Graphic Designer - Remote - Chicagoland Area Preferred

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Remote - Chicagoland Area Preferred

Company: Tolmar

Location: Buffalo Grove, Illinois, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-05-01

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and produce compelling visual assets for both internal and external communication channels, ensuring brand consistency across digital and print platforms.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with brand teams and subject matter experts to translate complex scientific and marketing messages into clear, engaging graphics.

• Manage the creation of diverse visual content, including infographics, illustrations, layout templates, and presentations, with a keen eye for detail and adherence to regulatory standards.

• Prepare print-ready files and digital assets, oversee production vendors, and maintain a digital asset library to ensure quality control and accessibility.

• Proactively stay abreast of design trends and technologies, proposing improvements to design processes and workflows within a regulated pharmaceutical environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically positioned within the pharmaceutical industry, requiring a strong understanding of regulatory constraints (FDA, EMA) and medical-legal standards. The emphasis on translating "scientific and marketing messages" into graphics indicates a need for designers who can grasp complex information and communicate it effectively to diverse audiences, including healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute visual designs for marketing collateral, scientific posters, packaging support, e-detailing platforms, and patient education materials, ensuring alignment with Tolmar's brand guidelines.

• Collaborate closely with brand teams, Creative Director, and cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., medical, legal, marketing) to conceptualize and refine design solutions that meet project objectives.

• Create visually appealing infographics, illustrations, diagrams, and presentation templates that simplify complex health and scientific information for various audience segments.

• Manage the end-to-end production process for print and digital assets, including preparing final files, coordinating with external vendors, and performing rigorous quality control checks.

• Maintain and organize a comprehensive digital asset library, design templates, and brand toolkits, ensuring efficient retrieval and consistent application of brand elements.

• Continuously research and propose innovative design trends, digital tools, and emerging technologies to enhance creative output and optimize design workflows.

• Ensure all designed materials strictly comply with relevant regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA) and internal medical-legal standards, including meticulous version control and archiving.

• Provide on-site design and production support for occasional trade shows, internal events, and other company-sponsored activities as needed.

• Design and update in-house presentations and templates to support internal communication and reporting needs.

• Undertake additional design-related tasks and projects as assigned by management to support departmental and organizational goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of "packaging support," "e-detailing," and "patient education materials" alongside "scientific posters" and "marketing collateral" highlights the diverse application of design skills required. The emphasis on regulatory compliance and medical-legal standards suggests that this role will involve significant review processes and a need for meticulous attention to detail in all deliverables.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Proven ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, with a strong track record of delivering high-quality work under deadline pressure across both digital and print mediums.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, for creating sophisticated visual assets.

• Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite, with particular emphasis on PowerPoint for effective presentation graphic design.

• Excellent understanding of fundamental design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual communication techniques.

• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including those less familiar with design principles.

• Meticulous attention to detail, particularly critical for print production accuracy and ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics and video editing software to enhance multimedia content creation.

• Knowledge of web design principles and user experience (UX)/user interface (UI) design for digital applications.

• Exposure to 3D design software or advanced infographic creation techniques.

• Familiarity with the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry's regulatory environment and design requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Desired" skills list (motion graphics, video editing, web design, UX/UI, 3D/infographic work) indicates potential for growth and specialization within the role or department. Candidates with experience in these areas will be highly competitive. The requirement for proficiency in PowerPoint for presentation graphics is a key tactical skill for this role, reflecting the need to communicate complex information internally and externally.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5-7 diverse projects demonstrating expertise across digital and print mediums, with a strong preference for pharmaceutical or regulated industry examples.

• Include case studies that highlight your design process, from initial concept and stakeholder collaboration to final execution and impact.

• Present examples of infographic design, scientific illustration, and presentation template creation that translate complex data into accessible visuals.

• Demonstrate proficiency in applying brand guidelines consistently and effectively across various project types.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you manage design workflows, including project intake, feedback incorporation, and final asset delivery.

• Illustrate your approach to preparing print-ready files, including pre-press checks, color management, and vendor coordination.

• Showcase your understanding of digital asset management, including file organization, metadata tagging, and version control practices.

• Detail your experience with compliance checks, particularly in regulated industries, and how you ensure designs meet medical-legal and regulatory standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role. Candidates should curate work that specifically addresses the pharmaceutical context, including examples of translating technical or scientific information into visually digestible formats. Highlighting experience with regulatory review processes within the portfolio will be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $56,000 - $84,000 per year. This range is effective from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographical location, experience level, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Market fluctuations may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges during the effective period.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive and inclusive medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for medical expenses and dependent care.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) option available through the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).

• CompleteCare reimbursement program for eligible healthcare expenses and premiums under alternate group health coverage.

• Generous 401K matching program: 100% match on the first 6% of compensation, plus a 50% match on contributions from 7%-12% (total match not exceeding 9%).

• Tolmar-paid Life, Long-Term Disability (LTD), and Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance coverages.

• Voluntary benefit options for additional coverage.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering support services.

• Access to Legal Guidance services.

• Funeral Planning & Concierge Services.

• Adoption and family-planning benefits, including specific Fertility and Family Forming Benefits.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), including:

  • Vacation days

  • Sick time

  • Paid holidays

  • Volunteer time for community engagement

  • Discretionary year-end shutdown period Working Hours: Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week. The remote nature of the role offers flexibility in managing daily schedules, though core working hours may be established for team collaboration and responsiveness within the Chicagoland area's time zone.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Graphic Designer role with 2-5 years of experience, especially considering the remote flexibility. The extensive benefits package, particularly the fertility and family-forming benefits and generous PTO, reflects a strong commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, which can be a significant draw for operations professionals seeking stability and comprehensive support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Development (specializing in dermatology, urology, and oncology). Tolmar is recognized for its advanced drug delivery capabilities and commitment to producing high-quality topical and extended-release products.

Company Size: Privately held company, established in 2006. While specific employee numbers are not detailed, the description suggests a significant international presence and a robust pipeline of products, indicating a mid-to-large-sized organization with specialized departments.

Founded: 2006. Tolmar has built a reputation for performance and innovation, focusing on topical products and extended-release formulations.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of the Marketing and Creative team, reporting to a Creative Director.

• This team collaborates closely with Brand Teams, Medical Affairs, Legal, and other departments involved in product development and commercialization.

Methodology:

• Tolmar emphasizes a data-driven approach to product development and marketing, encouraging innovation and calculated risk-taking.

• Core values like "Constantly Improve," "Are Proactive & Agile," and "Act Ethically" underscore a culture focused on continuous enhancement, efficient execution, and compliance.

• Design processes are expected to be rigorous, incorporating feedback loops and adherence to strict quality and regulatory standards.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Tolmar's focus on specialized therapeutic areas (dermatology, urology, oncology) implies a need for designers who can understand and visually represent complex medical information. The company culture appears to value proactivity, continuous improvement, and ethical conduct, which are crucial for operating within the highly regulated pharmaceutical sector.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an intermediate-level Graphic Designer, requiring 2-5 years of experience. It offers a significant opportunity to gain specialized experience within the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in medical and regulatory design. The "preference for candidates in the Chicagoland area" suggests potential for hybrid work or future on-site opportunities, which can lead to broader internal networking and career progression.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer typically reports to a Creative Director within the marketing or creative services department. They will work under the guidance of the Creative Director on strategic projects while also collaborating directly with brand managers and project teams for day-to-day tasks.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in the sense of revenue or sales operations, this Graphic Designer role has a significant impact on Tolmar's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by:

• Enhancing brand perception and market penetration through compelling visual communication.

• Ensuring all external-facing materials are compliant and effectively convey critical health information to patients and HCPs.

• Supporting product launches and marketing campaigns with high-quality visual assets that drive engagement and understanding.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop deep expertise in pharmaceutical marketing design, medical illustration, and regulatory compliance for visual assets.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain in-depth understanding of product development lifecycles, regulatory affairs, and marketing strategies across diverse therapeutic areas.

• Leadership Potential: With proven performance and expanded experience, opportunities may arise for Senior Graphic Designer roles, team lead positions, or specialization in areas like digital design strategy or brand stewardship.

• Industry Certifications: Pursue certifications or workshops related to pharmaceutical marketing, medical illustration, or advanced design software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section has been tailored to reflect how a creative role contributes to broader GTM and operational success, particularly in a regulated industry. The growth opportunities focus on specialized development within the pharmaceutical marketing design niche.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a remote position. While the primary work is done remotely, the preference for candidates in the Chicagoland area suggests potential for occasional in-person meetings, team events, or collaboration sessions at a company office location, if available. The description mentions "office environment; requiring sitting and standing" which is standard for most professional roles, but in a remote context, it implies the need for a suitable home office setup.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the preference for the Chicagoland area points to Tolmar having a significant presence or operational hub in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. This location could serve as a point of contact for potential in-person interactions.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Flexibility: Offers the autonomy to design a productive workspace at home, balancing work with personal life.

• Digital Collaboration Tools: Expect to utilize various online collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, project management software) for communication and workflow management with the remote and hybrid teams.

• Creative Tools Access: Requires a reliable internet connection and potentially company-provided software licenses or hardware to ensure seamless use of Adobe Creative Suite and other design tools.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (40 hours per week). While remote, adherence to standard business hours within the America/Chicago timezone is generally expected for effective team collaboration, client interactions, and responsiveness. Flexibility may be afforded for task management and personal appointments, provided project deadlines and team communication needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature is a key aspect, but the "Chicagoland area preferred" implies a strategic decision by Tolmar, possibly to facilitate occasional in-person collaboration or tap into a local talent pool. This warrants candidates to consider their proximity and willingness for potential future on-site engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, salary expectations, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A session with the Creative Director and/or hiring manager to present your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your design process, creative decisions, problem-solving approaches, and experience with pharmaceutical/regulated industry projects.

• Cross-Functional Interview: An interview with key stakeholders from brand, medical, or legal teams to evaluate your ability to collaborate, understand complex information, and translate it visually while adhering to compliance requirements.

• Final Interview: Potentially a discussion with a higher-level manager or department head to confirm fit and discuss final terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase 5-7 of your strongest and most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates your ability to handle complex information, adhere to brand guidelines, and work within regulated environments (pharmaceutical, healthcare, finance, etc.).

• Tell a Story: For each project, outline the challenge, your role, your process, the solution, and the outcome/impact. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Regulatory Experience: Clearly point out any projects that involved strict compliance, medical-legal review, or FDA/EMA considerations. Explain how you navigated these constraints.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss specific software features or techniques used in your projects, especially within Adobe Creative Suite and PowerPoint.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle constructive criticism, your experience with remote collaboration, and your understanding of Tolmar's brand and therapeutic areas.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You may be asked to complete a short design exercise or case study. This could involve creating a graphic for a hypothetical product, refining an existing piece, or developing an infographic from provided data. Focus on demonstrating your process, understanding of the brief, and adherence to brand/regulatory principles.

• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your portfolio and any challenge work clearly and concisely. Be prepared to articulate your design rationale and answer questions effectively.

• Industry Understanding: Familiarize yourself with Tolmar's product portfolio, therapeutic areas (dermatology, urology, oncology), and core values. Understand common visual communication challenges in the pharmaceutical industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also the candidate's ability to operate effectively within a highly regulated and collaborative environment. A strong portfolio demonstrating relevant experience and a clear, prepared presentation are critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign (essential for layout and print production), Illustrator (for vector graphics, logos, and illustrations), Photoshop (for image manipulation and digital assets).

• Microsoft Office: PowerPoint (critical for presentation graphics, infographics, and internal reports), Word, Excel.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly responsible for data analytics, the Graphic Designer will likely interact with reporting tools to understand campaign performance and inform design decisions. Familiarity with how visual assets are tracked or measured (e.g., engagement metrics for digital ads) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation: No direct CRM or automation tools are specified for this role. However, understanding how design assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms or CRM-integrated systems (e.g., e-detailing platforms) would be advantageous.

Digital Asset Management (DAM): Proficiency with or ability to quickly learn a Digital Asset Management system for organizing, storing, and retrieving brand assets is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is heavily on Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft PowerPoint. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate advanced skills in these tools, particularly in creating professional, compliant designs for both print and digital platforms within the pharmaceutical context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: Tolmar's core values are integral to the work environment:

• Center on People: Emphasizes a supportive and collaborative approach, treating colleagues and external partners as valued. This translates to respectful communication and a focus on collective success.

• Are Proactive & Agile: Encourages initiative, adaptability, and a hands-on approach to problem-solving. Designers are expected to anticipate needs and respond efficiently to evolving project requirements.

• Act Ethically: Underpins all activities with integrity, compliance, and a commitment to positive impact. This is paramount given the pharmaceutical industry context, requiring strict adherence to regulations and ethical standards.

• Constantly Improve: Fosters a mindset of continuous learning, efficiency enhancement, and innovation. Designers should be open to feedback, seek better methods, and strive for excellence in their work.

• Are Accountable: Promotes ownership, transparency, and reliability. Designers are expected to take responsibility for their work, deliverables, and contributions to team goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: High degree of collaboration with marketing, brand teams, medical, and legal departments. Requires clear communication and the ability to translate design concepts to non-designers.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that encourages constructive feedback to refine designs and ensure project objectives are met. Openness to revisions and iterative development is key.

• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share design best practices, new techniques, and insights within the creative team and potentially across departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values are deeply embedded in its operations and expected behaviors. For a Graphic Designer, this means not only producing aesthetically pleasing work but also doing so ethically, proactively, and with a commitment to continuous improvement and team collaboration, all while maintaining a strong sense of accountability.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Scientific Data: The primary challenge will be to visually represent intricate scientific and medical information in an engaging yet accurate and compliant manner for diverse audiences (HCPs, patients).

• Navigating Regulatory Hurdles: Adhering to strict FDA, EMA, and internal medical-legal guidelines for all creative assets requires constant vigilance and precision, often necessitating multiple rounds of review and revisions.

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Project Needs: Maintaining a cohesive brand identity across a wide range of materials while meeting the unique requirements of different projects and therapeutic areas can be demanding.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Effectively collaborating with team members and stakeholders across different locations and time zones, ensuring clear communication and timely feedback without the benefit of in-person interaction.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Pharmaceutical Design Specialization: Develop deep expertise in medical illustration, scientific visualization, and regulatory-compliant design within the pharmaceutical sector.

• Advanced Digital & Multimedia Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in motion graphics, video editing, UX/UI design, and potentially 3D modeling, as indicated by preferred qualifications.

• Cross-Departmental Understanding: Gain significant insight into drug development, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, and marketing strategies within a leading pharmaceutical company.

• Mentorship & Skill Enhancement: Access to guidance from experienced Creative Directors and opportunities to attend industry workshops or pursue online courses to stay current with design trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the specialized nature of design work in a regulated industry. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing niche expertise and expanding technical capabilities, making this role a valuable stepping stone for a designer looking to specialize in healthcare communications.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex scientific concept and translating it into a visually compelling graphic for a non-expert audience." (Focus on your methodology, research, iteration, and simplification techniques.)

• "How do you ensure your designs comply with strict regulatory guidelines (e.g., FDA, EMA) and internal medical-legal standards, especially when working under tight deadlines?" (Highlight your attention to detail, review processes, and understanding of compliance frameworks.)

• "Walk us through a project where you had to balance brand guidelines with specific project requirements or stakeholder feedback. How did you navigate those dynamics?" (Demonstrate your collaboration, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Tolmar, how do you see your design skills contributing to our mission in dermatology, urology, or oncology?" (Connect your portfolio and experience to Tolmar's therapeutic areas and values.)

• "Describe your experience working in a remote or hybrid team environment. What strategies do you use to ensure effective collaboration and communication?" (Emphasize your proactivity, communication tools, and ability to stay connected.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or therapeutic area. For each piece, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges, your process, the solution, and any measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with pharmaceutical/healthcare marketing, scientific communication, regulatory compliance, and digital/print asset creation.

• Tool Demonstration: Be prepared to discuss specific software features or techniques you utilized. If possible, have examples ready that showcase advanced capabilities in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and PowerPoint.

• Conciseness: Practice delivering your presentation within a set timeframe (usually 15-20 minutes, allowing ample time for Q&A). Be engaging and passionate about your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a strong understanding of the pharmaceutical industry's unique demands. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, serving as the primary evidence of your qualifications.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience with Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, and any relevant pharmaceutical or regulated industry design work. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and showcases projects that align with the job description's requirements.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and PowerPoint. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed X number of marketing collateral pieces that increased engagement by Y%").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, especially how you handle complex information and regulatory constraints. Prepare specific examples to answer behavioral questions related to collaboration, proactivity, and problem-solving. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review Tolmar's website, product lines, and core values. Understand their market position and the therapeutic areas they serve to better tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.