high-performing team, fostering future leaders within the design and operations space.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant scope for impact and growth, moving beyond pure design execution to strategic business leadership within a critical revenue-driving function. The focus on performance metrics and C-level interaction positions this as a key strategic role.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers flexibility, allowing candidates to choose between a comfortable office environment or a fully remote setup. This hybrid approach caters to diverse working preferences.

Office Location(s): While the role can be performed remotely in Ukraine or Poland, the mention of an "office" suggests the company may have physical locations within these countries. Specific office addresses are not provided but would likely be in major cities within Ukraine or Poland.

Workspace Context:

• Flexibility: The choice between office-based or remote work allows for personalized work environments conducive to focus and productivity.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design tools, automation software, AI integration capabilities, and potentially a Design System is implied, supporting efficient and cutting-edge creative production.

• Collaboration: Whether in-office or remote, the environment fosters collaboration through structured workflows, regular feedback, and cross-functional team interactions, especially with Media Buying and Marketing departments.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule (approximately 40 hours per week) is expected, with a focus on delivering results rather than strict adherence to hours. The remote option provides flexibility in managing one's workday.

📝 Enhancement Note: The flexibility in work arrangement (office or remote) is a significant draw. The emphasis on modern tools and collaborative processes suggests a dynamic and efficient work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with required experience, particularly in performance creative leadership and team management.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely a C-level executive) to delve into your leadership philosophy, strategic approach to design operations, and experience in high-volume performance marketing. Be prepared to discuss your management style and how you develop teams.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Team Leads or representatives from key collaborating departments (e.g., Media Buying, Marketing) to assess your collaborative skills, understanding of their needs, and ability to integrate design into broader business strategies.

• Case Study Presentation: You may be asked to present a portfolio review or a specific case study detailing a successful performance creative initiative, your role in it, the processes you implemented, and the measurable business outcomes.

• Final Interview: A potential final conversation with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision, long-term goals for the design function, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, your strategic design solution, the specific processes you managed or optimized, and the measurable results (e.g., X% increase in CTR, Y% improvement in conversion rate, Z% reduction in CPA). Use data and metrics extensively.

• Showcase Leadership & Process: Highlight your experience in managing teams, developing talent, and optimizing production workflows. Demonstrate how you’ve scaled creative output and maintained quality under pressure.

• Highlight Performance Focus: Emphasize your understanding of performance marketing, media buying metrics, and how design directly influences these outcomes. Avoid purely aesthetic or brand-focused examples unless they clearly tie back to performance.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by team management success, process optimization examples, and specific performance creative case studies. Use clear visuals and concise explanations.

• Tailor to the Role: Demonstrate an understanding of arbitrage and high-volume creative production, as outlined in the job description.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Scenario: Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios asking how you would address specific challenges, such as scaling creative production for a new campaign, resolving conflicts between design and media buying teams, or improving the efficiency of a particular design process.

• Metrics Deep Dive: Practice articulating how you track, analyze, and report on design performance metrics and their impact on business goals.

• Leadership Philosophy: Be ready to discuss your approach to team leadership, talent development, conflict resolution, and fostering a high-performance culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily focus on demonstrating tangible business impact through design leadership and operational efficiency. A strong portfolio showcasing quantifiable results and process optimization is essential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), Figma, Sketch, or similar, depending on specific team usage.

• Motion Graphics Tools: Expertise in tools for video editing and motion graphics, likely including Adobe Premiere Pro, Cinema 4D, or similar, for creating dynamic ad creatives.

• Product Design Tools: Experience with tools relevant to product design, potentially Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, for landing pages and app interfaces.

• Automation & AI Tools: Familiarity with or willingness to integrate AI-powered design tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E for ideation/asset generation, AI-driven editing tools) and automation platforms to accelerate workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Performance Tracking Tools: Understanding of or experience with analytics platforms used in performance marketing, such as Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or specialized tracking tools like Keitaro, Voluum.

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret and potentially create reports using tools like Tableau, Power BI, Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio), or similar for presenting performance data to C-level.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Experience with or understanding of platforms that facilitate A/B/n testing of creatives.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, Monday.com for managing task flow, team assignments, and project timelines.

• Collaboration Platforms: Experience with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams for internal communication and team coordination.

• Design Systems Management: Familiarity with tools or methodologies for building and maintaining Design Systems or asset libraries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is geared towards high-volume, data-driven creative production. Proficiency in core design tools is expected, but a strong emphasis is placed on understanding analytics, automation, and AI to drive performance.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Results-Oriented: A strong emphasis on achieving measurable business outcomes and driving revenue growth through effective design strategies and operations.

• Data-Driven: Decisions are informed by data and performance metrics, with a constant focus on optimization and continuous improvement based on analytics.

• Efficiency & Automation: A commitment to streamlining processes, eliminating bottlenecks, and leveraging technology (including AI) to maximize productivity.

• Collaboration: Fostering a collaborative environment where design works seamlessly with marketing, media buying, and product teams to achieve shared goals.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of outcomes, making informed decisions in uncertain conditions, and being responsible for the performance of the design function.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design is not siloed but deeply integrated with other departments, ensuring creative efforts align with and support marketing campaigns, media buying strategies, and product development.

• Feedback-Driven: An open culture for providing and receiving constructive feedback, particularly between design and performance teams, to refine creatives and improve campaign results.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights from A/B tests, and learnings from market trends across the design team and with partner departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values impact, efficiency, and teamwork. The ideal candidate will be someone who thrives in a fast-paced, results-driven environment and can effectively collaborate across different functions to achieve business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Volume Demands: Managing the immense pressure of producing a high volume of creative assets (hundreds per week) while maintaining quality and meeting tight deadlines.

• Performance Volatility: Navigating the dynamic nature of performance marketing, where campaign success can fluctuate, requiring agile design adjustments and continuous testing.

• Balancing Speed & Quality: Finding the optimal balance between rapid creative iteration and ensuring the quality and effectiveness of each asset.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent communication and alignment between design, media buying, and marketing teams, especially when priorities may differ.

• Adopting New Technologies: Staying ahead of the curve with rapidly evolving design tools, AI capabilities, and platform trends to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Performance Design: Deepen expertise in optimizing creatives for specific high-performance verticals like gambling, fintech, or betting.

• AI in Creative Production: Lead the integration and strategic use of AI tools to revolutionize creative workflows and generate innovative assets.

• Strategic Operations Leadership: Develop broader strategic and operational leadership skills, potentially expanding influence beyond design into wider GTM or product strategy.

• Industry Trends & Innovation: Opportunities to attend and present at industry conferences, stay at the forefront of advertising creative trends, and influence the company's innovative direction.

• Mentorship Programs: Participate in or lead mentorship initiatives, developing future design leaders and refining personal leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges inherent