Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer

Company: Sage

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2025-11-06

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (Up to 2 remote days per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is central to defining and executing Sage's external and internal brand experience, focusing on visual storytelling and strategic creative output.

• The Brand Designer will be responsible for translating the company's visual identity across a diverse range of marketing, sales, and internal communications materials.

• A key aspect of this position involves maintaining and evolving the brand system to ensure consistency, scalability, and a distinctly "Sage" feel across all touchpoints.

• The role requires close collaboration with marketing, content, and product teams to develop concepts and ensure seamless creative execution that aligns with business objectives and brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title is "Brand Designer," the description and responsibilities strongly align with a role focused on marketing design and brand stewardship within a technology/healthcare startup. The emphasis on "storytelling," "campaigns," and "collaboration with marketing, content, and product" points to a strategic brand marketing function rather than a purely aesthetic design role. The "5-7 years of design experience" also suggests a mid-level to senior individual contributor role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate and extend Sage’s established visual identity across all marketing collateral, sales enablement materials, and internal communications to ensure a cohesive brand narrative.

• Design and produce high-quality visual assets for a variety of channels including digital marketing campaigns, social media content, email newsletters, video graphics, event collateral, and executive presentations.

• Actively maintain, refine, and evolve the comprehensive brand system, including style guides, asset libraries, and design templates, to ensure consistent application and scalability as the company grows.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners in marketing, content creation, and product development from initial concept ideation through to final creative execution, ensuring design solutions are strategic and impactful.

• Develop and design assets for both digital touchpoints (e.g., website elements, social media graphics, email templates) and physical touchpoints (e.g., trade show booths, office signage, print materials).

• Prioritize design that effectively supports and enhances storytelling, ensuring clarity of message is paramount, followed by creative innovation.

• Create and implement standardized templates, comprehensive toolkits, and optimized design workflows to streamline production processes and enable efficient scaling of creative output.

• Manage and direct external creative resources, such as design agencies, illustrators, and photographers, ensuring their work aligns with Sage's brand guidelines and project objectives.

• Provide expert design guidance and constructive feedback to cross-functional team members and stakeholders, educating them on brand standards and best practices to uphold brand integrity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are typical for a mid-level to senior Brand Designer or Marketing Designer in a fast-paced startup environment. The emphasis on "maintaining and evolving the brand system," "developing templates and workflows," and "managing external resources" highlights a need for strong organizational skills and a proactive approach to brand management, beyond just execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, or a related field is typically expected for roles with 5-7 years of experience. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5–7 years of dedicated design experience within brand, marketing, or communications design roles, preferably within a tech or healthcare-related industry.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in brand design, with a strong portfolio showcasing conceptual thinking, visual craft, and a track record of developing and applying visual identities.

• Proven ability to evolve and maintain comprehensive brand systems across diverse channels and platforms, ensuring consistency and scalability.

• High proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and advanced presentation design tools (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote).

• Exceptional collaborative and communication skills, with proven experience partnering effectively with marketing, content, product, and other cross-functional teams.

• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for both B2B and B2C audiences.

• Familiarity with motion graphics or basic video editing software.

• Understanding of UX/UI principles as they relate to brand consistency.

• Experience in developing and managing design systems.

• Knowledge of print production processes and specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-7 years" requirement, coupled with the responsibility for "maintaining and evolving brand systems" and "managing external resources," indicates this is not an entry-level position. The emphasis on "Figma" and "Adobe Creative Suite" is standard, but the inclusion of "presentation design tools" is crucial for a role that supports sales and internal communications. The "passion for building a modern, human brand" suggests a cultural fit is as important as technical skill.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong portfolio that clearly demonstrates conceptual thinking and superior visual craft across various design disciplines, including branding, marketing campaigns, and digital assets.

• Showcase examples of how you have successfully translated a brand's visual identity across multiple channels and touchpoints, highlighting consistency and strategic application.

• Include case studies that illustrate your process for evolving or maintaining a brand system, demonstrating scalability and adaptability.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in developing and documenting design workflows that streamline production, improve efficiency, and enable scale, particularly in a startup environment.

• Present examples of creating reusable design assets, templates, and toolkits that empower cross-functional teams while maintaining brand integrity.

• Show how you approach measuring the effectiveness or impact of your design work, even if qualitative, and how this informs future creative decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Brand Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. The emphasis should be on demonstrating strategic thinking behind design choices, not just aesthetic execution. The "process documentation" aspect suggests the company values efficiency and scalability in creative operations, so showing how the candidate has implemented such processes is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The expected annual salary range for this role is $135,000 - $155,000 USD. This range is dependent on the job level, which will be determined by the candidate's level of expertise, experience, and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Fully-paid health and dental insurance coverage for all employees. Additional health benefits include vision insurance, membership to premium primary and urgent care services, and access to online medical health providers.

• Equity: Competitive base compensation along with stock options, providing employees with ownership in the company's growth.

• Time Off: A flexible "take as you need" time off policy, supplemented by 7 paid holidays and a company-wide winter break during the holiday season.

• Office Perks: Located in New York City's Union Square, the office offers amenities such as complimentary office lunch and a fully stocked snack bar.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated as a fixed number of hours, a standard full-time role implies approximately 40 hours per week. Given the hybrid arrangement, employees are expected to be in the office for approximately 3 days per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and competitive for a Brand Designer role in New York City with the stated experience level. The benefits package is quite comprehensive, particularly the emphasis on health and wellness with premium care access and the inclusion of stock options, which is common in startups. The "take as you need" PTO policy is a significant perk.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology (specifically focused on improving care and quality of life for older adults through fall prevention and emergency response systems). This places Sage at the intersection of health tech and assistive technology, a growing and impactful sector.

Company Size: Sage is described as a "small, tight team of ambitious, multi-disciplinary entrepreneurs." This suggests a startup environment with potentially under 50 employees, likely ranging from 10-30.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the description implies a relatively young company focused on solving a significant problem with innovative technology. The company mission is central to its operations.

Team Structure:

• The operations team structure is likely lean and agile, with individuals wearing multiple hats. The Brand Designer will be part of a core group, reporting into a marketing or leadership function.

• Expect a flat hierarchy common in startups, where direct access to founders and senior leadership is possible.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is likely a key approach, especially given the tech and healthcare focus. Design choices are expected to be informed by user needs and business objectives.

• Agile methodologies for project management and product development are probable, requiring flexibility and rapid iteration in design.

• Emphasis on creating a "product that our client counterparts love," indicating a strong user-centric design philosophy.

Company Website: sage.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as "work hard and fast but also know that to build a truly important company, we need to treat our work as a marathon, and not a sprint." This indicates a demanding yet sustainable work environment. The "software-enabled, mission-driven" aspect is crucial, suggesting that technology and purpose are intertwined.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Mid-Senior Individual Contributor level. The Brand Designer is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, own significant design initiatives, and contribute strategically to brand development. They are not managing a team but are expected to influence brand direction and execution.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer will likely report to a Head of Marketing, Marketing Director, or potentially a founding team member responsible for marketing and brand. The direct collaboration with product and content teams indicates a matrixed reporting or project-based workflow.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's impact is critical for establishing Sage's market presence and credibility. Through compelling visual communication, they will influence brand perception, support sales enablement, enhance user engagement, and contribute to the overall success of the company's mission-driven goals. Effective branding can directly impact lead generation, customer acquisition, and investor relations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in brand strategy, digital design, or potentially transition into a Senior Brand Designer or Art Director role as the company scales.

• Leadership: Potential to become the go-to brand expert, guide junior designers (if hired later), and lead creative initiatives for major campaigns or product launches.

• Skill Development: Exposure to a fast-paced startup environment provides opportunities to develop skills in rapid prototyping, cross-functional project management, and strategic brand building from the ground up.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "small, tight team" description, growth opportunities are likely tied to the company's expansion. The role offers a chance to build a brand from a relatively early stage, which is highly valuable for career development in brand strategy and marketing design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company is described as having an "in office culture" but allows for up to 2 remote days per week, indicating a hybrid work model. The headquarters are in New York City's Union Square, suggesting a modern, collaborative office space.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Union Square, New York City. This is a central, well-connected area, making it accessible for employees commuting from various parts of the city.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster "cross team collaboration," with an emphasis on good ideas coming from anywhere. Expect an open-plan or flexible office layout that encourages interaction.

• The company provides office lunch and a fully stocked snack bar, contributing to a supportive and convenient work environment for those in the office.

• Opportunities for "connection as people, not just as colleagues" are encouraged through offsites, outings, and team meals, suggesting a strong social and team-building aspect to the work environment.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour week is typical, the "work hard and fast" culture may imply periods of intense work. However, the "marathon, not a sprint" philosophy suggests a focus on sustainable productivity and work-life balance, supported by the hybrid model and flexible PTO.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is defined as up to 2 remote days per week, meaning at least 3 days are expected in the Union Square office. This environment is geared towards collaboration and team cohesion, which is standard for startups aiming to build a strong company culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A session with the hiring manager and potentially a marketing/product lead to dive deep into the candidate's portfolio. Expect questions about design rationale, process, and problem-solving. This may include a brief design exercise or a discussion of past projects in detail.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from marketing, content, and product teams to evaluate collaboration skills and alignment with team dynamics.

• Final Round: A discussion with a founder or senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, cultural fit, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in brand design, marketing collateral, and digital assets, aligning with Sage's mission and industry.

• Tell a Story: For each project, walk through the problem statement, your design process, key decisions, challenges faced, and the ultimate impact or outcome. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Brand System Work: Specifically showcase any experience you have in developing, maintaining, or evolving brand guidelines, templates, or design systems. Demonstrate your understanding of consistency and scalability.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Be prepared to discuss how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed feedback, and incorporated input to achieve project goals.

• Tailor to Sage: If possible, include a speculative piece or adapt a past project to show how you would approach the Sage brand, demonstrating your understanding of their mission and aesthetic.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing assets for a specific campaign or initiative for Sage, given their mission.

• Prepare to articulate your process for ensuring brand consistency across various platforms and touchpoints.

• Anticipate questions about how you manage feedback and revisions, especially from non-design stakeholders.

• Think about how you would contribute to building a "modern, human brand" in the healthcare tech space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, especially the portfolio review, as it's the primary way to assess a designer's capabilities. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process and strategic thinking behind their creative work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and creating design systems. Proficiency is a must.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and complex illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout design of presentations, brochures, and other print/digital collateral.

• Presentation Design Tools: Proficiency in tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote is critical for creating compelling sales decks and internal presentations.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary requirement for this role, familiarity with how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on ads, conversion rates on landing pages) is beneficial. The designer will likely work with marketing teams who use tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or similar for performance tracking.

CRM & Automation: No direct CRM or automation tool experience is explicitly required; however, an understanding of how design assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) or CRM-integrated marketing tools would be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, presentation software) are standard for brand and marketing designers. The emphasis on Figma points to a modern design workflow. Understanding how design fits into the broader marketing technology stack is a bonus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to improving the lives of older adults is central. Design decisions should align with this purpose.

• Collaboration: Ideas are encouraged from everyone; cross-functional teamwork is fundamental to how Sage operates.

• Agility & Speed: The ability to work "hard and fast" in a startup environment, while maintaining a long-term perspective ("marathon, not a sprint").

• Human-Centric Design: Focus on creating products and experiences that are intuitive, empathetic, and genuinely beneficial to users.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to producing high-quality work that is both strategic and visually compelling.

Collaboration Style:

• Open Communication: Expect direct and honest feedback, with an emphasis on constructive dialogue to achieve the best outcomes.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Designers will work closely with marketing, content, and product teams, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate complex ideas into visual form.

• Shared Ownership: A culture where team members feel empowered to contribute ideas and take ownership of their work, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for the brand's success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize purpose, teamwork, and quality, which are critical for a mission-driven startup. The "marathon, not a sprint" philosophy suggests a healthy work-life balance is valued, despite the fast-paced nature of startup work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: In a fast-paced startup, the pressure to deliver quickly can sometimes conflict with the need for meticulous design quality. The candidate must be adept at managing these competing demands.

• Evolving Brand Identity: As a startup, Sage's brand may still be evolving. The designer will need to be comfortable with iteration and change, contributing to shaping the brand's future.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring design consistency and brand integrity across various departments and projects, each with its own priorities, requires strong communication and negotiation skills.

• Industry Specificity: Designing for the senior care/healthcare tech industry requires sensitivity and an understanding of the target audience's needs and perceptions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Brand Strategy Development: Opportunity to play a significant role in shaping and refining Sage's brand identity as the company grows.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Deepen understanding of marketing, product development, and content strategy through close collaboration.

• Startup Environment Acumen: Gain valuable experience in a high-growth startup, learning how to scale creative operations and contribute to business strategy.

• Industry Impact: Contribute to a mission that positively impacts the lives of older adults, offering a strong sense of purpose.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a designer in a startup environment. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly the chance to have a foundational impact on a growing brand in a meaningful industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing visual concepts for a new marketing campaign. How do you ensure it aligns with the overall brand strategy?" (Focus on your conceptualization, research, and strategy integration.)

• "How do you approach maintaining brand consistency across a wide range of deliverables (e.g., social media, presentations, event materials)?" (Highlight your experience with brand systems, templates, and quality control.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Sage's mission and the healthcare technology industry?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the company's purpose.)

• "Our culture emphasizes collaboration and a 'marathon, not a sprint' mentality. How do you see yourself fitting into this environment?" (Discuss your teamwork style and approach to sustainable productivity.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio to tell a clear story for each project. Start with the objective, detail your process and decisions, and conclude with the results or impact.

• Focus on "Why": Be prepared to articulate the strategic reasoning behind your design choices. Why did you choose these colors, typography, or layouts? How did they serve the objective?

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Include sketches, wireframes, mood boards, or iterations to demonstrate your thought process and problem-solving capabilities.

• Quantify Impact (Where Possible): If you have metrics (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates), present them. If not, focus on qualitative impact and stakeholder feedback.

• Be Ready for Live Design/Critique: While not explicitly stated, some companies may present a small design challenge or ask for feedback on existing Sage materials. Be prepared to offer thoughtful, constructive input.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing strategic thinking, process, and collaborative abilities, in addition to design craft. Candidates should highlight their understanding of brand building and their alignment with Sage's mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.

• Curate Your Operations Portfolio: Select 3-5 key projects that best showcase your brand design, marketing collateral, and digital asset creation skills. Tailor your selection to highlight experience relevant to a mission-driven healthcare tech company, emphasizing your ability to maintain and evolve brand systems.

• Optimize Your Resume for Operations Roles: Ensure your resume clearly quantifies achievements where possible, using keywords from the job description (e.g., Brand Design, Visual Identity, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Collaboration, Marketing Campaigns, Presentation Design). Highlight your 5-7 years of experience and specific contributions to brand strategy and execution.

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected projects, articulating your design process, strategic decisions, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss how you collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage feedback.

• Research Sage's Brand & Mission: Thoroughly understand Sage's mission of improving care for older adults. Review their current website and any available marketing materials to grasp their existing brand aesthetic and messaging. Consider how you would contribute to evolving their "modern, human brand."

⚠️ 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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