Freelance New Business Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Freelance New Business Designer

Company: Real Chemistry

Location: Boston, MA; Carmel, IN; Chicago, IL; Lambertville, NJ; Water Street, NY

Job Type: Contract (Freelance)

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Art & Design (with a strong focus on GTM support)

Date Posted: May 01, 2026

Experience Level: 8-10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid (with expected 2 days/week in office for those within an hour of an office; remote for others with quarterly meetups)

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a freelance, contract role focused on high-impact visual communication for the enterprise New Business team.

• The primary responsibility is PowerPoint design, including the creation of custom pitch templates, robust layout systems, and ensuring overall presentation polish.

• The role requires strong graphic design support for elements like charts, icons, and visual frameworks to enhance complex ideas.

• The Designer will collaborate closely with new business, strategy, and creative partners to deliver compelling pitch materials that drive Real Chemistry's growth initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "New Business Designer," the core responsibilities and required skills lean heavily into presentation design and production, serving a critical function within the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by supporting new client acquisition efforts. The emphasis on PowerPoint, custom templates, and visual storytelling positions this role as integral to the sales enablement and business development process.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and construct visually impactful pitch decks primarily utilizing Microsoft PowerPoint, ensuring exceptional clarity, consistency, and a polished aesthetic.

• Develop and implement custom PowerPoint templates and sophisticated slide systems meticulously tailored to specific new business opportunities, while strictly adhering to Real Chemistry's brand guidelines.

• Effectively translate complex strategic briefs and written content into clear, engaging, and cohesive visual narratives that resonate with prospective clients.

• Provide essential graphic design support, including the creation of custom charts, icons, simple illustrations, and visual frameworks to elevate presentation content.

• Foster strong partnerships with new business, strategy, and creative teams, proactively managing timelines and adapting to evolving pitch requirements to meet aggressive deadlines.

• Rigorously ensure all design deliverables meet Real Chemistry's stringent quality, accessibility, and brand compliance standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a focus on execution and production within the new business pipeline. This is not a conceptual design role but one that requires deep technical skill in PowerPoint to create professional, on-brand sales collateral under pressure. The emphasis on "custom templates and slide systems" indicates a need for building reusable design assets that streamline future pitch development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly stated, but a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Communications, or a related field is often preferred for roles requiring this level of experience.

Experience: 8-10+ years of dedicated experience in presentation design, design production, or a closely related role, with a strong preference for agency, consulting, or new business environments.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, demonstrating a deep understanding of master slides, template creation, and robust layout system development.

• Strong foundation in core design principles, including typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and compelling visual storytelling.

• Proven experience with graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign) or comparable tools for asset creation.

• Demonstrated ability to work with speed and accuracy under significant deadline pressure, maintaining meticulous attention to detail.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience directly supporting new business pitches, RFIs/RFPs, or other growth initiatives.

• Familiarity with the healthcare, life sciences, or other highly regulated industries, understanding unique communication needs.

• Experience in adapting or extending established brand systems and guidelines within presentation contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 8-10+ years, coupled with advanced PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Suite skills, suggests a senior-level individual contributor. The preference for agency/consulting backgrounds indicates a need for candidates accustomed to fast-paced, client-facing environments and the demands of new business acquisition.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a range of high-impact pitch decks designed primarily in PowerPoint.

• Specific examples demonstrating the creation of custom PowerPoint templates and sophisticated layout systems that enhance efficiency and brand consistency.

• Visual evidence of transforming complex strategic or data-driven content into clear, engaging, and compelling visual narratives.

• Samples of graphic design support, such as custom charts, icons, and visual frameworks, integrated effectively into presentations.

Process Documentation:

• While not a formal documentation requirement, the portfolio should implicitly demonstrate an understanding of efficient workflow design and optimization within presentation creation.

• Examples should reflect a systematic approach to applying brand guidelines and accessibility standards consistently across multiple slides and decks.

• The ability to articulate the design process used for specific pitch decks, including problem-solving and decision-making, will be crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on presentation design and new business support, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond aesthetics to demonstrate technical PowerPoint mastery, strategic visual communication, and the ability to impact the new business pipeline. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for creating templates and optimizing slides for clarity and persuasion.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75 - $85 per hour.

This range reflects the freelance, contract nature of the role and the senior-level experience required. The specific hourly rate will be determined by factors such as the candidate's experience, skills, certifications, and geographical location, aligning with industry benchmarks for specialized presentation designers.

Benefits:

• Flexible, remote-friendly work environment with support for remote work, augmented by in-person collaboration opportunities.

• Access to LinkedIn Learning with over 13,000 online classes for continuous skill development.

• Mental wellness coaching and support programs.

• For those within an hour of an office, there's an expectation of 2 days/week in-office attendance for collaboration, team meetings, and client interactions.

• Potential for quarterly in-person meetups for remote regional teams.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time freelance engagement, though flexibility may be offered due to the contract nature and deadline-driven environment. The role requires the ability to work quickly and accurately under tight deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate is competitive for a specialized freelance design role requiring significant PowerPoint expertise. The benefits package, while not a traditional full-time offering, includes valuable professional development and wellness resources. The hybrid work policy is a key consideration, with different expectations based on proximity to a Real Chemistry office.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Communications & Marketing. Real Chemistry operates as a global agency serving pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare brands, leveraging scientific expertise, creativity, and AI.

Company Size: Large (1,000+ employees based on LinkedIn data, though precise numbers fluctuate). This size implies a structured organization with established processes and dedicated teams for new business and creative services.

Founded: The company has a history dating back to 2001 (as SKDKnickerbocker, with Real Chemistry forming later through acquisitions and rebranding). This suggests a mature organization with a proven track record and deep industry experience.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Enterprise New Business team, a high-visibility unit focused on client acquisition and organizational growth.

• This team likely comprises individuals from strategy, creative, new business development, and potentially data analytics backgrounds.

Methodology:

• Data-driven Intelligence: Real Chemistry emphasizes AI and data to inform strategies and creative executions.

• Human-Centered Creativity: A blend of scientific expertise and creative thinking is core to their approach.

• Impact-Obsessed: A focus on delivering tangible results and meaningful transformation for healthcare clients.

• Collaborative Approach: "Best together" is a core tenet, suggesting strong teamwork and cross-functional integration.

Company Website: www.realchemistry.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Real Chemistry's focus on healthcare and its blend of science, creativity, and data mean that designs must be not only visually appealing but also accurate, compliant, and strategically sound. The "impact-obsessed" culture suggests a results-oriented environment where design directly contributes to business outcomes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior individual contributor role, classified as Freelance/Contract. While not a permanent position, it offers the opportunity to develop specialized skills in high-stakes pitch design within a leading healthcare agency.

Reporting Structure: The Freelance New Business Designer will report to a manager or lead within the Enterprise New Business or Creative Services team, depending on the project structure. They will work collaboratively with various partners.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the company's revenue generation by creating compelling materials that win new business. The quality of presentations directly influences client perception and the success rate of pitches, thus driving growth for Real Chemistry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced PowerPoint techniques, visual storytelling for complex industries, and pitch design best practices.

• Industry Exposure: Gain significant experience within the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and biotech sectors, understanding their unique communication challenges.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a strong portfolio of high-profile pitch materials for a reputable agency, which can lead to future freelance or permanent opportunities.

• Networking: Develop professional relationships with strategists, new business leaders, and creative professionals within a global agency.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a freelance role, traditional career progression is different. Growth here is measured by the depth of experience gained, the quality of portfolio pieces produced, and the potential for repeat engagements or referrals. The opportunity lies in becoming a go-to expert for critical new business presentations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. Real Chemistry maintains physical office locations but also supports remote work. The "Real HART" (Hybrid and Regional Teams) approach balances in-person collaboration with flexibility.

Office Location(s): Boston, MA; Carmel, IN; Chicago, IL; Lambertville, NJ; Water Street, NY.

• For those within an hour of an office, 2 days/week in-office attendance is expected for team meetings, 1:1s, learning, and client engagement.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster connection and collaboration, whether in-office or through planned regional meetups.

• Access to necessary tools and technology (likely including standard office software and potentially design-specific hardware/software support) is assumed for effective execution.

• The environment is fast-paced, deadline-driven, and geared towards delivering high-quality client-facing materials.

Work Schedule: While around 40 hours per week is typical for freelance, the nature of new business demands flexibility and the ability to meet tight deadlines, which may require working outside standard hours occasionally. The emphasis is on project delivery rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates need to assess their comfort with both remote work and the expectation of in-office presence (if applicable) or periodic travel for meetups. The company's "people-first" culture aims to balance these requirements.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess technical skills, experience, and portfolio quality.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a timed design exercise, potentially involving transforming a sample strategic brief into a few key slides in PowerPoint. This assesses speed, PowerPoint proficiency, and design thinking under pressure.

• Portfolio Review & Collaboration Interview: A deep dive into the candidate's portfolio with new business, strategy, and creative leads. This will focus on understanding their process, problem-solving abilities, and how they collaborate. Expect questions about specific projects, challenges faced, and how they translated complex ideas visually.

• Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion to gauge alignment with Real Chemistry's values, impact-driven culture, and collaborative working style.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight PowerPoint Mastery: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your most impressive PowerPoint work. Showcase custom templates, complex slide builds, and effective data visualizations.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically. Consider grouping by project type (e.g., Pitch Decks, Template Design) or by industry.

• Tell the Story: For each piece, provide context: the client (if permissible), the objective, your role, the challenge, your approach, and the outcome. Quantify impact where possible.

• Showcase Process: Include examples of how you developed templates or systems, demonstrating your systematic approach to design.

• Visual Appeal & Polish: Ensure your portfolio itself is well-designed, visually appealing, and free of errors.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice PowerPoint Under Time Constraints: Replicate the conditions of a timed design challenge. Focus on efficiency and hitting key design elements quickly.

• Master Key PowerPoint Features: Be ready to demonstrate skills with master slides, themes, layout systems, SmartArt, chart formatting, and potentially animation for effect.

• Articulate Design Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made certain design choices, linking them back to strategic objectives or communication goals.

• Understand Agency Context: Research Real Chemistry's work and clients to tailor your approach and responses. Be ready to discuss how you'd adapt to their brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to execute high-quality presentations rapidly in PowerPoint. The portfolio review is crucial, and candidates should be ready to articulate their design process and strategic thinking behind their visual solutions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Advanced proficiency is the core requirement. This includes mastery of master slides, templates, themes, slide layouts, and advanced formatting features.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for creating vector graphics (icons, charts, illustrations) and potentially Adobe InDesign for layout consistency or collateral design if needed.

• Other Design Tools: Familiarity with comparable design software is beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting: (Indirectly relevant, as the designer needs to visualize data)

• While not directly using analytics tools, the ability to interpret and visualize data from reports (e.g., sales pipeline metrics, market data) into clear charts and graphs within PowerPoint is essential.

CRM & Automation: (Not directly applicable to this role)

• This role is focused on the output of new business materials, not the management of CRM systems or sales automation workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily weighted towards Microsoft Office, specifically PowerPoint, and Adobe Creative Suite. Candidates must be able to integrate assets created in Adobe tools seamlessly into PowerPoint presentations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Obsessed: A drive to deliver tangible results and contribute directly to business growth and client success.

• Human-Centered Creativity: Balancing strategic thinking with creative execution to solve complex problems.

• Data-Driven Intelligence: Utilizing insights (often visualized) to inform design decisions and communication strategies.

• Excellence: A commitment to high quality, detail, and polish in all deliverables, especially client-facing materials.

• Collaboration: A strong belief in working together ("best together") across teams to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with new business, strategy, and creative teams, acting as a key partner in the pitch process.

• Solutions-Oriented: A proactive approach to problem-solving, finding creative visual solutions to complex communication challenges.

• Feedback Exchange: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders to refine designs and ensure alignment.

• Agile Environment: Comfort working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where priorities can shift rapidly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes results, creativity, and teamwork. The designer must be adept at integrating into project teams, understanding diverse perspectives, and contributing creatively to a shared objective – winning new business.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Tight Deadlines: New business pitches often have extremely short turnaround times, requiring rapid, high-quality execution.

• Translating Complexity: Condensing intricate strategic concepts, scientific data, or technical information into clear, digestible visuals.

• Brand Consistency: Maintaining strict adherence to Real Chemistry's brand guidelines while also creating custom designs for unique opportunities.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Delivering excellent work quickly without compromising on detail or visual impact.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Specialization: Hone expertise in presentation design, particularly for regulated industries and high-stakes sales environments.

• Industry Acumen: Develop a deeper understanding of the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and biotech sectors, and their specific communication needs.

• Strategic Design Thinking: Learn to better align visual design with business objectives and sales strategies.

• Networking: Build a professional network within a leading global agency, potentially leading to future contract or full-time roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents an opportunity to become a specialist in a high-demand area of GTM support. The challenges are inherent to the fast-paced new business acquisition process, requiring resilience and adaptability.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating a custom PowerPoint template for a new business pitch."

• "How do you approach translating complex scientific or strategic information into a clear visual narrative?"

• "Walk us through a challenging pitch deck you designed. What was the objective, what were the key design decisions, and what was the outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Real Chemistry and the healthcare communications industry?"

• "How do you handle working under tight deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously?"

• "Describe a time you collaborated with strategy or new business teams. What was your role and contribution?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Lead with Impact: Start with your strongest, most relevant pitch deck examples.

• Focus on PowerPoint: Dedicate significant time to showcasing your PowerPoint skills, template design, and slide system development.

• Explain Your "Why": For each slide or deck, articulate the strategic intent behind your design choices.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Show examples of how you've adapted designs for different clients or objectives.

• Be Prepared for a Live Exercise: Have your PowerPoint open and ready to demonstrate specific features or create a quick example if asked.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a combination of technical PowerPoint skill, strategic design thinking, collaborative spirit, and the ability to perform under pressure. Your portfolio is your primary tool, so be prepared to discuss it in detail.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the greenhouse job portal.

• Curate your portfolio: Ensure it prominently features your best PowerPoint pitch decks, custom templates, and examples of transforming complex information visually. Tailor it to highlight new business and agency experience.

• Optimize your resume: Clearly outline your 8-10+ years of experience, specifically mentioning advanced PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite skills, and any experience in agency, consulting, or new business environments.

• Prepare for a design challenge: Practice creating compelling slides in PowerPoint under timed conditions, focusing on clarity, brand adherence, and strategic communication.

• Research Real Chemistry: Understand their industry, clients, values, and recent work to demonstrate your interest and fit with their impact-driven and collaborative culture.

⚠️ 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.