Now accepting applications for
Design Manager
for JenniferMaker
Please Note: Applications are now open, but may close without notice if we receive too many. If you are interested in this position, act quickly.
Who I'm Looking For
Do you love to oversee creative projects from start to finish?
Do you have exceptional communication and project management skills? Do you have experience in design and managing a team?
I might just have the perfect role for you! We are looking for a full-time salaried employee to help us at JenniferMaker as a Design Manager.
This position is accountable for leadership, management, and accountability of the design team; design testing, quality, and originality; design technique standards; create card clarity and accuracy; and tracking and maintaining deadlines.
This position will oversee JenniferMaker's design team to ensure that final design products represent and strengthen the JenniferMaker image, as well as inspire and engage our crafting community.
The ideal candidate will be experienced in creative design, project management, managing a team, have exceptional communication skills, a solution-based aptitude, as well as familiarity with the JenniferMaker brand. This position involves a combination of organization, creativity, attention to detail and follow-through, and it has high expectations for meeting deadlines.
NOTE: Because the Design Manager must have extensive knowledge of the JenniferMaker design process, the successful person will be required to complete in-depth training in relevant design areas that report to this position prior to assuming managerial duties. Once training is complete and competency has been demonstrated, then managerial responsibilities will be transitioned. Training must be completed and competency demonstrated within six (6) months from date of hire.
Position Details
Status: Salaried employee (not a contractor position)
Position Type: Full-time, salaried. Must be available and willing to work weekends and some non-traditional hours as needed.
Salary Range: $50,000 - $70,000 annually
Special Note: As a JenniferMaker employee, you will not be able to engage in any outside activity that could be construed as a conflict of interest, such as running or working on your own or someone else's blog or crafting business.
Responsibilities
- Provides direction to and oversees the daily operations of design staff.
- Supervises staff, including scheduling and assigning work, reviewing performance, and recommends salary increases, promotions, transfers, demotions, or terminations.
- Oversees all design elements, from the initial conception to final product.
- Reviews the work of the design team to give guidance and feedback.
- Maintains high standards of quality and makes sure only the best work is released.
- Collaborates across the organization to drive up standards of digital creativity.
- Provide accurate point-in-time view of timeline, budget, scope, resourcing and progress on all projects being managed.
- Identify and address changing requirements and understand how those changes impact schedule, resourcing and budget.
- Meet deadlines on time and within budget while managing multiple projects.
- Drive multiple projects through to delivery with the ability to change course as expectations and requirements change.
- Understands that copyrights and ownership for designs created for the JenniferMaker brand will belong to the brand.
- Understands and uses the JenniferMaker products and projects so you can answer questions and support our crafters.
- Effectively communicates with the team and meets with us weekly on Zoom video chats.
- Has the best interest of the JenniferMaker brand in mind.
- Helps us look good to our readers and customers.
- Works with minimal supervision.
- Additional duties as required by management.
Things You've Done in the Past
- Minimum of four years experience in instructional design or related field, with a solid understanding of instructional design best practices. At least two of these years must have been in a managerial position.
- Preference may be given to candidates who have successfully completed college level design and/or education classes.
- Hands-on experience with Adobe Illustrator and other design software.
- Experience with Gmail, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Forms, and Facebook.
- Experience with a Cricut cutting machine and Cricut Design Space.
- Knowledge and understanding of Cricut crafting.
- Experience working with a virtual team.
- Project management skills and experience are a plus.
Things I'd Love For You to Know (optional, not required)
Experience reviewing video tutorials
Adobe Premiere Pro
WordPress
Slack
Inkscape
Note: I'd just like familiarity, not expertise, with how to generally use these tools. If you don't have it but are willing to learn, great!
This Position is NOT For a Person Who:
Already has a job and is not willing to leave it for ours
Already has a lot going on and doesn't have the time and focus to do a quality job
Isn't interested in providing excellence, growing, and learning
Wants to be front and center, rather than working in the background
Is unwilling to go the extra step to make our brand look good to our readers and customers, and to reflect our core values
Needs immediate supervision, firm structure, and frequent feedback
Will take problems or complaints personally
Has unreliable Internet or computer access (you must have your own Mac or Windows desktop or laptop for this position -- ChromeBooks and tablets will not get the job done)
Wants to learn how to blog or run a business from Jennifer. As an employee, you will not be able to have your own blog or craft-related business, as that would be a conflict of interest and split your focus. This position requires 100% focus on growing the JenniferMaker brand and community.
This Position IS For a Person Who:
- Has a strong eye for aesthetics and visual details to ensure a quality final product.
- Has exceptional team leadership and conflict resolution skills.
- Possesses a proven ability to establish objectives, identify problems, analyze data, and creatively deliver solutions.
- Has the ability to forecast, benchmark, and analyze project budgets both from an hours-based as well as costs/profits approach.
- Has the ability to work in cross matrixed teams and influence decisions with minimal formal authority.
- Possesses excellent communication and people skills.
- Has excellent follow-through with the ability to meet deadlines.
- Has an aptitude in problem solving.
- Possesses a desire to work as a team with a results driven approach.
- Has a great feel for the JenniferMaker brand and what our people want from it.
- Is highly resourceful and quickly learns the how and where to get things done.
- Is responsive and proactive rather than reactive.
- Can anticipate needs ahead of time.
- Takes the initiative and doesn’t need to have their hand held.
- Is solutions-focused and when faced with a challenge is able to provide potential solutions rather than focus on the problem.
- Has a great attention to detail and brand quality.
- Is highly creative.
- Is able to follow directions or innovate as needed.
- Is highly organized but moves quickly.
- Takes ownership and pride in their work.
- Is not afraid of new challenges.
- Loves learning new things and can implement new ideas quickly.
- Adapts very well to changes on-the-go.
- Is technology savvy but is willing to ask for help if needed.
- Can handle direct feedback without getting their feelings hurt.
- Can juggle lots of moving pieces while staying focused and collected.
- Is willing and able to complete training and learn new systems.
- Understands their role and works as part of a team for the good of the JenniferMaker brand.
Why Should I Be Interested in This Career?
You’ll get to work in a fun business that helps change and improve people’s lives through their handmade creations.
You’ll get to work with an awesome team of people who make things happen!
You will have the resources you need to do your job well.
You will get answers to any and all questions you have.
You'll have access to an AMAZING comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability, 401(k), paid time off, paid holidays, and MUCH more!
You’ll have the flexibility and freedom to work from home.
You’ll be paid to do the things you already love and rock!
Why This Job is Important
The person who is right for this position has experience in design, holding teams accountable and meeting deadlines, and has exceptional communication skills.
While perhaps not quite yet an expert, this person does have a solid grasp of or familiarity with metrics such as lead time per project, estimated vs. actual project time, and estimated vs. actual project budget, as well as a basic understanding of Cricut and crafting.
This position is accountable for the following:
- LMA (leadership, management, and accountability);
- Design Testing, Quality, and Originality;
- Design Technique Standards;
- Tutorial Clarity and Accuracy; and
- Track and Maintain Deadlines.