Senior Email (UI) Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Email (UI) Designer

Company: OKTOBER

Location: Philippines (Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations / UI/UX Design

Date Posted: May 04, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end design of email campaigns and pop-ups for a portfolio of high-value eCommerce clients, incorporating advanced UI, animations, and GIFs.

• Drive design innovation by contributing to the development and refinement of agency-wide design systems and best practices.

• Provide informal art direction and mentorship to junior design staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance design environment.

• Represent the design function in strategic client engagements, including pod planning sessions and new business pitches.

• Leverage expert-level proficiency in Figma and generative AI tools to enhance design workflows and deliver cutting-edge creative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Email (UI) Designer," the responsibilities and requirements strongly indicate a role focused on revenue-driving creative assets within an agency context, particularly for eCommerce clients. This role blends creative design with strategic thinking and operational efficiency, aligning it closely with Marketing Operations and Creative Operations functions that support GTM strategies. The emphasis on "owning" accounts and driving innovation suggests a need for proactive problem-solving and a deep understanding of client business objectives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete design lifecycle for email marketing campaigns and website pop-ups for 4-6 key client accounts, ensuring creative excellence and strategic alignment with client retention goals.

• Develop visually compelling and technically sound designs, including dynamic GIFs and advanced UI elements, optimized for various email clients and devices.

• Actively contribute to the evolution and maintenance of OKTOBER's internal design systems, style guides, and best practices to ensure consistency and efficiency across all client projects.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, offering constructive feedback, design direction, and support to elevate the overall quality of the design output.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with account managers, strategists, and other team members to ensure seamless project execution and client satisfaction.

• Participate in client pitch meetings, effectively articulating design strategies and showcasing the agency's creative capabilities to prospective clients.

• Stay abreast of the latest trends in email design, UI/UX, e-commerce, and AI-driven creative tools to identify opportunities for innovation and client impact.

• Conduct design reviews and provide actionable feedback to ensure all creative deliverables meet quality standards and client expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize ownership and strategic contribution beyond just execution. The mention of "4-6 complex client accounts" suggests a need for strong project management and prioritization skills. The requirement to "lead design innovation" and "contribute to agency-wide design systems" points to a role that shapes internal processes and standards, a hallmark of senior operations or lead roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is often preferred for senior-level design roles and can be beneficial for understanding design theory and user-centered principles.

Experience: A minimum of 4+ years of dedicated experience in email design is a non-negotiable requirement, with a strong emphasis on demonstrating a diverse portfolio of work that showcases creative direction and a broad range of design capabilities.

Required Skills:

• Email Design Expertise: Proven track record of designing effective and engaging email marketing campaigns and pop-ups.

• Advanced UI Design: Ability to create sophisticated user interfaces with a keen eye for visual hierarchy, typography, and user experience.

• Figma Proficiency: Expert-level command of Figma for design creation, prototyping, and collaboration, including proficiency in component-based design and design system management.

• Generative AI Familiarity: Practical experience with generative AI tools (e.g., Gemini) for ideation, asset creation, or workflow enhancement.

• Animation & GIF Creation: Skilled in creating dynamic GIFs and subtle animations for email and web to enhance engagement.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate client business objectives into impactful design solutions.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Capacity to guide and develop junior team members, providing constructive feedback and art direction.

• Art Direction: Experience in setting visual tone and direction for creative projects, ensuring brand consistency.

• Portfolio: A comprehensive and compelling portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a range of creative projects and strategic design thinking.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Shopify or other major e-commerce platforms.

• Understanding of email marketing best practices and deliverability.

• Familiarity with A/B testing principles for design optimization.

• Experience in contributing to or managing agency-wide design systems.

• Proficiency in additional design or animation tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "non-negotiable" requirement for 4+ years of email design experience and a strong portfolio highlights the critical need for demonstrable skills and a history of successful creative output. Expert Figma skills and generative AI experience are specified as core competencies, indicating the agency's commitment to modern design tools and workflows. The emphasis on strategic thinking and mentorship positions this as a lead role, not just an execution-focused one.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate Range: Showcase a variety of email campaign designs, pop-up implementations, and animated/GIF content for different client types and objectives.

• Strategic Execution: Clearly articulate the strategic rationale behind design choices for each project, linking them to client goals (e.g., customer retention, conversion rates, brand engagement).

• Advanced UI Examples: Include examples of complex UI elements, interactive components, or sophisticated layouts within email or pop-up designs.

• Animation/GIF Showcase: Feature examples of animated GIFs or short video elements that were integrated into email campaigns, explaining their purpose and impact.

• Figma Workflow Samples: If possible, provide insights or examples of how Figma was used to build components, design systems, or collaborate on projects.

• AI Integration Case Studies: Highlight any projects where generative AI was used in the design process, detailing the tool, application, and outcome.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly requested for submission, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design process, including:
  • Discovery & Strategy Alignment: How they gather client requirements and translate them into design briefs.
  • Ideation & Concept Development: Their methods for brainstorming and conceptualizing creative directions.
  • Design System Utilization: How they leverage and contribute to design systems for efficiency and consistency.
  • Prototyping & Iteration: How they create interactive prototypes and incorporate feedback.
  • Quality Assurance: Their approach to testing and ensuring design quality across different platforms and devices.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Designer role, particularly in an agency setting focused on e-commerce retention, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as tangible proof of their ability to deliver high-impact creative that drives business results. The emphasis on "end-to-end ownership" and "strategic thinking" means the portfolio should not just be a collection of pretty pictures, but a narrative of problem-solving and value creation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Email Designers with 4+ years of experience in remote, international roles, and considering the agency's focus on high-growth e-commerce clients, a competitive salary range is estimated between $50,000 - $75,000 USD annually. This range is an estimate and can vary based on the candidate's specific skills, experience, and the final negotiation.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: A salary that reflects the candidate's expertise and contribution.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Ample time off to ensure work-life balance and prevent burnout.

• Fully Remote Work: The flexibility to work from any location that fosters productivity, with support for relevant tools and infrastructure.

• Opportunity to Work with Leading Brands: Direct engagement with 8-figure+ eCommerce brands, offering significant professional exposure and impact.

• Access to Tools, AI Workflows, and Courses: Full provision of necessary software, AI tools, and learning resources to support professional development and success.

• Real Influence on Agency Direction: The chance to contribute to the strategic growth and development of a rapidly scaling agency.

Working Hours: The role is expected to require approximately 40 hours per week, aligning with standard full-time employment. While fully remote, candidates are expected to be available for core collaboration hours that accommodate various time zones within the company's operational framework, likely requiring some overlap with European or Asian business hours given the specified remote locations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on general market data for senior-level design roles in tech-forward, remote-first companies. Specific compensation will depend on the candidate's experience, the agency's compensation philosophy, and the specific cost of living in the candidate's location, though the remote nature often standardizes this to a degree. The benefits highlight a strong emphasis on professional development and work-life balance, attractive to experienced operations and design professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the eCommerce and Digital Marketing Services sector, specifically as a Shopify Retention Agency. This means they specialize in helping online retailers enhance customer loyalty and lifetime value through strategic marketing initiatives. The fast-growing nature implies a dynamic, results-oriented environment.

Company Size: OKTOBER is described as "one of the fastest growing Shopify Retention Agencies in the space." While an exact number isn't provided, this suggests a company that is likely past the startup phase and is scaling rapidly, perhaps in the 50-200 employee range. This size offers a balance of established processes and the agility to innovate.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the context of being a "fastest growing" agency implies a relatively recent establishment or a period of significant, rapid expansion. This often translates to a culture that is forward-thinking, adaptable, and focused on innovation.

Team Structure:

• Pod-Based Teams: The mention of "pod planning" suggests a team structure organized into small, cross-functional units (pods) dedicated to specific client accounts or services. This allows for focused collaboration and efficient client management.

• Specialized Roles: While pods are cross-functional, there are clearly specialized roles like Senior Email (UI) Designer, indicating expertise is valued and organized within specific disciplines.

• Reporting: The Senior Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Design, with informal reporting lines to account leads or project managers within their assigned pods.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with account managers, strategists, copywriters, and potentially developers to ensure holistic campaign execution.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: As a retention agency for eCommerce, OKTOBER likely emphasizes data-driven decision-making, meaning designs are informed by performance metrics, A/B testing results, and customer behavior analysis.

• Agile & Iterative Processes: Fast growth and client demands suggest an agile approach to project management and design, with an emphasis on rapid iteration and continuous improvement.

• AI Integration: The explicit mention of generative AI points to a proactive adoption of new technologies to streamline workflows, enhance creativity, and deliver innovative solutions.

• Client-Centric Approach: The core mission of a retention agency is client success, so all processes are likely geared towards achieving and exceeding client goals.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus as a "Shopify Retention Agency" is key. This means the ideal candidate will understand the e-commerce landscape, customer lifecycle marketing, and the specific needs of Shopify merchants. The "fast-growing" nature suggests a dynamic environment where individuals can make a significant impact and potentially grow with the company.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Individual Contributor with potential for leadership influence. It's a step beyond pure execution, requiring strategic input, mentorship, and ownership of client success. The responsibilities include not only designing but also contributing to the agency's design strategy and standards.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Email (UI) Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Design. Within their day-to-day work, they will be part of cross-functional "pods" focused on client accounts, collaborating with various team members and potentially acting as a design point person for those pods.

Operations Impact: The Senior Designer's impact is directly tied to client retention and revenue growth. By creating effective email campaigns and pop-ups that engage customers, drive repeat purchases, and improve conversion rates, they directly contribute to the financial success of the agency's clients and, by extension, the agency itself. Their work influences customer lifetime value (CLTV) and overall eCommerce performance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Progression to a Lead Designer or Art Director role, managing a team of designers and overseeing larger creative initiatives.

• Strategic Design Consultant: Transitioning into a more consultative role, focusing on high-level design strategy for key clients and new business pitches.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas like advanced animation, AI-driven design, or conversion rate optimization (CRO) through design.

• Process Improvement: Taking on responsibilities for refining and scaling the agency's design processes and systems.

• Mentorship Development: Formalizing mentorship responsibilities and contributing to training programs for junior staff.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "operate like an owner" requirement is a strong indicator of the company culture and the expected growth trajectory. Senior roles in fast-growing agencies often provide significant opportunities for individuals who can demonstrate initiative and strategic thinking, leading to leadership positions or specialized expert roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from any location where the employee can be productive. This aligns with the "work from wherever you do your best work" ethos.

Office Location(s): The company specifies remote work eligibility in Philippines, Georgia, Serbia, and Portugal. This suggests a distributed global team, requiring strong asynchronous communication skills and an understanding of working across different time zones.

Workspace Context:

• Digital Collaboration Hub: The primary workspace will be digital, relying heavily on collaboration tools like Slack, project management software (likely Ashby, given the source), and design platforms (Figma).

• AI-Powered Workflows: Employees will have access to advanced AI tools and workflows, indicating a tech-forward and efficiency-focused environment.

• Independent Work & Team Interaction: The role requires significant periods of independent work on design tasks, balanced with regular virtual interactions for collaboration, feedback, and team planning.

• Access to Resources: Employees are provided with all necessary tools, AI workflows, and courses, ensuring they have a well-equipped virtual workspace.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, likely around 40 hours per week. While remote, effective time management and availability for key meetings and collaborations within defined operational hours are expected. The distributed nature of the team may mean flexibility in daily scheduling, but responsiveness is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified remote locations suggest a company that is intentionally building a global, distributed workforce. This requires excellent asynchronous communication skills and self-discipline from employees. The focus on providing "full access to all tools, AI workflows, and courses" indicates a commitment to equipping remote employees for success.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your resume and, critically, your portfolio. Be prepared to highlight your most relevant email design and UI/UX projects.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio. Focus on explaining the "why" behind your design decisions, your process, and the impact of your work on client business objectives. Highlight your experience with advanced UI, animations, and Figma.

• Skills & Strategy Interview: Questions assessing your Figma proficiency, experience with generative AI, understanding of e-commerce retention strategies, and ability to think strategically. You may be asked to discuss hypothetical design challenges.

• Mentorship & Collaboration Discussion: Questions about your experience mentoring junior designers, your approach to art direction, and how you collaborate within a team and with clients. Demonstrate your "operate like an owner" mentality.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader, focusing on cultural fit, long-term career aspirations, and alignment with OKTOBER's growth vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your expertise in email design, advanced UI, animations, and strategic thinking for eCommerce.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your proposed solution, your design process, the tools you used (especially Figma and AI), and the measurable results achieved. Use case study formats.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly showcase your proficiency with Figma, any generative AI tools used, and your ability to create engaging animations and GIFs.

• Demonstrate Ownership: Emphasize projects where you took initiative, drove innovation, or significantly influenced the outcome.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to speak in detail about your design choices, your problem-solving approach, and your experience working with clients and teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Figma Skills: Be prepared for a practical exercise or a detailed discussion about your Figma workflow, including component libraries, design systems, and collaboration features.

• AI Application: Think about how you can creatively and effectively integrate generative AI into your design process for email and pop-up campaigns.

• Strategic Problem-Solving: Consider how you would approach designing for a specific client scenario (e.g., increasing repeat purchase rate for an apparel brand). Focus on strategy, not just aesthetics.

• Mentorship Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would handle common design team challenges or guide a junior designer on a complex project.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and strategic thinking is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their design skills but also their ability to think like a business partner, understanding the impact of their creative work on client success and agency growth. The mention of "operate like an owner" suggests they are looking for proactive, self-directed individuals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool for all UI and email design work. Expert-level proficiency is a strict requirement. This includes advanced features like component states, auto layout, and potentially collaborative plugins.

• Generative AI Tools: Proficiency with tools like Gemini is expected for ideation, asset generation, or workflow enhancement. Candidates should be ready to discuss specific use cases.

• Animation/GIF Tools: While not explicitly named, tools for creating animated GIFs or short video elements may include Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, or specialized GIF creation software.

• Project Management Software: Likely Ashby (given the job source), and potentially other tools for task management and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Email Marketing Platforms: Familiarity with platforms used by clients (e.g., Klaviyo, Mailchimp, HubSpot) is beneficial, as designs must be implementable and trackable within these systems.

• Analytics Tools: Understanding how to interpret data from tools like Google Analytics or platform-specific analytics to inform design decisions and measure campaign performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct requirement for the designer, an understanding of how email marketing integrates with CRM systems and marketing automation workflows is advantageous for creating more effective campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Generative AI highlights the agency's commitment to modern, efficient design workflows. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their mastery of these tools and discuss how they leverage them to drive results.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Growth: A culture that embraces new technologies (like AI) and is focused on rapid scaling and continuous improvement.

• Client-Centricity: A primary focus on delivering exceptional value and driving success for eCommerce clients.

• Ownership & Accountability: Employees are expected to act like owners, taking initiative, and being accountable for their work and its impact.

• Collaboration & Mentorship: A supportive environment where team members work together, share knowledge, and help each other grow.

• Data-Driven Excellence: Decisions and creative output are informed by performance data and strategic insights.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Pod-Based: Teams are likely structured into small, agile pods for efficient client management, fostering close-knit collaboration within those units.

• Asynchronous Communication: Given the remote and distributed nature of the team, strong asynchronous communication skills are vital, supplemented by synchronous meetings for key discussions and planning.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: An expectation of open and constructive feedback, both given and received, to drive continuous improvement in design and processes.

• Proactive Communication: Team members are encouraged to communicate proactively about progress, potential roadblocks, and new ideas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "operating like an owner" and "real influence on the direction of the agency" suggests a culture that empowers employees and values their contributions beyond their immediate role. This aligns with a high-performance, results-driven environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Multiple High-Velocity Clients: Balancing the design needs of 4-6 complex, high-spending eCommerce clients simultaneously requires exceptional organizational and prioritization skills.

• Staying Ahead of Design Trends & AI: The rapid evolution of UI design, email marketing best practices, and AI technology demands continuous learning and adaptation.

• Remote Collaboration & Time Zones: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong communication across different time zones and with a distributed team can be challenging.

• Translating Data into Design: Effectively interpreting performance data and client feedback to inform strategic design decisions that drive tangible results.

• Art Directing & Mentoring: Providing effective informal art direction and mentorship to junior designers requires strong communication and leadership skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Integration Mastery: Deepen expertise in leveraging generative AI for creative workflows, potentially becoming an internal expert.

• Advanced E-commerce Strategy: Gain in-depth knowledge of customer retention strategies and the nuances of high-ticket eCommerce client needs.

• Design System Development: Contribute to and potentially lead the evolution of the agency's design systems, enhancing scalability and efficiency.

• Client Pitching & Presentation: Develop strong public speaking and persuasive communication skills through involvement in client pitches.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Hone leadership capabilities through informal art direction and the potential for formal mentorship roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in fast-paced agencies. The growth opportunities are aligned with developing strategic, leadership, and specialized technical skills, offering a clear path for career advancement within the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance the design needs of multiple complex clients simultaneously. How did you prioritize and ensure quality?" (Focus on prioritization, time management, and client communication.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in email design, UI/UX, and generative AI? Can you give an example of how you've incorporated a new trend or tool into your work?" (Demonstrates proactivity and continuous learning.)

• "Walk us through a project where your design directly impacted a client's revenue or retention metrics. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?" (Emphasizes data-driven impact and strategic thinking.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to OKTOBER, and specifically to this role as a Senior Email (UI) Designer?" (Showcase research and genuine interest.)

• "How do you embody the 'operate like an owner' mentality in your work?" (Provide specific examples of initiative and accountability.)

• "Describe your experience providing art direction or mentorship to junior designers. What is your philosophy?" (Assess leadership and team development potential.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, use a clear "Problem -> Solution -> Results" framework.

• Quantify Impact: Use numbers and data wherever possible to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., X% increase in CTR, Y% improvement in conversion rate, Z% reduction in bounce rate).

• Showcase Figma Mastery: Be prepared to briefly demonstrate or describe advanced Figma techniques you used, such as auto layout, component variants, or design system integration.

• Explain AI Integration: Clearly articulate how you used generative AI, what the benefits were, and any limitations you encountered.

• Highlight Strategic Rationale: Explain why you made specific design choices, linking them back to client goals and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill, but also strategic thinking, ownership, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a remote, fast-paced environment. The portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Email (UI) Designer position with OKTOBER:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume prominently features your 4+ years of email design experience, expertise in Figma, and any experience with generative AI. Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase advanced UI design, animations/GIFs, strategic thinking, and measurable results for eCommerce clients. Prepare a clear narrative for each case study.

• Prepare Your Pitch: Practice walking through your portfolio, clearly articulating your design process, strategic rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma and AI tools.

• Research OKTOBER: Understand their focus as a Shopify Retention Agency and their company values. Prepare to articulate why you are a good fit for their culture, especially the "operate like an owner" ethos.

⚠️ 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.