Sr Creative Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr Creative Designer

Company: In-Shape Solutions LLC

Location: Orangevale, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-08-22

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute integrated creative campaigns across various channels to enhance brand presence and drive business initiatives.

• Conceptualize and lead visual direction for marketing efforts, ensuring alignment with brand strategy and objectives.

• Provide art direction and hands-on design support, mentoring junior designers to maintain high creative standards.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, operations, and other departments to translate business needs into compelling creative solutions.

• Manage the end-to-end creative process, from initial concept development to final asset delivery, ensuring quality and adherence to deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Creative Designer, indicating a need for strong conceptual abilities, leadership potential, and significant experience in campaign development and execution. The emphasis on "bringing the In-Shape brand to life" and "translating creative ideas into polished work across multiple channels" suggests a strategic design function, not just execution. The requirement to "provide creative guidance, feedback, and, at times, hands-on support to other designers" points to a mentorship or team lead aspect within the creative function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and develop integrated creative campaigns for brand building, member acquisition, retention, new product launches, and promotional activities.

• Partner with the Creative Director and Marketing team to transform business objectives and creative briefs into impactful visual concepts and campaign executions.

• Design and produce a wide range of marketing collateral, including digital advertisements, social media content, email campaigns, web assets, in-club signage, and direct mail pieces.

• Support photography and video production by contributing to concept development, mood boards, shot planning, and providing creative direction on set.

• Oversee the creative process from ideation to final delivery, ensuring all designs align with strategic messaging and business goals.

• Drive digital experience design for websites, landing pages, and email platforms, coordinating with development and CRM teams.

• Mentor and provide constructive feedback to other designers, fostering a collaborative environment and elevating the overall quality of creative output.

• Contribute to the evolution and refinement of the In-Shape visual brand identity, identifying opportunities for creative system improvements and enhanced visual storytelling.

• Manage relationships with external creative partners, including photographers, videographers, agencies, and printers, to ensure project quality and timely delivery.

• Effectively communicate and collaborate with internal stakeholders across departments to balance creative vision with business requirements and brand consistency.

• Juggle multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines while maintaining a high level of creative quality and attention to detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking (campaign conceptualization, brand evolution) and hands-on execution (designing collateral, supporting production). The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and managing external partners suggests a need for strong project management and communication skills beyond pure design talent.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Art, Visual Communications, or a related field is preferred, or equivalent professional experience.

Experience: 6+ years of professional design and creative experience, ideally within an in-house creative team, agency, or a consumer-facing brand.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Demonstrated ability to develop strong creative concepts and translate them into cohesive visual campaigns and systems across multiple channels.

• Proven experience designing for digital platforms including social media, email marketing, web assets, and digital advertising.

• Solid understanding of typography, composition, color theory, photography principles, and visual hierarchy.

• Experience supporting or participating in photography and video production processes, from concept to final asset delivery.

• Ability to present creative ideas, articulate design decisions, and effectively receive and incorporate feedback.

• Strong organizational skills with the capacity to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with internal teams and external partners. Preferred Skills:

• Motion design and video editing capabilities.

• Experience providing creative feedback, guidance, or mentorship to junior designers.

• Familiarity with digital design best practices for user experience (UX) and user interface (UI).

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 6+ years of experience and a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) signifies a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating "conceptual thinking, campaign development, art direction, and polished design execution" is critical for this role, suggesting that candidates will need to showcase their ability to think strategically and execute with high quality.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects demonstrating end-to-end campaign development, from initial brief to final execution.

• Include examples of integrated campaigns that span at least two different channels (e.g., digital ad + social media, or email + in-club signage).

• Highlight projects where you were responsible for art direction or providing creative guidance, illustrating leadership in the creative process.

• Present case studies that clearly articulate the business objective, your creative strategy, the design solutions implemented, and measurable results or impact.

• Demonstrate proficiency in translating creative ideas into polished, on-brand visual systems and assets. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, briefly outline your design process, including how you approached concept development, stakeholder alignment, and feedback incorporation.

• Be prepared to discuss how you managed project timelines, collaborated with team members or external partners, and ensured brand consistency throughout the process.

• Detail your approach to translating creative briefs into actionable design plans and ensuring the final output met or exceeded the initial objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Portfolio Essentials" are tailored to emphasize the strategic and leadership aspects of the Sr. Creative Designer role, focusing on campaign thinking, cross-channel execution, and the ability to demonstrate impact beyond just aesthetic appeal.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Free health club membership.

• Casual work environment.

• Discount on in-club retail items and partner offerings.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth.

• 401(k) savings plan.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Additional benefit plans available.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week. Flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines or support production schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on the input data. The benefits are listed directly from the provided text, with specific relevance to a health and fitness company. The mention of "Casual work environment" and "Opportunity for growth; professional development" are key perks for creative professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports & Recreation / Health & Fitness. In-Shape Solutions operates health clubs, indicating a focus on member well-being, community engagement, and a dynamic, often fast-paced, operational environment.

Company Size: In-Shape Solutions LLC is likely a medium to large enterprise given its multi-location club structure and the need for a dedicated Sr. Creative Designer. This size suggests a structured marketing department with opportunities for cross-functional collaboration but potentially with established processes.

Founded: While not explicitly stated, the company's operational model implies a history of growth and established brand presence within its service regions.

Team Structure:

• The Sr. Creative Designer will likely report to a Creative Director or Marketing Manager.

• They will be part of a broader Marketing team, collaborating closely with roles such as Marketing Specialists, Digital Marketers, CRM Managers, and potentially Brand Managers.

• Cross-functional collaboration will extend to Operations teams (for in-club materials and campaigns), Product Development, and potentially Sales or Member Services. Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven creative strategies to support acquisition and retention goals.

• Workflow planning and optimization to ensure efficient campaign execution and timely delivery of creative assets.

• Collaboration and feedback loops to refine creative concepts and ensure alignment with business objectives and brand standards.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry (health and fitness) suggests a brand that values health, community, and active lifestyles. The "casual work environment" and "free health club membership" perk directly tie into this industry and company culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role. It demands a high degree of autonomy, conceptual leadership, and execution expertise. The role is crucial for translating brand strategy into tangible creative assets that drive business outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Creative Designer will likely report to a Creative Director or a senior marketing lead. This position is expected to influence creative direction and provide guidance to junior team members.

Operations Impact: The Sr. Creative Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, member engagement, acquisition rates, and the overall effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Their creative output is a key driver of In-Shape's brand identity and market presence.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to advance into a Creative Director role or manage a small design team, taking on more strategic oversight and team management responsibilities.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas such as digital design, motion graphics, photography art direction, or integrated campaign strategy.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining broader business acumen by working closely with various departments, potentially leading to roles with more strategic marketing responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr." title implies expectations of leadership potential and a significant contribution to the creative strategy. Growth opportunities are framed around advancing within creative leadership or expanding into broader marketing strategy roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site" and involves travel to club locations. This suggests a hybrid work environment where the primary office is a central hub, but regular visits to In-Shape clubs are expected for project needs and understanding the member experience.

Office Location(s): Primarily based in Orangevale, California, with expected travel to various In-Shape club locations within the company's service area.

Workspace Context:

• A central office environment likely equipped with standard design software and hardware.

• Opportunities for collaboration with the marketing team and other departments within the office.

• Exposure to the physical club environment, providing direct insight into member interactions and brand implementation at the ground level.

• The "casual work environment" suggests a relaxed office culture, encouraging creativity and comfort.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility required to meet project deadlines, especially during peak campaign periods or production shoots. The on-site nature ensures direct team interaction and access to office resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement, coupled with travel to clubs, indicates a hands-on role that benefits from direct exposure to the company's physical locations and customer-facing environments. This is crucial for creating authentic and effective in-club marketing materials.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, discussing key projects, your creative process, conceptual thinking, and campaign execution. Be prepared to articulate the "why" behind your design choices and their impact.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: You may be given a design challenge or asked to critique existing creative work, demonstrating your problem-solving skills, conceptual abilities, and understanding of brand.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Marketing, Operations, or other departments to evaluate collaboration style and communication skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership (e.g., Creative Director, VP of Marketing) to discuss strategic alignment and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your conceptual thinking, integrated campaign experience, and ability to execute across multiple channels. Prioritize work relevant to consumer brands, especially in fitness or lifestyle sectors if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your creative strategy, the execution, and the outcome or impact. Quantify results where possible (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates).

• Highlight Art Direction: If you have experience leading shoots or providing creative direction, make this a prominent part of your presentation.

• Showcase Versatility: Demonstrate your ability to work with different mediums and styles while maintaining brand consistency.

• Be Prepared for Critique: Know your work inside and out and be ready to defend your design decisions and discuss how you'd iterate based on feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with the In-Shape brand: review their website, social media, and any in-club materials you can find.

• Practice articulating your design process and rationale clearly and concisely.

• Be ready to brainstorm concepts for hypothetical campaigns or solve design problems related to their business.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is central to this application. Candidates must be ready to not only show but also explain their creative process, strategic thinking, and the business impact of their work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Digital Design Tools: Experience with tools for web, social media, and email design is essential.

• Prototyping/Wireframing Tools: Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD may be beneficial for digital experience design.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analytics role, understanding how creative performance is measured (e.g., engagement rates, conversion metrics) is important for optimizing designs.

• Familiarity with reporting dashboards used to track campaign performance is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Experience with email marketing platforms and understanding how designs integrate into CRM workflows is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is advanced Adobe Creative Suite proficiency. Other tools are mentioned in a "beneficial" or "advantageous" context, indicating that the primary focus is on traditional design software and a strong understanding of digital design principles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Health & Wellness Focus: A deep understanding and appreciation for the health and fitness industry, translating into authentic and motivating creative work.

• Member-Centricity: Designing with the In-Shape member experience at the forefront, ensuring all creative efforts resonate with and serve the target audience.

• Collaboration: A team-oriented approach, valuing input from various departments and working harmoniously to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Adaptability: A willingness to explore new creative avenues and adapt to evolving market trends and business needs within a dynamic industry.

• Quality & Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality, polished creative work that upholds and elevates the In-Shape brand.

Collaboration Style:

• Open communication and active listening to understand diverse perspectives from Marketing, Operations, and other teams.

• A proactive approach to seeking feedback and iterating on designs based on constructive input.

• Willingness to mentor and collaborate with other designers, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented team environment.

• Ability to manage stakeholder expectations effectively while advocating for strong creative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry heavily influences its values. The emphasis on "member-centricity" and a "health & wellness focus" means creative work should reflect these core tenets.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Channel Specificity: Creating cohesive campaigns that maintain the core In-Shape brand while adapting effectively to the unique requirements of diverse channels (social, email, print, digital ads).

• Meeting Demands in a Fast-Paced Environment: Juggling multiple projects with competing deadlines and evolving priorities, requiring strong time management and prioritization skills.

• Articulating Creative Value: Effectively communicating the strategic importance of design and creative execution to non-creative stakeholders to gain buy-in and support.

• Staying Ahead of Design Trends: Continuously learning and integrating new design trends and technologies relevant to the fitness and lifestyle industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Workshops: Opportunities to attend workshops or online courses focusing on motion graphics, advanced digital design techniques, or UX/UI principles.

• Industry Conferences: Potential to attend marketing or design conferences to gain insights into industry best practices and emerging trends.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced Creative Directors or senior marketing leaders within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common for senior creative roles, emphasizing the need for adaptability, strategic communication, and continuous learning.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex business objective into a simple, compelling creative concept. What was your process?" (Focus on conceptualization, strategy, and execution.)

• "How do you approach developing a visual system for an integrated campaign that needs to work across digital, social, and in-club channels?" (Demonstrate understanding of cross-channel strategy and brand consistency.)

• "Walk us through a project where you provided art direction or creative guidance to other designers. How did you ensure quality and consistency?" (Highlight leadership, mentorship, and quality control.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about the In-Shape brand and the fitness industry? How would you ensure your creative work reflects that?" (Show research and passion for the industry/brand.)

• "How do you handle receiving constructive feedback on your creative work, especially from stakeholders outside the creative team?" (Assess adaptability, communication, and stakeholder management.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities. How do you manage your workload and maintain quality?" (Evaluate project management and resilience.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Start with a high-level overview of your experience and then dive into 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant projects.

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, your creative strategy, the execution, and the results. Use data and metrics where possible.

• Articulate Your "Why": Be prepared to explain the rationale behind your design decisions, from typography choices to color palettes and imagery selection.

• Showcase Versatility: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to work across different channels and mediums.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to ensure it flows well and stays within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe for strategic thinking, hands-on skills, leadership potential, and cultural fit, especially concerning the fitness industry and a collaborative work environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Paylocity recruiting portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 6+ years of design experience, specific achievements in campaign development, art direction, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that demonstrate conceptual thinking, integrated campaign execution, and cross-channel design. Prepare to discuss your process, rationale, and impact for each.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio concisely, focusing on strategy, execution, and results. Be ready to articulate your design decisions and handle feedback.

• Research In-Shape: Familiarize yourself with In-Shape Solutions' brand, target audience, and current marketing efforts to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during the interview.

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