Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Unleashed Brands

Location: Bedford, TX

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: April 30, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead visual storytelling and campaign ideation across a portfolio of beloved children's brands, driving creative output from concept to final production.

• Integrate emerging AI tools, including Adobe Firefly, Gemini, and ChatGPT, into the design workflow to enhance efficiency and elevate the quality of high-impact assets.

• Develop and maintain scalable asset libraries for a franchise network, empowering local marketing efforts while rigorously protecting brand integrity and visual standards.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, digital, and strategy teams to translate creative briefs into compelling, on-brand visual communications for diverse channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a versatile Graphic Designer with a strong emphasis on leveraging AI and emerging technologies to enhance creative processes and output. The "visual storyteller" aspect, combined with supporting a franchise network, highlights a strategic creative function rather than purely execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Campaign Ideation & Execution: Transform creative briefs into polished, on-brand concepts for multichannel campaigns across digital, print, social, email, video, and in-store touchpoints. Produce a wide range of assets including display ads, social content, email graphics, print collateral, presentations, and edited video/audio content.

• Brand Support & Refresh: Ensure all creative work is visually compelling, on-brand, and on-message across the Unleashed Brands portfolio. Contribute to brand refresh initiatives and maintain consistent visual standards across all touchpoints to reinforce brand identity.

• Franchisee Creative Empowerment: Build and maintain customizable asset libraries on partner platforms, adapting brand assets to give franchisees the tools to generate localized marketing materials effectively while upholding brand standards and consistency.

• Project Management & Asset Organization: Manage multiple projects simultaneously with speed, accuracy, and solid design instincts, maintaining a consistent bar for quality, scalability, and timeliness. Organize digital assets to ensure a reliable source of truth for all creative files.

• AI & Emerging Tech Integration: Actively leverage Adobe Firefly, Gemini, ChatGPT, Eleven Labs, and other emerging tools to improve workflow efficiency, explore new creative possibilities, and elevate overall output quality.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner effectively with internal creative, marketing, digital, and franchise teams to understand objectives, communicate design decisions clearly, and incorporate feedback constructively to achieve project goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative execution, brand stewardship, franchise enablement, and technological adoption. The mention of "edited video/audio content" suggests a broader scope than traditional graphic design, hinting at multimedia responsibilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Experience: 5-7+ years of professional design experience, preferably in a marketing, in-house, franchise, or agency environment. Proven experience leading projects from concept through fully executed campaign delivery.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: Strong portfolio demonstrating work across digital, print, social, email, video, and branded environments.

• Brand Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead creative direction for campaigns and brand initiatives.

• Communication & Collaboration: Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience presenting work to stakeholders and incorporating feedback effectively.

• Project Management: Excellent organizational, time-management, and project ownership skills in a fast-paced environment.

• Adaptability & Innovation: The ability and desire to stay updated on emerging tools and techniques to incorporate into the creative process and improve project efficiency; an eye for innovation and a passion for staying ahead of design trends.

• UI/UX Expertise: Expertise in UI/UX design principles and experience designing for responsive web and email platforms.

• Detail Orientation: Unrivaled attentive eye for quality and detail.

• Problem-Solving: A proactive problem-solver with a strong work ethic, reliable and flexible to different area(s) needs.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Canva, Figma, or similar tools.

• Basic understanding of HTML and CSS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong portfolio demonstrating work across digital, print, social, email, video, and branded environments" is critical. The emphasis on UI/UX and responsive design indicates the need for digital-first thinking, even in a role with print responsibilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Campaign Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 comprehensive campaign case studies demonstrating your process from brief to execution, highlighting your role in concept development, asset creation, and campaign success.

• Brand Consistency Examples: Include examples that illustrate your ability to maintain brand integrity and visual standards across various platforms and for different brand entities within a portfolio.

• Franchisee Asset Adaptation: Present examples of how you've created adaptable templates or asset libraries that empower local users while maintaining brand guidelines.

• AI Integration Examples: If possible, include examples where you've leveraged AI tools to enhance design concepts, expedite asset creation, or improve workflow efficiency.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing multiple design projects, including how you prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and organize digital assets for efficient retrieval and version control.

• Collaboration & Feedback Integration: Demonstrate how you solicit, interpret, and integrate feedback from cross-functional teams and stakeholders into your design process to achieve optimal results.

• Technology Adoption: Articulate your process for learning and integrating new design tools and technologies, particularly AI-driven solutions, to enhance creative output and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio requirement," the detailed responsibilities and skills strongly imply the need for candidates to showcase their process and technological aptitude through their portfolio and during interviews.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 5-7+ years of experience in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area, the estimated salary range is $70,000 - $95,000 annually. This estimate considers the role's emphasis on AI integration, franchise support, and cross-functional collaboration, which may command a higher compensation.

Benefits:

• Paid bi-weekly

• Company Paid Holidays

• Flexible Paid Time Off

• Paid Parental Leave

• Multiple health care insurance plans (medical, dental, prescription, vision)

• Employer HSA contributions

• Competitive 401(k) Program with employer matching contributions

• Daily dress code of "business casual"

• A positive work environment

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with an expectation of standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM CT) but a flexible approach to accommodate project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for similar roles and experience levels in the specified geographic region. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and the company's compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Franchise Operations / Children's Brands (including learning, play, and growth sectors).

Company Size: Unleashed Brands has over 1,300 locations open and in development, indicating a significant operational scale and a dynamic, growth-oriented environment. The internal team size is not specified but is implied to be substantial enough to support a portfolio of brands and a franchise network.

Founded: Over 10 years ago, with a proven platform for scaling businesses focused on families.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: The Graphic Designer reports to the Vice President of Creative.

• Collaboration: Close collaboration with internal creative, marketing, digital, and franchise teams is a key aspect of the role.

• In-house Studio: The role is part of an in-house creative studio, suggesting a collaborative and integrated approach to brand development and marketing.

Methodology:

• Brand-Centric Approach: Focus on curating and growing innovative brands that help kids learn, play, and grow.

• Scalability: Emphasis on building scalable solutions, particularly for the franchise network.

• Data-Informed Creativity: While not explicitly stated for design, the company's growth platform implies a data-driven approach to business decisions, which likely influences creative strategy.

• Innovation: A commitment to innovation in brands and processes, including the integration of emerging technologies.

Company Website: www.unleashedbrands.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission ("impact the lives of every kid") and focus on growth and innovation are central to its culture. The franchise model implies a need for consistency, scalability, and strong brand governance, which directly impacts the Graphic Designer's responsibilities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Senior Level Graphic Designer. This role is beyond entry-level and requires significant experience in leading projects, driving creative direction, and independently managing tasks.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the VP of Creative, offering visibility and direct interaction with senior leadership.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, marketing effectiveness across the franchise network, and the ability to scale brand initiatives. Their creative output is crucial for driving engagement with children and families and supporting franchisee success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Creative Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role, taking on more strategic creative leadership and mentorship responsibilities.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like UI/UX, motion graphics (if Premiere Pro/After Effects skills are developed), or franchise marketing collateral.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining broader marketing and brand strategy experience through close collaboration with other departments.

• Technology Adoption Expertise: Becoming a go-to expert in leveraging AI and emerging creative technologies within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a creative department, especially for someone who embraces new technologies and can demonstrate strategic creative thinking.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in Bedford, TX.

Office Location(s): Bedford, Texas (part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex).

Workspace Context:

• In-house Creative Studio: Likely a collaborative environment with other creative professionals.

• Brand Portfolio: Exposure to multiple distinct brands, offering variety in creative projects.

• Technology Focus: Access to and expectation of using industry-standard design software and emerging AI tools.

• Franchise Support: A unique aspect of working within a franchise model, requiring clear communication and asset management.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with a "business casual" dress code. The role requires flexibility to manage project timelines and potentially meet deadlines for multi-channel campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Bedford, TX, is a key factor for candidates. The "business casual" dress code and mention of a "positive work environment" suggest a professional yet approachable company culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly regarding AI integration and franchise support.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, their creative process, problem-solving approaches, and how they've leveraged technology.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or exercise to evaluate practical skills in areas like concept development, quick execution, or adapting a brand asset.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with marketing, digital, or franchise team members to assess collaboration, communication, and understanding of business objectives.

• Leadership Interview: Final interview with the VP of Creative to discuss strategic vision, cultural fit, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI Integration: Showcase how you've used or experimented with AI tools (Firefly, Gemini, ChatGPT) to enhance your design process or output. Quantify improvements if possible (e.g., time saved, new creative directions explored).

• Demonstrate Franchise/Scalable Solutions: Include examples of creating adaptable templates, style guides, or asset libraries that can be used by multiple users or franchisees.

• Showcase Multi-Channel Expertise: Ensure your portfolio covers a breadth of work across digital, print, social, and video to align with the role's diverse responsibilities.

• Structure for Storytelling: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenge, your creative solution, and the outcome/impact.

• Detail Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and any familiarity with other relevant tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• Brand Consistency Exercise: Be prepared to quickly assess a brand's visual identity and propose how to create assets that maintain consistency while adapting to different channels or local needs.

• Concept Generation Task: Practice generating multiple creative concepts quickly based on a given brief, demonstrating your ability to think broadly and strategically.

• AI Tool Application: If a challenge involves AI, be ready to articulate your strategy for using specific tools to achieve a desired outcome efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI tools and franchise support means candidates should proactively highlight these aspects in their portfolio and interview responses.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

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

• Adobe Premiere Pro & After Effects: Proficiency is a plus, indicating a need for video and motion graphics capabilities.

• Canva, Figma: Familiarity is advantageous, suggesting potential use for collaborative or streamlined design tasks.

Analytics & Reporting: Not explicitly mentioned, but understanding how design impacts digital performance (e.g., click-through rates for ads, engagement on social media) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to this role, but understanding how marketing assets are deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The "plus" for Premiere Pro and After Effects indicates a growing need for multimedia skills. Familiarity with collaborative design tools like Figma is also valuable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to explore and integrate new technologies, especially AI, to push creative boundaries and improve efficiency.

• Brand Integrity: A deep commitment to maintaining consistent and compelling brand standards across all touchpoints.

• Collaboration: A strong belief in working cross-functionally to achieve shared goals and foster a positive, productive environment.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on creating designs that effectively serve business objectives, engage target audiences, and support franchisee success.

• Problem-Solving: A proactive, solution-oriented mindset to overcome creative and logistical challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Creative Studio: Works closely within an in-house team, likely involving regular critiques, brainstorming sessions, and shared project ownership.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Engages actively with marketing, digital, and franchise teams, requiring clear communication, active listening, and the ability to translate diverse needs into creative solutions.

• Feedback-Oriented: Open to constructive feedback and skilled at incorporating diverse perspectives to refine creative work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to "impact the lives of every kid" suggests a culture that values creativity, positivity, and a commitment to making a difference. The franchise model also implies a need for strong support and partnership internally.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Localization: Developing assets that are universally on-brand yet easily adaptable for individual franchisees requires careful design and clear guidelines.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Staying ahead of AI trends and seamlessly integrating new tools into an established workflow while maintaining quality and originality.

• Managing Multiple Brands: Effectively switching creative gears and maintaining distinct visual identities for a portfolio of different children's brands.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Delivering high-quality creative assets on time for multi-channel campaigns in a dynamic company undergoing growth.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Emerging Tech Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in AI art generation, prompt engineering, and other cutting-edge creative technologies.

• Brand Strategy Immersion: Gaining a deeper understanding of marketing strategy and brand management through collaboration with senior teams.

• Skill Expansion: Developing proficiency in video editing, motion graphics, or advanced UI/UX design.

• Franchise Marketing Insights: Understanding the unique challenges and opportunities of marketing within a franchise system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents an exciting opportunity for a designer eager to embrace the future of creative technology while contributing to the growth of established brands.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for transforming a creative brief into a multi-channel campaign. How do you ensure brand consistency across all assets?"

• "How have you leveraged AI tools like Adobe Firefly or Gemini in your design workflow? Can you provide specific examples of how they improved efficiency or creative output?"

• "What is your approach to creating adaptable design assets that can be used by franchisees or local marketers while maintaining brand integrity?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Unleashed Brands and our mission to help kids learn, play, and grow?"

• "How do you stay current with design trends and emerging technologies, particularly in the AI space?"

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive and collaborative culture."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each project, tell a story: the problem/brief, your strategic approach, the creative execution, and the measurable results or impact.

• Quantify AI Impact: If you have examples of AI usage, be ready to quantify benefits (e.g., "reduced concept time by X%", "enabled exploration of Y new visual styles").

• Highlight Adaptability: Clearly demonstrate how your work can be scaled or adapted for different brand applications or user needs.

• Technical Proficiency Showcase: Be prepared to discuss your command of Adobe Creative Suite and how you use its features to achieve specific design outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to speak extensively about their experience with AI tools, their understanding of brand management in a franchise context, and their ability to collaborate effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on recruitingbypaycor.com.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with Adobe Creative Suite, AI integration (mentioning specific tools), campaign execution, and franchise/scalable asset creation. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest, most relevant work, ensuring it showcases diversity across digital, print, and video, and specifically includes examples of AI usage and adaptable assets. Organize it for clear storytelling.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on the narrative of each project and your strategic thinking, especially regarding AI and brand consistency.

• Research Unleashed Brands: Understand their portfolio of brands, their mission, and their growth strategy. This will help you articulate your interest and how your skills align with their goals.

⚠️ 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.