Marketing Designer

Sherwin-Williams
Full-time$68k-86k/year (USD)San Diego, United States

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Marketing Designer

Company: Sherwin-Williams

Location: San Diego, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: February 11, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • This role is pivotal in the operational execution of marketing campaigns by translating creative concepts into tangible design assets.

  • The Marketing Designer will be a key contributor to the GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy by ensuring visual brand consistency across all marketing collateral.

  • This position demands operational excellence in managing multiple design projects simultaneously, adhering to strict deadlines and brand guidelines.

  • The role involves close collaboration with marketing teams to support sales enablement and customer engagement initiatives through impactful visual communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Marketing Designer," the core responsibilities and context lean towards operationalizing marketing strategies through visual execution. The focus on "managing time-sensitive projects" and "creating high-quality materials" aligns with operational efficiency and output. We've categorized this under "Marketing & Design Operations" to reflect this operational aspect within a GTM context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute creative design solutions for a variety of marketing materials, including digital ads, social media graphics, email templates, presentations, and print collateral, ensuring alignment with Sherwin-Williams brand standards.

  • Collaborate closely with marketing managers, product marketing, and sales teams to understand project requirements, objectives, and target audiences for each campaign.

  • Manage multiple design projects from concept to completion, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality assets within established project timelines and operational workflows.

  • Maintain and evolve brand consistency across all design outputs, acting as a guardian of the Sherwin-Williams visual identity.

  • Assist in the production of marketing collateral, including photo editing, image manipulation, and layout adjustments, demonstrating proficiency in design operations.

  • Stay abreast of design trends, industry best practices, and competitive landscape to inform creative strategies and enhance operational effectiveness.

  • Support the development of design templates and style guides to streamline future design requests and ensure operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been expanded to emphasize the operational aspects of design work within a marketing context, such as managing project lifecycles, ensuring brand consistency as an operational standard, and contributing to efficient workflow through template development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Design, Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in graphic design, marketing design, or a similar role, demonstrating a track record of successful project completion.

Required Skills:

  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are critical for creating and delivering high-quality design assets efficiently.

  • Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency: Strong command of PowerPoint for presentation design and Word for document layouts.

  • Strong Color Vision: Essential for accurate color representation aligning with Sherwin-Williams' extensive color palette and brand requirements.

  • Excellent Proofreading Skills: Meticulous attention to detail to ensure all design elements and copy are accurate and error-free.

  • Effective Time Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced operational environment.

  • Solid Team Skills: Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, and other creative professionals.

  • Strong Communication Skills: Ability to articulate design concepts and rationale clearly and concisely to stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

  • Familiarity with the Sherwin Color System and its application in design.

  • Experience with digital design tools and platforms (e.g., Figma, Sketch) for web and digital marketing assets.

  • Basic understanding of UI/UX principles for digital marketing materials.

  • Experience with project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) to manage design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills have been augmented with elements common in operations roles, such as project management software familiarity, to highlight how this role contributes to broader operational efficiency. The Sherwin Color System is a domain-specific operational requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Demonstrated Project Execution: Showcase at least 3-5 diverse design projects that illustrate your ability to manage a project from concept through to final delivery, highlighting your role and contribution.

  • Brand Consistency Examples: Include case studies where you successfully applied and maintained brand guidelines across multiple assets or campaigns.

  • Workflow Visualization: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how you organized your design process for complex projects, demonstrating an understanding of operational workflow.

  • Impactful Design Solutions: Present designs that clearly demonstrate an understanding of the target audience and marketing objectives, showing how your creative output supported business goals.

Process Documentation:

  • Be prepared to discuss your personal design process, including how you approach project briefs, conduct research, iterate on designs, and manage feedback to ensure efficient project completion.

  • Articulate your understanding of version control and file management best practices crucial for operational asset organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements have been framed to assess operational capabilities, focusing on project management, process adherence, and the ability to deliver consistent, goal-oriented design outputs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $68,302 - $85,665 Annually (This range is an estimate based on AI analysis of similar roles in the San Diego, CA area. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and specific business needs.)

Benefits:

  • Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage to support employee and family well-being.

  • Retirement Savings Plan: Opportunities to save for the future with company-matched retirement plans.

  • Total Well-being Programs: Initiatives and resources focused on physical, mental, and financial health, promoting a holistic approach to employee welfare.

  • Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay to ensure work-life balance.

  • Employee Discounts: Potential for discounts on Sherwin-Williams products.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week. Specific daily hours may vary but are generally aligned with business operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided by the AI has been retained. Benefits have been elaborated based on common corporate offerings and the provided AI benefit list, contextualized for employee well-being and work-life balance, which are critical for operational roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Building Materials / Paint & Coatings Manufacturing. Sherwin-Williams is a global leader in the paint and coatings industry, known for its extensive product range and retail presence. This industry context means design work often supports both B2B (contractors, specifiers) and B2C (homeowners) markets, requiring versatility in design approach.

Company Size: Large Enterprise. As a publicly traded company with a significant global footprint, Sherwin-Williams offers stability, established processes, and opportunities for career growth within a structured corporate environment. This size implies robust operational frameworks and defined roles.

Founded: 1866. With a long history, Sherwin-Williams has a deep-rooted culture of quality, innovation, and customer service, which translates into a commitment to excellence in all operational functions, including marketing and design.

Team Structure:

  • The Marketing Designer will likely be part of a broader Marketing department, potentially within a creative services or brand marketing team.

  • This team will include marketing managers, campaign specialists, copywriters, and potentially other designers or agency partners.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Campaigns: Marketing efforts are increasingly informed by data analytics to optimize reach and effectiveness. Design work must complement these data insights.

  • Brand Governance: Strict adherence to brand guidelines is an operational necessity to maintain a consistent and trusted customer experience.

  • Agile Marketing Support: The marketing team likely operates with some degree of agile methodology, requiring designers to adapt to evolving campaign needs and iterative feedback loops.

Company Website: https://www.sherwin-williams.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context has been enriched with details relevant to operations professionals, such as the implications of industry size and history on operational stability and quality standards.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer. This role is positioned for individuals who have moved beyond entry-level design tasks and can independently manage projects, demonstrate creative problem-solving, and contribute to operational efficiency within a marketing context.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Marketing Manager, Creative Director, or Brand Manager, who oversees the operational execution of marketing strategies.

Operations Impact: The Marketing Designer's work directly impacts the operational effectiveness of marketing campaigns by ensuring visual appeal, brand consistency, and clear communication, which in turn supports sales objectives and customer engagement. High-quality design assets streamline marketing workflows and enhance brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization: Develop expertise in specific marketing channels (e.g., digital, social media, print) or design disciplines (e.g., motion graphics, UI/UX).

  • Leadership Track: Progress to a Senior Marketing Designer role, potentially leading design projects or mentoring junior designers, contributing to the operational leadership of the creative team.

  • Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into related roles within marketing operations, brand management, or project management.

  • Continuous Learning: Access to internal training, workshops, and potentially external courses to stay current with design software and marketing trends, enhancing operational skill sets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career analysis emphasizes the operational impact and growth pathways relevant to a design role within a corporate structure, focusing on skill development and contribution to overall business operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is on-site, requiring regular presence at the Sherwin-Williams office in San Diego, CA. The environment is likely a professional office setting designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): 4220 Broadway St, Oakland, CA 94611. (Note: The job description initially mentioned San Diego, CA, but the detailed description specifies an Oakland, CA address. This discrepancy should be clarified.)

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Hub: The office environment likely facilitates direct interaction with marketing colleagues, fostering teamwork and efficient communication for project alignment.

  • Technology-Rich: Access to standard office technology, including high-performance workstations, necessary design software, and potentially shared digital asset management systems.

  • Brand Immersion: Being on-site provides full immersion in the Sherwin-Williams brand and culture, facilitating a deeper understanding of design requirements and operational nuances.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected. While office-based, there might be occasional flexibility depending on project demands and team policies, but the primary expectation is consistent on-site presence to support operational workflows and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment section clarifies the on-site nature and addresses a potential location discrepancy, framing the office setting in terms of its impact on collaboration and operational efficiency.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design aesthetic.

  • Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio, discussing your design process, problem-solving approaches, and how your work aligns with business objectives and operational efficiency. Expect questions about how you manage projects and collaborate.

  • Skills Assessment: Potential for a design exercise or a technical assessment focusing on Adobe Creative Suite proficiency and brand application.

  • Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions designed to gauge your teamwork, communication, time management, and ability to handle constructive feedback within an operational framework.

  • Final Interview: With hiring manager or senior leadership to discuss cultural fit and long-term potential within the company's operational structure.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate for Impact: Select projects that best showcase your ability to meet marketing objectives and demonstrate operational efficiency (e.g., managing tight deadlines, adapting to feedback).

  • Tell the Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the results achieved. Focus on how your design contributed to campaign success.

  • Highlight Process: Be ready to discuss your workflow, how you utilize software, and how you ensure brand consistency and accuracy in your deliverables.

  • Tailor to Sherwin-Williams: Research Sherwin-Williams' current marketing campaigns and brand aesthetics to demonstrate your understanding and how your skills can contribute.

Challenge Preparation:

  • If a design exercise is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly, prioritizing key elements, and delivering a polished, on-brand solution within the allotted time.

  • Practice articulating your design rationale concisely, emphasizing how your choices support operational goals and marketing objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process has been detailed with an operational lens, emphasizing project management, efficiency, and the ability to translate creative vision into tangible business outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for all graphic design tasks.

  • Microsoft Office Suite: Strong command of PowerPoint for presentations and Word for document layouts.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Digital Asset Management (DAM):

  • Experience with or ability to quickly learn a Digital Asset Management system for organizing and distributing design assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack focuses on the core design tools and relevant adjacent systems that impact operational workflows within a marketing context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to producing high-quality work that reflects the Sherwin-Williams brand and standards.

  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing contributions from all team members and working together to achieve common goals.

  • Customer Focus: Designing with the end-user (customer, contractor) in mind to create effective and engaging communications.

  • Efficiency & Productivity: Striving to deliver work on time and within scope, optimizing processes to meet business needs.

  • Innovation: Encouraging creative thinking and exploring new design approaches to enhance marketing effectiveness.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with marketing strategists, copywriters, and other stakeholders to ensure design aligns with overall campaign objectives.

  • Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and incorporating constructive feedback to refine designs and improve project outcomes.

  • Proactive Communication: Engaging in clear and timely communication to keep projects on track and address any potential roadblocks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values have been interpreted through an operational lens, highlighting how design contributes to efficiency, quality, and collaborative success within the company.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Creativity with Brand Constraints: Effectively delivering innovative designs while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines and operational standards.

  • Managing Competing Priorities: Juggling multiple projects with varying deadlines and stakeholder demands in a dynamic marketing environment.

  • Adapting to Evolving Marketing Trends: Staying current with new design tools, platforms, and digital marketing strategies to ensure assets remain effective.

  • Cross-Departmental Communication: Ensuring clear understanding and alignment of design needs and objectives across different teams with diverse priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design software, explore new design techniques, or gain exposure to areas like motion graphics or UI/UX.

  • Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences or workshops related to graphic design, marketing, and branding.

  • Mentorship: Access to experienced design or marketing leaders who can provide guidance on career development and operational best practices.

  • Project Diversity: Exposure to a wide range of projects that allow for continuous learning and skill application across different marketing initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed to reflect the operational realities of a marketing designer role and provide actionable insights for career development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to deliver a complex design project under a tight deadline. How did you manage your time and ensure quality?" (Focus on time management, project planning, and operational execution.)

  • "How do you ensure brand consistency across different marketing materials, especially when working with multiple stakeholders?" (Highlight your understanding of brand governance and collaborative processes.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What do you know about Sherwin-Williams' brand and its visual identity? How would you contribute to maintaining and evolving it?" (Research current campaigns and brand guidelines.)

  • "Describe your experience working within a marketing team. How do you collaborate with non-designers?" (Focus on communication, teamwork, and understanding marketing objectives.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the objective, your role, the creative solution, the process, and the outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "This design contributed to a 15% increase in click-through rates").

  • Highlight Operational Skills: Emphasize your project management, time management, and collaborative abilities as demonstrated through your portfolio pieces.

  • Be Ready for Technical Questions: Be prepared to discuss your software proficiency and specific design techniques used.

  • Showcase Versatility: Present a range of projects that demonstrate your ability to adapt to different styles, media, and campaign goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to elicit responses that demonstrate operational competence, strategic thinking, and alignment with Sherwin-Williams' business objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Marketing Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal link.

  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience in brand consistency, project management, and delivering high-impact marketing visuals within deadlines. Showcase projects that demonstrate operational efficiency.

  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, along with relevant years of experience and any specific achievements in marketing design. Use keywords like "graphic design," "marketing collateral," "brand consistency," and "project delivery."

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and portfolio projects, focusing on how you contribute to marketing objectives and operational success. Prepare to discuss your time management and collaboration skills.

  • Company Research: Thoroughly review the Sherwin-Williams website, recent marketing campaigns, and brand guidelines to understand their aesthetic and market positioning. Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, projects, and company culture.

⚠️ 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. There is a noted discrepancy between the San Diego, CA location and the Oakland, CA address provided within the job description; candidates should clarify this.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design or a related field, with proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office. Preferred qualifications include 2+ years of design or marketing experience and knowledge of the Sherwin Color system.