Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: Long Hollow Church

Location: Hendersonville, Tennessee, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Management & Leadership

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in overseeing the daily creative output and fostering team health within Long Hollow Church's Design department, ensuring high-quality execution across various design mediums including print, motion graphics, and environmental spaces.

• The Design Manager is responsible for translating established creative direction into tangible design assets, while also actively developing and empowering a team of Design Specialists.

• This position demands a versatile creative leader capable of both hands-on design production and strategic team management, focusing on both delivering excellent work and cultivating a high-performing design team.

• A key aspect of this role involves diligent brand stewardship, ensuring all visual communications consistently reflect Long Hollow's established brand standards, values, and aesthetic across all platforms and touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Design Manager" and the description of leading a "Design team" and "Design Specialists" strongly indicate a management role. The emphasis on "translating creative direction" and "producing design work" points to a hands-on creative component, suggesting a hybrid role that is both a maker and a manager, common in smaller organizations or non-profit settings where individuals wear multiple hats. The context of "Long Hollow Church" places this role within a non-profit, faith-based organization, which influences the expected culture and collaboration style.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Development: Provide daily guidance, direction, and support to the Design Specialist team, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture within the Creative Department.

• Skill Development & Coaching: Develop team members' creative skills, instincts, and professional growth through consistent, constructive feedback, coaching, and performance management.

• Project & Workload Management: Effectively manage project assignments, workloads, and deadlines for the Design team to ensure efficient operations and sustainable work practices, acting as the primary point of contact for day-to-day creative inquiries.

• Design Execution & Creative Ownership: Lead and produce high-quality design work across print, motion graphics, and environmental/physical spaces, adapting creative initiative based on project latitude or executing faithfully within the established creative vision.

• Brand Stewardship & Consistency: Steward and maintain Long Hollow's brand standards and visual identity guidelines, ensuring all design deliverables consistently reflect the organization's brand, values, and aesthetic, and serving as the team's primary resource for brand-related questions.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Collaborate closely with the Communications Manager and Film Manager to ensure visual consistency across all platforms and touchpoints, and partner with ministry teams and internal stakeholders to deliver effective design solutions that meet their project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate between managing a team and executing design work. The specific mention of "print, motion graphics, and environmental/physical spaces" indicates a broad scope of design responsibilities. The emphasis on "adapting creative ownership" suggests the need for flexibility and a balanced approach to leadership and individual contribution. The requirement to "collaborate with the Communications Manager and Film Manager" highlights the importance of cross-functional integration, typical in a GTM or operational support context for a creative department.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Proven experience as a professional designer with a robust portfolio showcasing expertise in print, digital, and/or motion graphics.

• Demonstrated experience in leading, managing, or mentoring other creative professionals is required.

Required Skills:

• Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level command of the Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and After Effects.

• Creative Acumen: Strong design instincts with a keen eye for typography, layout, color theory, and compelling visual storytelling.

• Brand Management: Ability to steward and maintain brand standards, ensuring visual consistency and alignment with organizational values.

• Project Management: Skill in managing multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines while upholding high creative standards.

• Communication: Clear and articulate communication skills, capable of effectively articulating creative decisions and providing constructive feedback to team members and stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with environmental or physical space design (e.g., signage, event spaces, interior graphics).

• Familiarity with motion graphics production and animation principles.

• Understanding of print production processes and best practices.

• Experience working within a faith-based or non-profit organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Skills Needed to Succeed" section aligns with typical requirements for a Design Manager role. The "Education & Experience" section specifies a Bachelor's degree and "proven experience as a designer with a strong portfolio," alongside "experience leading, managing, or mentoring." The "Skills & Abilities" section details essential design competencies and project management skills. The "Character & Culture Fit" section, while not purely skill-based, is crucial for a role within a faith-based organization. The AI inferred experience level of 5-10 years is a reasonable estimate for a manager role with team leadership responsibilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Creative Output: A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a breadth of design work across print, digital, and motion graphics, with a clear emphasis on quality and strategic application.

• Leadership & Mentorship Examples: Evidence of leadership capabilities, such as case studies or descriptions of how you've guided junior designers, managed projects, or contributed to team growth.

• Brand Alignment Projects: Examples of projects where you successfully adhered to and enforced brand guidelines, demonstrating an understanding of brand stewardship.

• Process & Problem-Solving: Case studies that highlight your approach to design challenges, illustrating your problem-solving skills, creative process, and ability to translate project needs into effective visual solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Optimization: Ability to document and articulate design workflows, from concept initiation through final delivery, identifying opportunities for efficiency and improvement.

• Brand Guideline Implementation: Documentation or examples of how you've implemented and maintained visual identity guidelines, ensuring consistency across various design outputs.

• Project Management Methodologies: Understanding and application of project management principles for creative teams, including task delegation, timeline management, and resource allocation.

• Feedback & Revision Cycles: A clear process for receiving, providing, and implementing feedback effectively to drive design iterations and achieve optimal outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original job description doesn't explicitly mention a "portfolio requirement," it's standard practice for design roles, especially management positions, to require a portfolio. This section infers the expected components of such a portfolio based on the role's responsibilities, focusing on both individual design work and leadership/process aspects. The "Process Documentation" aspect is derived from the responsibilities around brand stewardship and project management, implying a need to understand and potentially document design processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Generous Paid Time Off:

  • Paid vacation starting at 3 weeks annually.
  • 12+ paid holidays per year.
  • Paid time off specifically allocated for serving in other ministry areas.
  • Paid time off for attending industry conferences and professional development.

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness:

  • Paid Medical Insurance.
  • Paid Dental Insurance.
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution.
  • Vision Insurance available as an option.

• Retirement Savings: 401K plan with employer match.

• Support Services: Access to free professional counseling and legal services.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. The specific schedule may offer some flexibility, but on-site presence is expected, aligning with the needs of team management and direct collaboration within the church environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical Design Manager compensation in the US, adjusted for the specified location (Hendersonville, TN), experience level (5-10 years), and the non-profit sector. The benefits listed in the input data are detailed and categorized for clarity, highlighting the generous PTO and support services offered by Long Hollow Church.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Faith-Based Non-Profit / Religious Organization (Southern Baptist Convention)

Company Size: Mid-sized organization, likely employing between 50-200 staff based on the scope of operations implied.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the organization's description suggests established roots and a clear mission.

Team Structure:

• Creative Department: The Design Manager operates within the Creative Department, reporting to the Director of Creative and Communication.

• Design Team: Directly manages a team of "Design Specialists," indicating a hierarchical structure within the design function.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works closely with other key roles like the Communications Manager and Film Manager, emphasizing a collaborative environment across creative disciplines.

• Ministry Partnerships: Engages with various ministry teams and internal stakeholders across the church, requiring a service-oriented approach.

Methodology:

• Mission-Driven Approach: All work is guided by the church's core mission: "following Jesus, making disciples, and faithfully living out our calling every day."

• Christ-Centered Leadership: Emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate example, shaping decisions, culture, and direction.

• Collaborative Unity: Values open communication, teamwork, and honoring one another to safeguard the mission.

• Faithful Stewardship: Prioritizes integrity and consistency in managing responsibilities.

• Restorative Rhythms: Values Sabbath and renewal for sustainable ministry.

• Joyful Tone: Encourages gratitude, hope, and a positive outlook in all work.

Company Website: https://www.longhollow.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is deeply rooted in its religious affiliation and mission. The emphasis on "Christ leading," "unity," "faithfulness," "rest," and "joy" provides a strong indication of the expected work environment and values. The team structure highlights a departmental approach with clear reporting lines and expected cross-functional interaction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-to-senior level management position within the creative operations of a non-profit organization. It requires a blend of hands-on creative expertise and proven leadership capabilities. The scope includes direct team management and significant responsibility for brand consistency.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager reports to the Director of Creative and Communication. This indicates a clear leadership hierarchy within the creative department, with opportunities to collaborate with a higher-level director on strategic vision and departmental goals.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's role is critical in ensuring that the visual communication strategy of Long Hollow Church effectively supports its mission. By leading the design team, they ensure that all creative outputs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also align with the church's values and mission, thereby enhancing engagement, communication, and the overall impact of ministry initiatives. High-quality, consistent design directly contributes to the church's public image and its ability to connect with its community.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential progression to a Director-level role within the Creative Department, or specialization in a specific area of creative leadership.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design disciplines (e.g., motion graphics, environmental design) or develop advanced leadership and strategic planning skills for creative operations.

• Industry Exposure: Through conference attendance and involvement in larger church initiatives, gain experience in managing creative for large-scale events and diverse communication needs.

• Mentorship & Development: Directly contribute to the growth of junior designers, honing mentorship and coaching abilities, which are valuable for future leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the Design Manager role within the broader context of operational management in a non-profit. It highlights the impact of design on the organization's mission and outlines potential career trajectories within such an environment, emphasizing both leadership and specialized skill development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site at Long Hollow Church's facilities in Hendersonville, TN. This implies a work environment integrated within a church campus, likely featuring dedicated office spaces for creative teams.

Office Location(s):

• Primary location: 3031 Long Hollow Pike, Hendersonville, TN 37075.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with direct reports (Design Specialists) and peers (Communications Manager, Film Manager), suggesting an open and interactive workspace designed to facilitate teamwork and idea exchange.

• Creative Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially other relevant creative technologies will be provided to support the team's work.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and one-on-one check-ins with team members and superiors, fostering a connected and supportive atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

• A standard full-time work schedule of approximately 40 hours per week is expected. While on-site presence is mandatory, there may be some degree of flexibility in daily scheduling, allowing for effective management of creative processes and team coordination within the church's operational framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description focuses on the on-site nature of the role within a church setting. It emphasizes the collaborative aspect of the workspace, the tools provided, and the expected work schedule, all tailored to the context of a faith-based organization.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of submitted applications, resumes, and portfolios to assess fundamental qualifications and creative fit.

• First Interview: Typically with the Director of Creative and Communication. This stage will likely focus on assessing creative philosophy, leadership style, experience, and cultural alignment with Long Hollow's values.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their role, creative process, and problem-solving approaches. This may involve a creative challenge or case study.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with other members of the creative team or key ministry leaders to evaluate collaboration skills and how the candidate would integrate with existing teams.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall fit, long-term vision, and confirm alignment with the church's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best represent your range of skills (print, motion, environmental), leadership experience, and ability to adhere to brand guidelines.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your specific role, the challenges faced, your creative process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable impact or outcome. Quantify results where possible.

• Highlight Leadership: Include examples demonstrating how you've mentored others, managed projects, or improved team processes. If possible, showcase work produced by a team you led.

• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: Include projects where you successfully interpreted and applied brand guidelines, showcasing your ability to maintain visual consistency.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your leadership philosophy, how you handle creative feedback, conflict resolution within a team, and how your faith influences your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Be prepared for a potential creative challenge that might involve designing a graphic for a church event, developing a concept for a motion graphic, or outlining a strategy for a new visual campaign.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process, problem-solving approach, and how you would apply Long Hollow's brand and values to the challenge.

• Time Management: If a timed exercise, practice managing your time effectively to produce a thoughtful, albeit potentially incomplete, solution.

• Presentation Skills: Be ready to clearly articulate your approach and rationale for any creative decisions made during the challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details a typical interview process for a design management role, with specific considerations for a church environment. The portfolio review tips are tailored to emphasize leadership and brand stewardship, which are key responsibilities of this position. The challenge preparation focuses on practical application within the organization's context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all design execution. Proficiency expected in:

  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital compositing.
  • Adobe InDesign: For layout design, print collateral, and publications.
  • Adobe After Effects: For motion graphics, animation, and visual effects.

• Project Management Software: While not explicitly named, the role requires managing workloads and deadlines, implying familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or similar project management platforms used by the church.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Basic Analytics Understanding: While not a primary data analyst role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., website traffic, social media interaction, event attendance) is beneficial. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics could be an advantage.

• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to contribute design elements to reports or dashboards that communicate campaign performance, although the creation of complex dashboards is likely handled by other roles.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Familiarity (Optional but beneficial): Understanding how design assets are utilized within CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) for marketing campaigns or communication outreach could be advantageous.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience with CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress) for website updates or digital asset deployment is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary tools are explicitly mentioned in the job description. The other categories (Analytics, CRM, Automation) are inferred based on the need for collaboration with communications and marketing functions, and general best practices for creative operations roles that support broader GTM or engagement strategies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Christ-Centered: Decisions and actions are guided by faith and biblical principles, with Jesus as the ultimate example.

• Unity & Collaboration: Emphasis on working together harmoniously, honoring team members, and fostering open communication to protect the mission.

• Faithfulness & Integrity: Commitment to stewarding responsibilities with honesty, consistency, and dedication.

• Service-Oriented: A culture of serving others, both within the church staff and the wider community, demonstrating humility and care.

• Joyful & Grateful: Approaching work with a positive attitude, gratitude for opportunities, and expectation for God's work.

• Restoration & Sustainability: Valuing healthy work-life rhythms, including rest and renewal, to ensure long-term effectiveness and well-being.

Collaboration Style:

• Interdepartmental Synergy: Strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration between design, communication, and film teams to ensure cohesive messaging and visual identity.

• Stakeholder Partnership: Working closely with various ministry teams to understand their needs and provide design support, acting as a partner rather than just a service provider.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback as a means of improving design quality and team processes.

• Shared Mission Focus: All collaborative efforts are unified by the overarching mission of the church, ensuring that teamwork is purposeful and directed towards common goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section synthesizes the "Who We Are" and "Character Traits" sections of the original description to articulate the core values and collaboration dynamics relevant to an operations role within this specific organizational context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Ministry Needs: Navigating the diverse needs and expectations of various ministry teams while maintaining a cohesive brand identity and high creative standards.

• Managing Shifting Priorities: Adapting to the dynamic nature of church operations where priorities can shift based on events, campaigns, or unforeseen needs, requiring agility and strong project management.

• Team Development in a Non-Profit Context: Fostering professional growth and high performance within a team, potentially with resource constraints or unique motivators inherent in a non-profit/ministry environment.

• Maintaining Creative Innovation: Continuously generating fresh, impactful design ideas that resonate with the church community while adhering to established brand guidelines and biblical principles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in motion graphics, environmental design, or emerging visual communication technologies.

• Leadership & Management Skills: Developing expertise in team leadership, performance management, and creative department strategy through hands-on experience and potential mentorship.

• Cross-Functional Project Exposure: Gaining experience in large-scale campaigns and initiatives that involve multiple church departments, enhancing strategic planning and execution abilities.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Utilizing paid time off to attend relevant design and creative leadership conferences to stay current with industry trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges inherent in a Design Manager role within a church setting, such as balancing diverse needs and managing priorities. It also highlights growth opportunities that leverage the organization's stated benefits and context, focusing on skill development and leadership progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to leading and developing a creative team. How do you foster a collaborative and innovative environment?" (Focus on your management philosophy, coaching techniques, and experience building team cohesion.)

• "How do you balance creative initiative with established brand guidelines and the specific needs of different ministry departments?" (Prepare examples of how you've navigated creative constraints and stakeholder requirements.)

• "Walk us through a complex design project from concept to completion. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them? What was the outcome?" (Use a portfolio piece to illustrate your problem-solving skills, process, and impact.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Long Hollow Church's mission and values? How do you see your role contributing to them?" (Research the church's website thoroughly, focusing on their beliefs, mission, and community impact.)

• "Describe your ideal work environment. How do you handle fast-paced, dynamic settings with potentially shifting priorities?" (Align your response with the church's emphasis on unity, faithfulness, and adaptability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Diverse Examples: Showcase a range of work that highlights your versatility in print, motion, and potentially environmental design, as well as any leadership or team-based projects.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved event attendance, successful campaign metrics).

• Articulate Your Process: For each project, clearly explain the problem, your solution, your creative choices, and your role. Emphasize your leadership contributions if applicable.

• Connect to Long Hollow: Be prepared to discuss how your skills and style align with Long Hollow's brand and mission, and how you would approach designing for a faith-based organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are tailored to the specific role of Design Manager at Long Hollow Church, integrating aspects of creative leadership, brand stewardship, team management, and the unique context of a faith-based organization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the recruiting platform.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight experience in team leadership, creative direction, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, and any relevant experience in non-profit or faith-based organizations. Use keywords from the job description such as "Design Manager," "motion graphics," "brand stewardship," and "team development."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio effectively showcases your best print, digital, and motion design work, along with any projects demonstrating leadership, project management, and brand adherence. Prepare to discuss specific projects in detail, focusing on your process and impact.

• Research Long Hollow Church: Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the church's mission, values, beliefs, and current initiatives. Understand their visual identity and how your design approach would align with their community and goals.

• Prepare for Interview Scenarios: Practice articulating your leadership style, creative process, and problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss how you would manage a team and contribute to the church's mission through design.

⚠️ 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.