Graphic Designer - Lexington

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Stengel Hill Architecture

Location: Lexington, Kentucky, United States (Firmwide opportunity across multiple locations)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Experience Level: 3-5 Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This Graphic Designer role is pivotal in developing and executing visual communication strategies for architectural projects and marketing efforts.

• The position requires creating compelling visual assets, including graphics, diagrams, and presentations, to effectively convey design intent and brand messaging.

• A core function involves producing high-quality marketing collateral such as proposals (RFPs), data sheets, and project documentation with a strong emphasis on brand consistency.

• The role necessitates advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with a particular focus on Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, to produce detailed visual content and manage design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the broader marketing and communications function of an architecture firm. While not a traditional Revenue Operations, Sales Operations, or GTM role, it shares operational responsibilities in terms of process adherence, branding consistency, and supporting client-facing materials which directly impact sales enablement and marketing effectiveness. The emphasis on RFPs and branded materials links it to GTM support.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and produce a wide range of visual materials, including graphic schedules, diagrams, and other visual aids to support architectural project development.

• Create detailed colorized floor plans and illustrative graphics using Adobe Illustrator, ensuring clarity and aesthetic appeal.

• Recreate, convert, and manage client logos and brand assets to maintain brand integrity across all project and marketing materials.

• Produce and meticulously format data sheets, project summaries, and other essential documents using Adobe InDesign, ensuring a professional and consistent layout.

• Integrate and manage various assets such as images, PDFs, and other graphical elements within complex layouts for proposals and presentations.

• Prepare interactive PDF documents, enhancing usability and engagement for both internal stakeholders and external clients.

• Perform essential photo editing tasks in Adobe Photoshop, including color correction, cropping, and resizing, to optimize visual assets.

• Uphold and enforce brand standards across all created materials, ensuring consistency in visual identity and messaging.

• Collaborate effectively with internal teams, including architects and marketing staff, to translate complex technical information into easily understandable and visually appealing graphics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize the creation and management of visual assets critical for business development and client communication within the AEC industry. This includes a strong focus on proposal (RFP) support, which is a key GTM function. The requirement for interactive PDFs and translating technical information highlights a need for operational efficiency in communication.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Experience: 3–5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a demonstrated ability to manage complex design projects from concept to completion.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically:

  • Adobe Illustrator for vector graphics, diagrams, and floor plans.
  • Adobe InDesign for layout-heavy document production, including proposals and data sheets.
  • Adobe Photoshop for image editing, retouching, and optimization.

• Proven experience in creating and managing interactive PDF documents.

• Strong understanding of branding principles and ability to maintain brand consistency across various media.

• Excellent attention to detail, with a meticulous approach to design and file management.

• Demonstrated organizational skills, capable of managing multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.

• Familiarity with interpreting and working from technical drawings or floor plans.

• Experience utilizing generative AI tools within design workflows to enhance efficiency and creativity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AEC industry experience and familiarity with technical drawings suggests a need for designers who can quickly grasp and visually represent complex architectural concepts, directly supporting business development and project communication efforts. The inclusion of generative AI points to a forward-thinking approach to design operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong foundation in graphic design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Demonstrated experience in producing professional marketing collateral, particularly proposals (RFPs), presentations, and data sheets, emphasizing clarity and brand compliance.

• Examples of creating intricate diagrams, schedules, and colorized floor plans that effectively communicate technical information.

• Work samples that highlight proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite applications (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) and the creation of interactive PDF documents.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for managing multiple design projects simultaneously, including workflow planning, prioritization, and deadline management.

• The ability to articulate how they ensure brand consistency and adherence to style guides across diverse projects will be assessed.

• Examples of how they have translated technical or complex information into accessible visual formats are crucial.

• Discussion of their approach to file management, asset organization, and version control for design projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role supporting GTM and marketing, the portfolio should highlight the ability to create visually compelling and technically accurate materials that directly support sales enablement and client engagement. This includes showcasing experience with proposal development and data visualization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $75,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Potential for firmwide bonuses based on company performance.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week is 40 hours, Monday through Friday. Some flexibility may be required based on project deadlines and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the experience level (3-5 years) and the location (Lexington, KY), a salary range of $55,000-$75,000 is estimated. This is derived from industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers in the AEC sector and marketing support roles in similar geographic regions, considering the required Adobe Creative Suite proficiency and AEC industry preference.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC). Stengel Hill Architecture is a prominent firm known for its comprehensive design services.

Company Size: Approximately 50-200 employees (based on typical firm size for this industry and location). This size indicates a structured yet collaborative environment where individual contributions are visible.

Founded: Stengel Hill Architecture has a history of providing design services, suggesting a stable and experienced organization with established processes and a strong market presence.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of the Marketing or Business Development team, reporting to a Marketing Manager or Director.

• This role requires close collaboration with architects, project managers, and other design professionals across various disciplines within the firm.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on producing high-quality, client-ready materials that reflect the firm's design excellence and brand identity.

• A process-oriented approach to project execution, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to deadlines, especially for critical business development pursuits like RFPs.

• Utilizing technology and design software efficiently to streamline workflows and enhance the visual communication of architectural concepts.

Company Website: https://stengelhill.bamboohr.com/careers (Company careers portal, main website likely stengelhill.com)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on architecture implies a culture that values precision, aesthetics, and technical accuracy. The operations aspect of this role will involve supporting the firm's business development efforts through high-quality visual communication.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an individual contributor role at a mid-level of graphic design expertise, requiring 3-5 years of experience. It's a specialized role within the broader operational support functions of a professional services firm.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Marketing Manager, Director of Marketing, or a designated lead within the marketing or business development department. May also receive direction from principals or senior architects on specific project-related graphics.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the firm's ability to win new business by creating compelling proposals and marketing materials. They are instrumental in shaping the external perception of the firm's capabilities and brand.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in AEC industry graphics: Developing deeper expertise in architectural visualization, technical diagramming, and proposal design.

• Advancement to Senior Graphic Designer or Lead Designer roles, potentially managing junior designers or overseeing larger design projects.

• Transition into broader marketing roles, such as Marketing Coordinator or Specialist, leveraging design skills within a wider marketing strategy context.

• Opportunities to contribute to brand strategy development and visual identity guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a direct operations management role, the Graphic Designer contributes to the operational efficiency of the business development process by ensuring timely and high-quality production of critical sales enablement materials. Growth paths leverage this operational support into specialized design leadership or broader marketing functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is designated as On-site, requiring the designer to work from one of Stengel Hill's physical office locations.

Office Location(s): Opportunities are available in Louisville, KY; Lexington, KY; Nashville, TN; or Clearwater, FL. Candidates can specify their preferred location.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is likely a professional office setting within an architecture firm, fostering collaboration among design and technical teams.

• Access to necessary hardware, software (Adobe Creative Suite), and potentially large-format printing facilities.

• Opportunities for interaction with architects and project teams to understand project requirements and translate them into visual assets.

• A culture that values creativity, precision, and professional presentation.

Work Schedule: Standard office hours are expected, typically Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM or similar, totaling 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, occasional overtime might be required to meet critical project deadlines, especially for proposal submissions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the need for in-person collaboration, which is often crucial for AEC firms to facilitate the exchange of ideas and feedback on complex visual projects.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output.

• First Interview: Typically with the Hiring Manager (e.g., Marketing Director) to discuss experience, skills, and cultural fit. This stage will likely involve a review of portfolio pieces and discussion of design processes.

• Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth review of the candidate's portfolio, potentially including a practical design exercise or a presentation of specific case studies demonstrating relevant skills (e.g., RFP design, technical diagramming).

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with principals or senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and long-term contribution.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong projects that best represent your skills in layout design, branding, technical illustration (floor plans/diagrams), and interactive PDFs. Prioritize work relevant to the AEC industry or professional services.

• Showcase Process: For key projects, briefly outline the brief, your role, the challenges, your design process, and the final outcome. Highlight how you translated complex information into clear visuals.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Specifically include examples demonstrating proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, and the creation of interactive PDFs. If you have AEC-specific work, feature it prominently.

• Brand Consistency: Demonstrate your understanding of brand guidelines and your ability to apply them consistently, especially if you have experience working with established brands.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Know the details of each project in your portfolio and be ready to articulate your design decisions and problem-solving approaches.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that may involve creating a graphic representation of technical data, designing a page for a proposal, or adapting existing branding.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, focusing on how your visual solution addresses the prompt and supports business objectives.

• Understand Stengel Hill Architecture's brand and project types to tailor your approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to meticulously walk through their best work, demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also an understanding of how design supports business objectives, particularly in client-facing materials like proposals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Adobe Illustrator: Essential for creating vector graphics, diagrams, colorized floor plans, and logo work.
  • Adobe InDesign: Critical for layout-heavy document production, including proposals, data sheets, and presentations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Used for image editing, retouching, color correction, and asset optimization.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Particularly PowerPoint for presentation creation and Word for document integration.

• Generative AI Tools: Familiarity with AI-powered design tools for concept generation or workflow enhancement is preferred.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) may be beneficial for understanding how marketing materials are deployed or tracked, though direct use is unlikely. Experience with marketing automation platforms could be a plus for understanding integrated campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The mention of generative AI indicates the company is open to modern design workflows, suggesting candidates with experience in this area will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Design: A commitment to producing high-quality, visually appealing, and technically accurate design work.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with architects, project managers, and marketing teams to achieve shared goals.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulousness in execution, ensuring accuracy and consistency in all visual materials.

• Client Focus: Understanding that design serves to communicate effectively with clients and support business development objectives.

• Innovation: Embracing new tools and techniques, such as generative AI, to enhance design processes and outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Open communication and proactive engagement with internal stakeholders to gather requirements and feedback.

• A team-oriented approach, where designers contribute to collective successes in winning projects and enhancing the firm's brand.

• Willingness to iterate on designs based on constructive criticism and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values professionalism, precision, and a strong work ethic, aligning with the demands of the AEC industry. Collaboration is key to translating complex technical information into effective visual communications.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: Effectively visualizing intricate architectural concepts and technical data in an understandable and aesthetically pleasing manner.

• Managing Multiple Deadlines: Balancing the demands of various projects, including urgent RFP deadlines, while maintaining high quality.

• Brand Consistency Across Diverse Projects: Ensuring all visual materials adhere strictly to brand guidelines, regardless of project type or client.

• Keeping Pace with Design Trends & Technology: Continuously learning and adapting to new design software, techniques, and AI tools.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Immersion in the AEC industry, gaining specialized knowledge of architectural design and project lifecycles.

• Professional development in advanced graphic design techniques, branding, and proposal design.

• Potential to attend industry conferences or workshops related to design, marketing, or AEC technology.

• Mentorship from experienced design or marketing professionals within the firm.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in bridging the gap between technical architectural information and effective visual communication, a critical operational function for any design-centric firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating a visually compelling RFP response. What elements are most critical?" (Focus on workflow, client needs, and impact.)

• "How do you approach translating complex technical information (like architectural plans) into understandable graphics for a non-technical audience?" (Demonstrate problem-solving and communication skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Stengel Hill Architecture and the AEC industry specifically?" (Research the firm's projects and values.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Showcase adaptability and professionalism.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (e.g., RFPs, diagrams, branding) or by demonstrating a range of skills.

• Narrative: For each piece, tell a brief story: the objective, your role, the challenges, your creative process, and the results or impact.

• Technical Focus: Be ready to discuss the specific software and techniques used. If showing interactive PDFs, demonstrate their functionality.

• Relevance: Emphasize projects that align with the requirements of this role, particularly those involving proposal design, technical illustration, or working within established brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe your ability to combine creative design skills with the operational demands of producing polished, technically accurate, and brand-compliant materials for business development.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided BambooHR careers portal link.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a digital portfolio that prominently features your strongest work in graphic design, with a focus on layout-heavy documents (like proposals), technical illustrations (diagrams, floor plans), and interactive PDFs. Ensure it demonstrates proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to the AEC industry, marketing collateral creation, RFP support, and proficiency with Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Use keywords from the job description to optimize for ATS.

• Practice Your Presentation: Be ready to articulate your design process, decision-making, and how your work supports business objectives during an interview. Practice walking through 2-3 key portfolio pieces.

• Research Stengel Hill Architecture: Understand their project portfolio, company values, and client base to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.