Senior Creative Manager: Lead Brand Strategy & Design

Southland Industries, Inc.; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 118,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match with full vesting

Health insurance (employee)

Annual bonus program

Life insurance (AD&D)

Disability insurance

Flexible spending plans

Paid parental leave

Paid holidays & vacation

Professional development & memberships

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Southland Industries is seeking a Creative Manager to lead the design team, partner with Marketing and executives, and translate business goals into compelling creative strategies. The role blends hands-on project work with team leadership, resource management, and strategic direction to drive high-impact campaigns and consistent brand experiences.

You will mentor Senior Designers, manage priorities with the PM team, and continuously elevate the quality and effectiveness of all creative outputs

Qualifications

• BA in Visual Communication, Design or related field.
• 9+ years work/design experience.
• 2+ years management experience.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft suite.
• Advanced working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.
• Agency experience is desirable.
• Experience working with brand standards is desirable.
• Experience working across various mediums (i.e. social, print, digital, video) is desirable.
• Experience working with project management software is desirable (i.e. Workfront, Asana, Monday)

Responsibilities

• Provide creative oversight across projects and campaign initiatives by shaping creative strategy, translating business objectives into compelling solutions, and directing the development of high-quality work that aligns with brand standards, audience needs, and organizational goals.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Senior Designers and Designers, fostering high performance, professional growth, accountability, and engagement while building a collaborative and inclusive team culture.
• Serve as a player‑coach by personally executing high‑priority creative initiatives while providing creative direction, mentorship, and constructive feedback that elevates the strategic thinking, craftsmanship, and effectiveness of team deliverables.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with Marketing and business leaders, developing a deep understanding of business priorities and proactively identifying creative opportunities that support organizational goals and strengthen brand reputation.
• Manage team workload, priorities, and resource allocation in coordination with Project Management team, overseeing project intake, planning, and assignment of work to ensure efficient operations, effective utilization of team resources, and successful delivery of priorities.
• Champion the integrity of marketing and brand, ensuring consistency of messaging, visual identity, and customer experience across channels and touchpoints.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of creative deliverables using campaign performance, audience insights, and stakeholder feedback, applying learnings to strengthen future work.
• Monitor industry trends, audience expectations, and emerging creative practices, applying relevant insights to strengthen the organization’s brand presence and creative output.

Education

BA in Visual Communication, Design or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Southland Industries is seeking a Creative Manager to lead the design team, partner with Marketing and executives, and translate business goals into compelling creative strategies. The role blends hands-on project work with team leadership, resource management, and strategic direction to drive high-impact campaigns and consistent brand experiences.

You will mentor Senior Designers, manage priorities with the PM team, and continuously elevate the quality and effectiveness of all creative outputs