Graphic Designer (Mid-weight Graphic Designer with 3+ years experience)

Illinois Tool Works
Full-timeUnited Kingdom

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Mid-weight)

Company: Illinois Tool Works (ITW)

Location: Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing / Creative Operations

Date Posted: August 20, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-weight (3+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • Drive business growth through the creation of high-quality, brand-consistent digital and print marketing assets.

  • Translate customer insights and business objectives into compelling visual content that enhances customer engagement.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product innovation, development, marketing, technical, and commercial departments, to deliver impactful design solutions.

  • Manage the end-to-end design process for a variety of materials, ensuring precision, creativity, and adherence to brand guidelines.

  • Proactively identify and implement creative design solutions to differentiate ITW Construction – Offsite Europe brands in the market.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the "Marketing / Creative Operations" category, as it bridges creative design execution with operational objectives like business growth, customer engagement, and brand consistency. The emphasis on translating insights into assets and managing the full design process highlights its operational aspects beyond pure creative output.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute creative strategies for marketing collateral, including brochures, flyers, advertisements, and presentations, to effectively communicate commercial messaging.

  • Produce precise and visually engaging technical materials, ensuring clarity and accuracy for B2B audiences.

  • Design a comprehensive range of print and digital materials such as newsletters, invitations, advertisements, presentations, exhibition graphics, and packaging, maintaining a cohesive visual identity.

  • Oversee the complete design lifecycle from conceptualization, through revisions and proofing, to the finalization of marketing assets.

  • Proactively conceptualize and propose innovative design solutions that provide a competitive advantage for the ITW Construction Offsite Europe brands.

  • Partner closely with Marketing, Technical, and Commercial teams to provide expert design advice and deliver tailored solutions that meet specific project briefs and business objectives.

  • Collaborate with the Marketing team to continuously refine and strengthen visual identity and brand guidelines, ensuring consistent application across all communication channels.

  • Create visually compelling content optimized for social media platforms to enhance brand presence and overall communication strategy.

  • Manage relationships with external suppliers, including print and signage companies, by negotiating costs, overseeing production, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality printed materials.

  • Deeply learn and leverage ITW Construction – Offsite Europe's unique value propositions and differentiators to craft impactful collateral that effectively showcases offerings.

  • Embody ITW's core principles (Integrity, Simplicity, Trust, Respect, Shared Risk) and act as a brand ambassador for all Offsite brands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative execution and strategic operational support. The inclusion of managing external suppliers, learning value propositions, and embodying company principles points to a role that requires not just design skills but also business acumen and operational awareness within a B2B construction context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent knowledge and practical application of design principles is expected. A degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is considered advantageous.

Experience: A minimum of 3+ years of progressive experience in Graphic Design is required, with a preference for candidates who have worked in an agency setting or a Business-to-Business (B2B) environment. This experience should demonstrate a proven ability to manage design projects from concept to completion and deliver impactful marketing assets.

Required Skills:

  • Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for creating and editing digital and print assets.

  • Proven experience in developing marketing collateral, including brochures, flyers, presentations, and digital advertisements.

  • Demonstrated ability to maintain and enforce brand consistency across all design outputs.

  • Strong organizational and time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

  • Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and high standards in all design work, particularly for technical documentation.

  • Collaborative skills, with experience working effectively with mixed internal stakeholders and taking a leading role on design projects.

  • Self-motivation and the ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a team.

  • Problem-solving skills, with the capacity to identify issues, develop solutions, and know when to seek assistance from colleagues or management. Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in B2B graphic design, specifically within the construction, manufacturing, or industrial sectors.

  • Familiarity with modern marketing and graphic design trends across advertising, digital media, and social media platforms.

  • Experience in designing for social media, including creating engaging visuals for various platforms.

  • Knowledge of print production processes and best practices for collaborating with print and signage suppliers.

  • Basic understanding of UX/UI principles for digital asset creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on B2B experience and technical documentation highlights the specific needs of ITW Construction – Offsite Europe. The requirement for Adobe Creative Cloud is standard, but the context of "latest marketing and graphic design trends across advertising, digital, and social media" suggests a need for a designer who can adapt to evolving communication channels and a structured B2B sales cycle.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3 years of professional design work, with a strong emphasis on B2B marketing collateral and technical documentation.

  • Case studies demonstrating the end-to-end design process, from initial brief and conceptualization to final execution and impact.

  • Examples of how design solutions have supported business objectives, enhanced brand consistency, or driven customer engagement.

  • Visuals of print materials (brochures, flyers, advertisements) and digital assets (social media graphics, presentation slides) that highlight versatility and brand alignment.

  • Evidence of creativity and problem-solving, particularly in how design challenges were overcome to meet specific project requirements. Process Documentation:

  • Demonstrate understanding of workflow management for design projects, including conceptualization, revision cycles, proofing, and final delivery.

  • Showcase experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Technical, Commercial) to gather requirements and align design solutions with business goals.

  • Illustrate how brand guidelines were applied and potentially strengthened through design initiatives.

  • Provide examples of managing external supplier relationships for print production, including briefing, cost negotiation, and quality control.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a mid-weight graphic designer role in a B2B industrial context, the portfolio should lean heavily on tangible results and process. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design thinking, how they translate business needs into visual assets, and how they manage the production pipeline, especially with external vendors.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Mid-weight Graphic Designer with 3+ years of experience in the UK, particularly in Scotland, the estimated salary range is £28,000 - £40,000 per annum. This estimate considers the cost of living in Fife, the typical responsibilities outlined, and the experience level required.

Benefits:

  • Pension: Generous company contributions up to 11%.

  • Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, offering a substantial work-life balance.

  • Life Assurance: Coverage up to six times your pensionable salary, providing financial security for dependents.

  • Health & Wellbeing: Access to an Employee Assistance Program and a virtual GP service for confidential support and healthcare advice.

  • Disability Insurance: Long-term disability insurance for added financial protection.

  • Employee Discounts: A variety of discounts available at gyms, retailers, and restaurants, contributing to overall savings and lifestyle benefits.

Working Hours: The role is structured around a standard 40-hour work week. The job description notes flexibility with working hours as required, indicating a potential need for occasional overtime or adjusted schedules to meet project deadlines or support urgent requests, which is common in creative and marketing roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on publicly available data for similar roles in the UK. It's crucial for candidates to note that the actual salary offered will depend on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation. The benefits package is comprehensive, offering strong financial and wellness support beyond standard offerings.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Manufacturing and Industrial Technology (specifically Construction Products segment). ITW Construction – Offsite Europe operates within a dynamic B2B market, supplying engineered connectors and design software. This industry demands precision, reliability, and innovation.

Company Size: ITW is a large multinational corporation. The Construction Products segment generates $1.9 billion globally, with ITW Construction – Offsite Europe being a business unit with approximately 80+ colleagues across the UK & Ireland and an annual revenue of $40 million. This size offers both the stability of a large organization and the agility of a focused business unit.

Founded: Illinois Tool Works (ITW) was founded in 1912. The long history signifies a stable and established company with a proven track record and deep industry expertise.

Team Structure:

  • The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing team, likely collaborating closely with other marketing specialists, product managers, and technical experts.

  • The role reports into a Marketing Manager or similar leadership position within the Offsite Europe business unit.

  • Cross-functional collaboration is a core aspect, involving regular interaction with Product Innovation, Development, Technical, and Commercial teams to ensure design initiatives are aligned with broader business goals. Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated, the emphasis on "business growth objectives," "customer insights," and "measurable business outcomes" suggests that design decisions should be informed by data and performance metrics.

  • Continuous Improvement: ITW's culture emphasizes a "continuous improvement mindset," which applies to design processes, asset effectiveness, and supplier management.

  • Entrepreneurial Spirit: Employees are encouraged to "embrace their inner entrepreneur," fostering initiative, idea sharing, and a proactive approach to problem-solving and driving impact.

Company Website: https://careers.itw.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes ITW's core principles and encourages an entrepreneurial spirit. For a graphic designer, this means not just executing tasks but also proactively contributing ideas, understanding the business context of their designs, and seeking opportunities for improvement and innovation within their role and across the organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Mid-weight Graphic Designer. It signifies a level beyond entry-level, requiring independent work, project management capabilities, and a solid understanding of design principles and their application in a business context. The designer is expected to contribute significantly to marketing efforts and brand representation.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a marketing leadership role within the ITW Construction – Offsite Europe business unit. This structure provides clear direction and oversight, while also allowing for autonomy in daily design tasks.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is directly tied to enhancing the organization's growth objectives by creating compelling visual content. This includes strengthening brand presence, improving customer engagement through effective marketing collateral and digital assets, and supporting commercial teams with impactful materials. The role contributes to the overall effectiveness and professionalism of the brand in the B2B construction market.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas, such as technical illustration, packaging design, or digital marketing asset creation, relevant to the construction industry.

  • Brand Development: Potential to become a key contributor to evolving brand guidelines and visual identity strategies for ITW Construction – Offsite Europe's brands.

  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop leadership skills by taking ownership of design projects, managing external suppliers, and influencing design direction across various departments.

  • Broader ITW Network: As part of a large multinational, there's potential for exposure to different brands or business units within ITW, offering diverse career paths and learning opportunities within the wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a mid-weight designer at ITW involves not just honing creative skills but also developing operational understanding, project leadership, and strategic contribution. The company's structure and culture encourage proactive development and impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the head office in Glenrothes, UK. The description specifies a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for flexibility to work from home in addition to office-based work. This suggests a modern, adaptable work environment.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland. This location serves as the hub for the Offsite Europe business unit.

Workspace Context:

  • Hybrid Model: Offers a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work, catering to individual work preferences and project needs.

  • Collaborative Hub: The office environment likely fosters teamwork and interaction with marketing, technical, and commercial colleagues, facilitating seamless project execution and idea exchange.

  • Tools & Technology: Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) and other relevant digital tools is expected to support efficient and high-quality work output.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is based on a 40-hour week. The mention of "flexibility with working hours as required" indicates that while core hours exist, there may be occasions where extended hours are necessary to meet project deadlines, especially for time-sensitive marketing campaigns or event preparations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key feature, offering flexibility that is increasingly valued. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how they manage their hybrid schedule effectively, ensuring both independent productivity and collaborative engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and portfolio to assess suitability for the role, focusing on experience, skills, and creative output.

  • First Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (e.g., Marketing Manager) to delve deeper into your experience, design philosophy, understanding of B2B marketing, and how you align with ITW's culture and principles. Expect questions about your portfolio pieces.

  • Skills Assessment/Practical Exercise: You may be asked to complete a short design task or present a case study from your portfolio in more detail, demonstrating your problem-solving abilities and design process. This could involve creating a concept for a specific marketing asset or revising an existing one.

  • Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or cross-functional stakeholders to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall readiness for the role.

  • Offer: Extension of a job offer contingent on satisfactory background checks.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate for Relevance: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in B2B marketing collateral, technical documentation, and brand consistency. Prioritize work that aligns with the construction or manufacturing industry if possible.

  • Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges you faced, your design process (ideation, execution, revisions), and the final outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., improved engagement, successful campaign).

  • Highlight B2B Acumen: Emphasize how your designs effectively communicate complex information, target specific business audiences, and support commercial objectives.

  • Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples of both print and digital assets to show your range.

  • Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether it's a digital link or a physical presentation.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, carefully read and understand the objectives, target audience, and any constraints.

  • Think Strategically: Consider how your design solution will meet the business needs outlined in the brief. Articulate your strategic rationale behind design choices.

  • Time Management: Practice working within a set timeframe to simulate a real-world scenario.

  • Presentation Skills: Prepare a concise and clear presentation of your solution, focusing on your thought process and how it addresses the brief. Be ready to answer questions about your decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be thorough, with a strong emphasis on assessing practical design skills, strategic thinking, and cultural alignment. Candidates should prepare to speak extensively about their portfolio and demonstrate how their design approach can contribute to ITW's business objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud: This is the core requirement, encompassing:

    • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
    • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
    • Adobe InDesign: For layout and design of print materials such as brochures, flyers, and technical documents.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Particularly PowerPoint for presentation design and Word for incorporating text into layouts.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not explicitly a primary tool for the designer, an understanding of how design performance is measured would be beneficial. This might involve familiarity with social media analytics platforms (e.g., for engagement rates on graphics) or website analytics (e.g., for effectiveness of digital banners). CRM & Automation:

  • No direct involvement with CRM or automation tools is expected for this role, but awareness of how marketing assets are deployed through these systems could provide valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary technology focus is on the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. Candidates should be proficient in these tools and able to demonstrate their application in creating a variety of marketing and technical assets. Familiarity with how these assets are used in broader marketing campaigns is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Integrity, Simplicity, Trust, Respect, Shared Risk: These are the foundational ITW core principles that all employees are expected to embody. For a designer, this translates to honest communication, straightforward design solutions, reliable delivery, respectful collaboration, and a willingness to take calculated risks on creative ideas.

  • Continuous Improvement Mindset: A proactive approach to refining designs, processes, and workflows to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness.

  • Entrepreneurial Spirit: Taking initiative, proposing new ideas, and actively seeking ways to contribute beyond the defined scope of work.

  • Customer Focus: Creating designs that effectively communicate value propositions and resonate with the target audience, ultimately supporting customer engagement and business growth.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with Marketing, Technical, and Commercial teams, necessitating clear communication, active listening, and a willingness to understand and integrate diverse perspectives into design solutions.

  • Feedback-Driven: An open approach to receiving and providing constructive feedback is essential for iterating on designs and ensuring they meet project requirements and quality standards.

  • Proactive Communication: Regularly updating stakeholders on project progress, potential challenges, and design rationale to ensure alignment and smooth project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on ITW's core principles is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how these values inform their work ethic, their approach to problem-solving, and their interactions with colleagues and external partners.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Creativity with B2B Constraints: The primary challenge will be to produce innovative and engaging designs within the structured and often technical requirements of a B2B industrial company, ensuring brand consistency and commercial messaging are paramount.

  • Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Effectively translating and integrating feedback from various internal departments (Marketing, Technical, Commercial) into cohesive design solutions requires strong communication and negotiation skills.

  • Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying current with design trends and incorporating them appropriately into a B2B context without compromising brand integrity or technical accuracy.

  • Time Management in a Fast-Paced Environment: Juggling multiple projects with competing deadlines while maintaining high standards of quality and detail.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Industry-Specific Design Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the construction products industry, which can inform more impactful and relevant design work.

  • Advanced Design Software Skills: Deepening proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and potentially exploring new design software or techniques.

  • Brand Strategy Contribution: Opportunities to influence and contribute to the evolution of ITW Construction – Offsite Europe's visual identity and brand guidelines.

  • Project Management Skills: Developing stronger project management capabilities through handling complex design projects and coordinating with multiple stakeholders and external vendors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a designer moving into or excelling within a B2B manufacturing environment. Growth opportunities are focused on leveraging the specific industry context to enhance design impact and professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to balance creative freedom with strict brand guidelines. How did you approach it?" (Assesses ability to innovate within constraints.)

  • "Walk us through a project where you had to translate complex technical information into an easily understandable visual format. What was your process?" (Evaluates clarity, technical understanding, and problem-solving.)

  • "How do you ensure your designs support specific business objectives, such as driving leads or enhancing brand perception?" (Tests strategic thinking and business acumen.)

  • "How do you approach managing feedback from multiple stakeholders with potentially conflicting opinions on a design?" (Probes collaboration and conflict resolution skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What do you know about ITW and our core principles (Integrity, Simplicity, Trust, Respect, Shared Risk)? How do you see these applying to a graphic design role?" (Assesses research and cultural alignment.)

  • "How do you stay updated on the latest graphic design and marketing trends, and how would you apply them to a B2B construction context?" (Evaluates industry awareness and adaptability.)

  • "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. What strategies do you use to maintain productivity and collaboration?" (Gauges suitability for the work arrangement.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the problem, your solution, and the outcome. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) as a framework.

  • Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved click-through rates, positive client feedback).

  • Highlight B2B Relevance: Clearly explain the target audience and how your design choices were tailored to meet their needs and the business goals.

  • Showcase Your Process: Be prepared to discuss your ideation, software usage, collaboration, and any challenges overcome.

  • Engage and Interact: Present your portfolio confidently, allowing for questions and discussion. Treat it as a conversation to demonstrate your communication skills and passion for design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative talent, strategic thinking, and operational awareness. Candidates need to show they can not only design effectively but also understand the business context and contribute to ITW's growth objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

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

  • Tailor your Resume: Highlight your 3+ years of graphic design experience, emphasizing B2B environments, specific Adobe Creative Cloud proficiencies, and project management skills relevant to marketing collateral and technical documentation.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that best showcase your experience with print and digital marketing assets, brand consistency, and your ability to translate business objectives into visual solutions. Be prepared to discuss your process and the impact of your work.

  • Prepare for the Interview: Research ITW, its core principles, and the Construction Products segment. Practice articulating your design philosophy, problem-solving approach, and how you embody the company's values. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio for discussion.

  • Understand the Hybrid Model: Be ready to discuss how you manage your time and productivity effectively in a hybrid work environment, ensuring strong collaboration with your team.

⚠️ 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.


Application Requirements

Candidates must have at least 3 years of experience in graphic design, ideally within an agency or B2B environment. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and strong organizational skills are essential for managing multiple projects in a fast-paced setting.