Senior Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Brand Designer

Company: Manyone

Location: Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY, US

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Brand Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-31

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days on-site)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end brand identity projects, from initial strategy and positioning through to the development of comprehensive visual systems and final launch.

• Drive client relationships and conversations daily, acting as the primary point of contact and guiding stakeholders through the creative process.

• Collaborate closely with strategists to translate positioning and narrative into compelling and distinctive visual expressions, with the ability to challenge and refine strategy when necessary.

• Develop and articulate a cohesive visual language, encompassing typography, color palettes, imagery direction, and motion principles that define a brand's identity.

• Construct robust brand guidelines and scalable design systems that are practical and usable for internal teams and external partners.

• Partner with digital designers to ensure seamless extension of brand identity across digital products, interfaces, and user experiences.

• Plan and facilitate engaging creative workshops with clients and cross-functional teams to foster collaboration and gather essential insights.

• Mentor junior designers, contributing to their professional development and actively shaping the team's creative culture and output.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Brand Designer within a strategy-design hybrid consultancy. The description emphasizes a hands-on approach where the designer is deeply involved in strategic thinking and client management, not just execution. The "operations" aspect is inferred through the need for structured design systems, brand guidelines, and efficient client workshop facilitation, all of which are critical for consistent and scalable brand delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and drive the complete lifecycle of brand identity projects, from initial client discovery and strategic positioning to concept development, design system creation, and successful launch.

• Manage day-to-day client relationships, expertly leading conversations, presenting work, and ensuring client buy-in and satisfaction throughout the project.

• Act as a critical partner to strategists, translating complex positioning statements and narratives into clear, distinctive, and impactful visual brand expressions.

• Develop comprehensive visual identities, including typography, color systems, imagery guidelines, and motion principles, ensuring consistency and brand integrity across all applications.

• Create practical and user-friendly brand guidelines and design systems that empower internal teams and external partners to apply the brand effectively.

• Collaborate with digital and product designers to ensure the brand identity is consistently and effectively applied across digital products, interfaces, and user experiences.

• Design, plan, and facilitate creative workshops with clients and internal cross-functional teams to drive ideation, gather insights, and build consensus.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering their growth, providing constructive feedback, and contributing to a collaborative and innovative creative culture.

• Proactively explore and integrate emerging technologies, including AI tools, to enhance the design process and deliver innovative brand solutions.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of Manyone's design processes and methodologies, sharing best practices and driving efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on design execution, client leadership, and team mentorship, typical of a senior-level role in a design consultancy. The emphasis on "living systems," "guidelines," and "workshops" points to a need for structured, repeatable processes that ensure brand consistency and efficient project delivery, aligning with operational excellence in creative services.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational background in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is highly recommended, demonstrated through a compelling portfolio.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in brand identity design, visual design, or a closely related field.

• A significant portion of this experience must have been gained within an agency or consultancy environment, showcasing exposure to diverse client challenges and project types.

• Proven track record of successfully launching identity projects that demonstrate conceptual depth, sophisticated typographic craft, and robust systems thinking, particularly as applied to digital products or interfaces. Required Skills:

• Brand Identity Design Leadership: Ability to lead the entire brand identity development process from strategy to execution.

• Strategic Collaboration: Skill in partnering with strategists to translate positioning into visual expression and providing critical feedback on strategy.

• Visual Systems Development: Expertise in creating cohesive visual languages including typography, color, imagery, and motion principles.

• Design Systems & Guidelines: Proficiency in building and documenting comprehensive brand guidelines and scalable design systems.

• Client Relationship Management: Proven ability to manage client relationships, lead conversations, and present to senior stakeholders effectively.

• Conceptual Depth & Craft: Demonstrated ability to develop unique concepts with exceptional typographic and visual execution.

• Digital Product Integration: Experience extending brand identity into digital products and interfaces.

• Workshop Facilitation: Experience planning and leading creative workshops with diverse groups.

• Mentorship: Ability to mentor and guide junior designers, fostering their development.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency in core design tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Figma: Expert-level skill in Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• AI Tools Integration: Demonstrated experience and enthusiasm for utilizing new AI tools to enhance creative workflows and outcomes.

• Business Acumen: Comfort framing design problems and defending decisions in business terms.

• English Fluency: Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design & Animation: Experience in developing motion graphics and animations for brand expression.

• 3D Art Direction: Experience in directing 3D illustration or asset creation.

• Packaging Design: Experience applying brand identity to physical packaging.

• Illustration Art Direction: Experience directing illustrators.

• Photography Art Direction: Experience directing photographers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "systems thinking," "launching identity work," and "business terms" points to a need for operational rigor and strategic impact in the design process. The requirement for Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, alongside AI tools, indicates a modern, efficient design workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A mandatory portfolio is required for all applications. Applications lacking a portfolio link will not be considered.

• Showcase three to five distinct brand identity projects that have been successfully launched.

• For each project, clearly articulate:

  • The specific problem or challenge the brand faced.
  • The strategic approach and design solutions implemented.
  • The quantifiable or qualitative outcomes and impact of the work.

• The portfolio should highlight conceptual depth, strong typographic craft, and evidence of systems thinking, particularly in how the brand identity extends across various touchpoints, including digital interfaces. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in developing and documenting comprehensive brand guidelines that serve as a single source of truth for brand application.

• Showcase the creation of scalable design systems that ensure consistency and efficiency in brand implementation across diverse platforms and products.

• Provide examples of how design processes were optimized for efficiency, potentially through the use of templates, automation, or streamlined workflows.

• Illustrate experience in translating strategic positioning into actionable design frameworks that guide creative execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is highly structured, emphasizing not just the final output but the process, problem-solving, and impact. This strongly suggests the company values a methodical, results-oriented approach to design, akin to operational best practices in ensuring quality and consistency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $140,000 USD per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health coverage.

• Life insurance.

• Generous remote work policy, allowing for flexibility.

• Generous vacation policy, promoting work-life balance.

• Opportunity for regular collaboration with an international team across Europe (Denmark, Sweden) and the USA.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position. While a hybrid model is in place, specific daily working hours are not detailed but are expected to align with standard professional expectations, likely around 8 hours per day, with flexibility for project needs. The role requires 3 days per week in the Dumbo, Brooklyn studio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is clearly defined. The benefits package includes standard offerings along with flexibility through remote work and vacation policies, which are attractive to professionals seeking a good work-life integration. The hybrid model is detailed.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consultancy (Strategy & Design Hybrid)

Company Size: Approximately 250 employees globally, with a significant presence across 16 offices in Europe and the USA. This size suggests a dynamic, established firm with the resources of a larger organization but potentially retaining some of the agility of a smaller one.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly provided, but the description implies a mature consultancy with a global footprint and a substantial client list.

Team Structure:

• The operations (design) team is likely structured within a "team-of-teams" model, characterized by small, tightly-knit groups.

• Collaboration is interdisciplinary, with designers working alongside strategists and technologists.

• There's a global element, with regular collaboration across European and US offices.

• The reporting structure likely involves a Design Lead or Creative Director, with the Senior Brand Designer mentoring junior team members. Methodology:

• Strategy-Design Integration: A core methodology where strategic thinking is inseparable from design execution.

• Data-Informed Creativity: While not explicitly stated, the focus on "positioning," "business terms," and "impact" suggests a data-informed approach to design decisions.

• Agile Project Delivery: The "team-of-teams" model and cross-functional collaboration imply an agile and adaptable approach to project management.

• Client-Centric Collaboration: Emphasis on client relationships and co-creation through workshops.

Company Website: https://manyone.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Manyone positions itself as a unique strategy-design hybrid. The "team-of-teams" model and emphasis on curiosity, openness, and adaptability over titles suggest a flat, collaborative, and modern work environment, crucial for operations professionals who thrive on cross-functional synergy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Brand Designer. This level signifies a high degree of autonomy, responsibility for leading significant client projects, and a role in mentoring junior staff. It's a critical juncture for designers looking to deepen their strategic influence and leadership capabilities within a design consultancy.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Brand Designer will likely report to a Creative Director or Head of Design within the US or New York team. They will also be responsible for mentoring and guiding more junior designers, establishing a clear line of influence and development.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on client success by shaping their brand identity and visual communication. This influences client perception, market positioning, and ultimately, their business growth. The Senior Brand Designer is crucial in ensuring clients receive world-class strategic and creative output, reinforcing Manyone's reputation and client retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Opportunity to grow into roles with greater strategic oversight, potentially leading larger client engagements or specific service lines within the consultancy.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like advanced design systems, motion design, or AI-driven creative tools.

• Mentorship & Management: Develop leadership skills through continued mentorship and potential progression into managing design teams or specific client portfolios.

• Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Further integrate with strategy and technology teams to broaden skill sets and understanding of the full consultancy offering.

• Global Exposure: Leverage opportunities to collaborate on international projects and learn from diverse teams across different regions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title combined with the "strategy-design hybrid" model suggests a strong emphasis on career progression that blends creative excellence with strategic business impact, offering a clear path for growth beyond pure design execution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The role requires 3 days per week at the Dumbo, Brooklyn studio, with 2 days of remote work. This offers a balance between in-person collaboration and personal flexibility.

Office Location(s): Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY. This vibrant tech and creative hub offers a dynamic work environment with excellent access to public transportation and a wealth of amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The "team-of-teams" model and focus on cross-functional work necessitate a highly collaborative physical and virtual workspace. Expect shared studios and active participation in team meetings and workshops.

• Tooling & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) and potentially emerging AI tools will be integral to the workspace. The company likely invests in up-to-date technology to support its creative output.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model means structured in-person time is crucial for deep collaboration, brainstorming, and team building, while remote days allow for focused individual work.

Work Schedule: Full-time, hybrid. The 3-day on-site requirement in Dumbo, Brooklyn, is a key aspect. While specific daily hours aren't detailed, standard professional expectations apply, with flexibility likely built into the remote days. The company emphasizes a generous vacation policy, indicating a culture that values employee well-being and prevents burnout.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is clearly defined with specific on-site expectations. The location in Dumbo, Brooklyn, is a significant draw for talent in the creative and tech sectors. The emphasis on collaboration within a "team-of-teams" suggests a workspace designed for interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and mandatory portfolio link to assess foundational qualifications, experience, and quality of work.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session to walk through selected portfolio pieces. Expect to discuss project challenges, strategic rationale, your specific contributions, design decisions, and the resulting impact. This is a crucial stage for demonstrating conceptual depth, craft, and problem-solving skills.

• Client & Strategy Simulation: Potential for a case study or simulated client interaction where you might be asked to frame a problem, propose a strategic approach, or critique an existing brand. This tests your ability to think strategically and communicate business value.

• Cross-Functional/Team Interview: An interview with strategists, designers, or other team members to assess collaboration style, cultural fit, and ability to integrate with the "team-of-teams" model.

• Leadership/Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to assess overall fit, growth potential, and alignment with Manyone's values and mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant launched identity projects. Prioritize those showcasing conceptual depth, strong typography, systems thinking, and successful application in digital contexts.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, your specific role and contributions, the design solutions, and the measurable outcomes/impact. Use concise language and compelling visuals.

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Explicitly show how your identity work extends across various touchpoints, demonstrating an understanding of brand systems and guidelines.

• Demonstrate Business Acumen: Frame your contributions in terms of business value – how did your design work solve a problem or drive a desired outcome for the client?

• Showcase Craft: Ensure high-quality presentation of your work, with attention to detail in typography, layout, and visual hierarchy.

• Include AI Tool Usage (if applicable): If you used AI tools, be prepared to discuss how they enhanced your process or outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Framing: Practice articulating design challenges and solutions in business terms. Be ready to discuss how design aligns with business objectives.

• Brand Systems Thinking: Prepare to discuss the principles of building scalable and usable design systems and brand guidelines.

• Client Communication: Rehearse how you would present complex design concepts to non-design stakeholders and manage client expectations.

• Manyone Research: Understand Manyone's strategy-design hybrid model, their client roster, and their overall approach to consulting. Tailor your examples and responses to align with their ethos.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "portfolio of launched identity work" and "telling us what the problem was, what you did, and what happened" highlights a results-oriented and process-driven evaluation. This strongly suggests that candidates will be assessed on their ability to deliver tangible business value through design, a key operational consideration for consultancies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and creating design systems. Proficiency is a must.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for detailed design work, asset creation, and final output.

• AI Tools: Experience and enthusiasm for utilizing emerging AI tools for creative exploration, ideation, asset generation, or workflow optimization is highly valued.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly for a brand designer, understanding how brand performance is measured (e.g., through brand tracking studies, website analytics for brand engagement) would be beneficial. The role's output will feed into broader analytics.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role, but awareness of how design assets are managed and disseminated within client organizations might be helpful.

Other Potential Tools:

• Motion Design Software: e.g., After Effects, Principle (for preferred skill).

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, tools like InVision might be used.

• Project Management Software: e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello (for team collaboration and workflow tracking).

• Presentation Software: PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides for client presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, alongside a forward-looking emphasis on AI tools, indicates a modern, efficient, and technologically adept design environment. Proficiency in these tools is critical for seamless integration into the team's workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity: A drive to explore new ideas, technologies (like AI), and approaches to design and strategy.

• Openness: Willingness to share ideas, receive feedback, and collaborate transparently across disciplines and geographies.

• Adaptability: The ability to thrive in a dynamic, strategy-design hybrid environment, adjusting to client needs and evolving industry trends.

• Excellence in Craft & Strategy: A commitment to delivering high-quality design work that is deeply informed by strategic thinking and business objectives.

• Client Focus: Dedication to understanding client challenges and delivering solutions that drive tangible business impact.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and cross-functional synergy as essential to achieving innovative outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-of-Teams Model: Emphasizes small, integrated groups working closely together, fostering strong bonds and efficient communication.

• Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Designers work seamlessly with strategists and technologists, blurring traditional role boundaries.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encourages constructive critique and knowledge sharing to elevate the quality of work and foster continuous learning.

• Global Collaboration: Regular interaction with international colleagues, promoting diverse perspectives and a global outlook.

📝 Enhancement Note: Manyone's stated values of "Curiosity, openness and adaptability" are core to their "team-of-teams" model. This suggests a culture where proactive contribution, learning, and collaborative problem-solving are highly prized, which is often the hallmark of well-functioning operational teams in creative consultancies.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Strategy and Craft: Effectively integrating deep strategic thinking with high-caliber design execution, ensuring both are prioritized and complement each other.

• Client Management Demands: Managing diverse client expectations, personalities, and feedback loops while maintaining project momentum and creative integrity.

• Pace of Change: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving design trends, new technologies (especially AI), and client industry shifts.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless collaboration and communication across strategy, design, and technology teams, especially in a global, hybrid setting.

• Defining and Measuring Impact: Clearly articulating and demonstrating the business impact of brand design work to clients and internal stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Systems: Deepen expertise in creating and managing complex, scalable design systems for global brands.

• AI in Design: Become a leader in leveraging AI tools for creative exploration, efficiency, and innovation in brand identity development.

• Strategic Design Leadership: Develop skills in leading client strategy discussions and shaping brand positioning from a design perspective.

• Mentorship & Team Development: Hone leadership and coaching skills by mentoring junior designers and contributing to team growth.

• Global Project Exposure: Gain experience working on diverse international projects, broadening perspective and understanding of global markets.

• Continuous Learning: Access to industry insights, workshops, and potentially conferences to stay at the forefront of design and branding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges outlined are common for senior roles in consultancies, focusing on strategic integration, client demands, and technological evolution. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with a career path that values both creative mastery and strategic business impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to push back on a client's strategic direction based on your design insights. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on strategic thinking, client management, and business rationale.)

• "How do you translate a brand's positioning and narrative into a cohesive visual identity? Walk us through your process for a hypothetical or past project." (Focus on process, conceptualization, and strategic application.)

• "Imagine we need to build a design system for a new digital product. What are the key considerations from a brand identity perspective, and how would you ensure its usability and scalability?" (Focus on systems thinking, process, and practical application.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Manyone is a strategy-design hybrid. How does this model influence your approach to brand design, and what excites you about it?" (Focus on understanding the company's unique model and your fit.)

• "Describe your experience working in a 'team-of-teams' model. How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication across disciplines?" (Focus on collaboration style and adaptability.)

• "How do you stay curious and adaptable in a rapidly changing design landscape, particularly with the rise of AI tools?" (Focus on continuous learning and embracing new technologies.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly state the client, the core challenge, your role, the strategic approach, the design solution, and the measurable impact.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story. Connect the dots between the business problem and your design solution.

• Visuals: Ensure high-quality presentation of your work. Use mockups effectively to show application across touchpoints.

• Process: Be ready to discuss your thought process, your decision-making criteria, and how you navigated challenges.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most impactful aspects of each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses heavily on demonstrating strategic thinking, process rigor, business acumen, and collaborative skills, all of which are critical for success in an operations-centric role within a consultancy like Manyone.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Brand Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Use the provided link to submit your application through Breezy HR.

• Portfolio is Mandatory: Ensure your application includes a direct link to your online portfolio. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest, launched brand identity projects. For each, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, your specific contributions, the design solutions, and the impact. Focus on conceptual depth, typographic craft, and systems thinking applied to digital interfaces.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of agency/consultancy experience, proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, experience with design systems, and any client leadership roles. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, emphasizing your strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and how your work delivers business value. Practice articulating your design decisions in business terms.

• Research Manyone: Understand their strategy-design hybrid model, their client work, and their company values. Prepare to discuss how your skills and approach align with their ethos.

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

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