📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Sr. Creative Manager, Brand Creative
🔹 Company: Coursera
🔹 Location: United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Brand & Creative
🔹 Date Posted: July 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing Coursera’s brand foundations and coaching a talented team of creatives
- Overseeing the creative vision for integrated marketing campaigns across various channels
- Collaborating with marketing leads, brand strategists, and the Design System team
- Evolving and enhancing Coursera’s brand expression system to build and distinguish the platform in the online education space
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong creative background and proven team management experience to drive Coursera’s brand narrative globally.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Coaching and inspiring a team of creative designers to develop their talent, execution abilities, and subject matter expertise while fostering a healthy, remote-first, DEI culture
✅ Directing and overseeing the creative storytelling for integrated campaigns, event marketing, print, social, and video storytelling across Coursera’s global consumer, enterprise, and degree promotional experiences
✅ Evolving, enhancing, and continuously optimizing Coursera’s brand expression system to build and distinguish Coursera in the online education space
✅ Championing innovation and the integration of emerging technologies to elevate creative output, streamline workflows, and inspire new forms of storytelling and brand expression
✅ Building and maintaining strong cross-functional stakeholder relationships to gain alignment around brand creative strategy, concepts, and workflow processes
✅ Partnering with the Coursera Design System team to ensure education, awareness, and adoption of brand standards and guidelines across the company
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills to manage multiple projects and stakeholders effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Design, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 10+ years of experience as a creative designer developing high-impact, multi-channel campaigns for global brand advertising, either at an agency or in-house, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates comparable expertise
Required Skills:
- Proven experience and success conceptualizing and executing effective strategic messaging
- Deep understanding of customer acquisition and retention, with expertise in developing and leveraging various content strategies to attract and retain customers effectively
- Proficiency in working independently within a fast-paced, agile environment, managing multiple projects of varying complexities
- Effective communication skills with a demonstrated ability to present creative concepts and messaging rationale to stakeholders using clear oral and written presentation skills
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with or a strong interest in leveraging AI tools and technologies to enhance creative workflows, unlock new ideas, and drive innovation in the creative process
- Practiced working in an agile environment leveraging design thinking practices and scrum processes in a creative environment
- Experience managing a roster of agencies and consultants to support overflow projects and/or big strategic initiatives
- Background rooted in creative strategy, design systems thinking, and hands-on execution
- Thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines
- Passionate about Coursera’s mission (or mission-driven work more broadly), with a deep appreciation for the product and a strong understanding of the customer experience
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio showcasing their creative work and a proven track record of managing high-performing teams will be highly competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $172,000 - $216,000 (US Zone 2), $164,000 - $205,000 (US Zone 3)
Benefits:
- Bonus Program
- Equity in the form of RSUs
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on Coursera’s compensation zones and may vary depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Coursera operates in the E-Learning Providers industry, offering online courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, Guided Projects, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in partnership with leading universities and industry partners
Company Size: Coursera has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration
Founded: Coursera was launched in 2012 by Stanford Computer Science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller
Company Description:
- Coursera is a global online learning platform that partners with universities and industry leaders to offer a wide range of courses and credentials
- The company aims to provide universal access to world-class learning and has over 124 million registered learners as of March 31, 2023
- Coursera became a Delaware public benefit corporation and a B Corp in February 2021
Company Specialties:
- Education
- Technology
- Internet
Company Website: Coursera
ASSUMPTION: Coursera’s mission and commitment to providing universal access to world-class learning make it an attractive place for candidates passionate about education and technology.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, offering significant responsibility and the opportunity to make a substantial impact on Coursera’s brand and marketing efforts
Reporting Structure: The Sr. Creative Manager, Brand Creative will report directly to the Head of Brand Creative and work closely with marketing leads, brand strategists, and the Design System team
Work Arrangement: This role is remote-friendly, with the expectation of some overlap with the US Eastern Standard Time (EST) timezone
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role within the Brand Creative team or explore other opportunities within Coursera’s marketing organization
- Chance to work on high-impact projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams, driving Coursera’s brand strategy and marketing campaigns
- Opportunity to learn and develop skills in emerging technologies and innovative creative workflows
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for a creative professional to make a significant impact on Coursera’s brand and marketing efforts while growing their career in a dynamic and innovative environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Coursera has multiple office locations worldwide, with the option for employees to work remotely or in a hybrid arrangement
Office Location(s): Mountain View, CA; New York, NY; Gurgaon, IN; London, UK
Geographic Context:
- The United States offers a diverse range of cultural, educational, and professional opportunities, with a well-established online learning market
- Coursera’s global presence provides the opportunity to work with a diverse team and engage with learners from various backgrounds and regions
- The remote-friendly work arrangement allows for flexibility and a better work-life balance
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with some flexibility for remote workers
ASSUMPTION: The remote-friendly work arrangement and global presence of Coursera make this role an attractive opportunity for candidates seeking flexibility, diversity, and international exposure.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the HR team
- Portfolio review and creative challenge
- Final interview with the hiring manager and key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and problem-solving skills
- Strategic thinking and brand development expertise
- Communication and presentation skills
- Team management and leadership abilities
- Alignment with Coursera’s mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a cover letter explaining your interest in Coursera’s mission and how your background makes you a strong fit for this position
- Be ready to discuss your creative process, strategic thinking, and team management approach during the interview
- Research Coursera’s brand, marketing efforts, and competition to demonstrate your understanding of the role and the industry
ATS Keywords: Brand Creative, Sr. Creative Manager, Brand Strategy, Creative Direction, Team Management, Marketing Campaigns, Brand Expression, Customer Acquisition, Content Strategy, Agile Environment, Design Thinking, Emerging Technologies, Coursera
ASSUMPTION: A strong portfolio, clear communication skills, and a deep understanding of Coursera’s brand and marketing efforts will be crucial for success in the interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Sketch or Figma
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello)
- AI and emerging technology tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Runway ML)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in industry-standard creative tools and a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies will be essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Mission-driven: Coursera is committed to providing universal access to world-class learning
- Inclusive: Coursera values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its operations
- Collaborative: Coursera fosters a culture of teamwork and cross-functional collaboration
Work Style:
- Remote-friendly and flexible work arrangements
- Agile and dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement
- Data-driven decision-making and a strong emphasis on customer-centric design
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Coursera’s mission and values, and how would you contribute to our culture?
- How do you approach managing and coaching a remote team, fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment?
- How do you balance creativity, strategic thinking, and data-driven decision-making in your creative process?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with Coursera’s mission, values, and work style will be well-suited for this role and the company’s culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a remote team with members across different time zones and cultural backgrounds
- Balancing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Keeping up with emerging technologies and trends in the creative industry
- Navigating Coursera’s complex brand ecosystem and ensuring consistency across various channels and platforms
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong communication, time management, and adaptability skills, as well as a deep understanding of Coursera’s brand and marketing efforts.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior creative management roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to work on a global brand with a strong mission and a significant impact on the online education industry
- Coursera’s size and growth trajectory provide ample opportunities for career advancement and professional development
- This role requires a higher level of strategic thinking and brand development expertise than similar positions in smaller organizations or agencies
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in similar roles at larger organizations or agencies, or those seeking to transition into a more strategic and mission-driven environment, will find this opportunity particularly appealing.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand style guide and design system for Coursera’s global marketing campaigns
- Conceptualizing and executing integrated marketing campaigns for Coursera’s degree programs, enterprise solutions, and consumer offerings
- Creating visually compelling and on-brand content for Coursera’s social media channels, website, and print materials
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the breadth and depth of responsibilities for the Sr. Creative Manager, Brand Creative role and highlight the opportunity to make a significant impact on Coursera’s brand and marketing efforts.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into Coursera’s long-term brand strategy, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the Brand Creative team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Coursera support the professional development and growth of its creative team members?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will success be measured?
- How does Coursera foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within its creative teams?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help candidates better understand the role, the team, and Coursera’s brand and marketing efforts, enabling them to make an informed decision about the opportunity.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through Coursera’s careers page
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a cover letter explaining your interest in Coursera’s mission and how your background makes you a strong fit for this position
- Be ready to discuss your creative process, strategic thinking, and team management approach during the interview
- Research Coursera’s brand, marketing efforts, and competition to demonstrate your understanding of the role and the industry
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the opportunity
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
