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. We’ve earned the trust of India’s 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

We’re looking for a Thumbnail Design Manager who blends creativity, performance understanding, and leadership. You’ll 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. You’ll 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 content’s 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.