Retention Marketing Designer (Contractor)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Retention Marketing Designer (Contractor)

Company: UN/COMMON

Location: Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Design

Date Posted: 2026-01-18T16:51:49.727

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on designing engaging email campaigns and customer retention strategies for e-commerce brands, directly impacting customer lifetime value and revenue.

• The position requires a blend of creative design skills and a strategic understanding of user-centered experience design for digital marketing initiatives.

• You will collaborate closely with a dynamic creative team to develop innovative solutions across various brand touchpoints, ensuring brand consistency and driving engagement.

• This contract role offers the opportunity to work remotely with a focus on iterative design processes and problem-solving within a fast-paced agency environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Retention Marketing Designer," its core responsibilities in designing email campaigns and supporting sales/marketing collateral place it within the broader scope of Marketing Operations and Creative Design. The emphasis on retention and e-commerce brands suggests a focus on customer lifecycle marketing and driving repeat purchases, which are key GTM (Go-To-Market) operations objectives. This requires not only design proficiency but also an understanding of marketing funnel optimization and customer journey mapping.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute compelling email campaigns and automated flows that enhance customer retention and drive repeat purchases for e-commerce clients.

• Develop visually engaging creative solutions, including static designs and GIFs, to bring brand stories to life and improve user experience across digital channels.

• Collaborate seamlessly with the UN/COMMON creative team, acting as an embedded extension to tackle complex design challenges and deliver best-in-class email experiences.

• Manage the end-to-end design process for assigned projects, from initial concept development and wireframing through to final revisions and successful launch.

• Maintain a strong understanding and application of email design best practices, user-centered principles, and brand development guidelines to ensure effective and compliant marketing communications.

• Proactively contribute fresh, strategic perspectives to client brands, identifying opportunities for design innovation and problem-solving to achieve measurable results.

• Support the creation of internal sales and marketing collateral, ensuring alignment with UN/COMMON's brand identity and strategic objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a direct impact on revenue generation through retention marketing. This involves not just creative execution but also strategic input on how design influences customer behavior and conversion rates, a critical aspect of GTM operations. The need to "work iteratively through every project phase" and "see work through launch" emphasizes project management and execution skills vital in operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in design, marketing, or a related field.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of professional design experience, with a strong preference for experience supporting Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) and e-commerce brands.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in email design best practices, including deliverability considerations, mobile responsiveness, and conversion optimization.

• Strong understanding of user-centered experience design principles and their application in digital marketing.

• Demonstrated ability in brand development and maintaining brand consistency across various touchpoints.

• Proficiency in the creative process, from ideation to final execution.

• Advanced skills in modern design tools, specifically Figma and Adobe Photoshop.

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information, articulate design rationale clearly, and present work effectively.

• Experience in designing dynamic visual elements, such as GIFs, to enhance engagement.

• Ability to take feedback constructively, iterate on designs efficiently, and adapt to an agile workflow.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the capacity to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience supporting internal sales and marketing collateral development.

• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies for email creative optimization.

• Understanding of e-commerce customer journey mapping and retention strategies.

• Knowledge of basic HTML/CSS for email design implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio showcasing "high-quality work with attention to detail" and the ability to "synthesize, present, and articulate design rationale" are crucial for operations roles that require clear communication of complex project outcomes and strategic thinking. The mention of "agile workflow" and "iterative design" points to a need for operational efficiency and adaptability in project execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly demonstrates 3-5 years of professional design experience, with a significant focus on e-commerce and DTC brands.

• Case studies within the portfolio should highlight successful email campaign designs, detailing the strategic objectives, creative process, and measurable outcomes achieved.

• Showcase examples of user-centered design principles applied to email flows and customer retention initiatives.

• Include examples of GIF creation and motion design integrated into marketing materials.

Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of experience working within an iterative design process, from initial concept to final launch.

• Illustrate how you have applied best practices in email design and user experience throughout your project lifecycle.

• Showcase your ability to collaborate effectively within a creative team, detailing your role and contributions in team-based projects.

• Demonstrate a systematic approach to receiving and implementing feedback, ensuring agile workflow and timely delivery of revisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role within a marketing operations context, the portfolio is the primary mechanism for assessing process and system proficiency. Candidates must clearly articulate their design methodology and how they integrate creative execution with strategic marketing objectives. The emphasis on e-commerce and retention means case studies should ideally demonstrate impact on key GTM metrics like customer lifetime value, repeat purchase rate, and engagement.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract position for a specific duration (12 months), the compensation will likely be structured as an hourly rate or a fixed project fee. Based on industry standards for experienced Retention Marketing Designers in Portugal and other eligible locations (Brazil, Spain, Argentina), and considering the remote nature and specialized skills required, an estimated hourly rate could range from €25 to €45, or an equivalent fixed project fee. This would be subject to negotiation based on the candidate's experience, portfolio, and the specific project scope.

Benefits:

• As a contractor, standard employee benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans are typically not included.

• Potential for extension of the 12-month contract based on performance and business needs.

• Opportunity to work with a portfolio of high-profile, emerging brands in the consumer space.

• Gain experience in a fast-paced digital experience and marketing agency environment.

• Flexible remote work arrangement, allowing for work-life balance.

Working Hours:

• Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).

• This implies a need for candidates to align with the US East Coast time zone for core working hours, even if the role is remote within Portugal. This requires 5 hours of overlap with ET, meaning working hours in Lisbon would likely be 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM WET (Western European Time).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on researching average freelance/contractor rates for graphic designers with specialized digital marketing experience in Portugal and comparing it against similar roles in other specified eligible locations (Brazil, Spain, Argentina) using platforms like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry freelance rate guides. The significant time zone difference (ET vs. WET) is a critical factor that may influence the rate and candidate availability. Benefits are typical for contract roles and focus on professional development and project experience.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Experience and Marketing Agency, specializing in launching and growing emerging consumer brands.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of working with multiple "revolutionary brands" and having a "creative team" suggests a growing agency, likely in the range of 50-200 employees, with specialized teams for client accounts.

Founded: UN/COMMON is described as an agency that "launches and grows the world’s best, emerging brands," indicating a focus on innovation and a startup-like environment within the agency itself. The emphasis on "mission first brand stories" and "better people’s lives" points towards a purpose-driven culture.

Team Structure:

• The Retention Marketing Designer will be embedded within the existing creative team, acting as an "extension of the UN/COMMON team."

• This implies a collaborative structure where designers work alongside strategists, account managers, and potentially other creative specialists.

Methodology:

• Brand Storytelling: Focus on creating authentic narratives that resonate with consumers, prioritizing the customer experience ("consumer first and brand second").

• Iterative Design: A core component of the workflow, involving continuous refinement of designs based on feedback and project phases.

• Data-Informed Creativity: While primarily a creative role, the emphasis on "driving results" suggests that design decisions will be influenced by performance metrics and best practices in retention marketing.

• Collaborative Environment: Encourages sharing of work, contribution from diverse perspectives, and a positive attitude.

Company Website: uncommonagency.co

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as employee and customer-centric, with a mission-driven approach and a strong emphasis on fun and collaboration. For a retention marketing designer, this means an environment that values creativity, strategic thinking, and a proactive, positive attitude towards client success and internal team dynamics. Understanding this culture is key for demonstrating cultural fit during interviews.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an experienced individual contributor, focusing on specialized design execution within marketing operations. It bridges the gap between pure creative roles and more strategic marketing operations functions by applying design expertise to drive retention and revenue.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a manager or lead within the creative team, likely a Creative Director or Senior Designer, and will collaborate closely with client-facing account managers and marketing strategists.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts key GTM metrics by improving customer engagement, increasing repeat purchase rates, and enhancing customer lifetime value through effective email marketing and digital collateral. This role contributes to the operational efficiency of marketing campaigns by delivering high-quality creative assets.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in retention marketing design, e-commerce user experience, and email automation best practices.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain broader understanding of marketing strategy, campaign management, and other GTM operations through collaboration on diverse client projects.

• Portfolio Expansion: Build a strong portfolio with work from high-profile emerging brands, enhancing future career prospects in agency or in-house DTC roles.

• Potential for Extended Contract: Successful performance could lead to contract extensions or opportunities on new client engagements within UN/COMMON.

• Leadership Potential (Indirect): While not a management role, demonstrating strategic thinking and problem-solving can lead to more influential project roles and mentorship opportunities within design projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while contract-based, offers significant growth opportunities within the specialized field of retention marketing design. Its impact on revenue metrics makes it a valuable position within the broader GTM operations framework. The growth path is primarily focused on deepening design expertise and gaining exposure to high-impact client work rather than traditional hierarchical advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote, with no specified requirement for physical office attendance. The company emphasizes a collaborative digital environment.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, eligible candidates must be based in specific locations: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo (Brazil); Madrid, Barcelona (Spain); Lisbon (Portugal); or Buenos Aires (Argentina). This likely relates to legal, tax, or payroll considerations for contract employment.

Workspace Context:

• Digital Collaboration: Emphasis on tools and platforms that facilitate seamless remote collaboration, communication, and file sharing.

• Technology Stack: Access to and proficiency in industry-standard design software (Figma, Photoshop) and communication tools is essential.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with the creative team through video calls, collaborative design sessions, and project discussions.

• Flexibility: The remote nature allows for setting up a personalized workspace conducive to productivity and creativity.

Work Schedule:

• Monday to Friday, with a requirement to align with 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).

• In Lisbon, this translates to working hours of approximately 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM WET. This schedule requires strong time management and discipline to balance personal life with client demands and team collaboration across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific working hours (ET alignment) are a critical factor for candidates in Portugal. This deviates from typical local working hours and requires a significant commitment to a US-based schedule, impacting work-life integration. This is a key operational consideration for potential applicants.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Resume Review: Initial screening to assess experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Video Interview(s): Conducted by hiring managers or team leads to gauge communication skills, cultural fit, and initial understanding of design principles.

• Manager Interview(s): Deeper dive into experience, problem-solving abilities, and strategic thinking related to retention marketing.

• Skills Assessment and/or Portfolio Review: This is a critical stage. Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, discuss specific projects in detail, and potentially complete a design challenge.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your expertise in e-commerce, DTC retention marketing, and email design.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's objective, your role, the design process (including challenges and solutions), and the measurable impact (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved engagement, higher LTV).

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your iterative design approach, how you incorporate user feedback, and your proficiency with tools like Figma and Photoshop.

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Explain why you made certain design choices and how they align with retention marketing goals and user behavior.

• Showcase GIF/Motion Skills: Include examples of animated elements if applicable, demonstrating your ability to add dynamism to designs.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design rationale, how you handle feedback, and your understanding of e-commerce best practices.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a skills assessment or design challenge is provided, treat it as a mini-portfolio project.

• Understand the brief thoroughly and ask clarifying questions upfront.

• Apply your standard design process, focusing on user-centered design and retention objectives.

• Manage your time effectively, allocating time for ideation, design, and refinement.

• If presenting the challenge outcome, prepare a concise explanation of your approach and rationale, similar to a portfolio case study.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates must be prepared to not only show their work but also to articulate the strategic thinking and operational impact behind their designs. Demonstrating an understanding of retention metrics and how design influences them is key. The interview process emphasizes a blend of creative and analytical skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and creating high-fidelity mockups for email campaigns and marketing collateral. Proficiency in component-based design and design system usage is highly valued.

• Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image editing, manipulation, creating graphics, and preparing assets for web and email.

• Adobe Illustrator: May be used for creating vector graphics, logos, and icons that require scalability.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Email Marketing Platforms: Experience with or understanding of platforms like Klaviyo, Mailchimp, SendGrid, or similar, where email designs are implemented and automated flows are managed. Knowledge of their design constraints and capabilities is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Photoshop is non-negotiable. Understanding the technical requirements and constraints of email marketing platforms is also critical for designing effective and implementable email campaigns. This technical acumen is a key component of marketing operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep understanding of the end-user and designing experiences that prioritize their needs and journey.

• Data-Driven Creativity: Using insights from data and best practices to inform design decisions and drive measurable results for clients.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Openly sharing work, providing constructive feedback, and working collectively towards client success.

• Innovation & Curiosity: A proactive mindset towards exploring new design trends, tools, and creative approaches to deliver cutting-edge solutions.

• Mission-Driven: Aligning with UN/COMMON's purpose of working with brands that aim to "benefit the greater good and better people’s lives."

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded Team Member: Seamlessly integrating with the existing creative team and acting as a dedicated resource for client projects.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Regularly sharing work in progress and actively participating in feedback sessions to refine designs.

• Cross-functional Interaction: Collaborating with account managers, strategists, and other team members to ensure design solutions align with overall marketing objectives.

• Positive & Enthusiastic Attitude: Contributing to a supportive and energetic work environment where ideas are shared freely and challenges are met with enthusiasm.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "consumer first and brand second" and the company's mission-driven approach are core values that influence design decisions. Understanding these values helps in demonstrating alignment and contributing effectively to the team's collaborative and purpose-led culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Time Zone Alignment: Adapting to the 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET work schedule from Portugal (2:00 PM - 10:00 PM WET) requires significant personal discipline and can impact work-life balance.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication and a sense of team cohesion while working remotely across different geographical locations and time zones.

• Fast-Paced Agency Environment: Managing multiple client projects simultaneously, each with unique brand identities and marketing goals, under tight deadlines.

• Evolving E-commerce Landscape: Staying current with the latest trends in digital marketing, e-commerce, and retention strategies to ensure designs remain effective and innovative.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Skill Development: Deepening expertise in retention marketing design, user experience for e-commerce, and email automation.

• Brand Portfolio Growth: Gaining experience with a diverse range of high-profile emerging brands, which can significantly enhance future career prospects.

• Agency Best Practices: Learning about efficient project management, client communication, and creative workflow methodologies within a leading digital agency.

• Cross-Functional Insights: Understanding the broader GTM strategy and how design contributes to sales, marketing, and customer success objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the demanding schedule alignment. Growth opportunities are centered on gaining specialized experience and building a strong portfolio within a reputable agency, which are significant assets for career progression in the GTM and marketing operations space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed an email campaign that significantly improved customer retention or repeat purchase rates. What were the key design elements and what was the outcome?" (Focus on metrics, strategy, and your design rationale.)

• "How do you approach user-centered design for e-commerce retention? Walk us through your process for understanding user needs and translating them into effective email designs." (Highlight your methodology and problem-solving approach.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working with emerging brands and what excites you about UN/COMMON's mission?" (Show research into the company and alignment with their values.)

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment, especially in a remote setting?" (Provide examples of your teamwork and communication style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, use a consistent structure: Client/Brand, Objective, Your Role, Process/Solution, Results/Impact.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use numbers and data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "increased open rates by X%", "boosted conversion by Y%", "contributed to Z% increase in LTV").

• Highlight Process: Clearly explain your thought process, the tools you used (Figma, Photoshop), and how you iterated based on feedback.

• Visual Appeal: Ensure your presentation itself is well-designed, clean, and professional, mirroring the quality of your work.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a given timeframe, focusing on the most relevant aspects for retention marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on linking design decisions directly to business objectives (retention, revenue) and demonstrating an understanding of the e-commerce/DTC landscape. Be ready to articulate the "why" behind your design choices and showcase your ability to work efficiently within a remote, collaborative, and deadline-driven environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features relevant e-commerce and DTC brand experience, with a clear emphasis on email campaign design and retention strategies. Include 2-3 case studies that detail your design process, problem-solving, and quantifiable results.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords such as "Retention Marketing," "Email Design," "Figma," "Photoshop," "DTC," "E-commerce," "User-Centered Design," and "Creative Process." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design rationale for key portfolio pieces, focusing on how your work drives business objectives like customer retention and revenue growth. Be prepared to discuss your experience with iterative design and remote collaboration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with UN/COMMON's client roster, their mission, and their approach to brand building. Understand their emphasis on "consumer first and brand second" and how your design philosophy aligns with this.

⚠️ 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.