Web & Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Web & Brand Designer

Company: Granola

Location: Old Street, London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Owns the end-to-end marketing website, encompassing structure, UX, visual design, copy, and implementation, serving as a critical component of Granola's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy.

• Collaborates closely with product marketing, design engineers, and product designers to ensure cohesive brand representation and effective user journeys across digital platforms.

• Drives the design and deployment of new website pages for product launches, features, campaigns, and SEO initiatives, directly impacting user acquisition and brand perception.

• Develops innovative and high-impact web experiences, including programmatic pages, micro-sites for partnerships, and campaign-specific landing pages, to expand Granola's online reach.

• Leverages a combination of modern web technologies and design tools to ship iterative improvements and maintain a high-quality, scalable web presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a design-forward startup environment, emphasizing ownership and creative freedom. The core responsibilities suggest a strong connection to GTM operations, particularly in lead generation, brand building, and user acquisition through the marketing website. The emphasis on shipping work and close collaboration with engineering points to a need for a designer who understands the operational aspects of web development and deployment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-end ownership of the marketing website, including strategic structure, user experience (UX) design, visual aesthetics, compelling copywriting, and seamless implementation.

• Design and execute new website pages for product launches, feature announcements, specific use cases, and marketing campaigns, with a focus on SEO optimization and conversion rates.

• Foster collaborative relationships with brand, product, and engineering teams to ensure the website remains cohesive with Granola's overall product offering and evolves in alignment with changing brand narratives.

• Conceptualize and implement creative, high-impact web strategies, such as programmatic page generation for templates/recipes or distinct micro-sites for conferences and strategic partners, to enhance online visibility and engagement.

• Iterate rapidly on website designs and functionality, balancing speed of iteration during early-stage project discovery with meticulous attention to detail in typography, motion, and interaction as conviction grows.

• Contribute to the refinement of Granola's core marketing story through website content and design, ensuring clarity, sharpness, and scalability.

• Measure the success of designs based on their shipped impact and performance metrics, rather than solely on static design files.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design and operational execution, typical of early-stage startups focused on rapid growth. The emphasis on SEO pages, landing pages, and programmatic content suggests a direct link to lead generation and performance marketing operations. The requirement to "ship" work and measure success by shipped impact underscores the operational imperative of this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and proficiency in design principles is expected.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in web design, brand design, or a closely related field, with a proven track record of shipping marketing websites and product marketing pages for software products.

Required Skills:

• Strong visual and interaction design skills, with a commitment to creating clear, simple, and intuitive interfaces.

• Demonstrated experience in designing and shipping marketing websites or dedicated product marketing pages for software products.

• Familiarity with modern web development tools and technologies, including but not limited to:

  • React / Next.js
  • Modern CSS

• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools, with the ability to translate concepts into tangible, interactive experiences.

• Experience in crafting compelling copy that complements visual design and brand messaging.

• Understanding of SEO basics and their application in web design for organic growth.

• Ability to work scrappily and iterate quickly, balanced with a keen eye for detail in typography, motion, and interaction.

• Natural prototyping skills, with a willingness to "try it and see how it feels" approach.

• Comfort working closely with engineers and leveraging coding agents (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code) to bring designs to life.

• Appreciation for sweat-the-details in copy, not just visuals.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies and performance creative optimization.

• Experience with content management systems (CMS) and their integration with design workflows.

• Basic understanding of web analytics tools for performance tracking and optimization.

• Experience with motion design principles to enhance user engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a "builder" mentality, which is crucial for operations roles in a startup. The technical skills, particularly React/Next.js and modern CSS, indicate a need for someone who can not only design but also contribute to the technical implementation or at least collaborate effectively with engineers on the operational aspects of website deployment. The mention of "coding agents" suggests an openness to leveraging AI tools for efficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of case studies showcasing the design and successful launch of marketing websites or significant web pages for software products.

• Examples demonstrating end-to-end ownership, from initial concept and user research to final implementation and post-launch optimization.

• Visuals and descriptions of user experience (UX) flows, interaction design elements, and overall site structure.

• Evidence of collaboration with marketing, product, and engineering teams.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly articulate the design process, including problem definition, ideation, prototyping, user testing (if applicable), and implementation phases.

• Highlight how you leveraged specific tools or methodologies to achieve project goals and overcome challenges.

• Demonstrate an understanding of iterative design processes and how you incorporated feedback for continuous improvement.

• Showcase examples of how you have collaborated with technical teams to ensure successful implementation of designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Web & Brand Designer role with an emphasis on shipping work, the portfolio should not just be a collection of beautiful mockups but a testament to their ability to execute and drive tangible results. The "process portfolio" should highlight problem-solving, collaboration with technical teams, and a data-driven approach to design, reflecting operational efficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Mid-Level Web & Brand Designer with 2-5 years of experience in London, the estimated annual salary range is £55,000 - £75,000. This range accounts for the cost of living in London, the specific skills required (including modern web technologies), and the startup environment.

Benefits:

• Equity: Opportunity to own a stake in the company's growth and success.

• Variable Compensation: Performance-based bonuses or incentives, aligning individual contribution with company objectives.

• Comprehensive Health and Wellness Programs (Assumed for a design-forward company).

• Professional Development Budget for courses, conferences, and learning resources.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and holiday allowance.

• Potential for flexible working arrangements, complementing the on-site requirement.

Working Hours: A standard full-time work week of approximately 40 hours is expected, with flexibility to accommodate project deadlines and collaborative needs. The role is primarily on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on publicly available data for similar roles in London, considering the company's stage (startup) and the specialized skills required. The "Equity" and "Variable Compensation" are explicitly mentioned in the job description, indicating a performance-oriented compensation structure common in startups.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on building tools for the future, with an emphasis on AI and developer productivity.

Company Size: Granola is a startup in its early stages, likely comprising a lean, agile team of highly talented individuals. This size fosters a culture of rapid iteration, direct impact, and close collaboration.

Founded: The founding team includes individuals with strong product and design backgrounds, indicating that design thinking and user experience are core to the company's ethos from inception.

Team Structure:

• The Web & Brand Designer will report to a senior member of the marketing or design team, potentially a Head of Marketing or Design Lead.

• Close collaboration is expected with the Product Marketing Manager (Jack is mentioned), Product Designers, and Design Engineers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on measuring design impact through shipping and performance metrics, including SEO and A/B testing.

• Iterative Development: A culture that embraces rapid prototyping and continuous improvement, valuing speed of iteration and the ability to "try it and see."

• Collaborative Building: A strong focus on working together across functions (design, product, engineering, marketing) to build and launch new features and experiences.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to building "actually useful" products and ensuring great user experiences, driven by empathy for users.

Company Website: https://www.granola.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as design-forward, ambitious, kind, and pragmatic, with a strong emphasis on building and innovation. The startup environment implies a fast-paced, hands-on approach where individual contributions have a significant impact. The mention of AI and developer tools suggests a technically sophisticated environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Mid-Level individual contributor position, offering significant ownership and creative freedom over Granola's marketing website. It's an opportunity to build a foundational element of the company's brand and GTM strategy from the ground up.

Reporting Structure: The designer will collaborate closely with Product Marketing, Product Design, and Design Engineering, and likely report to a marketing or design lead. This structure facilitates direct influence and cross-functional alignment.

Operations Impact: The Web & Brand Designer will have a direct impact on Granola's ability to attract new users, build brand awareness, and communicate its value proposition effectively. Their work will be instrumental in lead generation, conversion optimization, and reinforcing the company's identity in the market, all critical components of GTM operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Deep Ownership & Skill Specialization: Opportunity to become the go-to expert for Granola's web presence, potentially leading to specialization in areas like performance marketing design, interactive web experiences, or brand system development for digital platforms.

• Leadership Potential: As the company scales, this role could evolve into a leadership position managing a web design team or expanding into broader brand strategy.

• Learning & Development: Exposure to cutting-edge AI tools, modern web technologies, and a design-led founding team provides a rich learning environment. The company explicitly supports continuous learning and development.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Working across marketing, product, and engineering offers broad exposure to different facets of a tech startup's operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth analysis focuses on the operational impact of the role and the potential for career advancement within a growing startup. The emphasis is on developing specialized skills in web design and GTM operations, with opportunities for leadership and broad exposure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Granola operates from a physical office in Old Street, London, indicating a preference for an in-person, collaborative work environment, which is crucial for the iterative and team-based nature of design and development.

Office Location(s): Old Street, London, United Kingdom – a well-known tech hub, suggesting an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration within the tech community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration between designers, engineers, and marketing professionals, facilitating rapid feedback loops and idea exchange.

• Technology-Rich: Expect access to modern design and development tools, including AI coding agents, and potentially advanced hardware for design work.

• Hands-on Interaction: The emphasis on "most of the time" in the office suggests opportunities for spontaneous brainstorming, whiteboarding sessions, and direct interaction with team members, crucial for the "try it and see" design philosophy.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are approximately 40 per week, with an on-site expectation. This structure supports consistent team presence and facilitates real-time collaboration, essential for agile development and design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key differentiator, emphasizing the company's commitment to fostering a collaborative and interactive work environment, which is often beneficial for design and operations teams requiring frequent communication and feedback.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your portfolio and resume to assess visual design skills, relevant experience, and alignment with the company's values.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: An opportunity to walk through your portfolio, highlighting specific case studies that demonstrate your ability to own a project end-to-end, collaborate with teams, and ship impactful work. Be prepared to discuss your process, design decisions, and the results achieved.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: Potentially a short design challenge or a discussion around a hypothetical scenario to evaluate your problem-solving skills, approach to UX/UI, and technical understanding (e.g., how you'd implement a specific feature).

• Team/Culture Fit Interviews: Conversations with co-founders and team members to assess your alignment with Granola's culture of building, collaboration, kindness, ambition, and pragmatism.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Shipping: Prioritize projects where your work was successfully launched and had a measurable impact. Quantify results where possible (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved engagement).

• Demonstrate Ownership: Clearly articulate your role and responsibilities in each project, highlighting instances where you took initiative and owned the outcome.

• Highlight Collaboration: Provide examples of how you worked effectively with engineers, product managers, and marketing teams, emphasizing communication and problem-solving.

• Explain Your Process: Walk through your design thinking, from understanding the problem to iterating on solutions and final implementation. Explain why you made certain design choices.

• Emphasize Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with React/Next.js, CSS, and any coding agents or tools you've used to bring designs to life.

Challenge Preparation:

• Think Iteratively: Understand that Granola values rapid iteration. Consider how you would approach a problem with speed and then refine it.

• Focus on Impact: Frame your solutions around achieving business objectives (e.g., user acquisition, brand building).

• Be Pragmatic: Demonstrate an understanding of trade-offs and how to balance detail with speed, especially in a startup context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process description emphasizes practical application and measurable results, aligning with the operational demands of the role. Portfolio review tips are tailored to showcase skills relevant to shipping work and driving impact, crucial for a design role in a growth-focused startup.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (or similar industry-standard design and prototyping tools).

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, Framer, or built-in Figma/Sketch prototyping capabilities.

• Web Development Frameworks: React, Next.js (essential for implementation and collaboration).

• Styling: Modern CSS, SASS, or CSS-in-JS solutions.

• AI Coding Agents: Cursor, Claude Code, or similar tools to assist in implementation and rapid iteration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, or similar platforms for tracking website performance and user behavior.

• A/B Testing Tools: Optimizely, VWO, or Google Optimize for hypothesis testing and performance optimization.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly responsible for CRM management, understanding how website leads integrate with CRM systems is beneficial. Familiarity with marketing automation platforms that integrate with websites could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack highlights the blend of traditional design tools with modern web development frameworks and emerging AI assistants. This indicates a need for a designer who is not only creative but also technically adept and open to leveraging new tools for efficiency and rapid deployment, reflecting an operational mindset.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Builder Mentality: A core value driving the desire to create, iterate, and ship tangible products and experiences. This translates to a proactive and hands-on approach to problem-solving.

• Kindness & Collaboration: Emphasis on working with supportive, empathetic, and respectful colleagues, fostering a positive and inclusive team environment.

• Ambition & Drive: A commitment to achieving significant goals and pushing boundaries, particularly in building the future of technology tools.

• Pragmatism: A focus on practical solutions and efficient execution, balancing detailed craftsmanship with the need for speed and iteration in a startup setting.

• Design-Forward Thinking: Design is not an afterthought but a foundational element of the company's strategy and product development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration between design, product marketing, and engineering is expected, with shared responsibility for the website's success.

• Open Feedback Loops: A culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and acted upon, enabling continuous improvement for both individuals and the product.

• Experimentation & Learning: Encouragement to experiment with new ideas and learn from both successes and failures, particularly in exploring innovative web experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values highlight a culture that is both ambitious and supportive, with a strong emphasis on practical execution and collaboration. This is crucial for a designer who needs to work effectively within a fast-paced startup environment and contribute to the operational success of the GTM strategy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Detail: The primary challenge will be to rapidly iterate and ship new website content while maintaining high standards for visual design, UX, and copywriting, especially in the initial zero-to-one phase.

• Evolving Brand Identity: As Granola grows and potentially pivots or expands its offerings, the web presence will need to adapt, requiring continuous design evolution and strategic updates.

• Technical Implementation Nuances: While not a full-stack developer, understanding and contributing to the technical implementation of designs, especially with modern frameworks and AI tools, can be a learning curve.

• Measuring Impact: Effectively attributing website performance (user acquisition, engagement) to specific design choices and campaigns requires a strong analytical mindset and collaboration with marketing operations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering Modern Web Technologies: Deepen expertise in React, Next.js, modern CSS, and emerging AI-driven development tools.

• Performance Marketing & SEO: Develop a sophisticated understanding of how web design directly impacts SEO rankings, conversion rates, and overall marketing campaign effectiveness.

• Brand Strategy & Storytelling: Gain experience in shaping and evolving a brand's digital narrative through web presence and marketing collateral.

• Startup Operations: Learn the intricacies of operating and growing a tech startup, from GTM strategies to product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are framed around the operational realities of a growing tech startup, emphasizing continuous learning and adaptation within the dynamic field of web design and digital marketing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned a marketing website end-to-end. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on ownership, process, and results.)

• "How would you approach designing a new landing page for a product launch, considering SEO and conversion optimization?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and understanding of GTM goals.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Granola's mission and the work we're doing in AI/developer tools?" (Show genuine interest and research.)

• "How do you embody the 'builder' mentality in your work?" (Provide concrete examples of initiative and creation.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio around key projects, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the measurable impact. Use case studies that showcase your ability to ship and iterate.

• Highlight "Shipped" Work: Emphasize projects that were successfully launched and had tangible results. Quantify achievements whenever possible (e.g., "increased conversion by X%", "reduced bounce rate by Y%").

• Demonstrate Technical Collaboration: Be prepared to discuss your experience working with developers, including any familiarity with React, Next.js, or how you've leveraged coding agents. Explain how you ensure designs are feasible and efficient to implement.

• Tell a Story: Weave a narrative around each project, explaining your thought process, design decisions, and how you adapted to challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating ownership, strategic thinking aligned with GTM operations, and the ability to collaborate effectively with technical teams. The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes showcasing practical impact and iterative development, aligning with the startup's operational needs.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Web & Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Ashby link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that best demonstrate your experience in owning marketing websites end-to-end, your ability to ship work, and your collaboration with engineering teams. Focus on case studies that show measurable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your experience with modern web technologies (React, Next.js, CSS), design tools, and any experience with AI coding agents. Use keywords from the job description, such as "marketing website," "UX/UI," "visual design," and "brand identity."

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice walking through your portfolio, articulating your design process, and explaining the results of your work. Be ready to discuss your understanding of Granola's mission and how your skills align with their "builder" culture.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Granola's current website, product offerings, and any recent news or announcements. Understand their target audience and competitive landscape to better tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.