Creative Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer

Company: Garney Construction

Location: North Kansas City, MO

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative / Design

Date Posted: March 27, 2026

Experience Level: 2-4 Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Conceptualize, create, and coordinate design and production for a diverse range of marketing collateral and visual assets.

• Collaborate with marketing and pursuit teams to develop compelling graphics, custom templates, and digital presentation materials for proposals and client interviews.

• Support the company's visual communication needs and contribute to maintaining and evolving brand standards across all platforms.

• Assist in the creation of graphic themes and visual elements for significant internal company events.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Creative Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into graphic design with a strong emphasis on marketing and business development support, particularly for proposals. The inclusion of "3D design experience" and "photography/videography editing" suggests a broader scope than a traditional graphic designer, potentially encompassing multimedia and spatial design elements relevant to the construction industry. This role is critical for visually translating Garney Construction's brand and project value to clients and stakeholders.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Concept, create, and coordinate the design and production of a wide array of projects, including:

  • Proposal covers and accompanying graphics
  • Strategic advertising campaigns
  • Brochures and marketing collateral
  • Logos and branding elements
  • Signage and environmental graphics
  • Posters and event materials
  • T-shirt designs
  • Digital assets for web and social media
  • Custom templates for presentations and documents

• Partner with marketing and pursuit teams to understand specific work acquisition needs, delivering tailored graphics, custom templates, and digital presentation assets for proposals and client interviews.

• Provide comprehensive visual communication support across the organization to enhance brand messaging and internal/external communications.

• Develop engaging graphic themes and concepts for large-scale internal company events, ensuring a cohesive visual experience.

• Assist in the creation and diligent upholding of company brand standards to ensure consistency and integrity across all design outputs.

• Support photography and videography efforts by capturing and editing visuals of construction worksites and employee-owner activities.

• Perform photo enhancement and editing to ensure high-quality imagery for various applications.

• Coordinate and manage external design resources and vendors for specific proposal requirements and other specialized projects.

• Apply creative problem-solving and design thinking methodologies to various disciplines and project types.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for versatility, covering everything from print collateral to digital assets and event theming. The emphasis on "proposal covers and graphics" and "presentation assets for proposals and interviews" indicates a strong connection to the business development and sales enablement functions, suggesting this role plays a crucial part in winning new business by visually communicating Garney's capabilities and project successes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 2-4 years of professional graphic design experience, demonstrating a track record of successful project completion and creative output.

Required Skills:

• Mac Proficiency: Expert-level command of macOS operating systems.

• Adobe Creative Suite Expertise: Mastery of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and potentially After Effects or Premiere Pro for advanced graphic and video editing.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for document creation, presentations, and data integration.

• Strong Portfolio: A robust portfolio showcasing exceptional design skills in layout, composition, typography, and color theory across a variety of project types.

• Conceptualization & Execution: Ability to translate ideas, both self-generated and from stakeholders, into high-quality visual designs.

• Pre-press & Printing Knowledge: Understanding of pre-press processes and standards for various printing methods to ensure accurate and high-quality final output.

• 3D Design Capabilities: Experience with 3D design software and principles, applicable to visualization or presentation materials.

• Photography & Videography Editing: Skills in capturing, editing, and enhancing photographic and video content.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the construction industry or a related field.

• Familiarity with digital asset management (DAM) systems.

• Basic understanding of web design principles or UX/UI design.

• Experience with motion graphics or animation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for "Adobe Creative Suite expert" and "Mac proficient" are critical technical qualifications. The emphasis on a "strong portfolio" means candidates must be prepared to showcase a diverse range of their best work, highlighting their ability to meet the varied responsibilities outlined. The inclusion of "3D design experience" and "photography/videography editing" suggests a desire for a versatile designer who can contribute to multimedia content creation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear progression from concept to final design for at least 3-5 diverse projects.

• Showcase a range of design applications, including print collateral (brochures, ads), digital assets (web graphics, social media posts), branding (logos), and proposal graphics.

• Highlight your ability to interpret client briefs or project requirements and translate them into effective visual solutions.

• Include examples of where you have applied design principles to enhance brand awareness or communicate complex information visually.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process, from initial brief understanding and concept development to client feedback incorporation and final production.

• Articulate how you ensure brand consistency and adherence to design standards throughout a project lifecycle.

• Explain your approach to managing multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines within a fast-paced environment.

• Describe your collaboration process with marketing teams, project managers, or other stakeholders to gather requirements and incorporate feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role, the portfolio is paramount. Candidates should curate their portfolio to directly address the responsibilities, emphasizing work related to proposals, marketing collateral, and brand assets. Demonstrating a structured design process is as important as the final output, showing how the designer tackles challenges and collaborates effectively.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Free medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans with $0 premiums for employees.

• Virtual Healthcare: No-copay virtual doctor visits.

• Employee Stock Ownership: Shares of company stock at no cost, beginning on the first day of employment.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a 3.5% company match.

• Financial Wellness: Student loan resources, Health Savings Account (HSA) with lump sum and matching contributions, and free access to financial professionals.

• Insurance: Free life insurance and disability policy.

• Well-being Support: Free counseling sessions with mental health professionals, and access to programs for weight loss, maternity health, and chronic condition management.

• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off and 8 paid holidays.

• Additional Perks: Weekly paychecks, 50% employee discount in the Garney apparel store, and free access to healthcare coordinators.

Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional overtime depending on project demands and event schedules. The role is on-site, implying standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The comprehensive benefits package, particularly the $0 premium health plans and company stock, is a significant differentiator. The estimated salary range is based on national averages for similar roles and adjusted for the Kansas City market, considering the experience level and software proficiencies required.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction (General Contractor)

Garney Construction operates in the demanding and dynamic construction industry. As a large, employee-owned general contractor, they focus on delivering complex projects across various sectors. This industry context means the design team likely supports high-stakes business development efforts, internal communications for a distributed workforce, and project-specific branding. The "nicework" showcased on their website suggests a commitment to impactful visual representation of their projects and capabilities.

Company Size: Large (Garney Construction has over 5,000 employees, as per LinkedIn data).

A large company size implies a structured environment with established processes and departments. For a Creative Designer, this means opportunities to work on significant projects, collaborate with diverse teams, and potentially specialize within a larger creative department. It also suggests a need for strong brand governance and efficient workflow management to serve a broad range of internal clients.

Founded: 1985

Founded in 1985, Garney Construction has a long-standing history, indicating stability and established market presence. This longevity suggests a company that values tradition, experience, and sustained growth, which can influence its culture towards reliability and long-term vision.

Team Structure:

• Creative Team: The designer will join a "dynamic creative team," suggesting a collaborative unit focused on internal and external marketing and design needs. The exact size is not specified, but it is likely a dedicated team within the marketing or corporate communications department.

• Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Creative Director, Marketing Manager, or a similar leadership position within the marketing or communications function.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: This role will heavily collaborate with marketing and pursuit teams, project managers, and potentially HR or event planning committees. The "employee-owner" model may also foster a culture of shared responsibility and direct communication across departments.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated, modern design roles within large corporations often involve understanding target audiences, engagement metrics, and the impact of design on business objectives.

• Workflow Optimization: The fast-paced environment and variety of projects necessitate efficient workflows for concept development, design execution, feedback incorporation, and final delivery.

• Brand Management: A core methodology will be adherence to and enhancement of established brand standards to ensure consistent messaging and visual identity.

Company Website: GARNEY.COM

The company website provides an overview of their services, projects, and company culture. The "nicework" section is a direct showcase of the creative output expected and valued by the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The employee-owned structure is a significant cultural differentiator for Garney. This often translates to a culture of high engagement, shared accountability, and a focus on long-term company success, which can positively influence team dynamics and collaboration for designers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer

This role is positioned as a mid-level position, requiring 2-4 years of professional experience. It involves taking direction and executing creative briefs, while also contributing innovative ideas and taking ownership of design projects. It's a step beyond entry-level, demanding a solid grasp of design principles and software proficiency.

Reporting Structure:

The Creative Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager, Creative Director, or a Senior Designer. This structure provides guidance and oversight while allowing for independent work on assigned projects. Collaboration with various internal departments, particularly marketing and business development (pursuit teams), will be a key aspect of the role's interactions.

Operations Impact:

As a Creative Designer, the primary impact is on enhancing brand perception, supporting business development efforts through compelling visuals, and improving internal communications.

• Business Development: High-quality proposals, presentations, and marketing collateral directly influence client perception and can be a critical factor in winning new contracts.

• Brand Equity: Consistent and impactful design strengthens brand recognition and loyalty, both internally and externally.

• Internal Engagement: Creative assets for events and communications can boost employee morale and reinforce company culture, especially within an employee-owned structure.

• Efficiency: Well-designed templates and assets can streamline internal processes for creating marketing materials.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Designer/Creative Lead: With proven performance and expanded experience, progression to a Senior Designer role or a team lead position is possible, involving more complex projects, mentorship of junior designers, and greater strategic input.

• Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like 3D visualization, motion graphics, digital design, or event theming.

• Project Management: Potential to manage design projects from conception to completion, including client liaison and vendor management.

• Cross-functional Roles: Experience gained in marketing and business development support could open doors to roles in marketing coordination, communications, or even sales enablement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path here is typical for a corporate design role, focusing on increasing responsibility, expertise, and potentially leadership within the design function. The emphasis on supporting business development means showcasing a strong understanding of how design contributes to revenue and client acquisition will be key for advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily On-site within a Corporate Office setting.

The role is designated as on-site, indicating a need for physical presence in the North Kansas City office. This environment typically offers a structured workspace with access to necessary equipment and collaborative opportunities.

Office Location(s):

North Kansas City, MO 64116. This location is within the Kansas City metropolitan area, likely offering standard urban amenities and accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The description mentions a "dynamic creative team" and collaboration with marketing and pursuit teams, suggesting an open or shared workspace designed to foster communication and idea exchange.

• Tools & Technology: Access to a Mac environment with the full Adobe Creative Suite will be standard. Depending on the team's setup, this could include dedicated workstations, proofing equipment, and possibly specialized hardware for photography or 3D work.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with colleagues within the creative team and across other departments will be a daily occurrence, facilitating project alignment and feedback.

Work Schedule:

Standard business hours, likely Monday through Friday, totaling 40 hours per week. Given the nature of design work and potential event support, occasional flexibility or overtime might be required during peak periods or for specific project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which is common for creative teams where brainstorming and immediate feedback loops are valued. Designers should be prepared for a professional office environment within a large construction company.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Submission: Submit resume and portfolio link through the Garney Careers portal.

2. Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will review applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications and design alignment.

3. Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager (likely Creative Director or Marketing Manager) and potentially other team members. This stage focuses on design philosophy, process, technical skills, and cultural fit. Expect questions about portfolio pieces.

4. Design Exercise/Portfolio Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present their portfolio in detail, discussing specific projects, their role, design process, and outcomes. A practical design exercise or a case study presentation related to construction or proposal graphics might also be included.

5. Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or cross-functional stakeholders to confirm fit and discuss the role's strategic impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Prioritize projects that directly align with the responsibilities listed, especially proposal graphics, marketing collateral, branding, and event design.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the challenge, your approach, your specific contributions, and the outcome or impact.

• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Ensure examples demonstrate mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, typography, layout, and color.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, mention any measurable results of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, successful proposal win rates attributed to visuals).

• Tailor to Construction: If you have any relevant experience in B2B, corporate, or industry-specific design, emphasize it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: If a practical exercise is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly, sketching ideas quickly, and producing a clean, well-reasoned final design within the allotted time.

• Portfolio Presentation: Practice articulating the story behind your designs. Be ready to answer "why" questions about your creative decisions. Prepare to discuss how your design approach can benefit Garney Construction.

• Company Research: Understand Garney's business, their projects (check their website and the "nicework" section), and their brand identity. Think about how your design skills can contribute to their specific goals in the construction industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most critical component of the application. Candidates should treat the interview as an opportunity to "sell" their design capabilities and demonstrate how they can add value to Garney Construction's visual communication and business development efforts.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For photo editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout and design of brochures, proposals, reports, and multi-page documents.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • PowerPoint: For creating visually engaging presentations and digital assets for interviews and internal use.
  • Word: For incorporating graphics into documents and proposals.
  • Excel: Potentially for data visualization or template creation.

• 3D Design Software: Specific software not listed, but experience with tools like SketchUp, Blender, or similar 3D modeling/rendering software is required.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM responsibility is indicated, but familiarity with how design assets are used within marketing automation platforms or CRM-linked materials (e.g., email templates, landing page graphics) could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The requirement for 3D design suggests a specific, perhaps niche, software proficiency might be desired, which candidates should highlight if they possess it.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality creative work that reflects positively on the company.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively within the creative team and with cross-functional departments to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Creativity: Bringing fresh ideas and innovative design solutions to marketing and business development challenges.

• Efficiency & Productivity: Managing workload effectively to deliver timely and impactful design assets in a fast-paced environment.

• Brand Stewardship: Upholding and contributing to the strength and consistency of the Garney brand.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with marketing, sales/pursuit teams, and potentially event planners, emphasizing clear communication and understanding of diverse stakeholder needs.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that likely involves constructive feedback loops to refine designs and ensure they meet project objectives.

• Proactive Communication: Encouraging designers to share ideas, ask clarifying questions, and proactively communicate project status and potential challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Garney's employee-owned structure likely fosters a culture of shared ownership and accountability. Designers are expected to be proactive contributors who understand their role in the company's overall success, not just isolated creative producers.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Managing a high volume of diverse design requests from various departments with competing deadlines.

• Translating Technical Concepts: Visually representing complex construction projects or technical information in an accessible and engaging manner.

• Evolving Brand Needs: Adapting design styles and assets to meet changing market trends and company initiatives while maintaining brand integrity.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Effectively interpreting and integrating feedback from diverse stakeholders who may have varying creative visions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite or explore new design software relevant to the industry.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of design trends, particularly in B2B marketing, proposal design, and digital media for the construction sector.

• Project Exposure: Gaining experience across a wide spectrum of design projects, from corporate branding to large-scale event graphics and digital campaigns.

• Mentorship: Learning from senior members of the creative team and potentially receiving guidance from marketing leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be managing a diverse workload and translating complex industry-specific information into compelling visuals. Growth opportunities will center on expanding design expertise and gaining broader exposure within a large corporate structure.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a new logo or brand identity."

• "How do you approach designing a complex proposal document or presentation to win a bid?"

• "Walk me through a project where you had to balance creative vision with client feedback. What was the outcome?"

• "How do you stay updated on design trends, and how do you decide which trends are relevant for a corporate client like Garney?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for a construction company versus another industry?"

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to a company like Garney, which is employee-owned?"

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you collaborate with colleagues."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each selected project, frame it as a narrative: the problem/objective, your creative solution, your specific role and process, and the results or impact.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out how specific pieces demonstrate your proficiency in typography, layout, color theory, software usage, and conceptual thinking relevant to Garney's needs.

• Address Requirements: Prepare to discuss examples that showcase your experience with proposal graphics, digital assets, branding, and potentially 3D design or photo editing.

• Be Enthusiastic: Show genuine interest in Garney's work and how your creativity can contribute to their success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for not just technical skill but also a strategic understanding of how design supports business objectives. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their thought process and demonstrate how they can be a valuable, collaborative member of the team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Garney Construction careers portal, ensuring all fields are completed accurately.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate your online portfolio to prominently feature your strongest work, prioritizing designs relevant to marketing collateral, proposal graphics, branding, and digital assets. Ensure it's easily navigable and showcases your design process and technical skills.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight 2-4 years of professional graphic design experience, specific software proficiencies (especially Adobe Creative Suite and 3D design), and achievements that align with the responsibilities outlined. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulate your design process, and answer questions about your experience with visual communication, brand standards, and collaboration. Practice presenting your work concisely and engagingly.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review Garney Construction's website, paying close attention to their projects, "nicework" section, and company values. Understand their position in the construction industry and how design plays a role in their business development.

⚠️ 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.

---