Senior Digital Designer

Hands-on creative leader driving high-quality, performance-focused digital experiences for the Merrell brand in a hybrid Rockford, MI role.

Responsibilities

• Direct the digital creative strategy for Merrell, aligning with guidance from the Digital Creative Director.
• Maintain consistent, high-quality digital design across websites, email, paid media, and emerging channels while advancing the brand’s visual identity.
• Partner with Merrell Brand and eCommerce leadership on campaign development, product launches, and storytelling initiatives.
• Define, document, and govern scalable digital design systems, templates, and guidelines across channels.
• Ensure design systems support brand consistency while meeting customer, business, and channel-specific needs.
• Establish and uphold best practices for digital design, accessibility, and platform standards.
• Review and refresh brand style guidance to stay relevant for digital and eCommerce contexts.
• Directly manage and mentor a Digital Designer, setting priorities, giving ongoing feedback, coaching, and performance support.
• Serve as the day-to-day creative lead for the direct report, ensuring quality, accuracy, and alignment with goals.
• Delegate work effectively while maintaining accountability and a high creative standard.
• Collaborate with the Digital Creative Director on employee development, performance management, workload planning, and performance reviews.
• Lead or contribute to the creation of digital content including web design, paid display, paid social, video, and animation.
• Conceptualize, present, and guide creative solutions with wireframes, mockups, and prototypes for campaigns, site enhancements, and product launches.
• Lead or support product and lifestyle photoshoots to ensure assets meet digital and eCommerce standards.
• Work closely with Performance Marketing to craft creative that lifts engagement, conversion, and ROAS.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ideate and run test-and-learn initiatives that improve user experience and campaign effectiveness.
• Stay current on digital design trends, tools, and emerging platforms, proposing enhancements to output quality.
• Act as the primary digital creative lead and brand steward for Merrell, aligning customer experiences with brand standards and business goals.
• Collaborate with the Digital Project Manager to review incoming work for scope, complexity, creative risk, and resource needs.
• Identify potential problem areas early and proactively propose practical solutions.
• Coordinate with Brand, eCommerce, and Development teams to ensure creative solutions are aligned and executable before production.
• Balance multiple business, campaign, and channel priorities while preserving creative excellence.
• Uphold company policies regarding AAP/EEO in all duties.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Design or equivalent professional experience
• 5+ years of digital design experience, including eCommerce and multi-channel marketing
• Prior experience managing or formally leading designers is preferred
• Strong portfolio showcasing digital-first design, brand storytelling, and performance-driven creative
• Expert proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite; experience with web graphic optimization
• Solid understanding of responsive design, animation, and front-end best practices; familiarity with HTML and CSS
• Curiosity and willingness to explore emerging technologies, including AI-powered creative tools, to enhance workflows
• Experience collaborating with developers and performance marketing teams
• Exceptional attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication, organization, and leadership capabilities

Technologies

• Figma
• Adobe Creative Suite
• HTML
• CSS

Working Conditions

• Location: Rockford, Michigan, hybrid in-office environment
• Work schedule: Flexible hybrid model, three days in office and two days remote