Graphic Designer- Pursuits

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Pursuit Graphic Designer

Company: SWCA Environmental Consultants

Location: United States (Remote Preferred, Midwest Region Preferred)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: 2026-10-02

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: Remote / Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the visual strategy for client pursuits by transforming complex technical information into compelling, easy-to-understand graphics and layouts.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with proposal, marketing, business development, and technical subject matter experts to develop impactful visual solutions that enhance win rates.

• Maintain and elevate SWCA's brand consistency and visual library for all client-facing pursuit materials.

• Actively engage in continuous learning to explore innovative visual storytelling techniques and improve communication strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the core responsibilities and context strongly indicate a specialized role within Business Development and Marketing Operations, focusing on the visual aspects of client pursuits and proposal development. This role requires a blend of creative design skills and strategic understanding of how visuals influence decision-making in a consulting context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for proposals, presentations, and other pursuit-related visual materials, from initial concept to final delivery.

• Create a variety of visual assets, including infographics, data visualizations, diagrams, maps, and organizational graphics, to simplify complex technical information and effectively communicate SWCA's value proposition.

• Partner closely with proposal managers, business development leads, and technical experts to understand pursuit objectives and develop strategic visual solutions that align with win strategies.

• Develop and maintain SWCA's library of proposal graphics, templates, and visual assets, ensuring brand consistency and adherence to brand guidelines across all client-facing materials.

• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance visual communication strategies by researching industry best practices and innovative design techniques.

• Manage project schedules and coordinate efforts with pursuit teams to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of all design deliverables.

• Implement rigorous quality control measures for all creative materials, reviewing and editing graphics for clarity, accuracy, coherence, and compliance with client requirements.

• Ensure all design work adheres to applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.

• Perform other related duties as assigned to support marketing and business development initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are a blend of standard graphic design tasks and strategic contributions specific to the pursuit/proposal process. The emphasis on simplifying complex information and supporting win strategies highlights the operational impact of this role within the business development lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a closely related field is required. Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional graphic design experience.

• At least two (2) years of direct experience designing proposals, qualifications packages, presentations, or other business development materials is highly preferred.

• Experience in an in-house corporate creative department or a design firm serving professional services clients is advantageous.

• Five (5) years of overall graphic design experience is preferred. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, operating on a Windows platform.

• Demonstrated experience managing and designing long-form documents within Adobe InDesign.

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, including advanced presentation design capabilities.

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

• Ability to translate complex, technical information into clear, compelling, and easily digestible visual communications.

• Excellent creative thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a collaborative member of a cross-functional team. Preferred Skills:

• Experience or background working within the environmental consulting industry or another science-focused field.

• Familiarity with print production processes and digital publishing environments.

• Experience developing interactive marketing materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for strong InDesign skills for long-form documents and proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint for advanced presentations are critical for this role, as they directly relate to the creation of high-stakes proposal and client materials. The preference for environmental consulting or science field experience suggests a need for understanding technical subject matter.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of design projects is mandatory for application.

• Specifically include examples of content-rich design work demonstrating strong layout skills for complex documents.

• Provide clear examples of infographics, data visualizations, or other technical communications that effectively simplify complex information.

• Showcase experience with proposal layouts, presentation design, and materials that support business development objectives.

• Demonstrate the ability to maintain brand consistency across various visual assets and communication channels. Process Documentation:

• Applicants should be prepared to discuss their design process, from understanding client needs and technical information to final asset creation and quality assurance.

• Ability to articulate how design processes are managed to meet tight deadlines and client specifications.

• Demonstrate understanding of how visual assets are integrated into larger proposal or presentation workflows to achieve strategic objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio, with specific emphasis on proposal graphics, infographics, and technical communication, underscores the practical, results-oriented nature of this role. Candidates must be able to visually demonstrate their ability to translate complex data into persuasive narratives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The estimated annual salary range for this US-based position is $66,144.00 to $85,987.20 USD.

• Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the candidate's experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant considerations as permitted by law. Benefits:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): As a 100% employee-owned company, SWCA offers a stake in the company's success.

• 401(k) with Profit Sharing: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off for work-life balance.

• Wellness Programs: Initiatives to support employee health and well-being.

• Professional Development Opportunities: Resources and support for continuous learning and career advancement. Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position. A standard workweek is typically 40 hours.

• The role offers flexibility, with options for remote, hybrid, or in-office work arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a mid-level graphic designer with specialized proposal and technical communication experience in the US market. The comprehensive benefits package, particularly the ESOP, reflects SWCA's commitment to its employees as owners. The flexibility in work arrangement is a significant perk for operations-minded professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Environmental Consulting. SWCA operates in a sector that requires scientific rigor, meticulous documentation, and clear communication of complex environmental solutions to diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, private developers, and indigenous tribes.

Company Size: SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned firm with offices nationwide, indicating a mid-to-large sized organization with a distributed workforce. This size often means established processes but also a need for clear communication and collaboration across teams and locations.

Founded: SWCA was founded with a mission to provide environmental services, growing into a national firm. This history suggests a company with established expertise and a commitment to long-term growth and client relationships.

Team Structure:

• The Pursuit Graphic Designer reports to the Creative Services Manager, indicating a structured creative department.

• This role will likely collaborate closely with national proposal teams, business development professionals, and technical experts across various disciplines (water resources, energy, infrastructure, habitat restoration, cultural resources).

• The team operates with a #OneSWCA mentality, emphasizing collaboration across all departments and geographic locations. Methodology:

• SWCA emphasizes delivering "sound science and creative solutions." For this role, this translates to using design as a creative solution to communicate scientific and technical information effectively.

• The company operates with core values: Collaboration (#OneSWCA), Continuous Learning (#AlwaysLearning), Excellence (#NeverSettle), and Community Impact (#GiveBack). These values are expected to be reflected in daily work and team interactions.

• The pursuit process itself is a structured methodology for winning new business, where visual communication plays a critical, strategic role.

Company Website: http://www.swca.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture, driven by employee ownership and core values, suggests a collaborative and growth-oriented environment. The "Pursuit" aspect of the role aligns directly with the business development methodology, where clear, persuasive visual communication is key to winning projects in the competitive environmental consulting market.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Specialist within the Creative Services/Marketing function. It requires a strong foundation in graphic design principles and software, coupled with specialized experience in business development materials. The "Pursuits" designation signifies a focus on client acquisition and proposal support, a critical operational function for a consulting firm.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Creative Services Manager, implying direct guidance and oversight on creative projects and professional development. This structure allows for mentorship and feedback, crucial for skill enhancement.

Operations Impact: The Pursuit Graphic Designer's work directly impacts SWCA's ability to win new business. By translating complex technical information into compelling visuals, they enhance the persuasiveness and clarity of proposals and presentations, directly contributing to revenue generation and business growth. Their role is integral to the Go-To-Market strategy for new projects.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in visual storytelling for technical industries, becoming a go-to expert for complex proposal graphics and data visualization.

• Leadership: Potentially move into a Senior Pursuit Graphic Designer role, mentoring junior designers, leading larger pursuit design initiatives, or managing specific design projects.

• Cross-Functional Development: Gain broader exposure to marketing strategy, proposal management, and business development processes, potentially transitioning into roles like Proposal Manager or Marketing Specialist.

• Skill Expansion: Develop skills in areas like interactive design, motion graphics, or advanced data visualization techniques through professional development opportunities offered by SWCA.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role is clear, moving from a specialist contributor to a potential leader within the creative services function, or leveraging design skills for broader roles within the business development or marketing operations teams. The focus on "pursuits" means the impact on revenue is direct and measurable.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers flexibility, supporting remote, hybrid, or in-office work arrangements. This adaptability caters to diverse working preferences and needs.

Office Location(s): SWCA has offices nationwide. While remote work is an option, candidates residing in the Midwest region are preferred, suggesting potential for team synergy or a hub for specific projects. Specific office locations are not detailed but can be inferred from the company's national presence.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: The environment encourages collaboration (#OneSWCA), meaning designers will frequently interact with proposal managers, technical experts, and business development teams, often virtually.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) and office productivity suites (Microsoft Office) is expected. The company's commitment to innovation implies potential for adopting new creative technologies.

• Team Interaction: While remote work is supported, opportunities for team interaction will exist through virtual meetings, shared project platforms, and potentially occasional in-person gatherings or retreats.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected, but the nature of pursuit work can involve periods of intense deadlines requiring flexibility. The remote/hybrid options provide autonomy in managing personal work-life balance within these constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The flexible work environment is a key benefit, aligning with modern operational needs for work-life integration. The preference for Midwest candidates suggests a potential for a more established in-person or hybrid team presence in that region, while still accommodating fully remote talent.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, including a mandatory portfolio submission. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

• Portfolio Review: A critical step where candidates' visual communication skills, design principles, and experience with proposal/business development materials are assessed. Focus will be on clarity, impact, and technical proficiency.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a design challenge or present a case study from their portfolio that demonstrates their ability to translate complex information into compelling visuals under a deadline.

• Interviews: Likely includes discussions with the Creative Services Manager and potentially other members of the proposal or marketing team. Questions will focus on design process, collaboration, problem-solving, and understanding of SWCA's business.

• Final Evaluation: Assessment of overall fit, technical skills, creative approach, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that directly align with the job description's emphasis on proposals, presentations, infographics, data visualization, and technical communication.

• Showcase Process: For key projects, briefly explain your design process, challenges faced, and how your visuals supported the client's objectives or the overall win strategy.

• Highlight Impact: If possible, quantify the impact of your designs (e.g., "helped secure a $X million contract," "improved clarity of technical approach").

• Demonstrate Software Proficiency: Ensure examples clearly showcase advanced skills in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Brand Consistency: Include examples that demonstrate an understanding of brand guidelines and maintaining consistency across different materials.

• Tailor to SWCA: If possible, include designs that show an understanding of or interest in environmental or scientific subject matter.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand any design challenge instructions, paying attention to client context, objectives, and constraints.

• Prioritize & Time Manage: Given deadlines, focus on delivering a strong, clear solution rather than attempting perfection. Allocate time for concepting, design, and final review.

• Communicate Rationale: Be prepared to articulate your design choices, explaining why you made specific decisions regarding layout, color, typography, and imagery.

• Focus on Clarity: For technical content, your primary goal will be to make it as clear and understandable as possible for the intended audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio and the emphasis on specific types of design work (proposals, infographics, technical communication) mean that candidates must tailor their application materials to directly address these needs. A generic design portfolio will likely not suffice.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud:

  • Adobe InDesign: Essential for creating complex layouts, long-form documents, proposals, and presentations. Advanced proficiency is a must.
  • Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for creating vector graphics, infographics, diagrams, logos, and icons.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Used for image editing, manipulation, and creating raster-based graphics.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint: Critical for developing client presentations, often integrating graphics created in Adobe Suite. Advanced presentation design skills are required.
  • Microsoft Word: Used for proposal document creation and integration of graphics, requiring strong formatting capabilities.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus, understanding how visual assets contribute to engagement metrics or proposal success rates might be beneficial. Data visualization skills are key. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but an understanding of how marketing and proposal materials fit into the broader CRM and sales automation workflows could be advantageous for cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly InDesign, and Microsoft PowerPoint clearly defines the core technical requirements for this role. Proficiency in these tools is non-negotiable for success in creating high-impact proposal and presentation materials.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration (#OneSWCA): Actively participate in cross-functional teams, sharing design expertise and being open to feedback from technical and proposal professionals.

• Continuous Learning (#AlwaysLearning): Stay updated on design trends, software advancements, and best practices in visual communication for professional services. Seek opportunities to innovate in visual storytelling.

• Excellence (#NeverSettle): Strive for high-quality, impactful design work that consistently meets and exceeds client expectations and internal standards. Maintain meticulous attention to detail.

• Data-Driven Approach: While a creative role, understand how design choices can impact the interpretation of data and the effectiveness of technical information. Be open to using data to inform design decisions.

• Efficiency: Develop streamlined design processes and leverage templates to ensure efficient turnaround times for time-sensitive pursuits.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with proposal managers, technical experts, and business development teams, acting as a partner in the pursuit process. This involves active listening, clear communication, and translating diverse input into cohesive visuals.

• Feedback Culture: Be receptive to constructive criticism from colleagues and stakeholders, using feedback to refine designs and improve outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to the team's collective knowledge by sharing design tips, templates, and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values are deeply embedded in the operational culture. For a Pursuit Graphic Designer, this means understanding that design is not an isolated function but a critical component of a larger collaborative effort to win business and that continuous improvement is expected.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge is distilling highly technical and complex environmental or scientific information into clear, compelling, and accurate visual narratives that resonate with diverse client audiences.

• Tight Deadlines: Pursuit work is often characterized by demanding and rapidly changing deadlines, requiring the ability to perform under pressure and prioritize effectively.

• Balancing Brand & Pursuit Strategy: Ensuring that all designs adhere to SWCA's brand guidelines while also effectively supporting the specific win strategy for each pursuit can be a delicate balance.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating with geographically dispersed teams and stakeholders in a remote or hybrid environment requires strong communication and organizational skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, or explore new design tools and technologies.

• Visual Storytelling Workshops: Training focused on narrative structure, impact, and persuasive communication through visual media.

• Industry-Specific Design: Gaining familiarity with the terminology, concepts, and visual conventions common in environmental consulting and related scientific fields.

• Proposal & Business Development Process Immersion: Learning the intricacies of the client pursuit lifecycle and how design contributes to successful outcomes.

• Potential for Leadership: As experience grows, opportunities may arise to mentor junior designers or lead design aspects of major pursuits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to specialized roles in high-stakes environments like consulting pursuits. The growth opportunities are designed to address these challenges by building deeper expertise and expanding the designer's strategic impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex technical document and transforming it into a clear infographic or visual presentation." (Focus on your methodology, tools, and how you ensure accuracy and clarity.)

• "How do you prioritize design requests when faced with multiple urgent pursuits and competing deadlines?" (Highlight your time management, prioritization, and communication strategies.)

• "Walk us through a challenging proposal design project from your portfolio. What were the objectives, your role, the challenges, and the outcome?" (Prepare a detailed case study demonstrating your problem-solving and impact.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various client-facing materials, especially when working with different technical teams?" (Discuss your understanding of brand guidelines and your approach to managing visual assets.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about SWCA and the environmental consulting industry? How do you see your design skills contributing to our success?" (Research SWCA's projects, values, and market position.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with technical subject matter experts who may not have a strong design background?" (Emphasize your communication, active listening, and ability to translate technical jargon.)

• "How do you embody SWCA's core values of #AlwaysLearning and #OneSWCA in your work?" (Provide specific examples of how you learn and collaborate.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (e.g., Proposals, Infographics,

Presentations) or by showcasing your strongest "Pursuit" relevant work first.

• Narrative: For each selected project, prepare a brief narrative that covers:

  • The client/project context and objective.
  • The specific problem you were solving with design.
  • Your creative process and tools used.
  • Key design decisions and rationale.
  • The outcome or impact (if quantifiable).

• Visuals: Ensure high-resolution images or interactive PDFs are used. For digital presentations, consider creating a concise slide deck that highlights key projects.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio within a set timeframe, focusing on the most relevant and impactful examples.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should heavily emphasize the ability to translate complex information visually and collaborate effectively with technical teams under pressure. The portfolio is not just a showcase but a critical tool for demonstrating these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Pursuit Graphic Designer position:

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

• Crucially, accompany your resume with a compelling cover letter and a comprehensive design portfolio. Ensure your portfolio specifically highlights examples of proposal layouts, infographics, data visualizations, presentations, and other technical communications that demonstrate your ability to simplify complex information.

• Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience with business development materials, proposal design, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and Microsoft PowerPoint. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare to discuss your design process, collaborative approach with technical teams, and time management skills during interviews. Be ready to present and discuss specific projects from your portfolio, explaining how your designs contributed to achieving project or business development objectives.

• Thoroughly research SWCA Environmental Consultants, understanding their services, company values, and recent projects. This will help you articulate your interest and how your skills align with their mission and the specific needs of the "Pursuits" 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.