Visual Designer (Contractor)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer (Contractor)

Company: Raylu AI

Location: New York City, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-10

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for shaping the external perception of Raylu AI, focusing on visual design for marketing, sales, and brand initiatives.

• The Visual Designer will be instrumental in building and enhancing the company's marketing website using Framer, directly impacting lead generation and brand awareness.

• Responsibilities extend to creating dynamic motion graphics and static assets for social media and presentations, crucial for GTM strategies.

• The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to brand evolution within a fast-paced AI startup, working closely with leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Visual Designer," the core responsibilities and context provided indicate a role that bridges Marketing Operations, Brand Operations, and GTM support, with a strong emphasis on operationalizing design for business objectives. The contractor status suggests a focus on project-based deliverables and potentially flexible engagement, though the employment type is listed as FULL_TIME.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, build, and iterate on pages for the Raylu AI marketing website using Framer, with a focus on user experience and SEO optimization.

• Develop engaging motion design assets for the website, social media campaigns, and key brand moments to enhance visual storytelling and engagement.

• Create impactful graphic design assets for social media posts, marketing campaigns, and other digital channels to support growth initiatives.

• Produce professional and compelling sales, pitch, and presentation decks that effectively communicate Raylu AI's value proposition to clients and investors.

• Collaborate with the Founding Product Designer and Head of Growth to maintain and evolve the Raylu AI brand identity across all external touchpoints.

• Support the development and implementation of AI agents capable of producing on-brand marketing collateral, such as decks and social posts.

• Contribute to marketing copywriting efforts for the website, social media, and campaign materials to ensure consistent brand messaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to design execution, including direct building in Framer and creating assets for sales enablement (decks) and marketing campaigns. The mention of "AI skills for AI agents" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design operations and automation within marketing.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in visual arts, graphic design, or a related field is implied by the portfolio requirement.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in visual design, with a proven track record of creating impactful marketing and brand assets. Experience in a startup environment is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Visual Design Portfolio: A robust portfolio showcasing strong visual and brand design work, demonstrating aesthetic sensibility and strategic thinking.

• Framer Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to design and build web pages within Framer, essential for marketing website development.

• Motion Design: Expertise in motion design tools such as After Effects, Rive, or similar platforms for creating animated content.

• Graphic Design: Proficiency in creating various graphic assets for digital platforms.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, crucial for collaborating with cross-functional teams and leadership.

• Proactiveness & Self-Direction: Ability to work independently, manage ambiguous workflows, and drive projects to completion with minimal supervision.

• Adaptability: Comfortable with the fast-paced and evolving nature of a startup environment.

• Curiosity & Problem-Solving: A proactive approach to learning and a willingness to ask questions and delve into complex challenges.

• On-site Presence: Must be based in or willing to relocate to New York City for in-office collaboration.

• Dog-Friendly: Willingness to work in an office environment with company dogs.

Preferred Skills:

• AI Agent Design: Experience in setting up or guiding AI agents to produce on-brand marketing materials.

• Marketing Copywriting: Samples of effective website, social media, or campaign copywriting.

• SEO Knowledge: Working understanding of Search Engine Optimization principles and their application in web design.

• AI Tool Integration: Familiarity with using AI tools within the design workflow to enhance efficiency and creativity.

• Industry Interest: Interest or background in finance, private equity, or research tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "must-haves" and "nice-to-haves" clearly delineate essential qualifications. The emphasis on Framer and AI agents points to specific technical and forward-thinking operational skills. The requirement for being NYC-based and dog-friendly are critical logistical and cultural fit indicators.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual & Brand Design Excellence: Showcase a diverse range of projects demonstrating a strong aesthetic, understanding of brand principles, and ability to create cohesive visual identities.

• Framer Project Examples: Include case studies or direct links to websites built or significantly contributed to within Framer, highlighting design and functionality.

• Motion Design Showcase: Present examples of animation work, detailing the tools used (After Effects, Rive, etc.) and the purpose of the motion (e.g., website enhancements, social media engagement).

• Marketing Asset Production: Demonstrate experience in creating graphics for social media, marketing campaigns, and other outreach efforts.

• Presentation Design: Include examples of sales decks, pitch decks, or other presentation materials that effectively communicate complex information visually.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: While not explicitly stated as a portfolio requirement, candidates are expected to demonstrate an understanding of how to design and optimize workflows for efficient asset creation and brand consistency.

• System Implementation Standards: Experience with Framer implies an understanding of web design systems and how to implement them for marketing sites. The AI agent requirement suggests familiarity with operationalizing creative processes through technology.

• ROI Demonstration: Candidates should be prepared to articulate how their design work contributes to business objectives, such as lead generation, brand recognition, and sales enablement, effectively demonstrating ROI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily skewed towards practical application and demonstrable skills in specific tools (Framer, After Effects) and mediums (web, motion, graphics, decks). The expectation of understanding workflow optimization and ROI aligns with operationalizing design for business impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $25 - $50 per hour (based on experience and qualifications)

Benefits:

• Contractor Engagement: This is a full-time contractor role, offering flexibility in engagement.

• Direct Impact: Opportunity to work on highly visible projects that directly influence the company's external perception and growth.

• Talent Density: Collaboration with a small, senior, and mission-driven team, with direct access to leadership.

• Speed & Agility: Fast-paced work environment with minimal bureaucracy and direct lines to decision-makers.

• Category Leadership: Opportunity to shape the brand in a nascent and rapidly evolving AI/Private Markets category.

• Office Amenities: Access to a dog-friendly office environment in Manhattan.

Working Hours: Full-time hours are expected, likely aligning with standard business hours in the New York City time zone (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM ET), with potential for flexibility given the contractor status.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided per hour, typical for contractor roles. Benefits are described in terms of professional growth and work environment rather than traditional employee benefits like health insurance, which is common for contract positions. The "full-time" employment type alongside "contractor" status is noted as potentially meaning full-time hours and responsibilities without traditional employee benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), FinTech (specifically Private Equity Research Tools). Raylu AI is positioned at the intersection of AI and financial services, aiming to revolutionize deal sourcing and decision-making for investors.

Company Size: Small, senior, mission-obsessed team. This implies a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment with a strong emphasis on individual contribution and impact.

Founded: Raylu AI is a relatively new venture, indicated by its focus on pushing boundaries and building a category. The exact founding date is not specified but implied to be recent, characteristic of a growth-stage startup.

Team Structure:

• Core Design/Growth Collaboration: The Visual Designer will primarily work with the Head of Growth, Founding Product Designer, and Product Designer.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Regular collaboration with Sales, Chief of Staff, and Head of People, suggesting broad exposure and influence.

• Design as Integral: Design is described as collaborative, indicating that team members across departments will interact with the designer.

Methodology:

• AI-Driven Research: The company's core product leverages AI for private equity research.

• User-Centric Design: Emphasis on rethinking interaction with AI for complex, data-heavy work.

• Agile & Fast-Paced: "Ship fast, with direct lines to leadership and no approval chains" suggests an agile, iterative, and highly efficient operational methodology.

• Data-Heavy Work: The target user base (private equity investors) requires solutions that handle significant data volumes, implying a need for clear, organized, and insightful design.

Company Website: https://raylu.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by high talent density, speed, and a focus on innovation in the AI and FinTech sectors. The operational approach is agile and direct, with design playing a crucial role in external communication and brand building.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Visual Designer (2-5 years experience) with significant operational responsibilities in marketing and brand. It offers a contractor engagement with full-time responsibilities, providing a unique career stepping stone.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer will report primarily to the Head of Growth and Founding Product Designer, with direct access to leadership, including the Chief of Staff. This structure facilitates rapid decision-making and direct impact.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and visible impact on Raylu AI's GTM strategy by shaping its external brand, marketing collateral, and website presence. Design directly supports sales enablement and lead generation efforts. The ability to operationalize design through AI agents further amplifies its strategic importance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in Framer, motion design, and potentially SEO. Exposure to AI-driven design workflows and copywriting.

• Brand Leadership: Play a key role in defining and evolving the brand identity for a company in a rapidly growing AI/FinTech category.

• Startup Acumen: Gain invaluable experience in a high-growth startup environment, understanding how design operations contribute to business objectives.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Work across multiple departments (Sales, Marketing, Product, People) to understand broader business operations and GTM strategies.

• Potential for Future Roles: Successful contractors may be considered for ongoing engagements or full-time positions as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth by embedding the designer within core business functions (Growth, Sales) and providing exposure to cutting-edge technologies (AI agents) and strategic brand development in a hot market.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: In-person role requiring presence in Manhattan, New York City. The environment is described as dog-friendly, indicating a more relaxed, startup-centric office culture.

Office Location(s): Manhattan, New York City. Specific details about the office space are not provided but it's implied to be a professional workspace conducive to collaboration and focused work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: Designed for close collaboration with the Head of Growth, Product Designers, and other team members.

• Tool Accessibility: Access to necessary design tools and platforms (Framer, Adobe Creative Suite/similar, etc.). The mention of AI tools suggests a forward-thinking tech stack.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for frequent interaction with a small, senior team, fostering a dynamic and integrated work environment.

Work Schedule: Full-time, expected to align with standard business hours in NYC. The contractor status may offer some flexibility, but regular in-office presence is mandatory. The focus is on shipping real work and responding to spontaneous asks, suggesting a dynamic schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in NYC is a key factor. The dog-friendly aspect and emphasis on collaboration suggest a vibrant, albeit potentially less formal, startup office environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess core qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A dedicated session to walk through the candidate's portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, and demonstrated skills (Framer, motion design, brand).

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a practical exercise or discussion related to Framer website building or motion design challenges, demonstrating hands-on capability.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Meetings with key stakeholders (Head of Growth, Founding Product Designer, potentially others) to assess communication, proactiveness, adaptability, and cultural fit (e.g., comfort with ambiguity, dog-friendliness).

• Final Discussion: Likely with leadership to discuss role expectations, contractor terms, and overall alignment with company goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Framer Work: Ensure strong examples of website design and development using Framer are prominently featured. Detail your role and contributions.

• Showcase Motion & Graphic Design: Include diverse examples of motion graphics and static marketing assets, explaining the strategy behind each.

• Brand Consistency: Demonstrate your ability to maintain and evolve a brand identity across various platforms.

• Problem/Solution Framing: For each project, articulate the challenge, your approach, the tools used, and the outcome or impact.

• AI Integration Examples: If applicable, showcase any experience using AI tools in your design process or in generating on-brand assets.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Present your work clearly and concisely, focusing on the most relevant projects for this role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Framer Exercise: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach building a specific page on the Raylu AI marketing site or how you'd implement a new feature.

• Motion Design Concept: Think about how you would create an engaging animated sequence for a specific marketing message or brand element.

• Brand Application: Consider how you would ensure AI-generated content remains on-brand and discuss your approach to evolving the Raylu AI brand.

• Startup Scenarios: Prepare for questions about how you handle ambiguity, spontaneous requests, and working with limited resources in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical skills and cultural fit. The portfolio is the central piece, and candidates should be ready to demonstrate deep proficiency in key tools and a strategic understanding of how design drives business outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Framer: Essential for marketing website design and development. Candidates must be proficient builders, not just designers.

• Motion Design Software: After Effects, Rive, or similar tools are required for animation work.

• Graphic Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) or similar industry-standard tools for asset creation.

• Presentation Software: Tools like Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Keynote for creating pitch and sales decks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• SEO Tools: Familiarity with SEO principles implies potential use of tools for keyword research and performance tracking related to the marketing website.

• Website Analytics: Understanding how to interpret website performance data (e.g., Google Analytics) to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• AI Tools: Experience or willingness to use AI tools for design tasks, content generation (decks, social posts), and workflow automation.

• Collaboration Platforms: Likely use of tools like Slack, Google Workspace, and project management software for team communication and task tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Framer is a critical technical requirement, suggesting the company prioritizes rapid web development and iteration. The emphasis on AI tools indicates an interest in leveraging emerging technologies for operational efficiency in design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Boundary-Pushing: A drive to explore what AI can do for research and interaction design, especially in complex fields like private equity.

• Speed & Efficiency: Operating with high velocity, minimal bureaucracy, and direct communication lines.

• Impact-Oriented: Focusing on shipping real work that has a tangible effect on the business, from deal sourcing to brand perception.

• Collaboration & Talent Density: Valuing a small, high-performing team where everyone contributes significantly.

• Honesty & Curiosity: Encouraging team members to be open about what they don't know and to actively seek understanding.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded Design: The Visual Designer will be embedded within the growth and product teams, fostering close working relationships.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design is not siloed; it's collaborative across Sales, Marketing, Product, and People teams.

• Direct Feedback Loops: The fast-paced environment encourages quick feedback and iterative improvements.

• Knowledge Sharing: Implicitly, a culture where team members share insights and learnings, especially concerning AI and design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values proactivity, collaboration, and a results-driven mindset. The emphasis on "talent density" and "zero bureaucracy" suggests a high-performance environment where individual initiative is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguity & Fast Pace: Navigating a startup environment with evolving priorities and spontaneous requests requires adaptability and strong self-management.

• AI Integration: Effectively leveraging AI agents for on-brand content creation may present technical and creative challenges.

• Balancing Brand & Growth: Ensuring that design efforts consistently support both brand integrity and immediate growth objectives.

• Rapid Iteration: The need to quickly design, build, and iterate on marketing assets in response to market dynamics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Framer Skills: Deepen expertise in web design and development using a cutting-edge platform.

• AI-Assisted Design: Gain practical experience in using AI tools to enhance design workflows and content creation.

• Brand Strategy in AI/FinTech: Contribute to building the brand for a company at the forefront of AI in private markets, a high-growth sector.

• GTM & Sales Enablement: Understand how design directly supports sales and marketing efforts, offering insights into Go-To-Market strategies.

• Startup Operations: Develop a robust understanding of operational dynamics within a high-growth technology company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a startup, emphasizing the need for resilience and a proactive approach. The growth opportunities are significant, offering exposure to advanced tools, emerging technologies, and strategic business functions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building a new landing page on our marketing site using Framer to capture leads for a specific feature?" (Assesses Framer skills, lead generation understanding, and strategic design thinking.)

• "Describe a time you had to create on-brand marketing assets quickly for a spontaneous campaign. What was your process?" (Evaluates ability to handle ambiguity, speed, and brand consistency.)

• "How would you ensure AI-generated content (like decks or social posts) remains consistent with Raylu AI's brand identity?" (Tests understanding of brand governance and AI application.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Raylu AI and our mission to bring AI to private equity research?" (Gauges genuine interest and alignment with the company's domain.)

• "How do you typically collaborate with product designers and growth marketers? What's your ideal working relationship?" (Assesses communication, collaboration style, and fit with the team structure.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced startup environment. What are the biggest challenges and rewards for you?" (Probes adaptability, self-direction, and comfort with startup culture.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Framer Demonstrations: Be ready to share your screen and walk through a Framer project, explaining your design choices, build process, and any optimizations made.

• Motion Design Case Studies: For motion work, explain the narrative, the tools used, and the intended impact. Show before/after or development stages if possible.

• Brand Evolution Examples: If you have experience evolving a brand, articulate your process and demonstrate how you maintained consistency while introducing new elements.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your design work (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, successful campaign reach).

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as stories—the problem, your solution, and the results—to make them more memorable and impactful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating practical skills in Framer and motion design, strategic thinking for marketing and brand, and a strong cultural fit for a fast-paced, collaborative startup. Be prepared to articulate the "why" behind your design decisions and their business impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with Framer, motion design (After Effects, Rive), graphic design, and any AI tool usage. Emphasize your ability to work proactively in ambiguous environments and your communication skills.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest visual design, brand design, Framer website building, and motion design work. Include specific examples relevant to marketing websites, social assets, and presentations.

• Prepare Your Framer Demonstration: Be ready to discuss and potentially demonstrate your Framer capabilities, as this is a key requirement for building the marketing website.

• Research Raylu AI: Understand their product (AI for private equity), target audience, and current marketing efforts to articulate how your design skills can contribute to their growth and brand objectives.

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

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