Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer Company: McAfee Location: San Jose, California, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Art & Design Date Posted: 2026-01-15T00:00:00 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid (1-6 days onsite per month)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the evolution and management of scalable design systems to empower stakeholders with self-service creative assets.
• Drive the conceptualization and execution of omnichannel campaign creative, ensuring visual consistency and impact across diverse digital touchpoints.
• Foster a collaborative environment, mentoring junior designers and partnering with cross-functional teams to bring world-class creative ideas to life.
• Apply a strong systems-thinking approach to translate brand strategy into cohesive design executions for performance marketing, lifecycle marketing, and upper/mid-funnel media campaigns.
• Leverage cutting-edge design technologies, including AI tools and motion graphics, to expand creative possibilities and drive efficiency in campaign asset production.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior-level Brand Designer, evidenced by the requirement for 6+ years of experience, the expectation to mentor junior designers, and the emphasis on managing scalable design systems. The hybrid nature and specific onsite requirements indicate a need for candidates within commuting distance to San Jose, CA or Frisco, TX, with no relocation assistance provided.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and maintain robust, scalable design systems that enable stakeholders to independently utilize creative assets, reducing reliance on continuous high-touch support.
• Spearhead the translation of campaign creative concepts into compelling and user-friendly digital experiences, prioritizing clarity, visual consistency, and brand alignment across all digital platforms.
• Actively partner with the brand team, product marketing, and various cross-functional departments to ideate, develop, and deliver high-impact creative campaigns that resonate with target audiences.
• Exhibit a dual capability of strategic, big-picture thinking alongside meticulous hands-on design execution, from conceptualizing key campaign visuals to producing production-ready assets.
• Implement and adapt established design frameworks across multiple marketing touchpoints, including performance media, email marketing, social media, and more, to effectively meet marketer strategies while adhering to platform-specific best practices.
• Understand and integrate business priorities and stakeholder needs into design solutions, optimizing creative output to drive measurable business impact and achieve strategic objectives.
• Consistently uphold and champion exceptionally high standards for design quality, user experience, and brand integrity across all creative deliverables.
• Provide effective mentorship, guidance, and constructive, inspiring feedback to junior designers, fostering their professional growth and contributing to the team's overall creative excellence.
• Proactively explore and integrate motion graphics and video editing opportunities to enhance the team's creative toolkit and diversify campaign storytelling capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic system design, hands-on campaign execution, and leadership through mentorship. Emphasis is placed on creating self-sustaining design systems and adapting creative for diverse marketing channels, indicating a need for a designer who can think both holistically and tactically.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and mastery of design principles is paramount. Experience: A minimum of 6 years of professional design experience, gained either within an agency setting or an in-house corporate environment, is required.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in industry-standard design software, specifically Figma for collaborative design and prototyping, and the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects) for comprehensive creative production.
• Demonstrated ability to translate high-level brand strategy into actionable, cohesive design systems and impactful campaign executions across various media.
• Exceptional typography, layout composition, and visual storytelling skills, with a keen eye for detail and aesthetic appeal.
• Proven experience leveraging AI-powered creative tools (e.g., MidJourney, Adobe Firefly, RunwayML) for concept exploration, rapid prototyping, and extending creative directions efficiently.
• Strong understanding of business objectives and marketing goals, with the capacity to design creative solutions that demonstrably drive impact and contribute to success.
• Proven ability to mentor, inspire, and collaborate effectively with junior designers, marketing teams, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience in applying design frameworks to diverse marketing touchpoints, including performance media, email, and social media campaigns.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics and animation, including proficiency in software like After Effects or similar tools, to enhance campaign dynamism.
• Familiarity with video editing software and techniques for creating engaging video content.
• Experience with creative automation platforms such as Celtra, enabling efficient scaling and personalization of campaign assets.
• Understanding of usability principles and user experience (UX) best practices in digital design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for specific software proficiency (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and the strong emphasis on systems-thinking and AI tool utilization are critical. The "bonus points" for motion graphics and creative automation indicate a desire for a candidate with forward-thinking skills that can enhance the team's capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 6 years of professional design work, with a clear emphasis on both the strategic application of design systems and the creative execution of marketing campaigns.
• Examples demonstrating systems-thinking, including the development and application of scalable design frameworks, style guides, and component libraries.
• Case studies detailing the translation of brand strategy into cohesive visual identities and multi-channel campaign executions, highlighting the process from concept to completion.
• Visual evidence of strong typographic rigor, layout skills, and compelling visual storytelling capabilities across various media.
• Specific projects that showcase the application and adaptation of design principles for performance marketing, lifecycle marketing, and omnichannel campaign initiatives.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of how design processes were optimized for efficiency, scalability, and stakeholder collaboration, particularly in relation to design systems and campaign asset creation.
• Examples of workflow improvements or methodologies used to ensure brand consistency and high-quality output across numerous touchpoints and marketing initiatives.
• Evidence of understanding and applying design frameworks to meet marketer strategies while adhering to touchpoint best practices, ideally with examples of iterative improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is central to this role. It must explicitly demonstrate not only aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking around design systems, scalability, and the ability to adapt creative for performance-driven marketing. The inclusion of AI tool usage in portfolio pieces would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the 6+ years of experience requirement, expert software proficiency, and the San Jose, California location, a competitive salary range for a Brand Designer is estimated to be between $100,000 - $150,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and conference attendance.
• Access to cutting-edge design tools and technology.
• Employee assistance program (EAP) for mental health and well-being support.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses or stock options.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this full-time role are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available to accommodate project deadlines and personal needs, consistent with a hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry benchmarks for senior Brand Designers in high-cost-of-living areas like San Jose, CA, considering the specified experience level and required technical skills. Benefits are typical for a large tech company like McAfee.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cybersecurity and Digital Protection. McAfee operates in a dynamic and highly competitive technology sector, requiring innovative marketing and branding to stand out and communicate complex solutions effectively. Company Size: McAfee is a significant player in the cybersecurity industry, likely employing several thousand individuals globally. This scale suggests established processes but also opportunities for impact within specialized teams. Founded: McAfee has a long history, founded in 1987, indicating a mature company with a deep understanding of its market, but also a need to continually innovate its brand and creative output to remain relevant.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Designer will likely be part of a larger Marketing or Creative department, potentially within a dedicated Brand Design team.
• This team may comprise other designers (graphic, digital, motion), copywriters, brand strategists, and project managers.
• Reporting structure will likely be to a Design Lead, Brand Director, or Marketing Creative Director.
• Close collaboration with Product Marketing, Performance Marketing, Lifecycle Marketing, and other GTM teams is essential.

Methodology:

• Data-driven creative development, using insights from campaign performance and market research to inform design decisions.
• Emphasis on iterative design processes, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and A/B testing results.
• Adoption of scalable design systems and potentially creative automation to ensure efficiency and consistency across a wide range of marketing initiatives.
• A culture that values innovation, continuous learning, and adapting to evolving design trends and technologies, including AI.

Company Website: https://careers.mcafee.com/global/en

📝 Enhancement Note: McAfee's position as a cybersecurity leader implies a need for creative that is both sophisticated and trustworthy. The company's long history suggests a blend of established brand equity and the necessity for modern, forward-thinking design to appeal to contemporary consumers and businesses.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior Brand Designer, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires significant independent contribution, strategic input, and the ability to mentor others, moving beyond purely execution-focused tasks. Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer will report to a Design Lead or Creative Director within the marketing function. They will collaborate extensively with marketing managers, product marketers, and potentially other GTM stakeholders. Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's work directly influences brand perception, campaign effectiveness, and ultimately, customer acquisition and retention. By creating scalable design systems and high-impact creative, they enable marketing efforts to perform more efficiently and effectively, contributing directly to revenue generation through enhanced brand recognition and engagement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like motion graphics, creative automation, or advanced AI-driven design workflows.
• Leadership: Transition into a Lead Designer or Art Director role, managing a team of designers and overseeing larger creative projects.
• Strategy: Grow into a Brand Strategy or Creative Strategy role, contributing more heavily to the overarching direction and conceptualization of brand initiatives.
• Cross-functional Moves: Potentially move into product design or UX roles if skills are further developed in those specific areas.
• Continuous Learning: Access to company-sponsored training, workshops, and industry conferences to stay abreast of the latest design trends, tools, and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth into leadership or specialized design areas, typical for a senior individual contributor role within a large tech organization. The emphasis on systems and AI also points to potential future specialization in those areas.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid position, meaning the role involves a combination of remote work and in-office presence. The company likely maintains modern office spaces designed to facilitate collaboration and focused work. Office Location(s): The role is based near the San Jose, CA hub. While specific office details aren't provided, McAfee's offices are typically equipped with collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and individual workstations. Workspace Context:

• The work environment encourages collaboration, especially during onsite days, fostering idea exchange and team cohesion.
• Access to advanced design software and hardware is expected, supporting high-quality creative output.
• Opportunities for informal and formal interactions with marketing, product, and other creative teams will be prevalent, facilitating cross-pollination of ideas and alignment on campaign goals. Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with flexibility to manage personal schedules around project deadlines, especially given the hybrid arrangement. This allows for focused remote work and dedicated in-office collaboration time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model suggests a need for strong self-management and communication skills. The onsite days are likely intended for high-collaboration activities, team building, and strategic planning sessions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and fit.
• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: This is a critical stage. You will likely present your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your design process, systems thinking, and how you've utilized tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. Expect questions about your approach to design systems, brand strategy translation, and problem-solving.
• Cross-functional Interviews: You may meet with marketing managers, product marketers, or other stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, communication, and understanding of business objectives.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Director of Marketing, VP of Creative) to discuss strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase systems thinking, campaign execution, and your ability to meet diverse marketing needs.
• Highlight Systems: Dedicate specific slides or sections to illustrate your process for creating and managing design systems. Show how they scale and are utilized.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the measurable impact (if possible).
• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Demonstrate your command of Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and any AI tools used. Briefly explain your workflow and why you chose specific tools.
• Address Hybrid Work: Be prepared to discuss how you manage hybrid work and collaborate effectively both remotely and in the office.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Exercise: You might be asked to critique an existing design system or propose improvements for a hypothetical scenario.
• Campaign Concepting: A short exercise to brainstorm creative concepts for a given marketing objective.
• Problem-Solving Scenario: Present a design challenge and ask how you would approach it, focusing on your process and decision-making.
• Mentorship Discussion: Be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring junior designers and providing constructive feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their design process, strategic thinking, and the practical application of their skills, especially concerning design systems and campaign adaptation. Demonstrating an understanding of business impact is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and managing design systems. Expect proficiency in components, variants, auto layout, and team libraries.
• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, compositing, and detailed pixel-level work.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout design, particularly for print collateral or complex digital documents.
  • After Effects: (Preferred) For motion graphics, animation, and dynamic visual elements.
• AI Tools: Proficiency in tools like MidJourney, Adobe Firefly, RunwayML, or similar generative AI platforms for concept exploration, asset creation, and workflow enhancement.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary tool for this role, understanding how design impacts key metrics (e.g., click-through rates, conversion rates, engagement) is important. Familiarity with marketing analytics dashboards (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) may be beneficial for context.

CRM & Automation:

• Understanding how design assets are utilized within CRM platforms or marketing automation tools (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud, HubSpot) for email campaigns or personalized experiences is a plus. Experience with creative automation platforms like Celtra is highly preferred.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite are explicitly required. The emphasis on AI tools and preferred experience with motion graphics and creative automation platforms indicates a forward-looking approach to design technology within McAfee.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new design techniques, tools (especially AI), and creative approaches to solve marketing challenges.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working effectively with writers, marketers, strategists, and fellow designers, valuing collective input and shared success.
• Impact & Results-Oriented: A focus on how design directly contributes to business objectives, such as brand awareness, lead generation, and customer engagement.
• Quality & Craftsmanship: A deep commitment to producing visually compelling, technically sound, and strategically aligned creative work that upholds brand integrity.
• Scalability & Efficiency: A mindset geared towards creating design solutions that can be easily adapted and scaled across various platforms and campaigns, often through robust design systems.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively participates in brainstorming sessions and project kick-offs with marketing, product marketing, and other GTM teams to ensure design aligns with strategic goals.
• Constructive Feedback Loop: Engages in open and honest feedback exchanges, both giving and receiving it, to elevate creative output and foster team growth.
• Proactive Communication: Maintains clear and consistent communication regarding project status, potential challenges, and design rationale to all relevant stakeholders.
• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributes to the development of junior designers and shares best practices, tools, and insights across the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values suggest a team that is both creatively ambitious and strategically focused, with a strong emphasis on measurable impact and collaborative problem-solving. The inclusion of AI and scalability points to a modern, efficient approach to brand design.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Scalability with Creative Expression: Developing design systems that are robust and easy to use, while still allowing for creative flexibility and unique campaign executions.
• Adapting to Rapid Technological Change: Staying current with advancements in AI, motion graphics, and creative automation tools to maintain a competitive edge.
• Driving Impact in a Competitive Market: Creating visually distinct and engaging creative that cuts through the noise in the crowded cybersecurity market.
• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating design rationale and managing feedback from diverse teams with varying priorities and perspectives.
• Mentoring and Developing Talent: Providing effective guidance and support to junior designers to foster their growth and ensure team-wide quality standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI in Design Workshops: Access to training on leveraging generative AI for ideation, asset creation, and workflow automation.
• Motion Graphics & Animation Courses: Opportunities to enhance skills in creating dynamic visual content for digital campaigns.
• Creative Automation Platforms Training: Learning to use tools like Celtra for efficient campaign asset scaling and personalization.
• Industry Conferences: Attendance at leading design and marketing conferences (e.g., Adobe MAX, HOW Design Live) to gain insights and network.
• Internal Mentorship Programs: Structured opportunities to learn from senior designers and leadership within McAfee.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges reflect the dynamic nature of brand design in a tech environment, emphasizing innovation, adaptability, and strategic impact. Growth opportunities are aligned with developing cutting-edge skills and advancing within creative leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing and maintaining a scalable design system. How do you ensure it's adopted and utilized effectively by stakeholders?" (Focus on Figma, documentation, and stakeholder buy-in.)
• "Walk me through a campaign you designed for performance marketing or lifecycle marketing. What were the objectives, your creative approach, and the results?" (Highlight adaptability, data-driven decisions, and measurable impact.)
• "How do you approach translating a complex brand strategy into cohesive visual executions across multiple touchpoints?" (Emphasize systems thinking, brand consistency, and creative problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about McAfee and the cybersecurity industry? How do you see design contributing to our brand's success?" (Research McAfee's current branding and marketing efforts.)
• "Describe your experience mentoring junior designers. What is your philosophy on providing feedback and fostering growth?" (Showcase leadership and collaborative spirit.)
• "How do you ensure your design work aligns with business goals and drives measurable impact?" (Be ready to discuss metrics and ROI.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the objective, your role, the challenge, your process (including tool usage), the solution, and the outcome.
• Emphasize Systems: Dedicate specific time to showcase your design system examples. Explain the components, guidelines, and how they facilitate efficiency.
• Highlight AI/Motion: If applicable, showcase projects where you've effectively used AI tools or motion graphics, explaining the benefits and your approach.
• Be Concise and Engaging: Aim for clarity and impact. Practice your presentation to stay within time limits and maintain audience engagement.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, problem-solving, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, hands-on technical proficiency, and a clear understanding of how design contributes to business objectives. Be ready to articulate your process for systems design and campaign adaptation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the McAfee careers portal.
• Curate and Refine Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 3-5 of your strongest projects, specifically highlighting your experience with design systems, campaign execution across various channels (performance, lifecycle), and your proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. Showcase any AI tool utilization.
• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to align with the job description, using keywords such as "Brand Design," "Design Systems," "Figma," "Adobe Creative Suite," "AI Tools," "Campaign Creative," "Systems Thinking," and "Mentoring." Quantify achievements where possible.
• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio pieces, clearly articulating your process, strategic rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to hybrid work and collaboration.
• Research McAfee's Brand: Familiarize yourself with McAfee's current marketing initiatives, brand aesthetic, and competitive landscape. Understand how your design philosophy aligns with their needs.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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