Sr Creative Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Creative Design Manager

Company: Road Runner Sports

Location: San Diego, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative Operations / Marketing Operations / Brand Management

Date Posted: 2026-05-15T22:33:18

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and define the overarching creative vision and visual identity for Road Runner Sports across all customer touchpoints, establishing the benchmark for brand excellence.

• Manage and mentor a team of internal creatives and external contractors, fostering a high-performance, collaborative environment to drive innovative design solutions.

• Direct all aspects of creative production, from conceptualization and mood board development to final asset delivery for major campaigns, catalogs, and day-to-day marketing needs.

• Ensure seamless integration of brand storytelling and visual merchandising to inspire customers and drive conversion across digital, social, email, print, and in-store channels.

• Develop and implement robust creative operations infrastructure, including file management, production workflows, and resource planning, to optimize departmental efficiency and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as the most senior creative leader within Road Runner Sports, indicating a significant level of strategic responsibility and influence over brand direction. The emphasis on "owning our visual identity across every channel" and "setting the standard" highlights a critical function within the marketing department, directly impacting brand perception and customer engagement. The role requires a blend of individual design expertise and strong leadership capabilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the comprehensive creative vision and visual identity standards for Road Runner Sports, ensuring consistent application across web, email, social media, print collateral, catalogs, and in-store displays.

• Spearhead the development of compelling brand narratives and visual storytelling that effectively link product features, athlete insights, and lifestyle aspirations across all customer interactions, with a particular focus on head-to-toe outfitting and complete solution merchandising.

• Facilitate and lead creative brainstorming sessions, conceptual development, mood board creation, and style guide definition, collaborating closely with the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) on campaign creative strategy and seasonal storytelling direction.

• Direct and oversee all aspects of photoshoot production, including model casting, talent booking, styling coordination, shoot logistics planning, and on-set creative direction to guarantee brand consistency and elevated execution for campaigns and catalogs.

• Drive the end-to-end creation and production of major brand campaigns and catalogs, from initial concept to final delivery, ensuring all creative assets align with merchandising priorities, storytelling objectives, and overarching business goals.

• Individually design high-impact assets using Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Adobe XD, Illustrator, InDesign) while simultaneously managing, directing, and mentoring a team of in-house designers, freelance creatives, photographers, stylists, and external production partners.

• Lead and develop the broader creative operations team, including production coordinators and support staff, by establishing clear workflows and driving operational excellence to maintain a highly efficient, organized, and scalable department.

• Manage the entire design process from creative brief inception through final launch, proactively identifying and troubleshooting bottlenecks to maintain the highest quality bar at every stage.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Brand, Retail, Social Media, E-commerce, and Merchandise Marketing to deliver creative solutions that are on-brand, delivered on schedule, and optimized for performance.

• Build and maintain essential creative infrastructure, encompassing organized file systems, streamlined production workflows, effective resource planning, and stringent quality control measures, ensuring the team operates as a world-class creative studio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strategic leadership role. The emphasis on "owning the creative vision," "leading development of compelling brand storytelling," and "driving the creation and production of catalogs and major brand campaigns" points to a position that is not just about execution but also about strategic direction and high-level oversight. The dual responsibility of designing assets oneself while managing a team suggests a "player-coach" model, common in senior creative roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive design experience, with a proven track record in in-house brand environments or reputable agencies.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated mastery of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, including expert proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Adobe XD.

• A strong, versatile portfolio showcasing exceptional design capabilities across digital platforms (web, social, email) and print media, with a clear and consistent creative point of view.

• Solid understanding of UX/UI design principles, mobile-first web design best practices, and the ability to develop and maintain cohesive brand systems.

• Proficiency in project management and team collaboration tools such as Asana and Slack, alongside strong command of Microsoft 365 suite.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with visual merchandising strategies and their application across various retail channels.

• Proven ability to direct and manage photoshoot production, including talent scouting and styling.

• Familiarity with retail marketing and e-commerce specific design challenges and opportunities.

• Experience in developing and implementing creative operational workflows and file management systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong, versatile portfolio" is critical for this role. Candidates should be prepared to showcase work that demonstrates leadership, strategic thinking, and execution across a broad range of media. The blend of individual design skill and management experience is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear and consistent creative point of view across all submitted work, reflecting a strong command of brand identity and visual storytelling.

• Showcase a breadth of experience across digital channels (web, social, email) and print mediums (catalogs, collateral), highlighting versatility and adaptability.

• Include case studies that detail the creative process from brief to execution, emphasizing problem-solving, strategic thinking, and measurable results.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you've developed and implemented creative workflows, demonstrating an understanding of production timelines, resource allocation, and quality control.

• Showcase experience in creating and maintaining brand systems, style guides, and mood boards to ensure consistent visual execution across all touchpoints.

• Include evidence of experience in managing photoshoot production, from concept and planning to on-set direction and post-production oversight.

• Illustrate how you have collaborated with cross-functional teams (e.g., Brand, Retail, E-commerce) to deliver creative solutions that meet diverse business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Sr. Creative Design Manager role, the portfolio should not only highlight design talent but also leadership, strategic thinking, and operational efficiency. Candidates should prepare to discuss their role in managing creative projects, team dynamics, and the process behind successful campaign execution, particularly focusing on how they built or improved creative operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000 - $135,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive Pay: A competitive annual salary within the specified range, reflecting the seniority and scope of the role.

• Employee Discounts: Significant discounts on all the latest gear and footwear, a major perk for active individuals and running enthusiasts.

• Free Running and Walking Events: Opportunities to participate in company-sponsored events, promoting an active lifestyle and team camaraderie.

• Healthcare: While not explicitly detailed, typical full-time roles at companies of this size often include comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Potential for a 401(k) or similar retirement savings plan, often with a company match.

Working Hours: Standard full-time position, typically around 40 hours per week, with potential for extended hours during peak campaign periods or critical project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $110,000 - $135,000 USD positions this as a senior-level management role in San Diego, CA. This range is competitive for a Sr. Creative Design Manager in a major metropolitan area, considering the experience level and responsibilities. The benefits listed focus on lifestyle and employee well-being, aligning with the company's active brand identity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Footwear, Athletic Apparel, and Accessories). Road Runner Sports operates within a dynamic and competitive retail landscape, requiring strong brand differentiation and customer engagement strategies.

Company Size: Over 50 stores across the country, indicating a significant operational footprint and a substantial customer base. This size suggests a structured marketing department with established processes, but also room for innovation and influence from senior leaders.

Founded: Over 42 years ago in San Diego, CA. This long history provides a foundation of brand heritage and established customer loyalty, while the continued growth and expansion signify a forward-looking and adaptable business.

Team Structure:

• The Sr. Creative Design Manager will lead a team of in-house creatives and contractors, likely including graphic designers, production artists, and potentially specialized roles like copywriters or digital asset specialists.

• This role reports to the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), placing it at a high level within the marketing hierarchy, with direct influence on brand strategy and campaign execution.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Storytelling: Emphasis on creating compelling narratives that connect product, athlete, and lifestyle, informed by marketing objectives and customer insights.

• Workflow Optimization: A focus on building efficient production workflows, clear processes, and quality controls to ensure scalability and operational excellence within the creative department.

• Brand Consistency: A core methodology of maintaining a unified and elevated brand presence across all channels through meticulous design standards and creative direction.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Road Runner Sports' values ("Be Different, Bring the WOW, Build Something Great Together, Get Moving, Stay Active, and Live Healthy") suggest a culture that encourages innovation, high performance, teamwork, and a passion for an active lifestyle. This is a key context for a Sr. Creative Design Manager to understand when shaping brand campaigns and internal team dynamics.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the creative and marketing functions. It is a management role with significant strategic responsibility for brand representation and creative output. The scope extends beyond individual design contributions to encompass team leadership, process development, and direct collaboration with C-suite executives (CMO).

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Creative Design Manager reports directly to the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). This high-level reporting line indicates substantial autonomy and influence on marketing strategy and brand direction. It also implies a need for strong communication and presentation skills to effectively liaise with executive leadership.

Operations Impact: The Sr. Creative Design Manager has a direct and significant impact on Road Runner Sports' revenue and business decisions by:

• Defining and upholding the visual identity that shapes brand perception and customer attraction.

• Developing creative assets that drive engagement, conversion, and sales across all marketing channels (e-commerce, retail, social, email, print).

• Ensuring creative strategies align with merchandising priorities and business goals, contributing to successful product launches and promotional campaigns.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a Director or VP of Creative/Marketing role, overseeing a larger marketing team and broader strategic initiatives as the company expands.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to further shape the company's brand strategy, potentially influencing new market entries, brand positioning, or major brand initiatives.

• Process Innovation: Ability to pioneer new creative technologies, workflows, or collaborative models that enhance team productivity and output quality, becoming a recognized innovator within the company.

• Mentorship Development: Cultivating leadership skills through direct mentorship of a growing creative team, fostering talent development within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for this role is clearly towards higher levels of creative and marketing leadership. The emphasis on "leading the broader creative operations team" and reporting to the CMO suggests that success in this role could pave the way for executive-level opportunities within a growing retail organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Road Runner Sports is described as having over 50 stores and a history rooted in San Diego. While the specific office environment for this role isn't detailed, it's likely a corporate office setting in San Diego, CA, rather than a retail store. This would typically be a professional office environment designed for collaboration.

Office Location(s): The job is located in San Diego, CA, at 5549 Copley Dr, 92111. This location is within a business district, likely offering accessibility via major roads and public transport options within the San Diego area.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, fostering interaction with marketing, brand, and e-commerce teams.

• Access to industry-standard design tools and technology (Adobe Creative Cloud, project management software) is a given.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with the creative team, production coordinators, and potentially other creative professionals will be frequent, supporting a dynamic and engaging work environment.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time, on-site position. While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the demands of a creative leadership role, especially during campaign launches or major projects, may require flexibility and occasional extended hours. The on-site nature supports the collaborative and hands-on aspects of managing a creative studio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in San Diego suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, critical for leading creative teams, conducting photoshoots, and fostering a strong team culture. Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic office environment that supports creative output and cross-functional synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the core requirements and evaluate the breadth and quality of your design and management experience. Candidates should ensure their portfolio clearly highlights both individual design achievements and leadership/management capabilities.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely the CMO or a senior marketing leader) to delve deeper into your creative vision, leadership style, understanding of brand storytelling, and experience with campaign strategy and production. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your portfolio.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key members of the creative team and stakeholders from other departments (e.g., Brand, E-commerce) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit within the Road Runner Sports environment.

• Portfolio Presentation/Creative Challenge: A potential exercise where you may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, walk through a specific campaign's creative development, or tackle a small-scale creative challenge relevant to Road Runner Sports' brand. This assesses your strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and presentation skills.

• Final Interview: A concluding interview, possibly with higher-level management, to discuss overall fit, long-term vision, and compensation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your leadership, creative direction, and impact on brand identity and business objectives. Ensure a mix of digital and print work.

• Highlight Leadership: For management roles, clearly articulate your role in directing teams, managing projects, and overseeing production. Use "I" for individual contributions and "we" for team efforts you led.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly outline the creative brief, your strategic approach, the challenges encountered, your solutions, and the final outcomes, including any measurable results.

• Visual Storytelling: Present your portfolio in a clean, visually appealing format (PDF or personal website). Ensure high-quality images and clear, concise descriptions.

• Company Relevance: Tailor your presentation to Road Runner Sports. Mention how your skills and experience align with their brand, values, and the specific requirements of the role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research Road Runner Sports' current marketing campaigns, brand voice, target audience, and competitive landscape.

• Anticipate Creative Briefs: If a creative challenge is presented, be ready to quickly grasp the objectives and constraints. Focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving, and brand alignment in your proposed solutions.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and any case studies or challenges. Focus on clear articulation, confident delivery, and the ability to answer questions effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely focus heavily on assessing the candidate's ability to lead creatively, manage teams and projects efficiently, and translate business objectives into compelling visual narratives for a retail brand. A strong portfolio that demonstrates both design prowess and strategic management is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Expert proficiency is required in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Adobe XD for design and asset creation.

• Project Management: Proficiency in Asana for task management, workflow tracking, and team coordination.

• Collaboration & Communication: Proficient use of Slack for real-time team communication and Microsoft 365 suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) and e-commerce platform reporting would be beneficial for understanding campaign performance and informing creative decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) is often helpful for understanding customer segmentation and campaign targeting, though direct management may not be required.

• Familiarity with email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Klaviyo) and their design capabilities is highly relevant given the responsibility for email assets.

• Understanding of e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, Magento) and their design integration capabilities would be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack is heavily focused on design and project management tools. Candidates should emphasize their expertise in the Adobe suite and their experience with collaborative platforms like Asana and Slack. Any experience with performance analytics or e-commerce platforms will be a strong differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Be Different: Encourages innovative thinking and a unique approach to creative execution that sets the brand apart.

• Bring the WOW: Emphasizes creating impactful, memorable, and high-quality creative work that delights customers and stakeholders.

• Build Something Great Together: Fosters a collaborative spirit, valuing teamwork, shared ownership, and collective achievement within the creative team and across departments.

• Get Moving / Stay Active / Live Healthy: Reflects a company culture deeply rooted in the athletic and wellness industry, promoting an active lifestyle and well-being among employees. Operations professionals are expected to embody this ethos, potentially by participating in company events or understanding the lifestyle of the target customer.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Implied expectation to use insights from campaign performance and customer behavior to inform creative strategies and optimize design choices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A strong emphasis on partnering with Brand, Retail, E-commerce, and Merchandise Marketing teams to ensure creative solutions are aligned with business objectives and delivered seamlessly.

• Open Communication: Utilizing tools like Slack and fostering an environment where feedback is readily exchanged, and ideas can be discussed openly among team members and stakeholders.

• Process-Oriented: A culture that values clear workflows, efficient production, and continuous improvement in how creative projects are managed and executed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values are deeply tied to an active lifestyle and performance. A Sr. Creative Design Manager should demonstrate how their leadership style and creative output align with these values, fostering a team that is not only talented but also passionate about health, fitness, and achieving WOW-worthy results.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Individual Design vs. Management: Effectively allocating time between hands-on design work and the demands of managing a team, mentoring creatives, and overseeing operations.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Channels: Ensuring a unified and high-quality visual identity across a diverse range of platforms (digital, print, in-store) requires rigorous oversight and strong brand stewardship.

• Driving Innovation in a Mature Brand: Evolving the visual identity and creative output to stay fresh and relevant in the competitive athletic retail market while respecting the brand's 42-year heritage.

• Optimizing Creative Workflow Efficiency: Continuously improving production processes, resource allocation, and cross-functional collaboration to meet tight deadlines and optimize budget utilization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Brand Leadership: Opportunity to deepen expertise in brand strategy, campaign development, and C-suite level communication.

• Creative Operations Excellence: Develop advanced skills in building scalable creative operations, including workflow automation, resource management, and technology integration.

• Mentorship and Team Development: Gain experience in nurturing talent, building high-performing creative teams, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences, workshops, or training sessions related to creative direction, digital marketing, or retail trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be balancing the dual responsibilities of hands-on design leadership and strategic team/operations management. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a clear path to higher executive roles within a growing retail organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a comprehensive creative vision for a brand like Road Runner Sports. How do you ensure it aligns with business objectives and resonates with the target audience?" (Focus on strategic alignment, research, and iterative development.)

• "Walk me through a major brand campaign you led from concept to completion. What were the key challenges, how did you manage your team and external partners, and what were the measurable results?" (Prepare a detailed case study showcasing leadership, problem-solving, and impact.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Road Runner Sports' brand and mission? How do you see your creative leadership contributing to our 'Our 6 Pillars' values?" (Demonstrate thorough research into the company's values, products, and market position.)

• "How do you approach balancing creative excellence with the operational demands of delivering on-time and within budget, particularly in a fast-paced retail environment?" (Highlight your understanding of creative operations and efficiency.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with an overview of your leadership philosophy and how you approach creative strategy. Then, delve into 2-3 key projects, detailing the challenge, your solution, your role in directing the team, and the impact.

• Quantify Success: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your creative work (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, brand recall).

• Highlight Operational Skills: Explicitly point out examples where you built or improved processes, managed resources efficiently, or streamlined workflows within your team.

• Engage and Discuss: Be prepared for questions about your design choices, your management style, and your strategic thinking. Treat it as a collaborative discussion rather than just a presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative vision, strategic thinking, strong leadership, and operational acumen. Candidates need to show they can not only design beautiful work but also manage the complex processes and teams required to bring it to life effectively for a growing retail brand.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Creative Design Manager position:

• Submit your application directly through the Road Runner Sports Career page. Ensure your application is received promptly as specified in the acknowledgement.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your most relevant experience in brand identity, creative direction, team management, and campaign execution across digital and print media. Showcase examples of your leadership in managing creative operations and driving impactful campaigns.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 7+ years of design experience and 2+ years of management experience. Quantify achievements where possible, using keywords like "creative direction," "brand identity," "team management," "Adobe Creative Cloud," "campaign strategy," and "creative operations."

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research Road Runner Sports, their values, and their current marketing efforts. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio to discuss your strategic approach, leadership style, and operational efficiency. Practice presenting your case studies and be ready to discuss how you embody the company's active ethos.

• Company Research: Understand Road Runner Sports' position in the athletic retail market, their customer base, and their competitive landscape. Familiarize yourself with their "Our 6 Pillars" values and consider how your creative leadership can contribute to them.

⚠️ 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.