Visual Design Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

This position executes the visual expression of the Pella and Pella Pro brands, shaping how the brand comes to life across every touchpoint. This role is responsible for elevating creative quality, driving design excellence, and ensuring a cohesive, premium aesthetic that differentiates Pella in the market. More than a designer, this position will impact image creation and broaden the core skill set of the existing agency.

By combining strong creative vision with hands-on execution, the Senior Design & Content Specialist plays a critical role in building a brand that is both aspirational, performance-driven and premium.

Role Overview: 

The Senior Design & Content Specialist is responsible for the concept, development, and execution of high-quality visual design and image creation across print, digital, environmental, and experiential channels. This role ensures that all creative work aligns to brand standards while pushing the quality and impact of Pella's visual storytelling.  In the initial year, the focus of this position will be to support the upgrade to a more premium website experience on Pella.com and other design and content assignments.

Working closely with the Creative Director and cross-functional partners, this leader translates business objectives into compelling creative solutions that support brand growth, product storytelling, and customer engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Execution & Visual Development

• Design and execution of print and physical assets, including brochures, specification sheets, packaging, apparel, and tradeshow displays
• Develop visually compelling creative that reflects Pella's premium positioning and strengthens brand differentiation
• Partner with the Creative Editor and broader team to explore and prototype new visual directions for Pella and affiliated brands

Image Rendering & Quality

• Oversite of Pella.com's image quality and generation of new visual content for the site
• Editing, retouching, and color correction of photography to ensure accuracy and premium quality
• Develop high-quality AI-generated imagery that meets strict brand and visual standards
• Build foundational 3D rendering knowledge to effectively direct and collaborate with external rendering partners
• Ensure all imagery-photography, CGI, and AI-is cohesive, realistic, and on-brand

Art Direction & Content Planning

• Plan and direct on-location photo and video shoots for Pella products
• Identify, recommend, and manage external creative partners including photographers, videographers, and production teams
• Collaborate with Pella's branch network to secure compelling shoot locations that reflect real customer environments
• Develop storyboards, shot lists, and art direction frameworks to guide production
• Present creative concepts and direction to internal stakeholders with clarity and confidence

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with Brand, Product Marketing, and Performance Marketing teams to deliver targeted, high-impact creative.  Collaborate with the digital team to improve universal visual quality of Pella.com
• Translate strategic objectives into compelling visual solutions that drive engagement and business results
• Align across teams to ensure creative output supports both brand standards and performance goals

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop designers, providing clear creative direction, feedback, and coaching
• Foster a culture of high standards, accountability, and continuous creative improvement
• Elevate team capabilities and ensure consistency in execution across all projects

Brand Design & Standards

• Partner with the Creative Director to define and evolve Pella's visual identity and design system
• Ensure consistent application of brand standards across all customer touchpoints
• Establish and maintain governance processes that protect brand integrity as creative scales
• Continuously push the quality, consistency, and innovation of visual execution

Impact & Expectations:

This role is critical to ensuring Pella shows up as a leader in the premium category. The Senior Design & Content Specialist elevates not only the quality of design, but the effectiveness of how the brand connects with customers-from inspiration through purchase. Every visual element should reinforce trust, craftsmanship, and performance.

Qualifications & Experience: 

Required Experience

• 8+ years of experience in art direction, visual design, or creative leadership within an in-house brand, agency, or related environment
• Proven ability to concept and execute high-quality, multi-channel creative work across print, digital, and experiential platforms
• Strong portfolio demonstrating premium-level design, art direction, and visual storytelling
• Experience leading photo and video shoots, including concept development, planning, and on-set direction
• Demonstrated expertise in image retouching, color correction, and production-quality asset development
• Experience managing or mentoring designers and contributing to team development
• Proven ability to partner cross-functionally with marketing, brand, and product teams to deliver business-impacting creative

Technical & Creative Capabilities

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
• Strong understanding of layout, typography, color theory, and visual composition
• Experience working with AI-generated imagery and emerging creative technologies
• Familiarity with 3D rendering workflows and the ability to direct external CGI partners
• High attention to detail with a commitment to delivering premium-quality outputs
• Ability to balance creative vision with practicality, scalability, and brand consistency
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to guide creative direction and influence outcomes
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate creative rationale to stakeholders
• Experience building alignment across teams while maintaining high creative standards
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and creative excellence

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a premium, design-forward, or lifestyle brand
• Background in industries such as home improvement, building products, architecture, or interior design
• Experience developing or evolving brand visual identity systems
• Familiarity with production processes for print, retail environments, or tradeshow experiences
• Experience managing external agencies, photographers, and production vendors

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Fine Arts, or related field
• Equivalent professional experience will also be considered

About Pella Corporation

As the #1 most-preferred national window and door brand by homeowners across the country, Pella Corporation leads the industry in innovation and design. Founded in 1925, today the Pella Family of Brands encompasses a robust product offering sold and installed through various channels. We are a growing, privately owned company with 20 manufacturing locations and over 10,000 team members in the U.S. and Canada. Pella is consistently recognized as a great place to work by Newsweek, Forbes and Glassdoor, having most recently been named to America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity by Newsweek in 2024, as well as Forbes' 2024 Best Employers for Women and Best-In-State Employer in Iowa. We have also received numerous accolades for innovation and design, including Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2024 and Most Innovative Manufacturers for 2022 and 2023.

At Pella, our team cares deeply, learns continuously and achieves results that go beyond. We encourage creative thinking that seeks out and includes diverse perspectives. And we empower you to do the work you're most proud of - that's why we offer individualized talent development plans, cross-functional experiences and opportunities for career advancement through personal and professional development.

With talent just like you, we are imagining, building and fighting for a brighter future for generations to come. Ready to find a career that sparks your passion?