Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Amgen

Location: Thousand Oaks, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Corporate Services

Date Posted: 2026-06-05T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is central to Amgen's Corporate Services function, focusing on translating complex scientific and corporate messages into compelling visual narratives through graphic design and motion graphics.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for creating high-impact visual assets across digital and print mediums, ensuring adherence to Amgen's established brand governance and identity systems.

• This position requires a strong understanding of design principles, including typography, color theory, and layout, with an emphasis on accessibility standards for broad audience reach.

• The role involves close collaboration with internal clients and cross-functional teams to deliver creative solutions that support Amgen's mission of serving patients with serious illnesses.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job description lists "Graphic Designer," the context provided by Amgen's mission ("serving patients") and the emphasis on translating complex topics into visual understanding suggests this role operates within a corporate communications or marketing support function rather than a purely creative agency setting. The "Career Category: Corporate Services" further solidifies this.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop innovative creative concepts and design solutions that align seamlessly with Amgen’s established branding guidelines and overarching communication objectives.

• Produce engaging and impactful motion graphics and animations for diverse platforms, including corporate videos, dynamic websites, and social media campaigns.

• Design professional and visually appealing print collateral, such as brochures, flyers, and posters, to effectively convey Amgen’s key messages and initiatives.

• Create polished and persuasive PowerPoint presentations for internal clients, ensuring clarity, impact, and brand consistency for executive-level audiences.

• Collaborate closely with a multi-faceted team, including project managers and subject matter experts, to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality, on-brand design solutions.

• Proactively research and stay current with evolving design trends, cutting-edge software functionalities, and emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge in visual communication.

• Support studio and production teams by developing executive-facing content, encompassing video, photography, and other branded communications assets.

• Translate complex business objectives into compelling visual communication systems and cohesive brand narratives for enterprise-level initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been expanded to reflect the typical scope of a corporate graphic designer in a large organization like Amgen, emphasizing brand consistency, executive communication support, and the translation of complex information.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Doctorate Degree

OR

• Master’s degree and 2 years of Graphic Design experience

OR

• Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of Graphic Design experience

OR

• Associate’s degree and 8 years of Graphic Design experience

OR

• High school diploma / GED and 10 years of Graphic Design experience Experience:

• A minimum of 8+ years of experience in graphic design, preferably within an agency or in-house corporate design team, with a significant focus on print collateral and brand identity.

• Proven experience supporting studio and production teams in the development of executive-level content, including video, photography, and branded communications assets.

• Demonstrated ability to lead creative development for enterprise-level brands, translating complex business objectives into robust visual communication systems and effective brand narratives.

• Experience in developing high-quality executive communications and presentation materials under tight deadlines, utilizing tools such as PowerPoint and Adobe InDesign. Required Skills:

• Expert knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, for creating and manipulating visual assets.

• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint for developing professional and engaging executive presentations.

• Strong understanding of brand governance principles and visual identity systems to ensure consistent brand representation.

• Solid grasp of typography, color theory, and layout principles to create aesthetically pleasing and effective designs.

• Skill in designing for various mediums, including print collateral, digital assets, and motion graphics.

• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while collaborating effectively cross-functionally. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in developing engaging motion graphics and animations for video, web, and social media.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards to ensure designs are inclusive and usable by all audiences.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders and executives in fast-paced production environments.

• Experience with photography and video production support.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements have been structured to clearly articulate the equivalencies provided in the job description. Preferred skills have been integrated to highlight advanced capabilities beyond the basic requirements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing exceptional graphic design skills across a range of projects, demonstrating versatility in style and medium.

• Specific examples of print collateral (brochures, flyers, posters) that highlight effective communication of key messages and brand adherence.

• Demonstrations of motion graphics and animation work, illustrating the ability to create engaging visual narratives for digital platforms.

• Case studies or examples of developing executive-level presentations and communications, emphasizing clarity, impact, and on-brand execution.

• Evidence of translating complex business objectives or scientific information into clear and compelling visual systems. Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow design for managing design projects from concept to completion, including brief interpretation, concept development, revisions, and final delivery.

• Documentation illustrating how feedback from stakeholders and senior leaders is incorporated into design iterations to ensure alignment and satisfaction.

• Evidence of process for ensuring brand consistency and adherence to governance across all design outputs.

• Methodologies for time management and prioritization when handling multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers typical portfolio expectations for a senior graphic designer, focusing on demonstrating a breadth of skills, process management, and the ability to handle complex corporate communication needs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $101,904.80 - $137,871.20 USD per year This range reflects the expected annual salary for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico). Actual compensation will be determined by factors such as relevant skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions.

• Group medical, dental, and vision coverage for staff and eligible dependents.

• Life and disability insurance.

• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care needs.

• A discretionary annual bonus program, reflecting company and individual performance.

• Stock-based long-term incentives, aligning employee success with company growth.

• Award-winning time-off plans, promoting work-life balance and employee well-being. Working Hours:

• The standard working hours for this full-time position are 40 hours per week.

• While the role is primarily on-site, Amgen offers flexible work models where possible, indicating potential for hybrid arrangements that balance in-office collaboration with remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly extracted. Benefits are detailed based on the provided list, with added context for operations professionals. Working hours are confirmed, and the hybrid nature is noted.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Biotechnology / Pharmaceuticals / Healthcare. Amgen is a leader in the biotech industry, focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing, and delivering innovative human therapeutics. Their work directly impacts patients battling serious illnesses across therapeutic areas like Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease. This focus imbues the company culture with a strong sense of purpose and patient-centricity.

Company Size: Amgen is a large, established global biotechnology company. This size implies a structured environment with robust processes, significant resources, and opportunities for professional development within a large corporate framework. For operations professionals, this means working with established systems and potentially influencing broader operational strategies.

Founded: Amgen was founded in 1980. This long history signifies stability, extensive experience in the biotech field, and a deep-rooted commitment to scientific innovation and patient care. Their decades of operation suggest mature internal processes and a well-defined corporate culture.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Corporate Services function, likely integrated within a broader communications, marketing, or creative services team. This team is expected to be a collaborative unit focused on supporting various business units and executive leadership.

• The reporting structure is likely to be within a management hierarchy overseeing creative professionals, with direct collaboration expected with project managers and stakeholders across different departments.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, requiring interaction with scientific, marketing, regulatory, and executive teams to translate their needs into effective visual communications. Methodology:

• Design conceptualization and execution will be driven by Amgen's brand guidelines and communication goals, ensuring visual consistency and strategic alignment.

• Emphasis will be placed on data-driven design principles where applicable, using audience insights and performance metrics to inform visual strategies, especially for digital assets.

• Workflow planning and optimization will be crucial for managing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines, likely utilizing project management tools and methodologies.

• Automation and efficiency practices may be employed for repetitive tasks or asset creation, particularly in motion graphics or template-based design.

Company Website: careers.amgen.com

📝 Enhancement Note: This section leverages Amgen's provided description to infer the industry context, company culture, and likely team structure relevant to a creative role within a large pharmaceutical organization. The "Corporate Services" category is particularly important for framing the role's operational context.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role falls into a mid-to-senior level position within the Creative and Design discipline, specifically within the Corporate Services function. It requires a significant amount of experience (8+ years preferred) and the ability to handle complex, high-stakes projects independently, including executive-level communications. The focus is on applying established design expertise to achieve corporate objectives rather than foundational skill-building.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director, Design Manager, or a similar leadership role within the Corporate Services or Communications department. This position is expected to collaborate closely with project managers, marketing teams, scientific communicators, and executive assistants, acting as a key contributor to cross-functional project teams.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is measured by their ability to translate complex scientific and business information into clear, compelling visual communications. This directly supports Amgen's mission by enhancing understanding of their work among internal stakeholders, external partners, and potentially the public. Effective visual communication can influence perceptions, drive engagement, and support strategic initiatives by making intricate concepts accessible and memorable.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized areas like advanced motion graphics, 3D visualization, or interactive design, potentially through internal training, external workshops, or by taking on more complex project types.

• Leadership Potential: Progression to Lead Graphic Designer, Creative Lead, or Art Director roles, involving greater responsibility for project conceptualization, team mentorship, and strategic creative direction.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to work on diverse projects across different therapeutic areas or corporate functions, broadening understanding of Amgen's business and enhancing strategic communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the role within a career progression context, highlighting its senior nature and its impact on operational communication effectiveness, drawing parallels to how such roles contribute to broader organizational goals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is designated as Hybrid. This indicates a blend of on-site work at Amgen's Thousand Oaks, California facility and remote work. The on-site component is crucial for in-person collaboration, team meetings, and utilizing office-based resources.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Thousand Oaks, California. This location is a significant hub for Amgen, suggesting a well-equipped corporate campus with modern facilities designed to support creative and collaborative work. Accessibility information would typically be available through Amgen's HR or facilities department.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities for designers to interact with project managers, marketing teams, and other creative professionals. This environment is conducive to brainstorming sessions and receiving real-time feedback.

• Access to industry-standard design tools and technology, including high-performance workstations, specialized software (Adobe Creative Suite), and potentially digital asset management systems, will be available.

• The office environment likely supports a culture of innovation and continuous learning, encouraging designers to share insights and best practices within the team.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility, allowing for structured workdays that balance in-office presence with remote work, accommodating personal needs while ensuring project deliverables and team collaboration are met effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is central here, with inferences drawn about the implications for collaboration, resource availability, and work-life balance for a designer in a corporate setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and creative capabilities against the job requirements.

• Technical/Creative Assessment: A potential assignment or case study designed to evaluate your design skills, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency with required software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint). This may involve translating a brief into a visual concept or refining existing materials.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, design philosophy, project management approach, and understanding of branding and visual communication.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues and stakeholders (e.g., project managers, marketing specialists) to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit within Amgen's corporate environment.

• Final Interview: A concluding interview, possibly with a senior leader, to confirm alignment with Amgen's values and strategic objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your expertise in print design, motion graphics, and executive presentations, aligning with the responsibilities listed.

• Showcase Brand Consistency: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to adhere to and develop brand guidelines, especially for enterprise-level brands.

• Highlight Process: For key projects, briefly explain your design process, the problem you were solving, your role, and the outcome. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "improved engagement by X%").

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio visually communicates your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and PowerPoint.

• Accessibility Focus: If possible, include examples where accessibility standards were considered in your design process.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Amgen's Brand: Research Amgen's current branding, mission, and therapeutic areas to inform your design approach.

• Practice Presentations: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio and present your design rationale clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about your creative decisions and project management.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions about how you would handle tight deadlines, conflicting feedback from stakeholders, or complex information that needs simplification.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a graphic design role, focusing on portfolio content, interview preparation, and understanding the specific demands of a corporate environment like Amgen.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for creating and manipulating a wide range of digital and print assets.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Essential for developing professional, engaging, and on-brand executive presentations, often under tight deadlines.

• Motion Graphics Software: Proficiency in tools like Adobe After Effects is implied for creating dynamic animations and video content.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not primary design tools, understanding how design impacts metrics (e.g., engagement rates on digital assets, clarity of informational graphics) is beneficial. Experience with analytics platforms that track asset performance may be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems for organizing and distributing creative assets across the organization would be advantageous.

• Understanding of workflow automation tools for creative processes could streamline project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are directly derived from the job description, with added context on their application within a corporate design role and potential complementary technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient Focus: A core value at Amgen, influencing all work to ultimately serve patients living with serious illnesses. Designers are expected to contribute to this mission by creating clear, impactful communications.

• Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all aspects of work, from design execution to client interactions.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative thinking and the exploration of new design approaches to solve communication challenges effectively.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect across departments and with external partners.

• Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality work that meets rigorous standards, particularly for executive-level communications and brand representation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with various departments (e.g., Marketing, R&D, Communications) to understand their needs and translate them into visual solutions. This requires strong listening and communication skills.

• Feedback-Driven Process: A culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and utilized to refine designs, ensuring alignment with project goals and stakeholder expectations.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging an environment where designers share best practices, new techniques, and insights with colleagues to foster collective growth and elevate the team's overall capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates Amgen's stated mission and values into specific behavioral expectations for a designer within their corporate structure, emphasizing patient impact and collaborative excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be simplifying complex scientific data, therapeutic areas, and corporate strategies into visually understandable and engaging formats for diverse audiences.

• Brand Governance: Navigating and strictly adhering to Amgen's established brand guidelines while still producing creative and innovative designs can be a balancing act.

• Tight Deadlines: Working in a fast-paced corporate environment, especially supporting executive communications, will require efficient time management and the ability to produce high-quality work under pressure.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively managing communication and expectations with various stakeholders who may have differing priorities or visual preferences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized design software beyond the core Adobe Suite, such as advanced animation or 3D modeling tools.

• Brand Strategy Workshops: Participation in workshops focused on brand governance, visual identity systems, and strategic communications to enhance understanding of Amgen's overarching brand narrative.

• Industry Conferences & Webinars: Access to professional development through industry events focused on graphic design, visual communication, and digital media trends.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential for mentorship from senior designers or creative leads to guide career development and skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges inherent in a corporate design role at a large biotech firm and outlines growth avenues that align with career progression and skill enhancement within such an organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate complex scientific information into a visually digestible format. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, tool usage, and ability to simplify.)

• "How do you ensure your designs consistently align with corporate branding guidelines while still being creative and impactful?" (Prepare examples of brand adherence and creative problem-solving.)

• "Walk us through a challenging project with tight deadlines. How did you manage your time and stakeholders to ensure successful delivery?" (Highlight project management and communication skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Amgen's mission to serve patients, and how do you see your design skills contributing to that mission?" (Research Amgen's therapeutic areas and patient stories.)

• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating feedback from senior leaders or stakeholders with differing opinions?" (Demonstrate your collaborative and adaptable approach.)

• "Describe your experience working within a hybrid environment. How do you maintain productivity and collaboration?" (Be ready to discuss your remote work strategies.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation with a clear beginning, middle, and end for each project. Start with the problem/objective, present your solution/design process, and conclude with the outcome/impact.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., "increased engagement," "improved clarity," "positive executive feedback").

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out how specific projects demonstrate your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, motion graphics, and brand governance.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation rather than a monologue. Ask clarifying questions and be prepared to discuss your design choices in detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and strategies are tailored to a graphic design role within a corporate, patient-focused organization like Amgen, emphasizing technical skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position at Amgen:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Amgen careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature examples of print collateral, motion graphics, and executive presentations. Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to translate complex information and adhere to strict brand guidelines, showcasing your expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and PowerPoint.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, specific software proficiencies, and achievements in graphic design. Use keywords from the job description such as "motion graphics," "brand governance," "executive communications," and "Adobe Creative Suite."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare thoughtful responses to potential strategy and behavioral questions, demonstrating your understanding of Amgen's mission and corporate culture.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Amgen's mission, values, therapeutic areas, and recent communications. Understand their brand identity and how your design contributions can support their goal of serving patients.

⚠️ 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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