Asset & Wealth Management, Marketing - Designer, Associate - Chicago

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate, Designer - Asset & Wealth Management Marketing

Company: Goldman Sachs

Location: Chicago, IL, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: October 30, 2026

Experience Level: 3-5 Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the creation and production of high-quality visual assets for Goldman Sachs' Asset Management Marketing team, ensuring brand consistency and regulatory compliance.

• The position involves a blend of creative design, essential production work, and light coordination of junior designers, with a significant emphasis on digital and print collateral.

• Key responsibilities include managing product material updates, conceptualizing campaign assets, designing infographics, and adapting brand standards for various marketing channels and events.

• Success in this role requires expert technical proficiency in design software, meticulous attention to detail for financial data, and strong organizational skills to manage multiple deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into "Marketing Operations" and "Creative Operations" due to the emphasis on workflow management, production, templating, and coordination within a structured corporate marketing environment, especially within financial services where regulatory compliance and brand standards are paramount. The role requires a blend of creative execution and operational efficiency in asset creation and management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Workflow & Asset Management: Manage the update and maintenance of product materials, particularly for the Innovator ETF suite, coordinating requirements and schedules with channel and product marketing teams.

• Creative Conceptualization & Execution: Collaborate with marketing strategists to brainstorm and design visually compelling campaigns, digital assets (web banners, social media graphics, email assets), and print collateral that effectively communicate market insights and product offerings.

• Data Visualization & Infographics: Translate complex financial data, market outlooks, and economic information into clear, modern, and easily digestible infographics and data visualizations for web content and other collateral.

• Motion & Video Graphics: Create short animated display ads and edit short talking-head videos based on established video templates.

• Production & Formatting: Update, format, and maintain existing marketing collateral, pitch books, and product materials on a regular cadence, ensuring adherence to global brand standards and regulatory compliance.

• Presentation Design Support: Refine and format high-stakes PowerPoint presentations, ensuring meticulous use of corporate templates, typography, and brand consistency.

• Event & Environmental Branding: Adapt and elevate established brand standards to design cohesive visual assets for high-profile client events and conferences, including stage backdrops, digital and directional signage, step-and-repeats, and custom booth layouts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on creative output (conceptualization, campaign assets, infographics, motion design) and operational execution (workflow management, template maintenance, production, formatting, presentation support). The mention of "Innovator ETF suite" and "high-stakes PowerPoint presentations" indicates a need for precision and understanding of financial product marketing. The "20% management" aspect suggests some oversight or coordination of junior designers.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field. Experience:

• 3–5 years of professional design experience, with a preference for candidates with experience in financial services, corporate marketing, or a relevant agency environment.

• Demonstrated experience managing project updates and coordinating tasks, potentially including junior team members, given the 20% management component. Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Expertise: Expert proficiency in Adobe InDesign (essential for multi-page document layout), Adobe Illustrator (for vector graphics), and Adobe Photoshop (for image editing).

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for layout design, prototyping, and leveraging component libraries.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Word, crucial for integrating design assets seamlessly into corporate templates and documents.

• Data Visualization: Proven ability to translate complex financial and economic data into clear, accurate, and visually appealing infographics and charts.

• Brand Management: Strong understanding and application of brand guidelines, ensuring all assets align with global brand standards and regulatory compliance.

• Production & Formatting: Proficiency in preparing assets for both digital/web environments and physical print production, including understanding of file types, color profiles, and pre-press requirements.

• Organizational Skills: Exceptional ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet tight, competing deadlines.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous precision is critical for handling financial data and regulatory disclosures accurately.

• Communication & Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to receive and incorporate feedback constructively and collaborate effectively within a team.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design: Experience with Adobe After Effects, Adobe Director, or other motion design software for creating animated display ads and short videos.

• Financial Services Marketing: Prior experience designing within the financial services or asset management industry, understanding its unique communication needs and regulatory landscape.

• Project Coordination: Experience in coordinating tasks and providing guidance to junior designers or production staff.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "expert knowledge" in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, alongside "advanced proficiency" in Figma, underscores the technical demands of the role. The strong emphasis on "attention to detail" and "regulatory compliance" points to the high-stakes nature of design within a regulated financial institution. The "20% management" aspect suggests that while not a full management role, some experience in coordinating or guiding others is highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Work Samples: A strong, curated portfolio is mandatory, presented as a web link or PDF, showcasing a range of design projects.

• Cross-Discipline Examples: The portfolio should demonstrate proficiency across digital design (web banners, social media, email), print collateral, infographics, data visualization, and presentation design.

• Financial Industry Relevance: If possible, include examples of work produced for financial services, corporate marketing, or similar regulated industries, highlighting an understanding of brand consistency and compliance.

• Technical Proficiency Showcase: Ensure the portfolio clearly illustrates expertise in the required software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, PowerPoint), particularly in areas like multi-page layout, complex data representation, and template application.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Adherence: Demonstrate an understanding of managing design workflows, from intake and conceptualization through production and final delivery, within a structured team environment.

• Template Management: Showcase experience in updating, maintaining, and applying corporate templates consistently across various collateral types.

• Version Control: Implicitly demonstrate an ability to manage multiple versions of assets and ensure accurate updates are applied, especially for product materials and pitch books.

• Collaboration & Feedback Integration: Provide examples that show how feedback was incorporated into design iterations, reflecting a collaborative and iterative design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role in a financial institution like Goldman Sachs, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to showcase not just creative talent but also the ability to operate within strict brand and regulatory frameworks. Examples demonstrating the handling of complex data and the creation of professional presentation materials are crucial. The "process documentation" aspect is more about demonstrating an understanding of and ability to execute within established operational processes rather than formal documentation creation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The expected base salary range for this position in Chicago, IL, United States is $85,000 - $150,000 annually. Benefits:

• Discretionary Bonus: Eligibility for a discretionary bonus is contingent upon being an active employee at fiscal year-end.

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Access to a robust package of benefits and wellness offerings, generally available to active, non-temporary, full-time and part-time US employees working at least 20 hours per week. Specific details can be found via the provided link.

• Retirement Savings Plans: Likely includes 401(k) or similar retirement savings plans with potential company match.

• Paid Time Off: Includes vacation, sick leave, and holidays, managed according to company policy.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning and growth, including access to training, workshops, and potentially support for further education or certifications.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support services for personal and professional challenges.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Coverage options to provide financial security.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, consistent with a full-time position. While the role is on-site, there may be flexibility in daily start/end times, subject to team and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is broad, likely reflecting the 3-5 year experience level requirement and the potential for a candidate to fall anywhere within that spectrum based on specific skills, interview performance, and existing compensation benchmarks. The benefits package at a firm like Goldman Sachs is typically extensive and competitive, covering health, financial well-being, and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Asset & Wealth Management)

Company Size: Large (Likely 10,000+ employees, based on Goldman Sachs' global presence)

Founded: 1869

Company Description: Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial institution providing a wide range of financial services, including investment banking, securities, investment management, and consumer banking to corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide.

Company Specialties: Investment Banking, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Trading, Research, Prime Brokerage.

Team Structure:

• The Associate Designer will be part of the in-house marketing team within Asset Management Marketing in Chicago.

• This role reports directly to the US Head of Design, who is based in New York, indicating a dotted-line reporting structure or close collaboration across locations.

• The role involves coordinating with junior designers based in Chicago, suggesting a small, localized design support function within the broader marketing department.

• Collaboration will extend to channel and product marketing teams, as well as marketing strategists, for campaign development and material updates. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Marketing efforts, including design, are informed by market insights, product performance, and client data.

• Brand Consistency & Compliance: A rigorous approach to maintaining global brand standards and adhering to strict financial industry regulations is fundamental.

• Creative Innovation within Constraints: The team aims to balance creative excellence with the need for accuracy, compliance, and adherence to established templates.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Design is integrated into broader marketing strategies, requiring close partnership with various marketing disciplines and business units.

Company Website: https://www.goldmansachs.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within Goldman Sachs means operating in a highly professional, performance-driven, and regulated environment. The Asset Management Marketing team will likely have a strong focus on communicating complex financial products and insights clearly and effectively to sophisticated audiences, demanding a high level of precision and strategic thinking in design. The reporting structure to New York implies a need for strong remote communication and collaboration skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Associate - This level typically signifies a professional with several years of experience (3-5 years as specified) who can independently manage tasks and projects, contribute to team goals, and potentially begin to guide less experienced colleagues. For a designer, it means moving beyond basic execution to more nuanced creative problem-solving and production oversight.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the US Head of Design in New York, with coordination responsibilities for junior designers in Chicago. This structure offers exposure to senior leadership and strategic design direction while also providing an opportunity to develop leadership and mentorship skills.

Operations Impact: The designer's impact is critical for the effective communication of Goldman Sachs' Asset Management products and market insights. High-quality, compliant, and brand-aligned visual assets directly influence client perception, engagement, and ultimately, business development efforts. This role supports the entire GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy for asset management products by ensuring marketing materials are compelling and accurate.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, data visualization, or digital campaign design within the financial services context.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Grow into a more formal leadership role by effectively coordinating junior designers, potentially managing project queues, and contributing to team process improvements.

• Strategic Design Contribution: Gain greater influence on design strategy and campaign conceptualization by building a strong track record of successful execution and creative problem-solving.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Expand understanding of marketing strategy, product development, and compliance by working closely with various departments within Asset Management.

• Career Path: Potential progression to Senior Designer, Art Director, or Design Manager roles within Goldman Sachs' marketing or creative departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This "Associate" level role is a key stepping stone. It offers a chance to hone technical design skills in a demanding industry while also gaining exposure to project coordination and strategic marketing initiatives. The ability to manage workflow and contribute to creative ideation at this level positions the candidate for future leadership roles in design operations or creative direction.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate Office Environment. Goldman Sachs offices are typically modern, professional, and equipped with advanced technology to support a high-performance work environment.

Office Location(s): Chicago, IL. This specific office location will likely be a central business hub, offering professional amenities and accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment will likely feature a mix of individual workspaces and collaborative areas designed to foster teamwork and idea exchange among marketing and design professionals.

• Technology-Rich: Expect access to high-performance workstations, multiple monitors, and reliable network infrastructure necessary for demanding design software and real-time collaboration.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage directly with marketing strategists, product marketers, and potentially other design team members, both locally and remotely, to discuss projects and share feedback.

• Professional Atmosphere: A culture that values professionalism, punctuality, and a commitment to excellence in all aspects of work.

Work Schedule:

• The role is on-site, requiring a regular presence in the Chicago office. The standard 40-hour work week provides a structured schedule, though project deadlines may occasionally require extended hours. Flexibility in daily start/end times may be available, subject to team needs and manager approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major financial center like Chicago suggests a dynamic, fast-paced work environment. Candidates should be prepared for a professional office setting where collaboration and direct communication are valued, alongside the use of advanced technology to support sophisticated design workflows.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications, focusing on experience, technical skills, and portfolio relevance.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Assessment: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their role, design process, and the impact of their work. This may include technical questions about software usage and problem-solving approaches.

• Case Study/Design Challenge: A practical design exercise may be given, either as a take-home assignment or an in-interview challenge, to assess creative thinking, technical execution, and ability to work within constraints (e.g., brand guidelines, data interpretation).

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions will assess team fit, communication style, ability to handle feedback, time management, and experience with regulatory environments. Interviews with the US Head of Design and potentially other marketing leads are expected.

• Final Round: This may involve meeting with senior stakeholders to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit within the Asset Management Marketing team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that best represent the requirements of this role (digital, print, infographics, presentations, motion if applicable).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role and responsibilities, the design process, key challenges, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your specific use of Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and PowerPoint, explaining how you leveraged features to achieve project goals.

• Demonstrate Brand & Compliance Understanding: If you have financial services experience, emphasize projects where you navigated strict brand guidelines and regulatory requirements. If not, discuss how you approach adhering to brand standards in general.

• Showcase Data Visualization Skills: Ensure any infographic or data visualization examples are clean, accurate, and effectively communicate complex information.

• Prepare for "Why": Be ready to explain your design choices and rationale for each project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a case study, thoroughly research Goldman Sachs Asset Management's current offerings, target audience, and recent marketing campaigns.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a clear, logical design process, even if time is limited. Outline your steps from understanding the brief to final execution.

• Prioritize & Execute: Allocate your time wisely. It's better to deliver a polished partial solution than an incomplete full one. Focus on key elements that showcase your core skills.

• Brand Alignment: Ensure any design work strictly adheres to known or provided brand guidelines.

• Clarity and Professionalism: Present your work and rationale clearly and professionally, as you would to a client or senior stakeholder.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a role like this at Goldman Sachs will be rigorous, emphasizing both creative talent and operational discipline. The portfolio review is a critical gate; candidates must be prepared to articulate their work and demonstrate how their skills align with the specific demands of financial marketing. The potential for a design challenge means practicing under timed conditions and focusing on delivering a professional, on-brand outcome.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Software:

• Adobe Creative Cloud:

  • InDesign: Expert level required for multi-page document layout (pitch books, brochures, reports).
  • Illustrator: Expert level required for vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex illustrations.
  • Photoshop: Expert level required for image editing, manipulation, and web asset creation.

• Figma: Advanced proficiency required for layout design, prototyping, and utilizing component libraries, increasingly a standard for digital design collaboration.

• Motion Design Software (Preferred):

  • After Effects: For creating animated display ads, social media animations, and motion graphics.
  • Adobe Director (or similar): For specific video editing or motion tasks.

Productivity & Collaboration Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • PowerPoint: Advanced knowledge essential for creating and formatting high-stakes presentations, integrating design assets.
  • Word: For document creation and integration of design elements.

• Project Management/Workflow Tools: Likely exposure to tools like Asana, Jira, Trello, or internal Goldman Sachs project management systems for managing creative requests and workflows.

• Communication Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, or similar for daily communication and remote collaboration.

Specialized Tools (Potential Exposure):

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) Systems: For organizing and retrieving brand assets.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): For web content creation and deployment.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, potentially Adobe XD or InVision for interactive mockups.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "expert" and "advanced" proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite and Figma highlights the core technical requirements. The inclusion of PowerPoint and Word underscores the need for seamless integration of design work into corporate communication formats. Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools is expected for efficient workflow management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Precision: A commitment to delivering high-quality work with meticulous attention to detail, crucial for financial accuracy and brand integrity.

• Integrity & Compliance: Upholding the highest ethical standards and ensuring all creative output meets stringent regulatory requirements.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively across teams and departments, valuing diverse perspectives, and contributing to a supportive work environment.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Balancing creative exploration with the need to adapt to evolving market trends, client needs, and technological advancements, all within established frameworks.

• Client Focus: Understanding that all marketing efforts ultimately serve the goal of engaging and supporting clients, requiring a deep understanding of their needs and preferences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The design function is deeply integrated with marketing strategy, product marketing, and content teams to ensure cohesive campaign execution.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: An open culture for providing and receiving constructive feedback to refine designs and ensure alignment with objectives.

• Structured Communication: Utilizing defined channels and protocols for project updates, feedback exchange, and decision-making to maintain efficiency and clarity.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, design trends, and technical tips within the design and broader marketing teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Goldman Sachs likely fosters a culture that values professionalism, accountability, and a results-oriented approach. For a designer, this means understanding that creativity must serve business objectives, be technically sound, and adhere to strict corporate and regulatory guidelines. Collaboration is key, but it happens within a structured framework designed for efficiency and compliance.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Compliance: The primary challenge is producing innovative and engaging designs while strictly adhering to financial regulations and global brand standards, which can be restrictive.

• Managing Competing Deadlines: Juggling multiple projects with varying priorities and tight turnaround times from different stakeholders requires exceptional time management and prioritization skills.

• Translating Complex Data: Effectively visualizing intricate financial data and market insights into easily understandable formats for diverse audiences is a constant challenge.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Collaborating effectively with a US Head of Design based in New York while coordinating local junior designers requires strong communication and proactive engagement.

• Adapting to Evolving Tools: Keeping pace with new design software features and industry best practices, particularly in digital and motion design, while managing existing production workflows.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Financial Marketing Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in designing for the asset and wealth management sector, understanding its unique communication nuances and audience expectations.

• Advanced Technical Skills: Enhance proficiency in motion graphics, interactive design, and potentially UI/UX principles through specialized training or project work.

• Project & Team Coordination Skills: Develop leadership capabilities through coordinating junior designers, managing project queues, and contributing to workflow optimization.

• Strategic Design Thinking: Grow from an execution-focused role to one that contributes more significantly to the strategic conceptualization of marketing campaigns and visual narratives.

• Industry Exposure: Benefit from working within a globally recognized financial institution, gaining insights into market trends, product development, and high-level corporate communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity to grow within a demanding but rewarding industry. The challenges presented are typical for a designer in a regulated environment, and overcoming them provides valuable experience. The growth opportunities are geared towards advancing both technical design skills and operational/leadership capabilities within the financial services marketing domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance creative vision with strict brand guidelines or regulatory constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, compromise, and adherence to standards.)

• "How do you prioritize your workload when faced with multiple urgent design requests from different teams?" (Highlight your organizational strategies, communication with stakeholders, and ability to manage expectations.)

• "Walk us through a complex data visualization or infographic you created. What was the data, who was the audience, and how did you ensure clarity and accuracy?" (Be prepared to present this from your portfolio and detail your thought process.)

• "How would you approach designing a campaign asset for a new ETF product, considering both digital and print channels?" (Discuss your ideation process, understanding of target audience, and adaptability across mediums.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Goldman Sachs Asset Management and its role in the market?" (Research their key products, recent market commentary, and target client segments.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Emphasize your openness to feedback and iterative process.)

• "Describe your experience working with junior designers or coordinating tasks. What is your approach to mentorship or guidance?" (Focus on collaboration, clear communication, and supportive leadership.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are not only visually appealing but also strategically effective in achieving marketing objectives?" (Connect design choices to business goals and audience engagement.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (digital, print, infographics) or by case study.

• Focus on Impact: For each selected project, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, your specific contribution, and the results or impact. Use metrics if available.

• Technical Deep Dive: Be ready to discuss your software proficiency and specific techniques used, especially for InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma.

• Brand & Compliance Emphasis: Highlight projects where you successfully navigated brand guidelines and regulatory considerations.

• Conciseness: Respect the interviewer's time. Aim for clear, concise explanations, and be prepared to answer questions that delve deeper.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also operational discipline, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of the financial services context. Being able to articulate your design process, justify your creative decisions, and showcase your ability to work within constraints will be critical for success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate Designer position at Goldman Sachs:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the online application form through the provided Oracle Cloud link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Carefully select 5-7 of your strongest design projects that best align with the job description's requirements (digital, print, infographics, presentations, motion design). Ensure it's easily accessible via a web link or PDF.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant experience, focusing on your years of professional design work, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Microsoft Office, and any experience within financial services or corporate marketing. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience and portfolio projects. Be ready to discuss your design process, how you handle feedback, manage deadlines, and work within brand/regulatory constraints.

• Research Goldman Sachs: Familiarize yourself with Goldman Sachs Asset Management, its market position, key products, and recent marketing initiatives. Understand the company's values and culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.