Design Manager

We are seeking a highly experienced and visionary Design Manager to lead and inspire our talented product design team in Bengaluru. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in shaping the user experience and visual design of IDrive's suite of cloud-based products, ensuring they are intuitive, innovative, and align with our brand's promise of reliability and security. This role demands a strong leader with exceptional design acumen, a deep understanding of user-centered design principles, and a proven track record of managing and mentoring design professionals in a fast-paced software environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership & Management:
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of web and graphic designers, fostering a collaborative and creative work environment.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and support the professional development of team members.
• Allocate resources effectively and manage design workload to meet deadlines and project requirements.
• Recruit, onboard, and train new design talent as needed.
• Design Strategy & Execution:
• Develop and implement comprehensive design strategies that align with business goals and marketing objectives.
• Oversee the design and development of websites, landing pages, email templates, and other digital assets, ensuring optimal user experience (UX) and user interface (UI).
• Direct the creation of graphic design assets including branding materials (logos, style guides), marketing collateral (brochures, flyers, presentations), social media graphics, advertisements, and other visual communications.
• Ensure all design outputs adhere to brand guidelines, industry best practices, and accessibility standards.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging design trends, technologies, and tools to continuously enhance design quality and efficiency.
• Project Management & Collaboration:
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and ensuring timely delivery within budget constraints.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, product, sales, and other cross-functional teams to understand project requirements and translate them into effective design solutions.
• Facilitate effective communication between the design team and stakeholders.
• Conduct design reviews and gather feedback, iterating on designs as necessary.
• Quality Assurance & Brand Consistency:
• Implement and maintain quality control processes for all design deliverables.
• Champion brand consistency across all visual touchpoints, both online and offline.
• Manage and organize design assets, ensuring they are easily accessible and up-to-date.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A creative leader with over 10 years of progressive experience in a managerial role, specifically leading design teams.
• Possesses a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in web and graphic design.
• Extensive experience with SaaS-based services (such as CRM, backup, sales, or HR platforms).
• Demonstrated experience in designing for both Enterprise and Consumer-Facing Web Interfaces.
• Proven track record in the successful design and launch of responsive websites and digital campaigns.
• Experience working within an in-house creative team or an agency environment is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Technical Proficiency:
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, After Effects).
• Strong understanding of UI/UX principles, wireframing, prototyping, and user-centered design methodologies.
• Proficiency in web design tools and technologies (HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript - understanding of concepts; hands-on coding not always required but beneficial).
• Familiarity with Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress, Shopify, etc.
• Experience with project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira, Monday.com).
• Knowledge of SEO best practices as they relate to web design.
• Soft Skills:
• Exceptional leadership, mentorship, and team-building skills.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Highly organized with strong project management and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• A keen eye for aesthetics, detail, and typography.
• Ability to provide and receive constructive criticism effectively.