Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Merchants Bank of Indiana

Location: Carmel, Indiana, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: 2026-08-07

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute high-quality print and digital marketing materials to support Merchants Bank and its affiliated companies.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to conceptualize creative solutions and manage multiple design projects from inception to completion.

• Ensure all visual communications adhere strictly to established brand standards and organizational guidelines.

• Produce a wide array of creative assets, including advertisements, brochures, social media graphics, website assets, presentations, and signage.

• Drive innovation in design by staying current with industry trends and implementing new design tools and techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the core responsibilities heavily involve creating marketing materials that support sales and business initiatives. This role sits within the Marketing team, suggesting a strong connection to Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies and potentially requiring an understanding of how design impacts lead generation and customer engagement, aligning it with aspects of Marketing Operations and Creative Services within a GTM framework.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce visually engaging print and digital marketing collateral, including but not limited to advertisements, brochures, direct mail pieces, social media graphics, website banners, email templates, presentations, and event signage.

• Ensure all created materials accurately convey professional messages and align with Merchants Bank's established design and branding standards across all business lines and affiliated companies.

• Collaborate closely with the Marketing team to manage project timelines, prioritize tasks, and ensure timely delivery of design assets.

• Maintain and update all sales support materials regularly, ensuring consistency and relevance for each business unit.

• Research and implement new design tools, techniques, and industry best practices to enhance the visual appeal and effectiveness of marketing communications.

• Work with internal stakeholders to understand project requirements, translate needs into design concepts, and gather feedback for revisions.

• Assist with basic video and photography needs as required, contributing to multimedia marketing efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "sales support materials" and "marketing initiatives" suggests that this Graphic Designer role has a direct impact on GTM efforts. The responsibility to "ensure all sales support materials are updated regularly and maintained for each business line/company" points to a need for meticulous organization and a strategic understanding of how design supports sales enablement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is preferred.

Experience: Demonstrated experience (2-5 years) in graphic design, with a strong portfolio showcasing print and digital design capabilities.

Required Skills:

• Proven proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Acrobat.

• Solid understanding of design principles, including typography, color theory, layout, and visual hierarchy.

• Ability to conceptualize and execute creative designs based on project requirements and brand guidelines.

• Excellent project management skills with the ability to multitask and manage multiple deadlines independently.

• Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy and consistency in all design outputs.

• Effective communication skills for collaborating with team members and stakeholders. Preferred Skills:

• Basic video editing and photography experience.

• Familiarity with digital marketing platforms and their design requirements (e.g., social media, web).

• Experience working within a corporate or financial services environment.

• Knowledge of pre-press requirements for print collateral.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level suggests a mid-level role. The requirement for Adobe Creative Suite proficiency is standard, but the emphasis on "design, fonts, colors, illustrations, and other visual principles" indicates a need for strong foundational design knowledge. The "multi-task and work independently to meet tight deadlines" requirement is crucial for managing a diverse range of design requests common in a dynamic marketing environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a range of design projects, including print collateral, digital graphics, and branding applications.

• Case studies or project descriptions that highlight the problem, your design solution, and the impact of your work.

• Examples that showcase adherence to brand guidelines and the ability to create cohesive visual identities.

• Demonstrations of proficiency in key design software, particularly Adobe Creative Suite. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document design processes, from initial concept development through to final asset delivery.

• Understanding of workflow management for design projects, including feedback loops and revision tracking.

• Examples of how design processes have been optimized for efficiency and effectiveness in previous roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Graphic Designer role with marketing responsibilities, a portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of skills and experience. The emphasis should be on showcasing the impact of the design, not just the aesthetics. This means including examples where design directly supported a marketing goal, sales objective, or brand enhancement.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Mid-Level Graphic Designer in the Carmel, Indiana area, the estimated salary range is $55,000 - $75,000 annually. This estimate considers the required experience level, the financial services industry, and the cost of living in the region.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• 401K retirement plan

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

• 100% Tuition Assistance for continued education

• 4 weeks of paid time off (PTO)

• Additional undisclosed benefits

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, aligning with full-time employment expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided benefits are very strong, especially the 100% tuition assistance and ESOP, which are significant differentiators. The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for this role and location. The "4 weeks paid time off" is a generous PTO offering.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking and Mortgage Banking)

Company Size: Merchants Bancorp has $18.8 billion in assets and $11.9 billion in deposits as of December 31, 2024. The company was recognized in the 500-999 employee category for USA Today Top Workplaces.

Founded: Merchants Bank of Indiana operates under Merchants Bancorp, a diversified bank holding company. While a specific founding date for the holding company isn't provided, its subsidiaries have a history of workplace recognition dating back to 2016.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer is part of the Marketing team.

• This team likely collaborates closely with various business lines within Merchants Bank and Merchants Capital, including mortgage banking, commercial lending, and retail banking.

• The structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration to support diverse marketing and communication needs across the organization. Methodology:

• The company values a data-driven approach, as evidenced by its industry performance rankings and recognition.

• Design work is expected to align with established brand standards, indicating a structured approach to visual communication.

• The focus on "expected outcomes" and "delivering creative work that is visually engaging and consistent" suggests a results-oriented methodology.

Company Website: https://www.merchantsbankofindiana.com/ and https://www.merchantscapital.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Merchants Bank has a strong reputation for being a top employer, evidenced by multiple "Top Workplaces" and "Best Place to Work" awards. This suggests a positive and supportive company culture, which is a significant factor for employee satisfaction and retention. The company's diversification across banking and mortgage services means the Graphic Designer will likely work on a broad range of visual content.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Mid-Level Graphic Designer role, indicating a position where independent contribution is expected, but significant strategic oversight is provided by senior marketing or design leadership. The role focuses on execution and adherence to established guidelines, with opportunities to influence design choices within those parameters.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Marketing team, likely under a Marketing Manager or Director. This structure allows for clear direction and feedback, ensuring design outputs align with broader marketing strategies.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the bank's brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, and sales enablement efforts. High-quality, on-brand visuals are crucial for building trust and communicating value propositions in the financial services sector, thereby contributing indirectly to revenue generation and customer acquisition.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., digital, motion graphics, branding) based on project needs and personal interest.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and a deeper understanding of the business, potential to move into a Senior Graphic Designer role or a specialized marketing position.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Collaboration across different business units within Merchants Bank and Merchants Capital offers exposure to diverse marketing challenges and strategic objectives.

• Continuous Learning: The 100% tuition assistance benefit provides a direct pathway for formal education and skill development in design or related fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The strong emphasis on growth opportunities, particularly the tuition assistance and ESOP, indicates that Merchants Bank invests in its employees' long-term development and financial well-being. This role provides a solid foundation in corporate design and marketing within a stable industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site at the Carmel, Indiana office. This suggests a traditional office environment that fosters in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): 410 Monon Blvd, Carmel, IN 46032. This location is in a professional business area, likely with good accessibility and amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is recognized as a "Top Workplace," indicating a positive and potentially collaborative atmosphere.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology within the Marketing team is expected.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with marketing colleagues and potentially other department stakeholders for project collaboration.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time position. While not explicitly stated, corporate environments often offer some flexibility within core business hours, though the on-site nature requires physical presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Being an on-site role in a recognized "Top Workplace" suggests a stable, professional environment. For a graphic designer, this means regular team interaction, access to resources, and a structured workday, which can be beneficial for focused creative work and collaborative feedback.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely review applications and resumes, focusing on required qualifications and portfolio quality.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: Candidates will present their portfolio, discussing their design process, creative choices, and how their work aligns with brand standards. This may include a practical design exercise or case study related to financial services marketing.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discussion with the Marketing Manager or team members to assess fit with the team culture, collaboration style, and understanding of project requirements.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and long-term potential within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to financial services marketing, if possible. Showcase a mix of print and digital assets.

• Be prepared to articulate your design process for each project, explaining your rationale behind creative decisions, tool usage, and problem-solving approaches.

• Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., "increased engagement by X%," "supported a campaign that achieved Y results").

• Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Challenge Preparation:

• If a design exercise is given, focus on understanding the brief, adhering to brand guidelines, and delivering a polished concept within the allotted time.

• Be ready to discuss how your design choices support the business objectives of Merchants Bank.

• Practice presenting your work concisely and confidently, anticipating questions about your creative process and technical execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on brand standards and potential financial services context means candidates should tailor their portfolio and interview responses to demonstrate an understanding of these specific requirements. A strong portfolio is critical for this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign.

• Adobe Acrobat: For managing and finalizing design files, especially for print.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand how website graphics perform could be beneficial.

• Understanding how to interpret basic performance metrics for digital marketing assets. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are specified for this role, but understanding how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven communications would be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite. Any additional familiarity with digital marketing platforms or analytics that inform design choices will be advantageous, demonstrating a more integrated approach to marketing operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Professionalism: Conveying appropriate, professional messages and reflecting the quality and professionalism of Merchants Bank.

• Brand Adherence: Strictly applying established design and branding standards to meet organizational needs.

• Creativity & Innovation: Conceptualizing and executing creative concepts, and staying current on industry design trends.

• Collaboration: Working closely with the Marketing team and internal stakeholders to achieve project goals.

• Efficiency: Managing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires close collaboration with the Marketing team, suggesting a team-oriented approach.

• Working with internal stakeholders implies a service-oriented mindset, understanding and fulfilling the design needs of various departments.

• The "Top Workplaces" recognition suggests a culture that values employee input and fosters positive working relationships.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's numerous workplace awards suggest a culture that is supportive, values its employees, and fosters good working relationships. For a designer, this likely translates to a collaborative environment where creative contributions are appreciated and integrated into broader marketing efforts.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Creativity: Ensuring all designs are on-brand while still being fresh, engaging, and innovative.

• Managing Diverse Project Demands: Juggling requests from various departments with differing needs and priorities.

• Staying Current with Design Trends and Technology: Continuously learning and adapting to new software features and evolving design aesthetics.

• Translating Business Needs into Visual Concepts: Effectively understanding and communicating abstract business objectives through visual design.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Education: 100% tuition assistance provides a significant opportunity for advanced degrees or certifications in design or related fields.

• On-the-Job Skill Development: Gaining experience across a wide range of marketing collateral and business units within a respected financial institution.

• Industry Trend Adoption: Opportunity to research and implement new design tools and techniques, potentially leading to process improvements.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior marketing professionals within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be to maintain a high volume of quality work while adhering to strict brand guidelines. The growth opportunities, particularly the tuition assistance, are exceptionally strong and should be a major draw for candidates looking for long-term career development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a new marketing campaign's visual identity, starting from the brief." (Focus on process, creativity, and brand adherence)

• "How do you ensure your designs effectively communicate the intended message and align with brand standards?" (Emphasize understanding of audience and brand guidelines)

• "Tell me about a time you had to manage multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize and ensure successful delivery?" (Highlight project management and time-efficiency skills) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Merchants Bank and its services?" (Demonstrate research into the financial services industry and the bank's offerings)

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to the success of a financial institution like ours?" (Connect your abilities to business objectives and brand perception)

• "Based on our 'Top Workplaces' recognition, what does a positive work environment mean to you?" (Show alignment with company values and collaborative culture) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects.

• For each project, clearly outline the objective, your role, your design process, the tools used, and the outcome or impact.

• Be prepared to discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

• Practice your presentation to be concise, engaging, and within a set time limit.

• Be ready to answer questions about your creative choices and demonstrate your understanding of design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss how their design work supports business goals, particularly in a regulated industry like finance. Highlighting projects that demonstrate versatility across print and digital mediums will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the recruiting platform.

• Customize your resume: Highlight specific achievements and responsibilities related to graphic design, marketing collateral creation, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your portfolio: Ensure it is easily accessible online and showcases a range of relevant work, emphasizing projects that demonstrate brand adherence and impact.

• Research Merchants Bank: Understand their services, brand identity, and recent company news (e.g., Top Workplaces awards) to tailor your application and interview responses.

• Practice your portfolio presentation: Be ready to articulate your design process, creative rationale, and the impact of your work concisely and effectively.

⚠️ 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.