Marketing Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Marketing Design Manager

Company: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation

Location: Savannah, Georgia, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Management

Date Posted: 2026-06-25

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage a team of graphic and UX/UI designers to deliver impactful customer-facing design solutions.

• Drive creative strategy and execution across diverse platforms including digital experiences (UX/UI), advertisements, print collateral, and physical space activations.

• Ensure all design output aligns with strategic objectives, adheres to stringent brand guidelines, and maintains exceptional quality standards.

• Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for design-related initiatives, collaborating effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is titled "Marketing Design Manager," its responsibilities heavily involve managing creative operations, team performance, and cross-functional collaboration, aligning it closely with aspects of Marketing Operations and GTM enablement through design strategy. The emphasis on overseeing a team, managing projects, and ensuring strategic alignment indicates a significant operations-focused component.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute customer-facing design solutions across digital experiences (UX/UI), advertisements, print materials, and physical space installations, translating business objectives into compelling visual narratives.

• Manage the daily operations of the design team, including workload allocation, project tracking, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality creative assets.

• Provide art direction for photoshoots and collaborate closely with photographers, writers, and other creative professionals to realize ambitious creative visions.

• Conduct strategic and process planning activities, representing the design team's needs and capabilities in broader organizational initiatives.

• Serve as a key point of contact for internal customers (Leadership, Sales, Customer Support) and external vendors, effectively communicating design requirements and project scopes.

• Supervise and mentor creative employees, conducting performance reviews, setting clear expectations, and fostering professional development.

• Develop and evaluate project plans and creative concepts, ensuring feasibility and alignment with strategic marketing goals.

• Identify, enforce, and optimize departmental policies and procedures to streamline design workflows and enhance operational efficiency.

• Establish and execute objectives that directly support overarching organizational goals, demonstrating a clear link between design efforts and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic creative leadership and operational management. The emphasis on "managing daily operations," "conducting strategic and process planning," and "enforcing departmental policies" points to a need for strong operational acumen beyond pure design skill. This role is responsible for the efficient functioning of the design department.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in a related field (e.g., Graphic Design, Marketing, Communications, Fine Arts) required. A Master's degree may substitute for one year of experience.

Experience: Minimum of 6 years of creative development experience, encompassing print and digital advertising, collateral, email and direct mail campaigns, magazine and website creative, and event support. This must include demonstrated experience managing professional-level employees or program management.

Required Skills:

• Creative Suite Mastery: Expert proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for high-fidelity design execution.

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Demonstrated ability in designing user experiences (UX) and user interfaces (UI) for web and digital platforms.

• Team Leadership & Management: Proven experience in supervising, mentoring, and evaluating creative professionals, including performance management and development planning.

• Art Direction: Skill in directing photoshoots and collaborating with creative teams to achieve cohesive visual concepts.

• Brand Stewardship: Deep understanding and application of brand guidelines across all creative outputs to ensure consistency and brand integrity.

• Project & Process Management: Ability to develop project plans, manage timelines, and enforce departmental policies and procedures for efficient workflow.

• Design Thinking: Passionate application of design thinking principles to solve complex business problems and drive innovation.

• Technical Aptitude: Basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and modern web technologies to inform design decisions for digital platforms.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent customer service, communication, planning, time management, and organizational skills for effective stakeholder engagement.

• Adaptability: Comfort with receiving and integrating feedback, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing project requirements and information.

Preferred Skills:

• Figma Proficiency: Technical expertise in Figma for collaborative UI/UX design workflows.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Experience leading cross-functional teams on complex marketing initiatives.

• Budget Management: Contribution to annual budgeting initiatives and understanding of resource allocation for creative projects.

• Recruiting & Hiring: Involvement in the recruitment and hiring process for creative talent.

• New Technology Integration: Ability to research and recommend the integration of new technologies and processes into the design department.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills clearly indicate a need for both strong creative technical proficiencies (Adobe Suite, Figma, HTML/CSS) and robust management capabilities. The emphasis on "design thinking" and "basic understanding of HTML/CSS" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design operations that integrates with digital development processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating successful end-to-end creative development projects, from concept to execution.

• Cross-Platform Examples: Include a diverse range of work illustrating expertise in digital (UX/UI, web ads), print (collateral, ads), and physical space executions.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Provide examples that clearly demonstrate understanding and application of brand guidelines, highlighting how consistency was maintained.

• Process & Impact Documentation: For each case study, detail the design process followed, the challenges encountered, the solutions implemented, and quantifiable results or business impact achieved (e.g., improved engagement, conversion rates, brand perception).

• Management/Leadership Examples: If possible, include examples of how you've guided or mentored junior designers, managed project workflows, or contributed to process improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to designing and optimizing creative workflows, including how they ensure efficiency and quality.

• System Integration & Collaboration: Demonstrate understanding of how design tools and processes integrate with broader marketing technology stacks and cross-functional teams.

• Performance Measurement: Be ready to discuss how design success is measured and tracked, including key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to marketing design impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a management role, the portfolio should not only showcase design quality but also the candidate's ability to manage processes, lead teams, and deliver measurable business results through design. The emphasis on "customer-facing design solutions across digital experiences (UX/UI), advertisements, print and physical space executions" means the portfolio should reflect this breadth.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Marketing Design Manager with 6+ years of experience in Savannah, GA, the estimated salary range is $95,000 - $130,000 USD annually. This range accounts for the required experience, management responsibilities, and the specialized skills in UX/UI and graphic design. Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, as a large aerospace manufacturer, typically offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience and role criticality.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with potential company match, supporting long-term financial security.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays, promoting work-life balance.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Company-provided life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and continuing education to enhance skills in design, management, and technology.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for personal and professional challenges.

• Potential for Bonuses: Performance-based bonuses may be offered, reflecting individual and company success.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week, with a primary shift typically falling within standard business hours (e.g., 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST). While the role is on-site, occasional flexibility may be required to meet critical project deadlines or support global operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on data for similar roles in the Savannah, GA area, considering the experience level and management duties. Gulfstream, as a major corporation, is expected to offer a robust benefits package typical of large enterprises in the aerospace sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing. Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services, and supports business jet aircraft. This industry demands precision, innovation, and a commitment to quality and safety.

Company Size: Gulfstream is a subsidiary of General Dynamics, placing it within a large, established corporate structure. The company itself employs a significant workforce, indicating a structured environment with established processes and career paths.

Founded: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation was founded in 1958. Its long history suggests stability, deep industry expertise, and a mature corporate culture.

Team Structure:

• The Marketing Design Manager will lead a team of graphic and UX/UI designers, likely composed of individuals with specialized creative skills.

• This team will operate within the broader Marketing department, with potential for close collaboration with Sales, Customer Support, Engineering, and Executive teams.

• The reporting structure will likely involve reporting to a Director or VP of Marketing, with direct reports being the designers. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role emphasizes creating "customer-facing design solutions" that "meet strategic objectives," implying a data-informed approach to design that considers user behavior and market trends.

• Process Optimization: Management of daily operations and enforcement of policies points to a focus on efficient, repeatable design workflows.

• Brand Consistency: A core methodology will be maintaining strict adherence to brand guidelines across all touchpoints to ensure a unified and professional brand image.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry (aerospace) implies a culture that values precision, high standards, and long-term vision. As a large, established corporation, Gulfstream likely fosters a professional environment with clear hierarchies and a focus on structured processes, which is crucial for managing a design operations team effectively.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-to-senior level management position within the marketing and creative function. It requires a blend of hands-on design expertise and people management skills, positioning the individual as a key contributor to the marketing department's operational effectiveness. The scope includes leading a team and influencing design strategy.

Reporting Structure: The Marketing Design Manager will report to a higher-level marketing executive (e.g., Director of Marketing, VP of Marketing). They will directly manage a team of graphic designers and UX/UI designers. This structure allows for clear direction from senior leadership and direct oversight of the design team's day-to-day activities and project execution.

Operations Impact: The role's operations impact is significant. By managing design resources, optimizing workflows, and ensuring brand consistency across all customer touchpoints (digital, print, physical), this manager directly influences customer perception, brand loyalty, and ultimately, sales enablement. Effective design operations streamline marketing efforts and enhance the overall customer experience, contributing to revenue growth and market positioning.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Creative Leadership: Potential to advance to roles such as Creative Director, Director of Marketing, or Head of Brand Experience, overseeing larger teams and broader strategic initiatives.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like UX/UI strategy, digital transformation in marketing, or brand architecture management.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Possibility to transition into broader marketing operations, product marketing, or project management roles within Gulfstream or General Dynamics, leveraging transferable operations and leadership skills.

• Mentorship & Training: Continued development through leading and mentoring junior designers, attending industry conferences, and potentially pursuing advanced certifications in design, management, or user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path is strongly geared towards leadership within creative operations. The emphasis on managing a team and strategic execution suggests a trajectory towards higher-level management roles focused on operational efficiency and strategic brand deployment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position, indicating a traditional office environment within Gulfstream's Savannah, Georgia facilities. This setting typically promotes direct collaboration, team cohesion, and access to company resources.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Savannah, Georgia. Gulfstream's primary manufacturing and corporate headquarters are located here, offering a stable and well-established work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment likely facilitates regular face-to-face interaction with direct reports, cross-functional teams (Sales, Marketing, etc.), and senior leadership, crucial for design feedback and strategic alignment.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma), potentially integrated project management tools, and necessary hardware.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily stand-ups, team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and informal discussions that foster a cohesive and productive design team culture.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week, typically during business hours (e.g., 8 AM - 5 PM EST), is expected. While on-site, flexibility may be required for critical deadlines, though extensive overtime is generally managed through efficient planning and resource allocation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is key for a management role involving direct team oversight and cross-functional collaboration within a large corporate setting. The Savannah location suggests a corporate headquarters environment with established infrastructure.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely a senior marketing leader) focusing on your management philosophy, leadership style, and understanding of design operations.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, detailing 2-3 key case studies. Be prepared to discuss your process, challenges, solutions, and the impact of your work. This is where your operational approach to design will be evaluated.

• Team/Peer Interviews: You may meet with direct reports or peers from other departments (e.g., Marketing, Sales) to assess collaboration style and team dynamics.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level executive to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role and approach, the tools/processes used, the solution, and the measurable results.

• Highlight Operational Aspects: Emphasize how you managed projects, collaborated with teams, adhered to brand guidelines, and optimized workflows to achieve outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics wherever possible. If exact numbers aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how success was measured or evaluated.

• Showcase Management Skills: If applicable, include examples of how you've guided junior designers, managed feedback, or improved team processes.

• Tailor to Gulfstream: Briefly research Gulfstream's current branding and marketing efforts to tailor your presentation and show relevant understanding.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Strategy Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario where you might need to outline a design strategy for a new product launch or marketing campaign, including team roles and timelines.

• Process Improvement Question: Expect questions about how you would improve an existing design process or workflow within the team.

• Team Management Scenario: You might be asked how you would handle a situation involving underperforming team members or conflicting stakeholder feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely focus heavily on evaluating both creative vision and operational management capabilities. A strong portfolio presentation demonstrating process, leadership, and measurable impact is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design tasks, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for creating advertisements, collateral, and print materials.

• Figma: Crucial for UX/UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows.

• Microsoft Office Suite/Google Workspace: For general productivity, documentation, presentations, and internal communication (Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, PowerPoint/Slides).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools (e.g., Google Analytics): Basic understanding may be beneficial for informing UX/UI design decisions for digital platforms by analyzing user behavior.

• Project Management Software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira): Tools used by the team for task management, workflow tracking, and collaboration.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): While not a direct user, understanding how design outputs integrate with CRM for customer engagement (e.g., email campaigns) is beneficial.

• Marketing Automation Platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo): Familiarity with how designs are implemented within these platforms for campaign execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in core design tools (Adobe Suite, Figma) is paramount. A basic understanding of web technologies (HTML, CSS) and how designs integrate into marketing automation and CRM systems is also expected, highlighting the operational aspect of connecting creative output to business processes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Precision: Reflecting the aerospace industry, there's an expectation of high standards, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering flawless creative output.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working effectively within the design team and cross-functionally with other departments to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging the exploration of new design trends, technologies, and processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Integrity & Respect: Fostering a workplace where honesty, trust, and mutual respect are foundational to all interactions.

• Customer Focus: Dedication to understanding and meeting the needs of both internal and external customers through impactful design solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires active collaboration with marketing strategists, sales teams, product development, and potentially executive leadership to ensure design aligns with business objectives.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that encourages constructive feedback exchange among team members and with stakeholders to refine designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting an environment where designers share best practices, insights, and learning opportunities to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely mirrors the aerospace industry's demands for precision and quality, combined with corporate values of teamwork and integrity. The collaboration style will be key for ensuring design operations are integrated seamlessly with other business functions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Management and Hands-on Design: Effectively allocating time between leading a team, strategic planning, and contributing to hands-on design projects.

• Managing Diverse Creative Needs: Ensuring design output meets the varied requirements of digital, print, and physical space executions while maintaining brand consistency.

• Integrating New Technologies: Keeping pace with evolving design software, digital trends (UX/UI), and marketing technologies, and integrating them effectively into existing workflows.

• Stakeholder Management: Navigating diverse opinions and requirements from various internal stakeholders (Sales, Leadership, etc.) to deliver cohesive design solutions.

• Maintaining Brand Integrity: Ensuring consistent application of brand guidelines across a wide array of touchpoints and creative executions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Figma, Adobe Suite, or emerging design tools.

• UX/UI Specialization: Pursuing certifications or advanced courses in User Experience and User Interface design principles and best practices.

• Leadership Development Programs: Internal training or external workshops focused on management, team building, strategic planning, and operational efficiency.

• Industry Conferences: Attending marketing and design conferences to stay abreast of the latest trends, technologies, and strategies.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Opportunities to learn about other functions within Gulfstream, such as marketing strategy, sales enablement, or product development, to better understand their needs and inform design operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a manager role balancing creative responsibilities with operational oversight. The growth opportunities are geared towards deepening both design expertise and leadership capabilities, essential for career progression in operations and creative management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Operations Philosophy: "Describe your approach to managing a design team and ensuring efficient operational workflows. How do you balance hands-on design contribution with leadership responsibilities?" (Prepare to discuss your management style, team motivation techniques, and process optimization strategies.)

• Brand Consistency Strategy: "How would you ensure consistent brand application across all marketing channels – digital, print, and physical spaces – for a company like Gulfstream?" (Be ready to outline specific checks, tools, and team processes.)

• UX/UI Integration: "How do you see UX/UI design contributing to Gulfstream's overall business objectives? What steps would you take to champion user-centered design within the organization?" (Focus on linking design to customer experience and business outcomes.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding Gulfstream's Brand: "What are your initial impressions of Gulfstream's brand and visual identity? How would you approach evolving or refreshing it while respecting its heritage?" (Research their current marketing materials and website.)

• Team Collaboration: "Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with a challenging stakeholder or cross-functional team. How did you manage the relationship and achieve a successful outcome?" (Prepare a STAR method example.)

• Measuring Design Impact: "How do you measure the success of marketing design initiatives? What KPIs are most important to you?" (Think about metrics related to engagement, brand recall, lead generation, and customer satisfaction.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Executive Summary: Start with a brief overview of your experience and key strengths relevant to the role.

• Case Study Deep Dive: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your management, strategic thinking, and diverse design capabilities. For each:

  • Problem Statement: Clearly articulate the business challenge or objective.
  • Your Role & Process: Detail your approach, the tools/technologies used, and any operational processes you implemented or followed.
  • Solution & Execution: Showcase the final designs and explain the rationale behind them.
  • Results & Impact: Quantify the outcomes or discuss the intended impact and how success was measured.

• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared for in-depth questions about your decisions, processes, and leadership style.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating how your design leadership translates into effective operations, drives business results, and aligns with Gulfstream's industry and brand. Quantifiable results and clear process articulation are key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Marketing Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the career portal at https://careers.gulfstream.com/.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in team management, creative development across digital and print, UX/UI design, brand stewardship, and any relevant operational process improvements. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies that demonstrate your ability to lead design projects from concept to completion, showcasing your management style, strategic thinking, and impact. Ensure it reflects experience across digital, print, and physical spaces.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating the "why" behind your design decisions and the operational processes you employed. Be ready to discuss quantifiable results.

• Research Gulfstream: Understand Gulfstream's brand, its market position in the aerospace industry, and its current marketing efforts to better tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.