Sr. Manager - Creative Director

About DataCore Software DataCore is a global leader in software-defined storage and data infrastructure, serving more than 10,000 customers worldwide. Backed by Insight Partners and supported by a team of 400+ employees, DataCore is entering a high-growth phase with a clear mandate to surpass $100M ARR. We're building an AI operating system for marketing: a small team of builders working alongside a bench of digital co-workers that handles the volume, so people spend their time on judgment, taste, and outcomes. We go to market exclusively through the channel: demand generation feeds sales engineering, and partners close every deal. The Opportunity The role. This leader builds the brand and creative engine in house, owning the platform story's expression in market and reducing our reliance on outside agencies. You have one direct report, an in-house designer, plus a bench of external freelance support for surge capacity, and your time goes to taste, brand judgment, and the quality bar across every touchpoint. Key Responsibilities Build the brand identity and design system from the ground up, including a refresh of DataCore's corporate positioning, and own the quality bar across every touchpoint.Lead creative for the platform narrative, DataCore Days, and demand campaigns.Build a lean in-house model, leading one direct report and a bench of external freelance support, reducing reliance on outside agencies.Raise the fidelity of customer- and channel-facing work well above today's standard.Partner with product marketing so creative serves the story and the outcomes.Direct your direct report, an in-house designer, and coordinate external freelance support as needed for surge capacity. Ideal Candidate Profile We're looking for a creative leader who has actually built an in-house model, cut agency dependence, and can manage a small team plus external support without losing brand consistency. Required Qualifications 8+ years in brand or creative leadership, ideally B2B technology.A portfolio that shows range and a high craft bar.Hands-on, expert-level craft with modern creative tools, Figma, Canva, and AI-assisted design tools, not the traditional Adobe stack alone.US-based.Bachelor's degree, or equivalent practical experience. Differentiating Capabilities B2B technology background specifically, not just brand or creative generally.A portfolio that shows systems thinking, not only visual range.Comfortable operating to a PE or growth-equity standard for rapid, measurable scale. What Success Looks Like Immediate Mandate (First 90 Days)Set the brand and design standards and audit current assets.Take creative ownership of the platform narrative and DataCore Days.Stand up the production model, direct report, and freelance bench. 6-12 MonthsBrand identity and the design system are consistent and owned, not reinvented campaign to campaign.A lean in-house model, one direct report plus a light freelance bench, has visibly reduced reliance on outside agencies.The in-house production model is producing on-brand image, video, and variant work at a pace and quality the team couldn't buy.Customer- and channel-facing creative fidelity is well above where it started.Your direct report and external freelance support are producing consistent, on-brand work under clear direction.