Brand Design Manager

The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the growth and development of the Stellar network. Stellar is an open-source blockchain platform designed to connect people, payment systems, and banks to move money quickly and reliably at low cost. SDF's mission is to create equitable access to the global financial system through blockchain technology by providing grants, investments, funding, and resources to builders and organizations. We support the ecosystem building on Stellar, enabling real-world utility where blockchain meets traditional finance.

Introduction

Are you ready to shape the visual identity of a leading blockchain platform? The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is seeking a Brand Design Manager to drive creative vision and execution across all brand touchpoints. If you're passionate about blockchain, financial inclusion, and world-class design, this is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within a fast-moving, mission-driven environment.

The Experiential Marketing team translates the power of the Stellar network into tangible realities through industry-defining creative and immersive experiences. As Brand Design Manager, you will lead the creative vision and output, evolving Stellar's visual identity as the premier blockchain for financial services.

Responsibilities

• Creative Ownership: Own the creative vision and execution across all channels (digital, social, campaigns, activations, events), ensuring consistent brand quality and ambition.
• Visual Identity & Design System: Establish and evolve SDF's visual identity and design system, developing comprehensive brand guidelines and toolkits.
• Flagship Program Leadership: Lead creative output for key programs like Meridian 2026 and Stellar House, encompassing environmental design, event identity, collateral, signage, swag, and digital assets.
• Integrated Marketing Creative: Direct the design and production of integrated marketing creative for paid digital, organic social, email, web, and campaign assets, ensuring cohesive storytelling.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Manage and mentor a high-performing design team, providing clear creative direction, actionable feedback, and professional development.
• Agency & Vendor Management: Own end-to-end relationships with external agencies and production vendors, from briefing to quality control, with minimal supervision.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with the Sr. Director of Experiential Marketing and cross-functional stakeholders (communications, developer relations, partnerships, product marketing) to deliver integrated creative strategies.
• Presentation & Strategy: Pitch and present creative concepts to leadership, translating business objectives into compelling, executable creative strategies.
• Workflow Optimization: Proactively identify and resolve creative bottlenecks, continuously improving team workflows, briefing processes, and production timelines.
• Creative Excellence: Bring a broad view of creative excellence, introducing fresh visual ideas to keep the Stellar brand ahead of the curve.
• Hands-on Design: Produce polished, on-brand design work yourself across digital, campaign, and experiential contexts; this is a hands-on role as much as a leadership one.

Requirements

• 7+ years of design experience, including at least 2 years leading or managing a design team or multi-disciplinary creative function.
• A strong, hands-on design practice with a portfolio demonstrating excellence across brand identity, digital, campaign, and experiential design, highlighting company-wide creative leadership and high-quality output at scale.
• Deep expertise in building and stewarding brand identity systems, including developing guidelines and maintaining consistency across a large organization.
• Proven experience directing creative output across multiple channels simultaneously (digital, social, campaign, environmental, event).
• A track record of owning external agency and vendor relationships end-to-end, from brief through delivery.
• Expert-level active proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign); comfortable directing motion, video, and production partners.
• Experience driving cross-functional creative work with minimal oversight, including creative strategy, presenting to senior leadership, and influencing organizational decisions.
• Ability to write clear, well-structured creative briefs that align stakeholders and optimize agency/production partner output.
• Strong organizational instincts, capable of managing multiple workstreams, anticipating risks, and maintaining high creative standards under deadline pressure.
• Genuine curiosity and working knowledge of the blockchain, fintech, or Web3 space, understanding the audience, culture, and opportunities.

Nice to Have

• Direct experience in crypto, DeFi, Web3, or financial technology marketing.
• Motion graphics, video production, or animation experience (hands-on or directing).
• Background in experiential or environmental design (booth builds, branded installations, immersive activations).
• Experience scaling a design function: hiring, building processes, and elevating creative standards.
• Familiarity with 3D design or spatial visualization tools.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary range of $145,000-$215,000 USD/year, commensurate with experience and location.
• Lumen-denominated grants.
• USA Benefits/Perks:
  • Competitive health, dental & vision coverage (most plans 100% covered for employee + dependents).
  • Flexible time off + 15 company holidays, including a company-wide holiday break.
  • Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for non-birthing and birthing parents, plus up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy leave for birthing parents.
  • Gym reimbursement ($80 per month).
  • Life & ADD (up to $50K).
  • Short & Long-term disability.
  • 401K with 4% match.
  • Health & Dependent Care FSA Accounts.
  • Commuter benefits with $250/month employer contribution.
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) with monthly employer contribution.
  • Family building benefits through Kindbody.
  • Wellbeing benefits (One Medical, Rightway, Headspace).
  • L&D budget of $1,500/year.
  • Daily lunch and snacks in the office (if applicable).
  • Company retreats.

About Company

The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is a non-profit organization that supports the development and growth of the Stellar network, an open-source blockchain for financial products and services. SDF's mission is to create equitable access to the global financial system through blockchain technology. We provide grants, investments, and resources to builders and organizations, fostering a thriving ecosystem. Stellar is where blockchain meets the real world, enabling assets issuance and real-time currency exchange with speed and low costs.

How to Apply

We look forward to hearing from you! Please apply through the provided link. By submitting your application, you are agreeing to our use and processing of your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. SDF is committed to diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.