📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Staff Brand Designer
🔹 Company: Handshake
🔹 Location: San Francisco, CA (hybrid), New York, NY (hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Design
🔹 Date Posted: April 19, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 7+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in-office, 2 days remote)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading design for the corporate brand
- Collaborating with marketing and cross-functional teams
- Mentoring and coaching other designers
- Ensuring brand consistency across all touchpoints
- Working on high-visibility, high-priority deliverables with short timelines
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong brand design portfolio and experience leading art direction for integrated brand and marketing projects. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in brand design and be comfortable working autonomously while guiding cross-functional teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop creative concepts and execute high-quality brand design for the corporate brand against creative briefs and informed by marketing insights
✅ Operate autonomously as a designer while being comfortable guiding cross-functional teams, freelancers, agencies, and production partners
✅ Work with the Marketing team and cross-functional leaders to execute high-impact brand marketing content, talent brand deliverables, and visually develop the corporate brand
✅ Expand the visual design systems to create a holistic approach to typography, color, patterns, layouts, and imagery, and consistently contribute to design foundations
✅ Be an advocate for brand consistency across every touchpoint and up-level the entire team through a commitment to growth and mentorship
✅ Be comfortable leading design for high-visibility, high-priority deliverables with short timelines
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication and presentation skills, as well as the ability to articulate concepts and ideas clearly, engage in healthy critique, accept directional feedback, and articulate the rationale behind design decisions.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Not specified
Experience: 7+ years of experience in brand design with a focus on leading art direction for integrated brand and marketing projects
Required Skills:
- Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work autonomously and guide cross-functional teams
- Impeccable eye for detail and keen understanding of typography, color, and composition
- Experience building and managing strong relationships with marketers and cross-functional teams
- Working knowledge of motion graphics, interaction, and environmental design
Preferred Skills:
- Video editing
- Illustration
- Photography
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a breadth of design project experience, from campaigns to the web to social media, video, and everything in between.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $172,000 - $215,000 + RSUs
Benefits:
- Equity and ownership in a fast-growing company
- 16 weeks of paid parental leave for birth-giving parents and 10 weeks for non-birth giving parents
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision policies including LGBTQ+ coverage, mental health assistance, employee assistance programs, and counseling support
- Generous learning and development opportunities and an annual $2,000/£1,500/€1,850 stipend for skill and career growth
- Financial coaching through Origin to help through your financial journey
- Monthly internet stipend and a brand new MacBook to allow you to do your best work
- Monthly commuter stipend for travel to the office (for office-based employees)
- Free lunch provided 3x a week across all offices
- Referral bonus to reward you when you bring great talent to Handshake
- 401k match: Handshake offers a dollar-for-dollar match on 1% of deferred salary, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year
- Flexible time off policy to get out and see the world, with 13 standardized holidays, 2 additional days of flexible holiday time off, and a one-week period of Collective Time Off (Winter ShakeBreak)
- Home office stipend of $500 for you to spend during your first 3 months to create a productive and comfortable workspace at home
- Family support: Parental leave coaching and support provided by Parentaly, and lifetime coverage up to $15K for expenses related to fertility and family forming through Maven Clinic
- Lifestyle Savings Account: An annual stipend of $500 to use for purchases such as fitness classes, gym memberships, work-from-home setup, and more
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is for U.S.-based roles and is based on function, level, and geographic location, benchmarked against similar stage growth companies. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including geographic location as well as candidate experience and expertise.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Handshake is a career platform for Gen Z, connecting students, alumni, employers, and career educators. With over 17 million students and alumni, and nearly 1 million companies using the platform, Handshake is where career advice and discovery turn into first, second, and third jobs.
Company Size: Handshake is a mid-sized company with 2-10 employees, headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York, London, and Berlin.
Founded: Handshake was founded in 2023.
Company Description:
- Handshake is built for where you’re going, not where you’ve been
- The career platform for Gen Z, connecting students, alumni, employers, and career educators
- Nearly 1 million companies use Handshake to build their future workforce
- Handshake is built on a foundation of respect for all individuals and is committed to creating an inclusive culture
Company Specialties:
- Career platform for Gen Z
- Connecting students, alumni, employers, and career educators
- Building future workforce
- Inclusive culture
Company Website: joinhandshake.com
ASSUMPTION: Handshake is a fast-growing company with a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The company offers a hybrid work model, with employees working from the office three days per week and remotely two days per week.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring 7+ years of experience in brand design and a proven track record in leading art direction for integrated brand and marketing projects.
Reporting Structure: The Staff Brand Designer will report directly to the Head of Brand Design and will be responsible for mentoring and coaching other designers on the team.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with employees working from the office three days per week and remotely two days per week.
Growth Opportunities:
- Mentoring and coaching other designers on the team
- Expanding the visual design systems to create a holistic approach to typography, color, patterns, layouts, and imagery
- Leading design for high-visibility, high-priority deliverables with short timelines
- Contributing to the overall growth and success of the Brand Design team
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a significant impact on the company's brand and marketing efforts.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Handshake's offices are vibrant and collaborative spaces, designed to facilitate teamwork and creativity.
Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA (hybrid) and New York, NY (hybrid)
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco, CA: Known for its diverse culture, tech industry, and beautiful landscapes
- New York, NY: A global hub for finance, fashion, media, and the arts, offering a fast-paced and dynamic work environment
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in-office, 2 days remote)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a hybrid environment and be able to balance independent work with collaborative team projects.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition team
- Design challenge or case study presentation
- Final interview with the Hiring Manager and/or other team members
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Design skills and portfolio
- Communication and presentation skills
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Cultural fit and alignment with Handshake's values
- Ability to work autonomously and guide cross-functional teams
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong design portfolio showcasing your brand design work, including examples of leading art direction for integrated brand and marketing projects
- Be ready to discuss your design process, creative briefs, and marketing insights
- Demonstrate your ability to work autonomously and guide cross-functional teams through your portfolio and interview responses
- Showcase your understanding of Handshake's brand and values, and how your skills and experience align with the company's mission
ATS Keywords: Brand Design, Art Direction, Marketing, Creative Briefs, Marketing Insights, Cross-functional Teams, Portfolio, Design Process, Autonomous Work, Teamwork, Collaboration, Hybrid Work, San Francisco, New York
ASSUMPTION: Handshake uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications. Including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help your application stand out and increase the likelihood of being selected for an interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Figma
- Motion graphics tools (e.g., After Effects, Premiere Pro)
- Interaction design tools (e.g., Sketch, InVision)
- Environmental design tools (e.g., Rhino, AutoCAD)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, with working knowledge of motion graphics, interaction, and environmental design tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Student-first approach
- Deep understanding of users and their true goals
- Combination of how products work and how they look
- Open, honest communication and collaboration
- Inclusive culture built on a foundation of respect for all individuals
Work Style:
- Collaborative and inclusive team environment
- Focus on user-centered design and deep understanding of user needs
- Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
- Flexible and adaptable work arrangement (hybrid)
- Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Handshake's student-first approach and commitment to understanding user needs?
- How do you balance independent work with collaborative team projects in a hybrid work environment?
- How do you ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints, and how do you approach mentoring and coaching other designers?
ASSUMPTION: Handshake values candidates who are passionate about their work, committed to continuous learning and improvement, and dedicated to fostering an inclusive and collaborative team environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working on high-visibility, high-priority deliverables with short timelines
- Balancing independent work with collaborative team projects in a hybrid work environment
- Ensuring brand consistency across all touchpoints in a fast-growing company
- Managing relationships with marketers and cross-functional teams, freelancers, agencies, and production partners
- Keeping up with industry trends and best practices in brand design
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and be able to balance multiple projects and priorities effectively.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Brand Designer or Art Director role, but with a focus on leading design for the corporate brand and mentoring other designers
- Handshake's user-centered design approach and commitment to understanding user needs set it apart from other companies in the industry
- This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a significant impact on the company's brand and marketing efforts
ASSUMPTION: This role is well-suited for experienced brand designers looking to take the next step in their career and make a significant impact on a growing company's brand and marketing efforts.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading the design for a comprehensive brand refresh, including visual identity, tone of voice, and messaging framework
- Creating a cohesive visual design system for a company's digital and print materials, ensuring brand consistency across all touchpoints
- Designing and art directing a marketing campaign, from concept to execution, including print, digital, and social media assets
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for the Staff Brand Designer role at Handshake.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does the Brand Design team collaborate with other departments, such as Marketing and Product, to ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints?
- What are the key priorities for the Brand Design team in the first 30, 60, and 90 days in this role?
- How does Handshake support the professional growth and development of its designers?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in a hybrid environment, and how does Handshake address these challenges?
- How does Handshake measure the success of its brand design efforts, and what metrics are most important to track?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the company's brand and culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong design portfolio showcasing your brand design work, including examples of leading art direction for integrated brand and marketing projects
- Be ready to discuss your design process, creative briefs, and marketing insights
- Demonstrate your ability to work autonomously and guide cross-functional teams through your portfolio and interview responses
- Showcase your understanding of Handshake's brand and values, and how your skills and experience align with the company's mission
- Follow up with the Handshake Talent Acquisition team one week after submitting your application to inquire about your application status
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
