Graphic Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Design Manager

Company: Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Sewer & Electric

Location: Bedford Park, IL, USA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: April 13, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end graphic design function, ensuring the creation of high-impact visual assets for a variety of marketing channels, including paid social, digital display, direct mail, and web.

• Manage, mentor, and quality-assure the work of a distributed team of fractional creative specialists and contractors, ensuring alignment with brand standards and project objectives.

• Act as the primary guardian of the Four Seasons brand identity, maintaining and enforcing visual consistency across all creative outputs and design systems.

• Collaborate closely with the Creative Director and marketing teams to translate campaign strategies and creative concepts into production-ready design assets, optimizing for speed and quality.

• Drive operational efficiency within the design production pipeline by leveraging AI-powered design tools and implementing process improvements for enhanced speed and output capacity.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Marketing Operations or Creative Operations due to its focus on managing creative production workflows, leveraging technology (AI tools), team management of fractional resources, and ensuring brand consistency across marketing channels. The emphasis on high-volume output and process optimization aligns with operational excellence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and execute the production of visual assets for paid social media campaigns, digital display advertising, direct mailers, print collateral, website content, email marketing, OTT platforms, and internal communications.

• Manage a team of fractional creative specialists and contractors, including assigning tasks, providing constructive feedback, ensuring quality control, and monitoring adherence to deadlines and brand guidelines.

• Uphold and enforce brand consistency across all visual communications, acting as the steward of the Four Seasons visual identity and comprehensive design system.

• Partner with the Creative Director and the broader marketing team to transform campaign strategies and creative briefs into polished, production-ready design deliverables.

• Develop and manage the creative production calendar and design workflows, effectively prioritizing and balancing multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines across diverse channels.

• Integrate and strategically utilize AI-powered design tools (e.g., Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, Canva AI) to accelerate production timelines, generate innovative concepts, and significantly expand the team's overall creative output.

• Prepare final design files for production and delivery across all media types, ensuring precise specifications, correct formats, and optimal quality for print vendors, media partners, and digital platforms.

• Coordinate effectively with external vendors, print houses, and production partners to guarantee accurate and timely delivery of both physical and digital creative assets.

• Provide design support for TV commercials and video production, creating motion graphics, title cards, lower thirds, and other necessary design elements.

• Proactively identify opportunities for and implement process improvements within the design production pipeline to enhance efficiency, speed, and overall quality.

• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, new tools, and best practices, with a particular focus on AI-driven creative technologies, to ensure the team's output remains fresh, competitive, and highly efficient.

• Contribute to internal communications and employer branding initiatives, including the creation of employee-facing campaigns and event materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design work, team management, and process optimization, typical of a manager role in a high-volume creative environment. The specific mention of AI tools and vendor coordination points to a need for strong operational execution and technological adoption.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a closely related field is required.

Experience: 7–12+ years of comprehensive graphic design experience, with a minimum of 2 years in a dedicated management or team lead capacity. Experience within the home services, trades, or high-volume consumer services sectors is considered a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• A robust portfolio showcasing demonstrable expertise across digital design, print production, and multimedia asset creation, including social media, direct mail, web design, and display advertising.

• Proven experience managing freelancers, fractional creatives, or external contractors, including effective work assignment, detailed feedback provision, and ensuring quality and on-time delivery.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple concurrent projects and competing deadlines within a fast-paced, high-output environment without compromising creative quality or brand integrity.

• Strong, practical proficiency with AI-powered design tools such as Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, Canva AI, or similar platforms, with a clear track record of integrating AI into daily design workflows.

• Expert-level command of the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and a strong proficiency in modern design platforms like Figma or Canva.

• Solid understanding of print production processes, including file preparation, color management, pre-press requirements, and effective vendor coordination.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to work effectively cross-functionally with marketing, operations, and external partners.

Preferred Skills:

• Foundational experience with basic motion graphics or video editing, utilizing tools such as After Effects or Premiere Pro.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualification requirements emphasize both deep design expertise and strong managerial and operational capabilities. The explicit mention of AI tools and experience in specific industries suggests a need for candidates who can hit the ground running and adapt quickly to the company's operational demands.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of visually compelling digital assets (social media ads, web banners, email templates) demonstrating understanding of various digital platforms and their requirements.

• Include examples of print collateral (brochures, direct mail pieces, flyers) highlighting layout, typography, and print production considerations.

• Present case studies of successful campaign design projects that illustrate the design process from brief to final execution, emphasizing problem-solving and strategic thinking.

• Demonstrate the ability to manage brand identity consistently across multiple touchpoints and media types, showcasing a deep understanding of brand guardianship.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of workflow diagrams or process maps for creative production, illustrating how projects are initiated, managed, reviewed, and delivered.

• Showcase experience in documenting design processes, including style guides, brand guidelines, and production checklists, to ensure standardization and efficiency.

• Present evidence of implementing process improvements that led to measurable gains in speed, quality, or cost-effectiveness within a design team or production environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Graphic Design Manager role, the portfolio is critical for demonstrating both creative talent and operational capability. The emphasis is on showcasing not just the final output but also the process, management of resources, and efficiency gains, particularly with the integration of AI tools.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $130,000 per year. This range reflects the experience level required, the managerial responsibilities, and the high-volume, fast-paced nature of the role within the Chicago metropolitan area.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401(k)).

• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education in design and AI technologies.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Employee assistance program (EAP).

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While core business hours are expected, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and manage workflow across different time zones or for urgent creative needs, especially when managing distributed teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Design Managers with 7-12+ years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Chicago, considering the additional responsibilities of team management and AI tool integration. Benefits are standard for full-time roles in the US.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Home Services (Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Sewer & Electric). This is a high-volume, consumer-facing industry where effective marketing and visual communication are crucial for customer acquisition and brand trust.

Company Size: A large, established company with a significant operational footprint across the greater Chicago area, serving over one million homeowners. This implies a robust marketing department and a high demand for creative output.

Founded: Decades of experience serving the Chicagoland area. This suggests a stable, experienced organization with a well-established brand and operational processes.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Design Manager will report to the Creative Director, indicating a structured creative hierarchy.

• The role involves managing a team of fractional creative specialists and contractors, implying a distributed and/or project-based workforce model.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is likely a core component, with marketing campaigns and creative assets being measured for effectiveness.

• Workflow planning and optimization are central to this role, especially in managing high-volume output and distributed teams.

• Automation and efficiency practices are explicitly encouraged through the use of AI tools and process improvement initiatives.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry and size suggest a dynamic, results-oriented environment where creative output directly impacts business growth. The emphasis on high volume and efficiency points to a culture that values productivity and adaptability.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-to-senior level management position within the creative operations domain. It requires a blend of strong design skills, leadership capabilities, and a strategic understanding of production workflows and efficiency. The scope of responsibility includes direct team management and significant impact on marketing output.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Design Manager reports directly to the Creative Director. This signifies a clear chain of command and provides access to senior creative leadership for strategic alignment and professional development.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Design Manager plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual representation of Four Seasons, directly influencing customer perception, brand recognition, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. By ensuring high-quality, consistent, and efficient creative production, this role significantly contributes to lead generation, customer acquisition, and overall business growth in a competitive market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design technologies and their application in marketing operations, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into a Senior Creative Director role or a broader Head of Creative Operations position as the company's needs evolve.

• Process Innovation: Lead significant initiatives in workflow automation, system implementation, and team structure optimization for the creative department.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Opportunity to lead projects involving collaboration with other departments, enhancing strategic influence.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid management track with opportunities for specialization in emerging technologies like AI within a creative operations context, appealing to professionals looking to blend creative leadership with operational excellence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based on-site at the Bedford Park, IL location. The environment is likely a professional office setting within a larger operational facility, supporting a high-volume service business.

Office Location(s): 5701 W 73rd St, Bedford Park, IL 60638. This location is within the Chicago metropolitan area, offering accessibility for local talent.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely facilitate collaboration with other marketing team members and potentially operations staff.

• Access to necessary design software, hardware, and potentially specialized equipment for creative production will be provided.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with the creative team, both on-site and remotely, will be part of the daily experience.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. The fast-paced nature of the industry and the high-volume demand for creative assets may necessitate some flexibility to meet critical deadlines, especially during peak campaign periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a need for candidates who thrive in a collaborative office environment and can actively engage with local teams, while also managing remote fractional resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by the HR team and hiring manager to assess qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their role, the design process, and how they managed challenges. Expect questions on brand consistency, workflow management, and your experience with AI tools.

• Managerial/Team Interview: An interview with the Creative Director and potentially other marketing leaders to evaluate leadership style, team management experience, collaboration skills, and strategic thinking.

• Final Interview: A potential interview with senior leadership to discuss overall fit, long-term vision, and alignment with company goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in digital design, print production, and team management.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the final outcome/impact.

• Showcase Management: Include examples of projects where you managed other designers or contractors, detailing your approach to feedback, quality control, and deadline management.

• Demonstrate AI Integration: Be prepared to show specific examples of how you've used AI tools to enhance your work, improve efficiency, or achieve creative breakthroughs. Quantify results if possible.

• Brand Guardianship: Emphasize your understanding of brand identity and how you've maintained consistency across diverse campaigns and channels.

• Conciseness: Present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on key takeaways and demonstrating your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and succinctly.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a design challenge that might involve creating a concept or asset based on a brief, potentially under a time constraint.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach a specific workflow optimization scenario or manage a difficult team member situation.

• Practice articulating your design strategy, decision-making process, and how you measure the success of your creative work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process will heavily focus on practical application, managerial experience, and adaptability to new technologies like AI, reflecting the operational demands of the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential for daily design tasks and production.

• Figma/Canva: Strong proficiency in modern design platforms like Figma or Canva is expected for collaborative design and accessibility.

• AI-Powered Design Tools: Significant experience and practical application with tools such as Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, or Canva AI for concept generation, asset creation, and workflow acceleration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with marketing analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics) to understand campaign performance and inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM management role, understanding how design assets integrate with CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud, HubSpot) is beneficial for effective campaign deployment.

Other:

• Basic motion graphics or video editing software (e.g., Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro) is a plus.

• Understanding of print production software and pre-press requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI tools and modern design platforms alongside the Adobe Suite indicates a forward-thinking approach to creative operations, requiring candidates to be proficient in both established and emerging technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency & Productivity: A strong emphasis on delivering high-quality work quickly and consistently, leveraging technology and optimized processes.

• Brand Excellence: A commitment to maintaining a strong, consistent, and impactful visual identity across all touchpoints.

• Collaboration & Communication: Open communication and teamwork across departments are vital for aligning creative output with business objectives.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies, particularly AI, and adapting to evolving market trends and business needs.

• Customer Focus: Understanding that all creative efforts ultimately serve to connect with and provide value to the customer.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional integration with marketing, sales, and operations teams to ensure design initiatives support broader business goals.

• A feedback-driven culture where constructive critique is welcomed to refine creative output and processes.

• Knowledge sharing is encouraged, particularly regarding new design techniques, AI tool applications, and workflow efficiencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values efficiency, brand integrity, and collaborative innovation, especially as it relates to leveraging new technologies to drive business outcomes in a competitive service industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Volume Demands: Managing a continuous stream of diverse design requests from multiple departments in a fast-paced environment requires excellent prioritization and time management.

• Managing Distributed Teams: Effectively leading and quality-controlling the work of fractional creatives and contractors located remotely requires strong communication and delegation skills.

• Integrating AI Seamlessly: Balancing AI-generated content with human creativity and ensuring brand consistency and quality while leveraging new technologies.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Upholding a strong brand identity across a wide array of marketing channels and materials, especially with a large volume of output.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Specialization: Opportunities to become an expert in leveraging AI for creative production, potentially leading to advanced roles in creative technology.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Lead significant projects to refine and automate creative workflows, enhancing operational efficiency.

• Industry Exposure: Gain deep experience in the home services industry, understanding its unique marketing challenges and opportunities.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contractors, developing leadership skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents challenges that are common in high-growth, high-output creative environments, with significant opportunities for professional growth in areas like AI integration and operational leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to manage a high volume of design requests under tight deadlines. How did you prioritize and ensure quality?" (Focus on workflow management, prioritization, and delegation)

• "How would you onboard and manage a team of fractional graphic designers to ensure brand consistency and project success?" (Highlight your team management, feedback, and quality control strategies)

• "Walk us through a project where you successfully integrated AI tools into your design process. What were the benefits and challenges?" (Be ready to discuss specific tools, your process, and quantifiable results)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What are your thoughts on the Four Seasons brand identity, and how would you approach maintaining and evolving it?" (Research the company's current branding and express your strategic approach)

• "How do you foster collaboration between creative teams and other departments like marketing and operations?" (Emphasize cross-functional communication and understanding of business objectives)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your philosophy and approach to design management. Then, walk through 2-3 key projects, detailing the problem, your solution, your role (especially in managing others or leveraging AI), and the outcomes.

• Data & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your work whenever possible (e.g., increased engagement rates, improved conversion metrics, time saved through process improvements).

• AI Integration: Clearly articulate how and why you used specific AI tools in your projects, demonstrating strategic application rather than just experimentation.

• Management Focus: For projects involving team management, explain your approach to delegation, feedback, and quality assurance.

• Concise Storytelling: Be prepared to tell a compelling story for each project, highlighting your problem-solving skills, leadership, and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong balance of creative leadership, operational management, and technological adaptability, particularly concerning AI tools and high-volume production.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided Paycom link.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in graphic design management, team leadership (especially with fractional/remote teams), AI tool integration, print and digital production, and brand stewardship. Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a digital portfolio that clearly showcases your design expertise, management capabilities, and specific examples of AI tool utilization. Ensure it's easily accessible and well-organized, with case studies that detail process and impact.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Sewer & Electric, understanding their services, target audience, and current marketing efforts. Familiarize yourself with their brand identity and values.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulate your approach to team management and process optimization, and answer strategy questions related to design operations and AI integration.

⚠️ 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.

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