Graphic Designer at New American Funding

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: New American Funding

Location: Remote (with potential on-site requirements in Santa Ana, CA or Austin, TX)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing / Creative Operations

Date Posted: September 04, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years Professional Experience

🚀 Role Summary

Design and produce a comprehensive range of marketing materials across both print and digital media to support organizational stakeholders.
Collaborate effectively within a remote creative team, utilizing project management tools to ensure timely and on-brand deliverables.
Integrate and experiment with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to enhance design ideation, asset generation, and overall production efficiency.
Manage stakeholder revisions, providing clear communication and rationale for design decisions while maintaining brand integrity.
Prioritize and execute multiple simultaneous projects in a deadline-driven environment, ensuring organized and accessible working files.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a "Creative Operations" framework, emphasizing process, efficiency, and the strategic use of tools, including AI. The hybrid requirement for candidates near specific offices indicates a need for flexibility and potential in-person collaboration, even within a primarily remote role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Design and produce diverse marketing collateral, including but not limited to: brochures, booklets, presentations, flyers, event materials, merchandise, email headers, and social media graphics.
Work collaboratively with the Director of Creative Operations, fellow designers, and the broader creative team to develop compelling visuals that strictly adhere to established brand standards and style guides.
Utilize Asana for comprehensive project management, including task tracking, assignment management, and stakeholder communication.
Skillfully manage revision processes, incorporating feedback from stakeholders to refine designs while maintaining project timelines and brand consistency.
Embrace a collaborative and iterative design approach, clearly articulating design choices and guiding stakeholders through the creative rationale.
Actively explore, experiment with, and integrate AI tools into the daily workflow to support ideation, drafting, asset generation, and production, thereby improving both speed and output quality.
Effectively prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects, ensuring all deadlines are met within a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
Maintain meticulous organization of working files, assets, and image resource libraries for easy team access.
Foster strong communication and alignment within a remote creative team, ensuring cohesive project execution across geographical distances.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "figure-it-out" attitude and AI integration suggests a need for proactive problem-solving and a forward-thinking approach to design workflows. The requirement to manage revisions gracefully and communicate design rationale points to strong interpersonal and presentation skills being as critical as technical design proficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Specific educational requirements are not detailed, but a strong portfolio often substitutes for formal degrees in creative fields.

Experience: 3+ years of professional graphic design experience, demonstrating a track record of successful project delivery.

Required Skills:

Professional graphic design experience: Minimum of 3 years.
Portfolio: A compelling portfolio showcasing a range of print and digital design work is mandatory for application.
Software Proficiency: High-level expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and Canva.
Media Versatility: Proven experience in designing for both print and digital media platforms.
Design Communication: Strong conceptualization and design skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Independent Work Ethic: Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and take initiative.
Collaborative Spirit: Ability to work effectively within a team environment, both in-person and remotely.
Feedback Management: Comfort and skill in managing revisions, receiving constructive criticism, and translating feedback into refined deliverables.
Adaptability: A resourceful and adaptable mindset, ready to tackle challenges and problem-solve effectively.
Organizational Skills: Exceptional organizational abilities with a proven history of maintaining clean and well-structured working files.
AI Tool Familiarity: A proactive willingness to explore and integrate AI tools into the design workflow to enhance efficiency and creative output.
Remote Collaboration: Experience and comfort working effectively within a distributed, remote team structure. Preferred Skills:
Video Editing/Motion Graphics: Experience with software such as After Effects or Premiere Pro.
Web Design Tools: Proficiency in Figma, or experience with web design principles and HTML.
Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with platforms like Optimizely or similar.
Advanced Technical Skills: Additional technical proficiencies beyond core graphic design competencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Preferred/Bonus" skills indicate areas where candidates can differentiate themselves, particularly in web design and video, which are increasingly integrated into marketing efforts. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a preference for candidates who are not only proficient but also enthusiastic about leveraging new technologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design projects, with a clear emphasis on both print and digital collateral.
Demonstrated ability to adhere to and effectively implement brand standards and style guides across various projects.
Examples of projects where the candidate managed revisions and successfully incorporated stakeholder feedback.
Evidence of projects utilizing AI tools to enhance efficiency or creative output, if available.
Projects that highlight strong conceptual thinking and effective visual communication. Process Documentation:
While not explicitly stated as a portfolio requirement, candidates are expected to demonstrate their understanding of process through their project examples. This includes:
Workflow Design: Ability to outline the steps taken from brief to final delivery, including ideation and revision stages.
System Integration: Implicitly demonstrate how tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and Asana are integrated into their workflow.
Measurement & Analysis: While not a direct requirement for this role, showcasing projects with measurable impact (e.g., engagement metrics for social media graphics) can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio and the emphasis on managing revisions and adhering to brand standards imply that candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, decision-making, and how they handle feedback and iteration within their portfolio presentation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $70,000 annually.

📝 Enhancement Note: For remote employees, compensation will be localized based on their work location, ranging from 80% to 100% of the stated range. This localization is a standard practice to account for regional cost of living and market demand.

Benefits:

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Retirement plan with company contribution
Parental leave
Mental health and wellness benefits
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
Annual bonus plan (for eligible non-sales roles)

Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation structure acknowledges regional pay differences for remote workers, ensuring a fair market rate based on location. The benefits package is comprehensive, covering health, retirement, work-life balance, and professional development, which are attractive to experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Mortgage Lending). New American Funding operates within a dynamic and highly regulated industry where clear, compliant, and persuasive marketing is crucial for customer acquisition and retention.

Company Size: New American Funding is a large organization (implied by the extensive benefits and structured hiring process). This size suggests established processes and a significant volume of marketing needs.

Founded: Founded in 2003, New American Funding has grown significantly, indicating a culture of expansion and adaptation within the mortgage sector.

Team Structure:

The Graphic Designer reports to the Director of Creative Operations, indicating a structured creative department.
They will be part of a "small and mighty team of creatives," suggesting a collaborative yet efficient unit.
Collaboration extends to "design colleagues and the broader creative team," implying cross-functional interaction within the marketing department.
The role requires comfort with a remote creative team, highlighting a modern, distributed work environment. Methodology:
Data-driven design is implied through the need to create "effective marketing" and "compelling layouts that resonate with the intended audience."
Workflow efficiency is a key theme, with encouragement to use AI tools and Asana for project management.
Iterative design and clear communication are emphasized for managing stakeholder feedback and refining creative output.
Brand adherence is paramount, ensuring all creative work aligns with established standards.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on mortgage lending means that design work will likely need to be professional, trustworthy, and compliant with financial regulations. The "small and mighty" team structure suggests a hands-on environment where individual contributions are highly visible.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, requiring 3+ years of professional experience. It offers direct contribution to marketing efforts and operates under the guidance of a Director.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Creative Operations. Collaboration is expected with other designers and the broader creative team.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences marketing effectiveness, brand perception, and customer engagement. Their designs translate copy and concepts into compelling visuals that drive business objectives, such as lead generation or brand awareness, within the mortgage industry.

Growth Opportunities:

Skill Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., digital, print, UI/UX if Figma skills are developed) or master AI-assisted design workflows.
Leadership Potential: With proven success and a strong understanding of creative operations, there may be opportunities to move into senior designer roles or specialize further within creative operations management.
Cross-Functional Exposure: Collaboration with various stakeholders across the organization can lead to a broader understanding of business needs and potential career pivots within marketing or communications.
AI Proficiency Development: Becoming an expert in leveraging AI for design can be a significant differentiator and a pathway to specialized roles in the future.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI integration and the "figure-it-out" attitude suggests that proactive learning and skill development will be highly valued, potentially accelerating career growth within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily Remote. However, candidates living within 30 miles of Santa Ana, CA, or Austin, TX, will be required to work on-site 4 days per week, indicating a hybrid model for those locations.

Office Location(s): Remote, with potential hybrid requirements in Santa Ana, CA, and Austin, TX.

Workspace Context:

Remote Collaboration: The role necessitates effective communication and collaboration tools to bridge geographical distances.
On-Site Requirements: For those near specified offices, a 4-day on-site expectation implies a need for structured in-person collaboration, team meetings, and access to office resources.
Technology: While not explicitly detailed, a remote and hybrid setup implies reliance on robust digital infrastructure, including reliable internet, video conferencing, and cloud-based project management tools.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with the expectation of managing multiple projects and deadlines effectively. Flexibility might be inherent in remote work, but deadlines and project needs will dictate workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid requirement for specific locations suggests that while remote work is the default, the company values in-person collaboration for certain aspects of creative work, such as brainstorming, team alignment, and feedback sessions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Application: Submit resume and, critically, a portfolio of graphic design work. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.
Portfolio Review: The hiring team will assess the portfolio for technical skill, creativity, brand adherence, and experience across print and digital media.
Screening Interview: Likely to discuss experience, portfolio highlights, and initial fit with the role's requirements, including remote work and AI tool familiarity.
Technical/Skills Assessment: May involve a design challenge or a deeper dive into specific software proficiencies.
Stakeholder/Team Interviews: Interviews with the Director of Creative Operations and potentially other team members to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.
Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or the hiring manager to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in print, digital, and ideally, any AI-assisted work.
Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your design process, the tools used (especially AI), the challenges faced, and the final outcome.
Highlight Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully worked within strict brand guidelines, demonstrating your ability to maintain brand integrity.
Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs contributed to measurable marketing success (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates), highlight this.
Clear Navigation: Ensure your portfolio is easy to navigate, with clear labeling and high-quality visuals.

Challenge Preparation:

Design Thinking: Be prepared to articulate your thought process for design solutions.
Tool Proficiency: Expect questions or tasks related to your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.
AI Integration: Be ready to discuss how you've used or would use AI tools in your workflow and your perspective on their role in design.
Problem-Solving: Prepare examples of how you've overcome design challenges or managed difficult stakeholder feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount. Candidates should ensure it is polished, relevant, and easily accessible. Demonstrating an understanding of creative operations, including project management and AI integration, will be key differentiators.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign are essential.
Canva: Required for broader accessibility and potentially quicker design tasks.
Asana: Mandatory for project management, task tracking, and team communication.
AI Tools: A diverse range of AI tools for ideation, drafting, asset generation, and production. Candidates are encouraged to discover and utilize tools that fit their workflow.

Analytics & Reporting:

While not explicitly listed as primary tools for the designer, understanding how designs perform is beneficial. Experience with analytics dashboards or reporting tools might be a plus if the candidate has a broader marketing background. CRM & Automation:
Figma: Preferred skill, often used for UI/UX design and prototyping, indicating potential for web design tasks.
Optimizely (or similar CMS): Preferred skill, suggesting familiarity with content management systems used for websites and digital experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes a blend of industry-standard design software and modern project management/AI tools. Proficiency in these, coupled with a willingness to explore new AI applications, is critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Proactive Problem-Solving: A "figure-it-out" attitude is highly valued, indicating a preference for self-starters who can independently find solutions.
Collaboration & Communication: Open communication, clear articulation of design decisions, and effective teamwork are essential, especially in a remote setting.
Brand Integrity: A strong commitment to upholding brand standards and style guides across all creative output.
Efficiency & Innovation: Encouragement to explore and integrate new tools, particularly AI, to improve workflow speed and quality.
Adaptability: Being comfortable with revisions, constructive criticism, and iterative design processes.

Collaboration Style:

Iterative & Open: Design is viewed as a collaborative, iterative effort where ideas are shared openly and feedback is integral.
Stakeholder-Centric: Designs are developed with the intended audience and stakeholder needs in mind, requiring clear communication of design rationale.
Remote-First Mindset: Collaboration tools and practices are geared towards effective teamwork across distances.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "figure-it-out" attitude and embracing AI suggests a culture that values initiative, continuous learning, and a pragmatic approach to creative problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing AI Integration: Learning to effectively integrate AI tools without compromising creative quality or brand integrity.
Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong team cohesion and efficient communication in a fully remote or hybrid setup.
Managing Diverse Stakeholder Feedback: Navigating varied opinions and revision requests from different departments while staying true to brand guidelines.
Deadline Pressure: Consistently delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines across multiple projects.
Adapting to Evolving Tools: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in design software and AI technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

AI Tool Mastery: Dedicated opportunities to experiment with and become proficient in various AI-assisted design workflows.
Creative Operations Best Practices: Learning from the Director of Creative Operations and senior team members on efficient project management and workflow optimization.
Cross-Functional Learning: Exposure to different marketing functions and business objectives, fostering a broader understanding of the company's goals.
Potential for Specialization: Developing deeper skills in areas like motion graphics, web design, or advanced digital asset creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company actively encourages learning and adaptation, particularly regarding AI. Candidates who demonstrate a proactive approach to skill development will find ample opportunities for growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Describe a time you had to manage conflicting feedback from multiple stakeholders on a design project. How did you resolve it while maintaining brand standards?"
"How do you approach integrating AI tools into your design workflow? Can you provide an example of how you've used AI to improve efficiency or creative output?"
"Walk us through your process for designing a marketing collateral piece, from receiving the brief to final delivery. What steps do you take to ensure it aligns with brand guidelines?" Company & Culture Questions:
"What interests you about New American Funding and our mission in the mortgage industry?"
"How do you typically collaborate with a remote creative team? What strategies do you use to stay connected and aligned?"
"How do you ensure your design work is not only visually appealing but also effective in achieving specific marketing goals?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
Storytelling: For each portfolio piece, narrate the project's objective, your creative process, the challenges you overcame, and the successful outcome.
Highlight AI Usage: If applicable, clearly explain how AI tools were leveraged in the project and the impact they had.
Brand Focus: Emphasize how you adhered to and enforced brand guidelines.
Process Clarity: Be prepared to discuss your workflow, including your use of Asana and your approach to revisions.
Conciseness: Keep your presentation focused and impactful, respecting the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to demonstrate not just your design skills but also your understanding of creative operations, your ability to collaborate remotely, and your forward-thinking approach to technology like AI.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

Submit your application through the provided application link.
Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strongest print and digital design projects, ensuring it's easily accessible and clearly showcases your skills relevant to marketing collateral.
Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your 3+ years of professional experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, and any experience with AI tools or project management software like Asana. Quantify achievements where possible.
Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your creative rationale, and discussing how you manage revisions and collaborate remotely. Prepare specific examples of your work, especially those demonstrating brand adherence and problem-solving.
Company Research: Familiarize yourself with New American Funding's brand, services, and overall marketing approach. Understand their position in the mortgage industry and how design contributes to their business objectives.

⚠️ 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.

Graphic Designer