Senior Manager, Brand & Creative

What is the opportunity?

Reporting to Senior Director, Global Marketing, the Senior Manager – Brand & Creative will play a critical role in developing and defining the Zafin brand identity and working on the continued evolution of our brand as a leader in the core modernization and transformation space. This includes global campaigns/programs, brand governance, measurement, as well as, engaging our customers, employees and communities.  

This role works in collaboration with the rest of the marketing team to provide input into brand strategy and with internal and external partners to design and execute innovative brand programs that will increase brand awareness, visibility and drive business growth. As the brand subject matter expert, you will consult with internal partners and provide governance to ensure brand identity is consistent and maintained across all channels.   

The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with a passion for storytelling and a proven track record of developing and executing innovative brand strategies. The Senior Manager will oversee all aspects of brand development, creative direction, and visual communication to ensure alignment with company objectives and values. 

• Develop and execute comprehensive brand strategies that elevate brand awareness, perception and loyalty across channels and are aligned with Zafin’s objectives, target audience 
• Manage the overall brand architecture and messaging across all channels including website, social media, events, and other marketing communications 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business objectives into compelling brand narratives and creative campaigns to be managed from concept to final production
• Govern and evolve the brand guidelines and ensure all marketing activities, campaigns and materials are on-brand and delivered on-time and within budget 
• Manage and mentor a team of creative professionals, including graphic designers, copywriters, and internal/external brand strategists, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment
• Provide guidance and direction to the design team on creative projects, ensuring brand consistency and alignment with brand guidelines 
• Oversee the creation of engaging and impactful marketing collateral, including advertisements, social media content, website assets and other promotional materials
• Direct the conceptualization and production of multimedia content, including videos, animations, and interactive experiences, to enhance brand storytelling and engagement
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, insights, and opportunities for differentiation in the marketplace
• Partner with external agencies and vendors to execute brand initiatives and campaigns, ensuring alignment with brand standards and objectives
• Develop and manage budgets for creative projects and ensure they are delivered on time and within budget
• Monitor and analyze brand performance metrics, including brand sentiment, awareness, and perception, to measure the effectiveness of brand initiatives and campaigns, making recommendations for improvements as necessary 
• Keep up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in brand and creative management

What do I need to succeed? 

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Design, or related field; Master's degree preferred
• Proficiency in design tools such as Sketch, Adobe XD, Figma, or similar UX/UI design software
• A strong portfolio that demonstrates versatility and a broad range of design knowledge and skills (Please include a link to your portfolio when applying) 
• Proven experience (8+ years) in brand management, creative direction, or related roles, preferably in a fast-paced corporate environment or creative agency. Previous experience and knowledge of the financial services and financial technology industry is an asset
• Strong understanding of brand management principles, creative processes, and best practices  
• Ability to analyze market, consumer, segmentation and media data and translate those insights into actionable and compelling marketing tactics 
• Experience managing budgets and negotiating with vendors and suppliers 
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to with the ability to articulate brand vision and strategy to internal and external stakeholders 
• Ability to collect insights form a variety of stakeholders, interact with multiple internal audiences, present and gain buy-in on brand and creative concepts from a variety of audiences 
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Strong leadership and management skills, with experience leading and developing high-performing teams
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders (marketing team, executives, managers, subject matter experts)
• Grace and resilience under pressure and enduring optimism