Marketing Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Marketing Designer

Company: Ladders

Location: New York, NY or Remote

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-12

Experience Level: 5+ years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and execute conversion-focused creative assets for a variety of marketing channels including paid advertising, email, web, and social media.

• Drive engagement and revenue through optimized landing pages, customer journeys, and promotional experiences.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Product, Engineering, and Analytics, to manage projects from concept to launch and iteration.

• Utilize performance data and customer insights to continuously improve creative output and marketing campaign effectiveness.

• This role requires a blend of strong visual design skills and a keen understanding of performance marketing principles and conversion optimization strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is distinctly positioned as a "Marketing Designer" rather than a "Product Designer," emphasizing a focus on driving measurable business outcomes (engagement, conversion, revenue) through creative execution across marketing touchpoints. The responsibilities heavily lean into performance marketing and conversion rate optimization (CRO) principles, which are critical for success in a revenue-focused operations environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design visually compelling and high-converting creative assets for paid social media, display advertising, email marketing campaigns, website promotions, and organic social content.

• Develop cohesive campaign concepts that effectively translate across diverse channels and formats, ensuring brand consistency and message impact.

• Create and optimize user-centric landing pages, promotional experiences, checkout flows, and paywalls to maximize user engagement and conversion rates.

• Produce multiple creative variations of assets specifically for A/B testing to identify optimal designs and messaging that drive performance improvements.

• Act as a key design partner, collaborating closely with Marketing, Product, Engineering, and Analytics teams to ensure alignment and successful project execution.

• Manage design projects from initial concept development through to final launch and subsequent iterative improvements, maintaining project timelines and quality standards.

• Leverage performance data, analytics insights, and customer behavior patterns to inform design decisions and enhance the effectiveness of marketing creative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a direct link between design work and key business metrics such as engagement, conversion, and revenue. The emphasis on A/B testing and data-driven iteration is a hallmark of effective marketing operations, where continuous optimization is key to driving GTM success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, or a related field is often preferred for roles requiring this level of experience and skill. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5+ years of experience in growth design, marketing design, digital design, or performance design. This includes demonstrated experience in designing for multiple marketing channels and a strong understanding of conversion-focused strategies.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in designing creative for paid social, display advertising, email marketing, web, ecommerce, and organic social channels.

• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of work across multiple marketing channels, with a focus on performance and conversion.

• Expertise in creating and optimizing landing pages, promotional experiences, checkout flows, and paywalls.

• Proficiency in developing creative variations specifically for A/B testing to drive performance improvements.

• Excellent visual design, typography, layout, and art direction skills, with a keen eye for detail and aesthetics.

• Solid understanding of performance marketing principles and conversion optimization (CRO) strategies.

• Expertise in design software, specifically Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and adapt quickly to feedback in a fast-paced environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with subscription, membership, ecommerce, or consumer brand marketing.

• Proficiency in motion graphics or short-form video production.

• Familiarity with advertising platforms such as Meta (Facebook/Instagram), Google Ads, TikTok, Reddit, and programmatic advertising networks.

• Understanding of responsive design principles for both email and web.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of creative excellence and analytical thinking, crucial for a marketing designer focused on measurable results. The specific software requirements (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) are standard for design roles, but the emphasis on performance marketing and conversion optimization differentiates this from a purely aesthetic design position.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a diverse range of work specifically tailored to marketing and conversion-driven design.

• Include detailed case studies or examples of:

  • Paid media creative (display ads, social ads) with demonstrated performance metrics if possible.

  • High-converting landing page designs, highlighting user flow and conversion elements.

  • Lifecycle and promotional email designs, demonstrating engagement and click-through strategies.

  • Ecommerce user flows and promotional experiences, focusing on user journey and purchase optimization.

  • Integrated campaign examples that illustrate multi-channel creative consistency.

  • Examples of creative variations developed for A/B testing and their outcomes. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a deliverable, the candidate should be prepared to discuss their design process, including:

  • Workflow for concept development and iteration.

  • Methods for incorporating performance data and customer feedback into design improvements.

  • Project management approach for managing multiple creative requests and deadlines.

  • Collaboration strategies with marketing, product, and engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is central to this role. Candidates must demonstrate not just aesthetic talent but also a strategic understanding of how design impacts business metrics. The emphasis on "conversion-focused" work and "performance marketing" means portfolios should highlight results and optimization efforts, not just visual appeal.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Marketing Designer with 5+ years of experience in New York City or a remote role serving the NYC market, the estimated annual salary range is $90,000 - $130,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in high-cost-of-living areas and considering the specific skills and responsibilities outlined.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with approximately 83% of premiums paid by the employer.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy: 20 days per year, in addition to company holidays.

• Home office stipend to support remote work setup.

• Gym reimbursement to encourage employee wellness.

• Company-paid life and disability insurance for added security.

• Remote-friendly culture, allowing for flexibility in work location.

• Healthcare and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for tax-advantaged savings on eligible expenses.

Working Hours: Full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. The remote-friendly culture suggests a degree of flexibility in daily scheduling, but core collaboration hours may be expected, particularly for cross-functional team meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on Ladders' location (New York) and the specified experience level. The benefits package is detailed in the job description and is competitive, particularly the employer-paid premium percentage for health coverage and the generous PTO.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the Technology and Software sector, specifically focusing on AI-powered job search products and services. This indicates a fast-paced, data-driven environment that values innovation and technological advancement.

Company Size: Ladders is a growing company. While the exact size isn't specified, the mention of "fast-moving, collaborative team" and direct interaction with leadership suggests a dynamic environment, potentially mid-sized or scaling. This often means more opportunities for impact and direct influence.

Founded: Ladders was founded with a mission to help professionals find better job opportunities. The company's focus on AI-powered solutions implies a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to solve user problems.

Team Structure:

• The Marketing Designer will be part of a marketing team that collaborates closely with Product, Engineering, and Analytics.

• This implies a cross-functional structure where designers work alongside specialists from various disciplines to achieve common goals.

• Reporting likely goes up through a Marketing Director or Head of Marketing, with direct interaction with leadership. Methodology:

• Ladders values ownership, experimentation, and measurable results. This suggests a culture that encourages initiative, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on achieving tangible outcomes.

• The emphasis on AI-powered products points to a data-centric approach in all aspects of the business, including marketing and design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as fast-moving, collaborative, and focused on measurable results, which are key indicators for operations-minded professionals. The emphasis on AI and data suggests a sophisticated approach to business strategy and execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level to senior designer role, requiring 5+ years of experience. It's a specialized "Marketing Designer" role, distinct from product design, focusing on driving GTM performance. It offers a unique path for designers interested in the intersection of creative execution and business results within a growth-focused organization.

Reporting Structure: The Marketing Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Director. They will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product, Engineering, and Analytics, indicating a collaborative and integrated operational structure.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on revenue and business decisions. The success of marketing campaigns, conversion rates on landing pages, and overall customer acquisition and retention are directly influenced by the quality and effectiveness of the designs produced. This role is crucial for translating marketing strategy into tangible performance outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in performance marketing design, conversion optimization, and specific marketing channels (e.g., paid social, email).

• Leadership: Potential to lead design initiatives for specific campaigns or channels, mentor junior designers, or evolve into a Creative Lead role as the team grows.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to expand into motion graphics, video, or advanced analytics interpretation for design. Exposure to AI-driven product development can also foster unique skill sets.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain valuable experience working closely with Product and Engineering teams, understanding the broader business strategy and technology stack.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within marketing operations and creative strategy, focusing on measurable impact. The "not a traditional product design role" clarification is key – it signals a focus on business outcomes over UI/UX for the product itself.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a remote-friendly culture, meaning the primary work environment will be remote. This allows for flexibility and autonomy for employees based anywhere. However, the mention of "New York or Remote" suggests a potential for hybrid arrangements or collaboration with a New York-based team.

Office Location(s): While the role can be performed remotely, the primary location indicated is New York. This may mean that candidates in or willing to relocate to the New York metropolitan area are preferred, or that there may be opportunities for in-person collaboration if desired or required for specific team events.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Focus: The remote-friendly culture implies a need for strong self-management, effective digital communication tools, and a setup conducive to focused work.

• Tools & Technology: Expect access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and collaboration platforms.

• Collaboration: While remote, the culture emphasizes collaboration with Marketing, Product, and Engineering. This suggests regular virtual meetings, shared project spaces (e.g., Figma, Asana, Jira), and a proactive approach to communication.

Work Schedule: Full-time employment, typically 40 hours per week. The remote nature allows for potential flexibility in daily start and end times, but adherence to project deadlines and availability for scheduled meetings are essential for effective collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-friendly aspect is a significant perk, offering flexibility. However, candidates should be prepared for strong digital collaboration and potentially some expectation of alignment with a core New York-based team, even if remote.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: The process will likely involve several stages designed to assess design skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to discuss experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, and outcomes. This is a critical stage.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: Potentially a take-home assignment or a live design exercise focused on creating conversion-oriented assets or solving a marketing design problem.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with members of the Marketing, Product, and/or Engineering teams to assess collaboration skills and understanding of broader business objectives.

• Final Interview: A conversation with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision, cultural fit, and overall suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Conversion: Prioritize projects that demonstrate a clear impact on business metrics (e.g., increased conversion rates, engagement, revenue). Quantify results wherever possible.

• Showcase Channel Diversity: Include examples from paid media, landing pages, emails, and ecommerce. Highlight how your design approach adapts to different channels.

• Explain Your Process: Be ready to walk through your design thinking, from understanding the brief to iterating based on data and feedback. Explain why you made specific design decisions.

• Highlight A/B Testing: If you have examples of A/B tests you conducted, explain the hypothesis, the variations, and the results. This is a key requirement for this role.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Briefly mention your proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite within the context of your projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Focus on Performance: If given a design challenge, ensure your solution prioritizes conversion and business goals over pure aesthetics.

• Think Iteratively: Consider how your design could be tested and improved. Be prepared to discuss potential A/B tests.

• Communicate Clearly: Articulate your design rationale and how it aligns with the objectives of the task.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates must demonstrate a strong understanding of performance marketing and conversion optimization, backed by tangible results and a clear design process. The emphasis on "not a traditional product design role" means the portfolio should lean heavily into marketing campaign effectiveness.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and asset creation. Expect extensive use for landing pages, email templates, and ad creatives.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Including Photoshop for image editing and manipulation, Illustrator for vector graphics and logos, and potentially InDesign for more complex layouts or campaign materials.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct requirement for the designer, familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics or similar tools used by the marketing team will be beneficial for understanding performance data. The designer will need to interpret reports and dashboards to inform design iterations. CRM & Automation:

• Understanding of how designs integrate with CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g., email marketing software) is advantageous. The designer will be creating assets that feed into these systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is a hard requirement. While direct use of analytics or CRM platforms might not be expected, the ability to interpret and act on data from these systems is crucial for success in a performance-oriented design role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership: Taking responsibility for design outcomes and driving projects forward independently.

• Experimentation: A willingness to test new ideas, designs, and approaches to find what performs best.

• Measurable Results: A strong focus on data and metrics to evaluate the success of creative work and its impact on business goals.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams (Marketing, Product, Engineering, Analytics) to achieve shared objectives.

• Efficiency: Designing for speed and impact, iterating quickly to optimize performance.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with various departments, necessitating strong communication and the ability to translate design concepts into terms understandable by non-designers.

• Data-Informed Feedback: Openness to receiving and acting on feedback based on performance data and analytics.

• Agile Iteration: A culture that supports rapid iteration and continuous improvement of creative assets based on testing and results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align directly with operations principles: ownership, data-driven decisions, experimentation, and measurable results. This is a key indicator of a team that values efficiency and impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Performance: Constantly finding the sweet spot between visually appealing design and high conversion rates for marketing campaigns.

• Rapid Iteration Cycles: Adapting to a fast-paced environment that requires quick turnarounds for A/B tests and campaign updates.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Effectively communicating design rationale and collaborating with teams that may have different priorities or technical perspectives.

• Staying Current: Keeping up with evolving digital marketing trends, platform changes, and design best practices across various channels.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Performance Marketing Expertise: Deepen understanding and application of conversion rate optimization (CRO), A/B testing methodologies, and paid media strategy.

• Channel Specialization: Develop advanced skills in designing for specific high-impact channels like email marketing automation, paid social, or ecommerce user journeys.

• Motion Graphics/Video: Opportunities to acquire or enhance skills in motion graphics and short-form video, which are increasingly important in digital advertising.

• Data Interpretation: Sharpen the ability to leverage analytics and user behavior data to drive design decisions and demonstrate ROI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a performance-focused design role. The growth opportunities are directly tied to enhancing skills that drive business impact, aligning with a career path in marketing operations or growth design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a landing page that aims to maximize conversions. What key elements would you focus on?" (Focus on user flow, CTA, visual hierarchy, copy integration, and testing elements.)

• "How do you approach balancing brand aesthetics with the need for performance and conversion optimization in your designs?" (Discuss understanding brand guidelines while prioritizing data-driven elements and testing.)

• "Walk us through a campaign where you designed creative assets for multiple channels. How did you ensure consistency while adapting to each platform's requirements?" (Highlight campaign planning, asset adaptation, and unified messaging.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Ladders' mission and our AI-powered approach to job search?" (Research the company's AI tools and market position.)

• "How do you see your role as a Marketing Designer contributing to our growth and revenue objectives?" (Connect your skills to measurable business outcomes.)

• "Describe a time you received feedback on your design that was difficult to implement. How did you handle it?" (Demonstrate adaptability, professionalism, and commitment to the project's success.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure by Impact: Organize your portfolio around key achievements or types of projects (e.g., "Driving Conversions," "Engaging Emails," "Optimized Landing Pages").

• Quantify Results: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the design solution, and the measured outcome (e.g., "Increased CTR by 15%," "Improved conversion rate by 5%").

• Explain Your "Why": For every design decision, be prepared to explain the rationale behind it, especially how it relates to user behavior, conversion goals, or performance marketing principles.

• Showcase A/B Testing: If possible, dedicate a section or highlight projects where you were involved in A/B testing creative variations and explain the learnings.

• Highlight Tool Usage: Briefly mention your proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite in the context of the projects presented.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a data-driven, results-oriented approach to design, rather than just showcasing visual talent. The ability to articulate design strategy and its business impact is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Marketing Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.lever.co.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to highlight conversion-focused design, paid media creative, landing pages, and email campaigns. Quantify results and explain your design process for each piece.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your experience in growth, marketing, or performance design, clearly stating your years of experience and proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your understanding of conversion optimization, and how you use data to inform your work. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio for the interview and potential design challenge.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Ladders' AI-powered job search products, target audience, and recent marketing efforts. Understand their business model and how design contributes to their growth objectives.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

---