Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer

Company: Squads

Location: Anywhere

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-02-17

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the visual narrative and brand identity for Altitude, a burgeoning fintech platform leveraging stablecoins for business transactions.

• Develop and scale a comprehensive visual system encompassing typography, color, layout, and illustration across all customer touchpoints.

• Create compelling, platform-native content for social media, sales collateral, web assets, and product marketing to enhance user engagement and drive adoption.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, sales, product, and customer success teams to ensure a cohesive and impactful brand experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a foundational design leadership opportunity within a rapidly growing fintech/crypto startup, focusing on building a distinct visual identity from the ground up. The emphasis on "owning" the brand and working directly with senior leadership suggests a high degree of autonomy and impact, crucial for operations professionals seeking to shape strategic initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, evolve, and meticulously maintain Altitude's visual identity, including typography, color palettes, layout systems, and illustration styles.

• Architect and implement a scalable brand system to ensure consistent quality and brand adherence across all internal teams and external communications.

• Develop and enforce practical brand guidelines that facilitate adoption and empower teams to produce on-brand assets efficiently.

• Set and uphold a high standard for visual craft across all deployed materials, ensuring every piece reflects the brand's premium positioning.

• Design platform-specific content for social media channels (e.g., X, LinkedIn, YouTube), including threads, carousels, and short-form video assets, in close partnership with the GTM Lead.

• Create versatile templates and systems to enable rapid content production without compromising design quality.

• Design and iterate on website elements, including landing pages, product pages, and feature announcement pages, in close collaboration with engineering teams.

• Produce high-impact sales collateral, such as decks, one-pagers, case studies, and battlecards, to support deal closure and market differentiation.

• Design visual assets for events, including booth graphics, signage, and promotional materials, ensuring a strong physical brand presence.

• Oversee the visual experience for customer touchpoints, including onboarding flows, lifecycle email communications, and in-app messaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep integration with Go-To-Market (GTM) and Product Marketing (PMM) functions, which is typical for senior design roles in operations-focused companies. The expectation to "ship without asking for permission" and deliver assets in "hours, not weeks" underscores the need for efficient workflow management and rapid iteration, key skills for operations professionals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, visual communication, and brand strategy is expected, often gained through formal education or equivalent professional experience.

Experience: 5+ years of dedicated design experience in high-growth environments, with a proven track record in fintech, crypto, SaaS, or AI sectors. This role is positioned as a career-defining opportunity for an experienced professional.

Required Skills:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a wide range of design capabilities: brand systems, social content, web design, video production, and collateral design. This is a non-negotiable requirement.

• Demonstrated fluency in Figma for UI/UX design, wireframing, and prototyping.

• Proficiency in motion design and short-form video production techniques.

• Strong storytelling abilities, with a focus on narrative structure and emotional resonance in design.

• Deep understanding of social media design best practices and what visually performs on platforms like X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

• Experience in building or significantly shaping a brand identity for a high-growth startup.

• Ability to work autonomously, with a low-ego approach, and a track record of rapid iteration and delivery.

• Demonstrated comfort and experience with AI generative tools (e.g., Midjourney, Kling) to enhance workflow efficiency.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in designing for B2B financial products and services.

• Knowledge of A/B testing principles for digital assets to optimize performance.

• Familiarity with marketing automation platforms and their visual integration requirements.

• Basic understanding of front-end development principles to facilitate collaboration with engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "autonomous," "low-ego," and "AI-native" suggests the company values proactive problem-solvers who can integrate new technologies and work independently. The "5+ years" requirement points to a mid-to-senior level role, where candidates are expected to bring established best practices and a strategic mindset to operations and GTM initiatives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio is the primary requirement, demonstrating end-to-end ownership of design projects.

• Showcase the development and evolution of brand systems, from initial concept to comprehensive guidelines.

• Include examples of social content design, highlighting platform-specific adaptations and performance.

• Present web design projects, detailing the design process from wireframes to final interactive assets.

• Feature video or motion design work, illustrating storytelling and visual impact.

• Demonstrate the creation of sales and marketing collateral, emphasizing clarity, persuasion, and brand consistency.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their design process, particularly how they approach brand system development, iterative design, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Ability to document and communicate design decisions and rationale clearly.

• Experience in establishing and maintaining design systems that facilitate efficient workflows for multiple teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, a portfolio is not just a collection of work but a demonstration of process and impact. This role requires showcasing how design decisions are strategically aligned with business goals and how repeatable processes are established to ensure scalability and consistency, mirroring operational efficiency principles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the "anywhere" location and the 5-10 years of experience requirement for a specialized Brand Designer role in a well-funded crypto/fintech startup, a competitive global salary range is anticipated. Based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in high-growth tech companies, the estimated range is approximately $120,000 - $180,000 USD annually, depending on candidate experience, location's cost of living adjustments, and specific skill set alignment.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and company holidays.

• Stock options or equity participation, reflecting a growth-stage company environment.

• Professional development budget for courses, conferences, and learning resources.

• Remote work stipend for home office setup and ongoing expenses.

• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within a rapidly scaling organization.

• Access to cutting-edge AI design tools and technologies.

Working Hours: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility to accommodate different time zones given the fully remote nature of the role. Occasional availability outside standard hours may be required for critical deadlines or cross-time zone collaborations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on data from similar remote, high-growth tech companies in the fintech/crypto space, considering the experience level and the specialized nature of brand design. Benefits are typical for such companies, emphasizing remote work support and growth opportunities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech/Cryptocurrency - Altitude is building financial products on stablecoin rails, aiming to revolutionize cross-border payments, treasury operations, and business account services. The company operates within a rapidly evolving and innovative sector.

Company Size: Squads, the parent organization, is a well-established entity in the crypto space, known for its multisig solutions securing significant assets. Altitude, as a product/division, is likely in a growth phase, implying a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment within a more mature organization.

Founded: Squads was founded in 2020. Altitude's specific launch timeline isn't provided, but its rapid growth and backing suggest a relatively recent but impactful development.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Designer will report to a GTM Lead or a Head of Marketing/Design.

• Close collaboration with Product Marketing Managers (PMMs), Sales teams, and Product Designers.

• Part of a lean, high-performing team that values speed, autonomy, and high standards.

Methodology:

• Data-informed design decisions, leveraging insights from user behavior, marketing performance, and sales feedback.

• Agile and iterative design processes, emphasizing rapid prototyping, testing, and deployment.

• Emphasis on building scalable systems and processes to support company growth.

• Proactive adoption of new technologies, including AI tools, to enhance efficiency and creativity.

Company Website: https://squads.xyz/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as "small team, high standards," indicating a demanding yet rewarding environment. The focus on building a category-defining identity suggests a mission-driven organization where individual contributions have significant visibility and impact, aligning with the expectations of operations professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Brand Designer, potentially serving as the primary design owner for the Altitude brand. It's a critical individual contributor role with significant strategic influence, akin to a lead or principal designer. The scope extends beyond typical design tasks to brand strategy and system building.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer will likely report to a Marketing or GTM Lead, working closely with product, sales, and engineering teams. This cross-functional exposure is invaluable for understanding the broader business operations and GTM strategy.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's work will directly influence customer acquisition, brand perception, user engagement, and sales effectiveness. By establishing a strong visual identity and creating compelling collateral, they will play a pivotal role in Altitude's market positioning and competitive differentiation, directly impacting revenue generation and operational efficiency through clear communication.

Growth Opportunities:

• Brand Leadership: Opportunity to evolve into a Brand Director or Head of Design role as the company scales.

• System Architect: Deepen expertise in building and managing scalable design systems and brand frameworks.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain significant experience in marketing, product development, and sales operations through close collaboration.

• Industry Specialization: Become a recognized expert in visual branding for the rapidly growing fintech and crypto sectors.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers or external agencies as the team expands.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a high-potential startup. The ability to "own" the brand and build it from the ground up provides a unique opportunity for career advancement and skill development that goes beyond pure design execution, touching on strategic operations and business development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. The company operates without a central physical office, enabling talent acquisition from anywhere globally. This requires strong self-discipline and effective remote collaboration tools.

Office Location(s): Anywhere. This designation signifies that candidates from any country are welcome to apply, though specific visa sponsorship is noted as not being offered.

Workspace Context:

• A fully remote setup necessitates reliance on digital collaboration tools and asynchronous communication.

• Expectation of a dedicated home office space conducive to focused work and video conferencing.

• Access to a suite of digital tools for design, project management, and communication.

• Opportunities for virtual team-building activities and informal digital "water cooler" moments to foster connection.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week with flexibility to accommodate global team collaboration. This flexibility is crucial for operations professionals who may need to sync with colleagues in different time zones for critical GTM or product initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Anywhere" remote policy is a significant aspect. For operations roles, this implies a need for excellent time management, communication skills, and the ability to thrive in an independent work environment. It also suggests the company is committed to global talent acquisition and has robust remote work infrastructure.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Review: Initial screening based on resume and portfolio submission. A strong portfolio showcasing relevant experience is paramount.

2. Hiring Manager Screen: A conversation with the hiring manager (likely GTM Lead or Head of Marketing) to assess cultural fit, initial skill alignment, and understanding of the role's strategic importance.

3. Design Challenge/Portfolio Deep Dive: A practical exercise or in-depth review of the candidate's portfolio. This stage will focus on assessing design thinking, problem-solving skills, brand system development, and storytelling. Candidates may be asked to present a case study.

4. Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from product, sales, or engineering to evaluate collaboration style and ability to translate design vision across different functions.

5. Founder/Senior Leadership Interview: A final discussion to assess strategic alignment, cultural fit, and long-term vision for the brand.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your ability to build and scale a brand identity, create diverse content, and solve business problems through design. Prioritize projects from high-growth tech, fintech, or crypto environments.

• Showcase Process: Don't just show final assets. Detail your thought process, the challenges you faced, the solutions you devised, and the impact of your work. Use case studies for significant projects.

• Highlight Brand Systems: Clearly articulate your approach to developing and maintaining brand guidelines and scalable visual systems.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples of social content, web design, sales collateral, and any motion/video work.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to show how your design work contributed to business goals (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased engagement, successful campaign launches).

• Tailor to Altitude: Emphasize projects that align with Altitude's mission and target audience (fintech, stablecoins, B2B focus).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design philosophy, your approach to building a brand from scratch, and how you leverage AI tools in your workflow.

• Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on clear storytelling and articulating the strategic rationale behind your design decisions.

• Research Altitude and the broader stablecoin/fintech landscape to demonstrate industry understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a deep dive into the candidate's portfolio and strategic thinking, mirroring the operational rigor expected in GTM and brand strategy roles. Candidates should prepare to articulate not just what they designed, but why and how it drove business outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design system development. Proficiency is a mandatory requirement.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects): Standard industry tools for image editing, vector graphics, and motion graphics/video production.

• AI Generative Tools: Midjourney, Kling, or similar AI platforms for concept generation, asset creation, and workflow acceleration. Familiarity and practical application are expected.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly designing analytics dashboards, understanding how design impacts performance metrics tracked by marketing and product teams (e.g., conversion rates, engagement, bounce rates) is crucial.

CRM & Automation:

• Understanding of how design assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) for sales enablement.

• Collaboration with teams using these tools to ensure visual consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI tools highlights the company's forward-thinking approach to design operations. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they integrate these tools to improve efficiency and creative output, a key operational advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High Standards & Craftsmanship: A commitment to excellence in design execution and brand representation. Every asset must meet a high bar for quality.

• Speed & Iteration: A culture that values rapid execution, learning, and continuous improvement, moving from brief to shipped asset quickly.

• Autonomy & Ownership: Empowering individuals to take initiative, make decisions, and own their work end-to-end.

• Storytelling & Narrative: Believing that design is a powerful tool for communicating complex ideas and engaging audiences through compelling narratives.

• AI-Native Collaboration: Embracing AI tools as partners to augment creativity and efficiency, rather than replacements for human judgment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly with marketing, sales, product, and engineering to ensure brand consistency and achieve business objectives.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining open lines of communication in a remote environment, utilizing various digital channels effectively.

• Feedback-Driven: Openness to constructive criticism and iterative refinement based on feedback from stakeholders and performance data.

• Shared Vision: Aligning design efforts with the overarching company mission and strategic goals of Altitude.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-native," "speed," and "ownership" points to a culture that values proactive, efficient, and results-oriented individuals. This aligns well with the operational mindset required for success in GTM and brand strategy roles within fast-paced startups.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building a Category-Defining Brand: Establishing a unique and memorable visual identity in a nascent and competitive market (stablecoins/fintech).

• Scaling Brand Consistency: Ensuring high-quality visual output across a rapidly growing company with diverse needs and potential new team members.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Meeting aggressive timelines for asset delivery while maintaining exceptional design standards.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and driving brand vision across distributed teams without physical proximity.

• Integrating AI Tools: Continually exploring and integrating new AI capabilities into the design workflow to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Brand Strategy Leadership: Deepen expertise in brand architecture, positioning, and long-term brand development.

• Fintech/Crypto Domain Expertise: Become a specialist in visual communication for the financial technology sector.

• Design System Mastery: Develop advanced skills in building and scaling complex design systems.

• Cross-functional Acumen: Gain comprehensive understanding of GTM, product development, and sales operations from a design perspective.

• Emerging Technology: Stay at the forefront of AI-driven design and its practical applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a foundational role in a high-growth startup. Overcoming them offers significant opportunities for skill development and career advancement, particularly in areas relevant to operational strategy and execution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a brand identity from scratch for a new product or company. How would you approach this for Altitude?"

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various channels and teams, especially in a remote environment? What systems would you implement?"

• "Walk us through a project where you significantly improved a brand's visual presence or created impactful marketing collateral. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?"

• "How do you leverage AI tools like Midjourney or Kling in your design workflow? Provide specific examples of how they've accelerated your process or improved output."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Altitude's mission and the stablecoin space?"

• "How do you see your role contributing to Altitude's growth and market positioning?"

• "Describe your ideal collaboration style with marketing, sales, and product teams."

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each key project, clearly outline the problem statement, your role and process, the creative solutions, and the measurable impact.

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize how your design work contributed to business objectives like user acquisition, engagement, or sales enablement. Use data where possible.

• Showcase Brand Systems: Detail your approach to creating and implementing scalable brand guidelines and visual systems.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Highlight projects that showcase your range across social content, web, collateral, and any motion/video work.

• Explain AI Integration: Be ready to discuss how you use AI tools to enhance your workflow and creative output.

• Tailor to Altitude: Connect your experience and portfolio examples to Altitude's specific industry and goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational efficiency (through process and AI usage), and a deep understanding of how design drives business outcomes. The portfolio review is central, so candidates must be ready to articulate the "why" and "how" behind their work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating brand system development, social content creation, web design, and sales collateral. Tailor your presentation to highlight experience relevant to fintech, crypto, or high-growth SaaS environments.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight key skills such as brand identity, visual systems, Figma proficiency, social design, AI tool integration, and experience in high-growth startups. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your experience with remote collaboration, your approach to building brands from scratch, and your familiarity with AI design tools. Be ready to present your portfolio with a focus on strategic impact.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Altitude, Squads, the stablecoin market, and the broader fintech landscape. Understand their mission, values, and target audience to demonstrate genuine interest and strategic alignment.

⚠️ 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.