Brand Designer, Events

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer, Events Company: Zip Location: San Francisco, California, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Marketing & Design Operations Date Posted: 2025-10-10 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in shaping the visual identity and brand experience for Zip's large-scale corporate events, tradeshows, and campaign activations, requiring a strong focus on event-specific design execution.
• Responsibilities include owning the end-to-end design process for event collateral, from initial concept development to final execution across diverse physical and digital touchpoints.
• Key to success will be the ability to collaborate seamlessly with marketing, product marketing, and event teams to ensure consistent and impactful brand representation across all event-related materials.
• The role demands a strategic approach to brand system expansion for events, encompassing everything from signage and staging to digital content and promotional materials, all while contributing to the overall evolution of Zip's brand narrative.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title is "Brand Designer, Events," the context provided (e.g., procurement platform, B2B focus, enterprise clients) suggests this role operates within a GTM (Go-To-Market) or Marketing Operations framework. The emphasis on events as a GTM channel means this brand design role is intrinsically linked to operations by supporting lead generation, brand awareness, and customer engagement strategies that drive business growth. Therefore, the "Category" has been refined to "Marketing & Design Operations" to reflect this strategic alignment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization and execution of visual design projects for corporate events, tradeshows, and campaign launch activations from ideation through to final delivery.
• Develop and expand the Zip brand system to encompass a wide array of event-specific applications, including but not limited to: signage, staging elements, wall decals, print collateral, promotional merchandise (swag), on-site activation materials, pop-up booth designs, and keynote presentation content.
• Collaborate with animators and motion designers to produce engaging visual assets for keynotes, social media campaigns, webinars, and live-streamed events, ensuring brand consistency across dynamic media.
• Partner closely with the corporate events and field marketing teams to ensure a cohesive and consistent branded experience across all event touchpoints, aligning visual strategy with event objectives.
• Continuously refine and elevate existing brand templates and systems utilized for event promotion and execution, optimizing for efficiency and impact.
• Actively contribute to the overarching evolution of Zip's brand identity by exploring innovative design solutions that align with and amplify the company's vision and mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities have been expanded to detail the scope of event-specific design work, emphasizing the strategic and operational aspects of bringing brand experiences to life at large-scale GTM events. This includes the full lifecycle of design ownership and cross-functional collaboration crucial for successful event marketing operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for Mid-Senior level design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 4+ years of professional design experience, with a strong preference for in-house or startup environments, demonstrating hands-on experience in brand development and visual identity systems.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in brand design, with a robust portfolio showcasing successful brand experiences across diverse mediums, particularly event-related collateral.
• Exceptional proficiency in typography, color theory, layout composition, and visual hierarchy.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate design concepts and provide clear, compelling rationale behind design decisions.
• Strong critical thinking skills applied to problem-solving and narrative development through visual storytelling.
• Adaptability in embracing an iterative design process and a receptiveness to constructive feedback.
• Capacity to manage multiple projects concurrently, drive initiatives independently, and iterate designs rapidly in a fast-paced environment.
• Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring all digital and print assets meet production-ready standards.
• Skill in fostering strong, collaborative working relationships with internal team members and cross-functional partners.
• Proficient soft skills including active listening, effective negotiation, and confident decision-making.
• High proficiency in industry-standard design software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Figma.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for large-scale corporate events, conferences, or trade shows.
• Familiarity with motion graphics and animation principles for digital assets.
• Understanding of B2B marketing strategies and how design supports GTM objectives.
• Experience in developing and maintaining brand guidelines for diverse applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications have been elaborated to reflect the demands of a Mid-Senior level role in a fast-paced startup. Specific mentions of B2B marketing and event design experience are included as preferred skills, aligning with the role's operational context within Zip's GTM strategy.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly demonstrates ownership of design projects from concept to execution, with a focus on brand system development and application.
• Showcase specific examples of event-related design work, including signage, environmental graphics, digital assets for events, and branded merchandise, highlighting creative problem-solving and execution.
• Illustrate the ability to apply brand guidelines consistently across various event touchpoints and mediums, demonstrating an understanding of brand integrity.
• Provide case studies that articulate the design process, challenges faced, and the measurable impact or success of the design solutions, particularly in the context of event objectives or GTM goals.
• Include examples of collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., marketing, events) and how design integrated with overall event strategy.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a systematic approach to project management, including how projects are organized, timelines are managed, and feedback is incorporated throughout the design lifecycle for events.
• Show examples of how design systems are developed, documented, and maintained to ensure scalability and consistency, especially for event-specific applications.
• Evidence of working with production vendors or managing print/fabrication processes for event deliverables, ensuring quality and on-time delivery.
• Documentation or case studies that highlight the integration of design with marketing campaigns or GTM strategies, showing how design contributed to broader business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section focuses on the practical application of design skills within an operational framework, particularly for events. The emphasis is on showcasing not just aesthetic ability but also process, collaboration, and measurable impact relevant to GTM initiatives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $135,000 - $170,000 annually. This range is determined by factors including location, relevant experience, education, and specific skills. The San Francisco location is a key determinant for the upper end of this range, reflecting the local cost of living and talent market for design professionals.

Benefits:

• 📈 Start-up equity: Opportunity to gain ownership in a rapidly growing company.
• 🦷 Full health, vision & dental coverage: Comprehensive medical benefits package.
• 🍽️ Catered lunches & dinners for SF employees: Daily meal provision for on-site staff.
• 🚍 Commuter benefit: Support for transportation costs.
• 🚠 Team building events & happy hours: Regular opportunities for team bonding and social engagement.
• 🌴 Flexible PTO: Generous paid time off policy to promote work-life balance.
• 💻 Apple equipment plus home office budget: Provision of high-quality technology and a budget for setting up an effective home workspace.
• 💸 401k plan: Retirement savings plan to support long-term financial planning.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for extended hours during peak event planning and execution periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly inputted. The benefits are listed as provided, with context added for clarity. The working hours are inferred as standard full-time, with acknowledgment of potential event-driven fluctuations, which is common in event operations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically SaaS (Software as a Service) focused on Procurement and Spend Management. Zip operates in a rapidly evolving B2B enterprise software market, aiming to disrupt traditional procurement processes. Company Size: The description implies a fast-growing, well-funded startup environment. With a $2.2 billion valuation and $370 million in funding, Zip is likely in a growth phase, characterized by dynamic teams and evolving processes. This suggests an environment where individual contributions have significant visibility and impact. Founded: 2020. This relatively recent founding date indicates a company culture that is likely agile, innovative, and focused on rapid scaling and market disruption.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Designer will be part of a broader marketing or brand team, likely reporting to a Brand Director or Creative Lead.
• This role demands close collaboration with Brand Marketers, Product Marketing Managers, Growth Strategists, and the Corporate Events/Field Marketing teams, indicating a highly integrated, cross-functional approach to GTM execution.
• The emphasis on a "world-class team" suggests a culture of high performance, talent acquisition from top tech companies, and a focus on innovation.

Methodology:

• Zip's approach is likely data-driven and customer-centric, aiming to provide a "simple, consumer-grade user experience" for enterprise procurement.
• Expect a focus on iterative design and rapid deployment, common in tech startups, to quickly respond to market feedback and evolving customer needs.
• The company culture is described as having an "underdog mindset," encouraging ownership, open communication, and a drive to increase the pace of innovation.

Company Website: zip.co

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers company culture and team structure based on stated funding, valuation, founding date, and company description. The emphasis on "category-defining" and "disrupting traditional processes" points to an innovative and fast-paced operational environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as Mid-Senior level, implying a significant degree of autonomy and project ownership. The designer is expected to "Own projects throughout the entire design process" and "drive multiple projects at a time," indicating a level of responsibility beyond junior roles. This level suggests a candidate who can contribute strategically to brand execution, not just tactically.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report into a creative leadership role within the marketing or brand department. Crucially, they will work closely with and support operational teams like Corporate Events and Field Marketing, highlighting the interconnectedness of design with GTM execution strategies.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's work directly impacts Zip's GTM strategy by creating compelling visual experiences at key events. This contributes to brand awareness, lead generation, and customer engagement, all of which are critical operational outcomes for a B2B SaaS company. Effective event branding can influence perception, attract prospects, and reinforce the company's innovative image, directly supporting sales and marketing operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in event branding and experiential design within a high-growth tech company.
• Brand System Evolution: Play a key role in evolving and scaling Zip's brand identity for a rapidly expanding company and market.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop stronger collaboration and strategic alignment skills by working closely with GTM, marketing, and events operations.
• Career Advancement: Potential to move into Senior Brand Designer, Art Director, or Creative Lead roles as the company and design team grow.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career trajectory and operational impact specific to a design role within a GTM context, emphasizing how design contributes to broader business and operational success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as "On-site" in San Francisco, indicating a physical office presence. The mention of "Catered lunches & dinners for SF employees" further reinforces a vibrant, on-site work culture.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, United States. This location places the designer within a major tech hub, offering opportunities for networking and access to industry events.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is likely dynamic and collaborative, typical of a well-funded tech startup. Expect an open-plan office or co-working space designed to foster interaction.
• Access to Apple equipment and a home office budget suggests a commitment to providing employees with the tools they need for productivity, whether in the office or potentially for hybrid work flexibility if circumstances allow outside of the primary "On-site" designation.
• Opportunities for interaction with design, marketing, and GTM operational teams will be frequent, supporting a culture of shared learning and rapid execution.

Work Schedule: While a standard full-time schedule (approx. 40 hours/week) is implied, the nature of event design and GTM activities may require flexibility and additional hours during critical project phases or event periods to ensure successful execution and brand representation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" designation is central here. The environment is described to reflect a typical fast-paced startup culture in San Francisco, emphasizing collaboration and the provision of resources for effective work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and relevant experience.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A key stage where candidates present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design process, rationale, and impact, particularly focusing on event-related work and brand system application. Expect to discuss how you collaborate with marketing and events teams.
• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Potentially a practical design exercise or case study related to event branding or campaign activation, testing critical thinking, problem-solving, and design execution under timed conditions.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Brand Marketing, Product Marketing, and potentially Events/Field Marketing to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit within the broader GTM operations.
• Final Round: Discussion with senior leadership to evaluate strategic thinking and overall fit for Zip's culture and mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest event design work, demonstrating versatility across physical and digital mediums.
• For each project, clearly articulate your role, the design objectives, your process, design challenges, and the outcomes or business impact. Use storytelling to convey your approach.
• Be prepared to discuss how your designs support GTM strategies and brand objectives, especially for events.
• Highlight your proficiency with Adobe Suite and Figma, and be ready to walk through your workflow and decision-making.
• Showcase your collaborative process, providing examples of how you worked with marketing, events, or other operational teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly. Prioritize strategic thinking and clear communication of your design rationale.
• For event-specific challenges, consider elements like audience engagement, brand consistency, scalability, and production feasibility.
• Practice articulating your design decisions concisely and effectively, as if presenting to marketing and event stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a Brand Designer role focused on events within a GTM context. It emphasizes portfolio content, presentation strategies, and preparation for potential design challenges, aligning with the operational demands of supporting large-scale marketing initiatives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design, illustration, layout, and photo editing (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Figma: Critical for collaborative design, prototyping, and creating design systems, especially for digital assets and interactive elements.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct requirement for the designer, understanding how design impacts metrics (e.g., engagement, lead generation from events) is beneficial. Familiarity with tools used by marketing and GTM operations (e.g., Google Analytics, CRM dashboards) can provide context.

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with how marketing automation platforms and CRMs (e.g., Hubspot, Salesforce) are used for event promotion and lead tracking can help in designing assets that align with campaign workflows.

Other Potential Tools:

• Motion Graphics Software: Adobe After Effects, potentially for creating animated assets for keynotes and digital campaigns.
• Presentation Software: Proficiency in tools used for keynote content creation (e.g., Keynote, PowerPoint, Google Slides) and their design integration.
• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira, often used by marketing and operations teams for task tracking and workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section highlights the core design tools and acknowledges the broader technology landscape that marketing and GTM operations utilize, emphasizing the designer's need to understand how their work integrates into these systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership: Taking full responsibility for projects from conception to execution, especially concerning brand representation at events.
• Open Communication: Sharing ideas, feedback, and challenges transparently with design, marketing, and event teams to ensure alignment and efficient problem-solving.
• Underdog Mindset: Approaching challenges with resilience, creativity, and a drive to innovate, even when facing constraints common in event planning and execution.
• Pace of Innovation: Contributing to a culture that values speed, agility, and the continuous improvement of brand experiences and GTM strategies.
• Customer-Centricity: Designing event experiences with the end-user (attendees, prospects) in mind, aligning with Zip's goal of delivering a consumer-grade experience in B2B procurement.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with Brand Marketers, Product Marketing, Growth Strategists, and especially Event/Field Marketing teams to ensure visual consistency and strategic alignment across all event touchpoints.
• Iterative Design & Feedback Loops: Actively participating in design reviews, incorporating feedback from various stakeholders (including operational teams), and iterating on designs to meet project goals and event objectives.
• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a culture where design best practices, event branding insights, and successful campaign executions are shared across teams to elevate overall GTM effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration styles are inferred from the company description and the nature of the role, focusing on how these translate into the day-to-day operations of a designer supporting GTM events.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Event Specificity: Ensuring that event designs adhere to Zip's core brand identity while also being engaging and tailored to the specific audience and objectives of each event.
• Rapid Iteration and Tight Deadlines: The fast-paced nature of event planning often involves quick turnarounds for design assets, requiring efficient workflow and quick decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively managing feedback and requirements from multiple stakeholders (marketing, events, sales enablement, potentially leadership) to deliver cohesive designs.
• Measuring Design Impact: Quantifying the direct impact of event design on GTM metrics like lead generation, brand recall, or event attendance can be challenging but is crucial for demonstrating value.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Experiential Design Expertise: Gaining deep experience in designing for physical spaces, large-scale activations, and live events, a specialized area within brand design.
• GTM Strategy Integration: Developing a stronger understanding of how design directly supports and influences Go-To-Market strategies, campaign execution, and sales enablement.
• Advanced Design Tool Proficiency: Potentially exploring motion graphics or interactive design tools to enhance event experiences.
• Brand System Expansion: Contributing to the growth and evolution of a category-defining brand's visual identity in a dynamic market.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the specific demands of event design within a GTM context. Growth opportunities focus on skill development and career advancement within this specialized area.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to develop a comprehensive visual identity for a large-scale event. What was your process, and what were the key considerations for ensuring brand consistency across physical and digital touchpoints?" (Focus on process, brand system application, and cross-functional collaboration.)
• "How do you approach translating a company's mission and values into tangible visual experiences for an audience at a trade show or conference?" (Assess ability to connect brand strategy to event execution and audience engagement.)
• "Walk us through a project where you had to iterate on designs rapidly due to tight event deadlines or changing requirements. How did you manage this process and ensure a high-quality outcome?" (Evaluate adaptability, project management, and problem-solving skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Zip's mission and target market, how would you approach designing a cohesive brand experience for our upcoming major industry conference?" (Demonstrate research, strategic thinking, and brand understanding.)
• "How do you foster collaboration with marketing and events teams to ensure design effectively supports their GTM objectives?" (Assess teamwork and understanding of operational alignment.)
• "How do you measure the success of your design work, particularly in the context of events and brand campaigns?" (Gauge understanding of impact and data-driven design principles.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Event-Centric Narrative: Structure your presentation around your most impactful event design projects. Clearly articulate the event's goals, your design solutions, and the results.
• Process & Rationale: For each project, detail your design process, the strategic thinking behind your creative decisions, and how you addressed specific challenges.
• Collaboration Showcase: Highlight instances where you collaborated effectively with marketing, events, or other operational teams.
• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your workflow in Adobe Suite and Figma, potentially showing how you built reusable components or systems for events.
• Impact & Metrics: Whenever possible, tie your design work to measurable outcomes relevant to events, such as increased engagement, lead generation, or positive brand perception.

📝 Enhancement Note: This preparation guide focuses on common interview scenarios for a brand design role supporting GTM events, emphasizing strategic thinking, process, collaboration, and the ability to articulate design's impact on business objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer, Events position:

• Submit your application, resume, and a link to your portfolio through the provided application link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest event design work. Include case studies that highlight your process, strategic thinking, and the impact of your designs on GTM objectives.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 4+ years of relevant design experience, emphasizing skills in brand development, event collateral, and proficiency with Adobe Suite and Figma. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work, especially for event-related projects. Prepare to discuss how you collaborate with marketing and operational teams.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Zip's product, target market, recent news, and company culture. Understand their procurement platform and how brand design contributes to their GTM strategy.

⚠️ 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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