Sr Web Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr Web Designer

Company: DealerOn

Location: Remote (United States)

Job Type: Salaried Full-Time

Category: Web Design & Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-07

Experience Level: Senior (6+ years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for enhancing the digital presence of automotive dealerships and OEMs through expert web design and development within DealerOn's proprietary Content Management System (CMS).

• The Senior Web Designer will translate complex client needs and OEM branding guidelines into functional, aesthetically pleasing, and high-converting responsive web pages using HTML5, CSS3, and jQuery.

• The position involves not only direct design and coding but also acting as a subject matter expert in UX, performance, and accessibility, advising clients and internal teams.

• This role also includes a mentorship component, where the Senior Web Designer will assist in training and guiding junior and mid-level employees, contributing to overall team development and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Sr Web Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into front-end development and operations within a CMS. The "Operations" categorization reflects the systematic approach to client requests, template creation, and system support inherent in the role, rather than traditional back-end or business operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute complex design requests for dealership and OEM clients, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and business objectives.

• Develop and code responsive webpage layouts and new templates using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript/jQuery within DealerOn's bespoke CMS.

• Optimize web pages for performance, user experience (UX), and web accessibility standards, providing actionable recommendations to clients.

• Translate design mockups, client references, and provided copy into fully functional and engaging web content.

• Collaborate with Implementation and Client Support teams to resolve design-related client issues and fulfill requests efficiently.

• Mentor and train junior and mid-level designers and developers, sharing best practices and technical expertise.

• Act as a subject-matter expert on modern web design trends, performance optimization, UX principles, and accessibility guidelines.

• Support the Front-End Development team with technical challenges and new product design initiatives for the DealerOn CMS.

• Ensure all delivered work meets DealerOn's high-quality standards and client expectations.

• Maintain and update web pages to reflect evolving industry trends and client business goals.

• Manage workload effectively to meet project deadlines and client service level agreements (SLAs).

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design, technical coding (HTML, CSS, jQuery), client-facing advisory, and internal mentorship, all within a specific CMS environment. This indicates a need for strong problem-solving skills and adaptability to proprietary systems.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Digital Media, Graphic Design, Communications, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience: 6+ years of professional experience in web design, with a strong emphasis on responsive web design principles and execution.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in hand-coding HTML5 and CSS3, with a deep understanding of semantic HTML and modern CSS practices.

• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with JavaScript and/or jQuery for interactive web elements.

• Expert-level understanding of core design principles: color theory, typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and balance.

• Proven experience in translating mockups and client briefs into functional web pages.

• Familiarity with Content Management Systems (CMS) and the ability to work within proprietary platforms.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to devise creative and effective solutions.

• Excellent attention to detail, particularly in written and verbal communication, and a commitment to meeting deadlines.

• Proficiency with design software, specifically Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver.

• Demonstrated understanding of User Experience (UX) design principles and best practices.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with the Bootstrap framework (Bootstrap 3+).

• Understanding of the broader Front-End Development lifecycle and processes.

• Advanced expertise in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for complex graphic creation and manipulation.

• Knowledge of web accessibility guidelines (e.g., WCAG).

• Experience working within the automotive industry and understanding its unique branding requirements.

• Familiarity with SASS or other CSS preprocessors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a strong foundation in hand-coding and design principles, suggesting that while design is key, the ability to execute and troubleshoot code is paramount. The "senior-level" aspect is reinforced by the 6+ years of experience and the expectation of expertise in core design and coding skills, as well as mentorship capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 6 years of relevant web design and development work.

• Demonstrations of responsive web design implementation across various devices and screen sizes.

• Case studies or examples illustrating the translation of complex client requests or brand guidelines into functional web pages.

• Projects that highlight proficiency in HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript/jQuery, ideally showing code snippets or explanations of technical execution.

• Examples of optimizing web pages for performance, user experience, and accessibility.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have translated design mockups, wireframes, and client briefs into final web pages.

• Documentation of your approach to problem-solving for complex design or coding challenges.

• Evidence of your contribution to optimizing web page performance, user experience, or accessibility.

• If applicable, examples of how you have mentored junior team members or shared best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role focused on design and development within a CMS, a portfolio is critical. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic appeal but also technical execution, problem-solving capabilities, and an understanding of client needs and best practices in performance, UX, and accessibility. The emphasis on "bespoke CMS" means candidates should be prepared to discuss their adaptability to new systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $56,500 - $81,650 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Company-matched 401K plan to support retirement savings.

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) and Sick Leave for work-life balance.

• Generous 6 weeks of paid Parental Leave.

• 8 Paid National Holidays throughout the year.

• Company-paid basic Life Insurance for peace of mind.

• Voluntary supplemental Life Insurance options.

• Voluntary Long-term and Short-term Disability insurance.

• Voluntary Pet Insurance for furry family members.

• Optional Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for pre-tax savings.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility expected for remote work and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided for a remote Senior Web Designer in the United States. This range is competitive for a role requiring advanced design and front-end coding skills. The benefits package is robust, covering health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, which are attractive to experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Technology & Digital Marketing. DealerOn specializes in providing innovative website solutions and digital marketing services to car dealerships across North America, aiming to enhance their online presence and drive sales.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of supporting "Implementation and Client Support teams," "Front End Development team," and "Project Leads in training/mentoring junior and mid-level employees" suggests a company with established departments and a growing team, likely in the range of 200-500 employees based on typical tech company structures for such roles.

Founded: DealerOn was founded in 2009. This indicates a company with over a decade of experience in the automotive digital space, suggesting a stable but evolving environment with established processes and a track record of innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Web Designer will be part of a design and development function that likely includes other web designers, front-end developers, and potentially UX/UI specialists.

• They will work closely with Implementation and Client Support teams, indicating a collaborative, service-oriented structure focused on client success.

• Reporting lines will likely be to a Design Lead, Development Manager, or a Director overseeing digital products and client solutions.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not a primary data analyst role, understanding client performance metrics and user behavior is crucial for optimizing designs and providing recommendations.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The role involves systematic processes for handling client requests, template creation, and problem-solving, requiring efficient workflow management.

• Automation & Efficiency: Utilizing the CMS effectively and employing coding best practices contributes to efficiency in delivering client solutions.

Company Website: [DealerOn Website URL - To be inserted if available, otherwise leave as placeholder]

📝 Enhancement Note: DealerOn operates in a fast-paced, client-focused industry where digital presence is paramount for businesses. The culture likely values innovation, client satisfaction, and technical expertise. The emphasis on a "bespoke CMS" suggests a unique internal technology stack that designers need to master.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating a high degree of autonomy, responsibility, and expertise. Senior designers are expected to handle complex tasks independently, mentor others, and contribute to strategic decisions regarding design systems and best practices.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Web Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Head of Design, or a Director of Web Development/Product. This structure provides guidance and oversight while allowing for significant individual contribution. Collaboration with cross-functional teams like Implementation, Client Support, and Front-End Development is integral.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts client success by creating high-converting, user-friendly websites that drive leads and sales for automotive dealerships. By ensuring optimal website performance and user experience, the Senior Web Designer contributes to DealerOn's reputation and revenue growth through client retention and satisfaction. Their expertise in design and development also influences the evolution of DealerOn's proprietary CMS.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific coding languages (HTML, CSS, jQuery), responsive design techniques, web accessibility standards, and UX design principles.

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into Lead Designer roles, manage design projects, or mentor a larger team, fostering leadership capabilities.

• Product Development: Involvement in designing new features or templates for the DealerOn CMS, offering a path into product-focused roles or greater influence on the platform's direction.

• Specialization: Opportunities to become a recognized expert in specific areas like automotive branding, performance optimization, or accessibility within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This senior role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized niche. The combination of technical skill, design acumen, and mentorship responsibilities positions the individual for leadership or specialized expert roles within DealerOn's digital operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility and autonomy associated with working from home. The company likely provides necessary digital tools and support for remote collaboration.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote within the United States, DealerOn's headquarters are in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This might imply occasional optional team meetups or company events, but the day-to-day work is location-independent within the US.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Remote collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Asana, Jira) will be essential for communication and project management with distributed teams.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to DealerOn's proprietary CMS, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver), and potentially code editors (VS Code, Sublime Text) will be standard.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings, code reviews, design critiques, and project sync-ups will facilitate interaction and knowledge sharing among team members.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility to manage tasks and deadlines. This includes accommodating different time zones within the United States for team collaboration. The ability to work independently and manage one's own schedule effectively is key for a remote role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of this role emphasizes the need for strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and proficiency with remote collaboration tools. The company's investment in a proprietary CMS suggests a focus on internal tool development and user adoption, making adaptability to specific systems crucial.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical/Design Assessment: This may involve a portfolio review and/or a practical design/coding challenge. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their portfolio, explaining their design choices, technical implementation, and the impact of their work.

• Team/Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager and potential team members to assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, mentorship approach, and cultural alignment.

• Final Interview: Potentially a final conversation with a senior leader to confirm fit and discuss overall expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate the required skills (HTML, CSS, jQuery, responsive design, UX, CMS experience, client-focused solutions).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the solutions you implemented (both design and technical), and the measurable results or impact.

• Highlight Technical Execution: Be prepared to discuss the specific HTML, CSS, and JavaScript/jQuery techniques you used. If possible, show how these were implemented within a CMS context.

• Showcase Mentorship: If you have experience mentoring, include an example or be ready to discuss your approach to guiding junior team members.

• Address Accessibility & Performance: Explicitly point out how you addressed these crucial aspects in your projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Coding Proficiency: Be ready for a coding exercise that tests your ability to write clean, semantic HTML and responsive CSS. You might also be asked to implement a simple JavaScript/jQuery feature.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare for questions that present a design or technical challenge (e.g., "How would you improve the conversion rate on this page?" or "How would you make this layout work on a small mobile screen?").

• Conceptual Understanding: Brush up on UX principles, web accessibility standards, and current design trends. Be ready to articulate your reasoning behind design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process for a senior design and development role will heavily scrutinize both creative output and technical execution. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly showcases problem-solving, technical skills, and an understanding of client objectives is paramount. The mentorship aspect means demonstrating leadership potential is also important.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• HTML5 & CSS3: Core languages for web page structure and styling. Expertise in hand-coding is essential.

• JavaScript & jQuery: For dynamic content, interactivity, and event handling.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and creating visual assets.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and icons.
  • Dreamweaver: A code editor and visual web design tool, though many may prefer other IDEs.

• DealerOn Proprietary CMS: This is the central platform; deep familiarity or rapid learning ability is critical.

• Code Editors: Likely VS Code, Sublime Text, or similar IDEs for efficient coding.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with CRM concepts is helpful for understanding client data and sales processes, though direct CRM management is unlikely. Automation within the CMS for template deployment and content management is key.

• Integration Tools: Understanding how web designs integrate with broader marketing platforms or dealership management systems (DMS) might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on front-end development tools and Adobe Creative Suite, with the critical differentiator being proficiency within DealerOn's "bespoke content management system." Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with CMS platforms in general and their ability to adapt to new systems quickly.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client-Centricity: A strong focus on meeting client needs and ensuring their success through effective web solutions.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: Commitment to high standards in design execution, code quality, and overall user experience.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Staying ahead of industry trends and being open to new techniques and process changes.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve common goals and support colleagues.

• Efficiency & Productivity: Delivering high-quality work on time and optimizing processes for better outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with Implementation, Client Support, and Front-End Development teams to deliver cohesive client solutions.

• Process Review & Feedback: An environment that encourages constructive feedback on designs and code to foster continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture where team members are willing to share expertise, mentor peers, and contribute to collective learning, especially regarding the proprietary CMS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely emphasizes a blend of technical excellence, client service, and team collaboration. The remote nature of the role means that proactive communication and a positive, adaptable attitude are key to thriving within this environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Mastering Proprietary CMS: Learning and becoming an expert in DealerOn's "bespoke content management system" will be a primary challenge, requiring adaptability and a steep learning curve.

• Balancing Client Needs & Brand Guidelines: Juggling the unique requirements of individual dealerships with the strict branding guidelines of OEMs can be complex.

• Keeping Pace with Trends: The rapid evolution of web design and front-end technologies requires continuous learning to stay relevant and effective.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication and team cohesion in a fully remote environment can present unique hurdles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Automotive Digital Marketing: Gaining specialized knowledge in the unique demands and best practices of the automotive industry's online presence.

• Advanced CMS Training: Becoming a go-to expert for DealerOn's proprietary CMS, potentially leading to internal training roles or product development input.

• UX & Accessibility Specialization: Further developing expertise in UX design principles and web accessibility standards, becoming a valuable resource for the company.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to hone leadership skills through mentoring junior team members and potentially taking on project lead responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity lie in mastering the company's proprietary systems and applying advanced design/development skills within a specific industry vertical. This role offers a chance to become a highly specialized expert.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Philosophy & Process: "Describe your process for designing a responsive website from initial client brief to final implementation." "How do you balance aesthetic appeal with functional requirements and performance optimization?"

• Technical Execution: "Walk me through a complex HTML/CSS/jQuery feature you implemented. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?" "How would you ensure a website is fully accessible according to WCAG guidelines?"

• Mentorship & Collaboration: "Describe a time you mentored a junior designer. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" "How do you handle disagreements with team members or clients regarding design decisions?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about DealerOn and our role in the automotive industry?"

• "How do you stay current with web design and development trends?"

• "What are your expectations for a remote work environment and team collaboration?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating specific skills (e.g., responsive design, CMS implementation).

• Narrative: For each project, tell a compelling story focusing on the problem, your solution (design and technical), and the impact. Quantify results where possible.

• Demonstrate Technical Skill: Be ready to discuss the code behind your designs, especially how you handled responsiveness, interactivity, and accessibility.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly tie your portfolio pieces back to the job requirements, emphasizing your expertise in HTML, CSS, jQuery, UX, and any CMS experience.

• Address Mentorship: Prepare to discuss your experience mentoring junior colleagues and your approach to knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong blend of creative design talent, robust front-end coding skills, problem-solving acumen, and the ability to mentor and collaborate effectively, especially within a remote setting and proprietary system environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience with HTML5, CSS3, jQuery, responsive design, UX principles, and any CMS experience. Ensure your portfolio is readily accessible and showcases projects relevant to the automotive industry or complex client solutions.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your 6+ years of experience and advanced proficiency in required coding languages and design software. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, technical solutions, and mentorship philosophy. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with DealerOn's products, services, and their position in the automotive digital marketing space. Understand their client base and the importance of their proprietary CMS.

⚠️ 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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