Thumbnail Design Manager

About the Company

About YAAS! We help brands become creators. We work end to end - from ideation, scripting, acting, creating AI avatars, filming, production, editing, to uploading and everything in between. Weve earned the trust of Indias leading brands including Zoho, Zerodha, Vodafone-Idea, Zepto, Cleartrip, and GoKwik, through our creative process and consistent results. Our channels collectively garner over 400 million+ monthly views across YouTube and social platforms.

About the Role

Were looking for a Thumbnail Design Manager who blends creativity, performance understanding, and leadership. Youll oversee our thumbnail design function - ensuring every visual not only looks stunning but also drives results. This role calls for someone who understands YouTube and Instagram inside out - from CTR strategies and performance metrics to what makes audiences stop scrolling. Youll lead a team of talented designers, establish efficient workflows, and set the creative direction for how thumbnails are conceptualized, executed, and optimized across multiple brands and content verticals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of thumbnail designers to deliver high-performing, scroll-stopping visuals across YouTube and Instagram.
• Develop and manage an end-to-end workflow for thumbnail production - from concept and testing to iteration and final upload.
• Work closely with content strategists, editors, and creators to ensure each thumbnail aligns with the contents tone, narrative, and goals.
• Use performance data (CTR, impressions, retention) to guide creative decisions and continuously improve thumbnail performance.
• Establish design standards, templates, and best practices that scale across different clients and content categories.
• Analyze trends in visual performance across platforms and leverage those insights to keep YAAS! ahead of the curve.
• Collaborate with the marketing and analytics teams to A/B test thumbnails and track results to measurable outcomes.
• Ensure design consistency while maintaining flexibility for diverse brand voices and visual identities.
• Build a creative environment that encourages experimentation, bold ideas, and speed without compromising quality.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Thumbnail Designer, Lead Graphic Designer, or Design Manager with a focus on performance-driven digital content.
• A strong portfolio showcasing thumbnails or visual campaigns that demonstrate measurable success (CTR, engagement, or growth metrics).
• Deep understanding of YouTube and Instagram algorithms, click-through psychology, and what drives viewer curiosity.
• Experience managing and mentoring design teams in a fast-paced, creative environment.
• Strong project management and workflow optimization skills.

Required Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop (or similar tools).
• Deep understanding of color, composition, and typography for mobile-first design.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance aesthetics, storytelling, and performance data.
• Knowledge of visual trends, audience psychology, and high-performing creative patterns on social media.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills able to inspire creativity while maintaining efficiency and accountability.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, clients, and brand identities simultaneously.