Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: CUBE84

Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative Operations / Design Management

Date Posted: March 17, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a PM-led Design Manager role focused on driving the end-to-end delivery of design and content initiatives, emphasizing project management, coordination, and stakeholder alignment.

• The role requires a blend of strong organizational skills for planning and tracking projects and the ability to step in to shape high-impact narratives and ensure consistent messaging.

• Key responsibilities include managing creative workflows, from briefs to final assets, while proactively identifying and mitigating risks to ensure timely delivery without last-minute chaos.

• Candidates will leverage project management tools to maintain delivery hygiene and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including designers, writers, and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Design Manager," the description explicitly states it's a "PM-led role" and "Writing is an important supporting skill, but not the primary focus." This indicates a strong emphasis on project management and execution within a creative context, rather than direct people management of designers. The core function is to manage the process and delivery of design and content work.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-End Design & Content Delivery Ownership: Plan, track, and manage the successful delivery of various creative projects including pitches, marketing assets, videos, case studies, and internal communications.

• Project Planning & Scoping: Break down complex creative briefs into clear, actionable scopes, identify necessary tasks, establish realistic timelines, and define key milestones for each project.

• Cross-functional Coordination: Act as a central point of contact, coordinating with designers, writers, marketers, and leadership teams to manage inputs, facilitate reviews, and ensure alignment on dependencies.

• Progress Tracking & Risk Management: Diligently track project progress against timelines, manage iterations effectively, and proactively identify potential risks, delays, or resourcing gaps, proposing timely solutions.

• Workflow Optimization & Tool Utilization: Maintain high standards of delivery hygiene by utilizing project management tools such as Monday.com, ClickUp, Notion, or similar platforms to streamline workflows and enhance team efficiency.

• Narrative Support & Content Refinement: Step in to write or significantly shape high-impact narratives, including pitch storytelling, video scripts, and compelling case stories, ensuring clarity, flow, and effectiveness.

• Messaging Consistency: Ensure a consistent voice, tone, and messaging strategy across all design and content outputs, maintaining brand integrity and communication goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "owning delivery" and "managing inputs, reviews, and dependencies" suggests a role that acts as a bridge between creative strategy and execution. The responsibility for "breaking down briefs into clear scopes, tasks, timelines, and milestones" points to a need for strategic planning and granular task management, typical of a Senior Project Manager or Operations role within a creative department.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly specified, but a Bachelor's degree in Design, Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field is often preferred for roles of this nature.

Experience: 4-5 years of experience in design, creative, content, or agency environments, with a strong track record in project delivery.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience owning and driving the delivery of creative projects from conception to completion.

• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.

• Clear, confident, and effective written communication skills, suitable for shaping narratives and refining content.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple stakeholders and navigate complex feedback loops with ease.

• Comfort in balancing structured project management methodologies with creative judgment and adaptability.

• Proficiency in project management and workflow tools (e.g., Monday.com, ClickUp, Notion).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working closely and collaboratively with design or creative teams.

• Familiarity with Creative Operations (Creative Ops) or Design Operations (Design Ops) principles and practices.

• Experience supporting sales, marketing, or product storytelling through creative content.

• Exposure to fast-paced agency or SaaS environments.

• Ability to quickly turn fragmented inputs into clear, structured stories.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "4-5 years" coupled with the emphasis on "owning delivery" suggests this role is likely equivalent to a Senior Project Manager or a specialized Operations Manager within a creative function. The "Nice to Have" skills, particularly "Creative Ops" and "Design Ops," strongly indicate that candidates with operational experience in managing creative workflows will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of projects where you were instrumental in managing the end-to-end delivery process, not just contributing to execution.

• Include case studies demonstrating your ability to break down briefs into actionable plans, manage timelines, coordinate stakeholders, and ensure successful project completion.

• Highlight instances where you successfully managed multiple creative projects concurrently, showcasing your organizational skills and ability to handle complexity.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your methodologies for planning and tracking creative projects, including how you set scopes, timelines, and milestones.

• Demonstrate your approach to managing stakeholder feedback and cross-functional dependencies, outlining how you ensure smooth collaboration and decision-making.

• Explain your strategies for identifying and mitigating project risks, ensuring deadlines are met without compromising quality or introducing "last-minute chaos."

• Articulate your experience with project management tools (Monday.com, ClickUp, Notion, etc.) and how you leverage them to maintain delivery hygiene and team efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "PM-led role" nature, a portfolio demonstrating strong project management, process governance, and delivery tracking capabilities is crucial. The ability to showcase how you've managed creative workflows and ensured content quality and timely delivery will be key differentiators.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Design Manager / Senior Project Manager role with 4-5 years of experience in Chennai, India, the estimated salary range would be approximately ₹700,000 to ₹1,200,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, negotiation skills, and the company's internal compensation structure.

Benefits:

• Full-time employment benefits as per Indian labor laws.

• Potential for health insurance coverage.

• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays).

• Opportunities for professional development and training in project management and creative operations.

• Exposure to diverse projects and a dynamic work environment.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard business hours. Flexibility may be required to accommodate project deadlines and cross-time zone collaborations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general market data for similar roles in Chennai, India. Specific benefits are inferred based on typical offerings for full-time positions in the region and the tech/creative industry. The role's emphasis on deadlines might imply some need for flexibility outside standard hours, though this is not explicitly stated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Software Services (implied by company name and common operations roles). CUBE84 likely operates in a sector that requires significant creative output for sales, marketing, and product communication.

Company Size: Not explicitly stated, but CUBE84 is a global company with multiple offices, suggesting a medium to large enterprise. This size implies a structured environment with established processes but also potential for agility and impact.

Founded: Information not provided, but a company with a global presence likely has a history of growth and evolution, potentially moving from a startup phase to a more established operational framework.

Team Structure:

• The role likely sits within a broader marketing, creative, or GTM (Go-To-Market) function, reporting to a Marketing Director, Creative Lead, or Head of Operations.

• Collaboration will be extensive with internal design teams, content writers, marketing specialists, sales enablement teams, and potentially product managers.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on structured project management and delivery frameworks.

• Data-driven approaches are likely encouraged for evaluating the effectiveness of design and content.

• Collaboration and continuous improvement through feedback loops are central to the role's success.

• Agile or hybrid methodologies may be employed for managing creative projects.

Company Website: cube84.com

📝 Enhancement Note: CUBE84's likely focus on technology and services suggests a professional, results-oriented culture. The "Design Manager" title in a "PM-led" context points to a culture that values operational efficiency, clear communication, and measurable outcomes in its creative output, aligning with GTM and Sales Operations principles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an intermediate to senior level, focusing on operational execution and project leadership within the creative domain. It requires a solid understanding of creative processes and project management principles.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will likely report to a Director or Head of Marketing/Creative, working closely with various department leads and individual contributors (designers, writers).

Operations Impact: By ensuring the timely and high-quality delivery of design and content, this role directly impacts the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, sales pitches, and overall brand communication, contributing to lead generation, customer engagement, and revenue enablement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in Creative Operations, Design Operations, or specialized project management for creative industries.

• Leadership: Progress into roles with broader strategic oversight of creative operations, team management, or program management within GTM functions.

• Skill Expansion: Enhance skills in narrative development, content strategy, and cross-functional leadership, potentially moving into roles like Senior Project Manager, Creative Producer, or Marketing Operations Manager.

• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience in fast-paced SaaS or agency environments, which can open doors to various tech and creative industry roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for individuals interested in the operational aspects of creative work. The blend of project management and content refinement provides a strong foundation for advancing into broader operations or creative leadership roles, particularly within technology-focused organizations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, indicating a collaborative office setting in Chennai.

Office Location(s): Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. This location implies a professional office environment designed to foster teamwork and in-person collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be dynamic and collaborative, facilitating close interaction with designers, writers, and other project stakeholders.

• Access to necessary project management tools and potentially creative software/platforms will be available.

• Opportunities for direct mentorship and knowledge sharing with experienced professionals in creative and project management fields.

Work Schedule: Primarily standard business hours (likely 40 hours/week), but the nature of managing creative projects and deadlines may require occasional flexibility to ensure timely delivery and responsiveness to stakeholder needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests CUBE84 values in-person collaboration for creative brainstorming, real-time problem-solving, and team cohesion, which is common in creative operations roles where quick iteration and direct communication are key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio for relevant experience in project management, creative delivery, and stakeholder management.

• Skills Assessment / Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a practical exercise or case study related to managing a creative project, scoping a brief, or developing a narrative. This will assess their planning, execution, and writing abilities.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about past projects, management style, problem-solving approaches, and understanding of creative operations principles.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Interactions with designers, writers, or marketing leads to assess collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Delivery Ownership: Prioritize projects where you clearly led the delivery process, detailing your specific role, challenges, and outcomes.

• Highlight Process & Tools: Include examples of how you used project management tools (Monday.com, ClickUp, Notion) to organize tasks, track progress, and manage timelines.

• Demonstrate Narrative Impact: If possible, include examples of pitches, case studies, or scripts where your involvement in shaping the narrative led to a positive business outcome.

• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., projects delivered on time, reduction in delivery bottlenecks, improved stakeholder satisfaction).

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly articulates your contributions and the results achieved.

Challenge Preparation:

• Prepare to walk through a detailed project plan for a hypothetical creative initiative, including task breakdowns, timelines, resource allocation, and risk mitigation.

• Be ready to articulate how you would handle conflicting feedback from multiple stakeholders or manage a project that is falling behind schedule.

• Practice refining a piece of fragmented information into a clear, compelling narrative, demonstrating your writing and storytelling skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "PM-led," "owning delivery," and "narrative support" means the interview process will likely probe deeply into project management methodologies, execution capabilities, and the candidate's ability to contribute to the strategic messaging of creative assets.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management: Monday.com, ClickUp, Notion, or similar platforms. Candidates should be proficient in using these for task management, workflow automation, progress tracking, and reporting.

• Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for daily communication and coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Understanding how design and content output supports CRM and marketing automation efforts may be beneficial, particularly if the role involves creating assets for sales enablement or marketing campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in project management software is a non-negotiable requirement for this role. The ability to leverage these tools for efficient workflow management and reporting is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency & Execution: A strong emphasis on delivering projects on time and within scope, minimizing bottlenecks and last-minute chaos.

• Clarity & Structure: Valuing clear briefs, well-defined tasks, and organized workflows to ensure smooth project execution.

• Collaboration & Communication: Promoting open communication and effective teamwork across diverse roles (designers, writers, marketers, leadership).

• Accountability: Taking ownership of project delivery and proactively addressing challenges to ensure successful outcomes.

• Impact-Oriented: Focusing on how creative outputs contribute to business objectives, such as successful pitches, effective marketing, and compelling storytelling.

Collaboration Style:

• Collaborative and proactive, acting as a facilitator and coordinator between creative teams and stakeholders.

• Emphasis on clear communication, constructive feedback, and shared problem-solving.

• Openness to iterative processes and adapting plans based on project needs and stakeholder input.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely rewards individuals who are organized, communicative, and driven to ensure creative work is delivered efficiently and effectively, aligning with operational excellence principles common in GTM and Sales Operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Freedom with Project Constraints: Managing the expectations of creative professionals while adhering to strict timelines, budgets, and strategic objectives.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Navigating feedback and priorities from multiple departments and leadership levels, ensuring alignment and consensus.

• Proactive Risk Mitigation: Identifying potential project derailers early and implementing solutions before they impact delivery timelines or quality.

• Maintaining High-Quality Output: Ensuring that the drive for efficiency and timely delivery does not compromise the creative quality or strategic messaging of the final assets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Project Management: Deepen expertise in project management methodologies, potentially pursuing certifications (e.g., PMP, Agile Scrum Master).

• Creative Operations Specialization: Gain in-depth knowledge of the operational frameworks that support creative teams, including process optimization, tool implementation, and resource management.

• Strategic Storytelling: Develop advanced skills in crafting compelling narratives for business purposes, enhancing capabilities in sales enablement and marketing strategy.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Build experience in leading cross-functional initiatives, improving collaboration and driving alignment across different departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents an excellent opportunity to hone skills in managing complex creative projects within a structured operational framework, preparing candidates for leadership roles in creative operations or broader GTM strategy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you managed a complex creative project from brief to delivery. What was your process, what tools did you use, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on planning, execution, tools, and results.)

• "How do you typically break down a creative brief into actionable tasks and timelines? Provide an example." (Assess planning and scoping skills.)

• "Imagine you have two key stakeholders with conflicting feedback on a design asset. How would you manage this situation to ensure a timely and effective resolution?" (Evaluate stakeholder management and conflict resolution.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CUBE84 and this specific Design Manager role?" (Gauge research and motivation.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with designers and writers? What makes for a successful creative partnership?" (Assess teamwork and understanding of creative dynamics.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each portfolio piece, clearly outline the objective, your role, the process you managed, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the measurable results achieved.

• Highlight Process & Tools: Explicitly mention and demonstrate how you used project management tools to track progress, manage dependencies, and ensure on-time delivery.

• Emphasize Narrative Contribution: If you played a role in shaping the story or content, be ready to articulate your contribution and its impact on the final output.

• **Be Ready