Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: Varsity Brands

Location: Farmers Branch, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Management & Leadership

Date Posted: April 1, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creative vision and execution of digital marketing assets, including websites, landing pages, email campaigns, social media content, and digital advertisements.

• Lead and collaborate with a team of designers and cross-functional partners to deliver cohesive and impactful creative projects that align with business objectives and brand strategy.

• Develop and implement design system strategies to ensure brand consistency, scalability, and efficiency across all digital platforms.

• Analyze existing design processes, identify inefficiencies, and propose innovative solutions to enhance design capabilities and workflow optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Design Manager," has significant operational aspects. The emphasis on process improvement, workflow optimization, system strategy (design systems), and cross-functional collaboration indicates a need for strong operational thinking and execution within the creative domain, aligning with GTM and marketing operations functions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and execute creative layouts for websites, landing pages, email marketing, social media, and digital advertising campaigns.

• Collaborate with marketing, merchandising, and category management teams to ensure creative output aligns with campaign strategies and customer engagement goals.

• Manage the end-to-end project lifecycle for creative assets, from initial concept through to final delivery, while balancing multiple projects with varying deadlines.

• Establish and refine design standards and processes to ensure consistent, high-quality creative output and efficient asset management.

• Lead the development of a scalable design system to maintain brand consistency and improve project efficiency across various digital platforms.

• Conduct performance analysis of existing design processes and workflows, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.

• Partner with internal photography and external vendors to source and stylize custom imagery for creative projects.

• Oversee proper organization and management of design assets within server and file systems.

• Actively participate in department staff meetings, project-specific meetings, and divisional planning sessions to contribute creative insights and align on priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative leadership and operational execution. The emphasis on "developing and applying design system strategy for evolving brand consistency and scalable project efficiency" and "examining existing processes, identifying flaws, and creating solutions to improve design capability" points to a need for process-oriented thinking and operational rigor in managing creative workflows and digital asset production.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field (e.g., Graphic Design, Digital Media, Marketing, Communications).

Experience: 10+ years of creative experience in designing for interactive projects, including email, website, online advertising, social media, and mobile applications. E-commerce brand experience is a significant plus.

Required Skills:

• Design System Strategy: Proven ability to develop and implement scalable design systems that ensure brand consistency and drive project efficiency.

• Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert command of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, etc.) and other relevant digital design programs.

• Web & Email Design Best Practices: Strong understanding of current trends, technical capabilities, and limitations of web and email design.

• HTML & CSS Proficiency: Solid understanding and practical application of HTML and CSS for web design and email development.

• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously from concept to completion with strict adherence to deadlines.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts and strategies effectively.

• Problem-Solving: Ability to act as a thought partner, identify creative challenges, and develop innovative solutions.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design, ensuring accuracy and quality in all deliverables.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within a team and cross-functionally with designers, marketers, and other stakeholders.

• Workflow Platform Understanding: Familiarity with Asana or similar workflow management platforms for task tracking and project coordination.

Preferred Skills:

• Generative AI Application: Advanced understanding and practical application of Generative AI tools to enhance creative efficiency and explore new design possibilities.

• E-commerce Brand Experience: Experience designing for e-commerce platforms, with a focus on conversion optimization and customer experience.

• Client Services/Agency Experience: Previous experience working in a client-facing role within a design agency or similar service-oriented environment.

• Typography & Layout: Strong command of typographic principles and layout design for impactful visual communication.

• Passion for Sports: A genuine interest in sports, aligning with the company's mission and industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "Advanced understanding of Generative AI uses and applies as tool for creative efficiency" and proficiency in "HTML & CSS" suggests a need for technically adept designers who can bridge creative vision with practical implementation and leverage emerging technologies. The emphasis on a "design system strategy" points to an operational mindset for scalability and consistency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling digital portfolio showcasing a range of interactive design projects, with a strong emphasis on problem-solving and responsive design for both B2B and B2C audiences.

• Demonstrations of how design systems were implemented to achieve brand consistency and improve project efficiency.

• Case studies detailing the process from initial concept through to final execution, highlighting key decisions and outcomes.

• Examples of email and web design projects that adhere to best practices and showcase an understanding of technical constraints.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you have analyzed and improved existing design workflows, detailing the "before" and "after" states.

• Documentation of your approach to asset organization and file management systems, ensuring scalability and ease of access for team members.

• Evidence of establishing and maintaining design standards and processes for consistent creative output.

• Examples of how you have leveraged tools like Asana or similar platforms to manage creative projects and track progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly requests "An engaging digital portfolio demonstrating problem solving paired with engaging, responsive design experience for B2B and B2C audiences." This strongly implies that candidates will need to present not just aesthetic work, but also evidence of their design process, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver measurable results, which is a hallmark of operations-focused roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (10+ years), location (Farmers Branch, Texas), and the managerial scope of this role, a competitive salary range for a Design Manager in this market is estimated to be between $110,000 - $150,000 annually. This range accounts for the strategic responsibilities, team leadership, and specialized technical skills required.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits

• Health Savings Account (HSA) Employer Contribution / Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Opportunities

• Wellbeing Program

• 401(k) Plan with Company Matching

• Company-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Short-Term Disability Insurance

• Generous "My Time Off" (PTO) and Paid Holidays

• Varsity Brands Ownership Program (potential for equity/stock options)

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for community and support

• Partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, including volunteer opportunities

• Employee Perks such as discounts on personal apparel and equipment

Working Hours: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The role requires flexibility to manage projects with varying deadlines, which may occasionally necessitate working beyond standard hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers with over 10 years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Dallas-Fort Worth, considering the responsibilities of managing creative output and potentially a team. The benefits package is comprehensive and includes elements like the Ownership Program and St. Jude Partnership, indicating a strong employee-centric culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Team Athletic Gear and Apparel Distribution. Varsity Brands, through its BSN SPORTS division, is a leader in providing equipment and apparel to teams, schools, and athletic organizations. This industry is characterized by a strong focus on performance, community, and the "Heart of the Game."

Company Size: Varsity Brands is a substantial organization with a widespread network. As part of a larger company, BSN SPORTS benefits from the resources and infrastructure of a significant enterprise, while likely maintaining a focused operational environment within its specific divisions.

Founded: BSN SPORTS has been in operation for over 50 years, establishing a long-standing reputation and deep market penetration. Varsity Brands as a whole is committed to transforming the student journey in sport and spirit.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely lead or be a senior member of a creative team, potentially including graphic designers, web designers, and production artists.

• This role involves close collaboration with marketing managers, category managers, merchandisers, and sales teams, requiring strong cross-functional partnership.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creative: The emphasis on customer experience, campaign strategy, and leveraging design systems suggests a data-informed approach to creative decision-making.

• Process Optimization: The job description explicitly calls for examining and improving existing processes, indicating a focus on operational efficiency within the creative function.

• Agile/Iterative Design: Working in a fast-paced environment with quick-turn and longer deadlines implies an agile or iterative approach to project management and design execution.

Company Website: https://careers.varsitybrands.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's commitment to "Save coaches and administrators time" and supporting the "Heart of the Game" underscores a mission-driven culture. For a Design Manager, this translates to creating impactful visuals that resonate with coaches, athletes, and administrators, aligning creative efforts with tangible business outcomes and community impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is a senior-level management role within the creative and marketing operations function. It requires a blend of deep creative expertise, strategic thinking, and operational execution capabilities, including process improvement and system implementation.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report to a higher-level marketing or creative leadership position (e.g., Director of Marketing, Creative Director). They will be responsible for guiding and potentially managing a team of designers.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the company's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by shaping the digital customer experience, enhancing brand consistency, and improving the efficiency of creative asset production. Optimized digital assets and efficient workflows contribute directly to lead generation, conversion rates, and overall brand perception, thereby influencing revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into roles such as Creative Director, Director of Digital Marketing, or VP of Marketing, leading larger teams and broader strategic initiatives.

• Specialization & Expertise: Deepen expertise in areas like design systems, generative AI for creative, or e-commerce UX/UI design, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to transition into roles within marketing operations, product marketing, or GTM strategy teams by leveraging operational and strategic thinking skills.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Spearhead initiatives for further operationalizing the creative department, driving efficiency gains across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "examining existing processes, identifying flaws, and creating solutions to improve design capability" strongly suggests that candidates who demonstrate a proactive, analytical, and process-oriented mindset will be highly valued and could see accelerated growth opportunities by driving operational improvements.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at the Farmers Branch Headquarters. This indicates a traditional office environment designed for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Farmers Branch, Texas. This location is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, offering access to a large talent pool and a vibrant business community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires working "side by side with others" and participating in brainstorming sessions, suggesting an open and interactive workspace designed to foster teamwork.

• Technology & Tools: Access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and potentially in-house photography resources. Understanding and leveraging department technology is key.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with designers, marketers, merchandisers, and potentially sales teams, emphasizing the importance of strong interpersonal and communication skills within the office setting.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site. While standard hours are expected, the need to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines implies a degree of flexibility may be required to meet campaign timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for direct collaboration and team synergy, which is common in environments where creative brainstorming and rapid iteration are critical. For this role, it implies that the company values the spontaneous idea exchange and immediate feedback that an in-person setting can provide.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter will assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, leadership style, and alignment with the role's core responsibilities, particularly around design strategy and team management.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their digital portfolio, detailing 2-3 key projects. Expect to discuss your design process, problem-solving approaches, the impact of your work (metrics if available), and how you implemented design systems or improved processes.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Opportunities to meet with other designers, marketing leads, or key stakeholders to assess collaboration skills and ability to integrate into the team.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic vision, long-term impact, and overall fit with Varsity Brands' culture and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Operations: Organize your portfolio to highlight not just the final designs, but the process behind them. Emphasize problem identification, solution development, execution, and outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics demonstrating the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased engagement, reduced bounce rates, time saved through process improvements).

• Design Systems & Process: Dedicate specific sections or case studies to your experience with design systems, workflow optimization, and how you've improved creative operational efficiency.

• B2B vs. B2C: Clearly differentiate projects targeting B2B and B2C audiences, showcasing your adaptability.

• Generative AI & Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss your practical application of HTML/CSS and any experience with Generative AI, demonstrating how these skills enhance your design capabilities.

Challenge Preparation:

• Creative Challenge: You might be given a hypothetical design brief or asked to critique an existing piece of company collateral, requiring you to apply your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

• Process Improvement Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach improving a specific aspect of the design workflow based on the job description's mention of process analysis.

• Presentation Practice: Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure it flows logically, is concise, and effectively communicates your value proposition, particularly regarding operational efficiency and strategic impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "examining existing processes, identifying flaws, and creating solutions to improve design capability" suggests that interviewers will be looking for candidates who can think like an operations professional within the creative domain. Be prepared to discuss not just what you designed, but how you designed it and how you made the process better.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required across Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and potentially Adobe XD for UI/UX design.

• Digital Design Programs: Familiarity with other industry-standard tools for digital asset creation and manipulation.

• HTML & CSS: Practical application for web and email development.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics to understand website performance and user behavior is beneficial for informing design decisions.

• Email Marketing Platform Analytics: Understanding metrics from platforms like Mailchimp, HubSpot, or similar to analyze email campaign performance.

CRM & Automation:

• Workflow Management Platforms: Proficiency with Asana or similar tools (e.g., Trello, Jira, Monday.com) for project tracking, task assignment, and workflow visualization.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience with CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress) for website content updates and management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Adobe Creative Suite and other digital design programs, Microsoft Office with strong typographic and layout skills" and "Proficient in HTML & CSS" highlights the core technical requirements. The inclusion of "Understanding of Asana or similar workflow platform" and "Advanced understanding of Generative AI uses" points to the need for modern, efficient operational tools and emerging technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Service-Oriented: A commitment to supporting internal stakeholders (sales, marketing, merchandising) and external customers with high-quality, timely creative solutions.

• Passion for Sports: A genuine enthusiasm for the sports and spirit industry, driving a deeper connection to the company's mission and products.

• Integrity & Transparency: Upholding promises, owning actions, and maintaining openness in communication and design execution.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly seek better ways of working, refining designs and processes for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.

• Respectful Collaboration: Earning respect through actions and fostering an environment where all team members' contributions are valued.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively partnering with marketing, merchandising, and sales teams to align creative efforts with business goals and campaign strategies.

• Process-Oriented Feedback: Open to providing and receiving constructive feedback on designs and workflows to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share best practices, creative insights, and process improvements within the design team and with cross-functional partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values (Service, Passion, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Transparency) are directly applicable to an operations-minded individual. A Design Manager who can embody these values while driving process efficiencies and delivering on service commitments will be highly successful.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Demands: Effectively managing numerous projects with competing priorities and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive brand aesthetic across diverse digital platforms and campaigns while fostering creativity.

• Process Optimization: Identifying and successfully implementing improvements to existing design workflows to enhance efficiency and output quality.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying current with new design tools, AI advancements, and digital trends to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in creating and managing sophisticated design systems for large-scale applications.

• Generative AI Workshops: Training sessions focused on leveraging AI for creative ideation, asset generation, and workflow automation.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to programs designed to enhance management, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership skills.

• Industry Conferences & Webinars: Support for attending relevant design, marketing, and operations conferences to stay abreast of industry best practices and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of "examining existing processes, identifying flaws, and creating solutions to improve design capability" is a prime opportunity for growth, allowing the candidate to demonstrate strong operational acumen and drive tangible improvements within the creative function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience in developing and implementing design systems. How do these systems contribute to operational efficiency and brand consistency?"

• "Walk me through a time you identified an inefficiency in a creative workflow and how you implemented a solution. What was the impact?"

• "How do you balance creative innovation with adherence to brand guidelines and technical constraints in web and email design?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How does your design philosophy align with Varsity Brands' mission to support the 'Heart of the Game' and save coaches time?"

• "How would you foster a collaborative and innovative environment within a creative team?"

• "What are your thoughts on the role of Generative AI in the future of design, and how would you integrate it into our workflows?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Process-Centric Narrative: For each project, articulate the problem, your strategic approach, the specific solutions you implemented (technical and creative), and the measurable results.

• Highlight Operational Impact: Explicitly call out instances where you improved processes, implemented design systems, or leveraged technology for efficiency gains.

• Technical Proficiency Showcase: Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with HTML/CSS and how you applied Generative AI or other advanced tools.

• Concise & Engaging Delivery: Practice your presentation to be within the allotted time, using visuals effectively and maintaining an energetic, confident demeanor.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect questions that probe beyond pure design aesthetics. Interviewers will likely want to understand your strategic thinking, your ability to manage operations within creative, and your capacity to lead and collaborate effectively. Demonstrating an understanding of how design impacts business outcomes is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Varsity Brands careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your digital portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate your experience with responsive design, B2B/B2C audiences, design systems, and process improvements. Quantify results where possible.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 10+ years of experience, highlighting leadership, project management, technical skills (Adobe Suite, HTML/CSS, Generative AI), and any experience in process optimization or workflow enhancement. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on the "how" and "why" behind your designs and processes. Prepare to discuss your approach to leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Varsity Brands, BSN SPORTS, their mission, values, and recent campaigns. Understand their product offerings and target audience to better align your responses with their business objectives.

⚠️ 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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