Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Casey's

Location: Ankeny, Iowa, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: April 23, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on the creation and production of visual content for Casey's marketing initiatives, encompassing both print and digital platforms.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for maintaining brand consistency across all visual assets, ensuring alignment with Casey's established brand guidelines.

• A key aspect of this position involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to translate business objectives into compelling visual designs.

• The role also includes contributing to creative process improvements, assisting with production tasks, and staying abreast of emerging design and motion graphics trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core function is graphic design, the emphasis on "marketing team," "online marketing platforms," and "communication objectives" positions this role within the broader GTM (Go-To-Market) function, requiring an understanding of how design supports sales and marketing strategy. The inclusion of "Creative Operations Manager" and "assist in local photoshoots and production" suggests a need for project management and operational efficiency in creative workflows, aligning it with operations principles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute a wide range of promotional materials for print and digital marketing channels, including but not limited to in-store signage, promotional flyers, digital ad banners, and social media graphics.

• Develop visually appealing and effective designs for packaging, ensuring brand consistency and adherence to regulatory or product-specific requirements.

• Contribute innovative creative ideas and actively participate in process improvement initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of design workflows and output.

• Support the Creative Operations Manager by assisting with local photoshoots, managing production logistics, and ensuring the smooth execution of creative projects.

• Collaborate closely with the broader creative team to align on project vision, objectives, and deliverables, providing support to team members as needed during production cycles.

• Stay current with industry trends in graphic design, motion graphics, and digital media to integrate fresh perspectives and cutting-edge techniques into design work.

• Partner with various departments, such as marketing, product development, and user experience (UX) teams, to conceptualize and execute design projects that meet diverse stakeholder needs.

• Oversee the quality of design production work, ensuring accuracy and adherence to specifications, and provide mentorship to less experienced designers on the team.

• Perform other related duties as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to contribute to team goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for process-oriented thinking, especially in "improve processes for effective and consistent designs" and "oversee design production work." This suggests the role requires not just creative output but also an understanding of efficient production workflows and quality assurance within a marketing operations context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field, or equivalent practical work experience.

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of progressive work experience in a professional graphic design capacity, with a demonstrated track record of handling complex projects.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of design principles, illustration techniques, and visual communication strategies.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and After Effects, utilized on a MacBook Pro.

• Experience with Google Web Designer for creating interactive digital assets.

• Strong understanding of brand guidelines and the ability to consistently apply them across various media.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for effective cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail, capable of managing multiple complex projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively and build strong, transparent relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated creative thinking and a proactive, self-starting approach to design challenges.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic knowledge of HTML for understanding web design integration.

• Experience with motion graphics and video editing software, enhancing capabilities in dynamic content creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for proficiency in specific Adobe Creative Cloud applications (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, After Effects) and Google Web Designer points to a need for specialized technical skills crucial for marketing operations and digital asset creation. The emphasis on project management and handling multiple complex projects suggests an operations mindset is beneficial.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of three years of professional graphic design work, emphasizing a range of static and motion design projects.

• Clear demonstration of your ability to translate creative briefs and communication objectives into visually compelling designs for both print and digital mediums.

• Examples of work that adheres strictly to brand guidelines, illustrating your understanding of brand consistency and visual identity management.

• Case studies or project breakdowns that highlight your process, from concept development and ideation to execution and final delivery, showing your problem-solving approach.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to articulate and potentially document design workflows, from initial request to final asset delivery, demonstrating an understanding of process efficiency.

• Experience in contributing to process improvement discussions within a creative or marketing operations context.

• Understanding of how design assets are managed, version-controlled, and distributed for various marketing campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio and the mention of "process improvement" and "design production work" strongly indicate that candidates will be evaluated on their ability to manage and execute design projects efficiently, akin to operations management within a creative department.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $64,500 - $84,600 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Charitable giving programs and volunteer time off to support community engagement.

• Generous parental leave policy.

• 401k retirement savings plan with a 6% company match.

• Paid time off including vacation time, sick time, and paid holidays.

Working Hours: Standard full-time, 40 hours per week, with a "dress for your day" dress code that welcomes jeans.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided as a hiring range, with the note that actual pay may vary based on candidate qualifications and local prevailing wages. The inclusion of benefits like charitable giving programs and volunteer time suggests a company culture that values community involvement, which can be a factor in employee engagement and retention. The "dress for your day" policy indicates a more relaxed office environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Convenience Stores)

Company Size: Large (Casey's operates over 2,600 convenience stores across 16 states, indicating a significant organizational structure and employee base.)

Founded: 1959, with a history of growth and transformation into a major player in the convenience store sector.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a larger Marketing or Creative Services department.

• This department is expected to include roles such as Creative Operations Manager, other designers (specializing in different areas or experience levels), and potentially copywriters or marketing specialists.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated, the collaboration with marketing and product teams implies designs will need to support specific communication objectives and potentially performance metrics.

• Process Optimization: The role is tasked with improving design processes, suggesting a focus on efficiency and workflow management within the creative function.

• Brand Consistency: A core methodology will be strict adherence to Casey's brand guidelines to ensure a unified brand experience across all touchpoints.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Casey's positions itself as a large company with a "small company feel," emphasizing accessibility of senior leadership. This suggests a culture that values both scale and personal connection, which can influence how teams collaborate and how individual contributions are recognized, particularly in roles like graphic design that directly impact brand perception.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer within a Marketing/Creative Operations framework. This role is positioned to take on complex projects independently and mentor junior team members, indicating a progression beyond entry-level responsibilities.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Creative Operations Manager, indicating a clear line of management focused on the operational aspects of creative production and workflow.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, and customer engagement across Casey's numerous store locations and digital platforms. High-quality, on-brand visual assets are crucial for driving sales, promoting new products, and reinforcing brand loyalty, all key GTM objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, animation, or packaging design, potentially leading to senior or specialized designer roles.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Senior Graphic Designer role, taking on more complex projects, leading design initiatives, or further developing mentorship capabilities.

• Creative Operations Management: With demonstrated aptitude for process improvement and project oversight, there could be a path towards roles like Creative Operations Manager or Project Manager within the marketing department.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to work on diverse projects with various departments can broaden understanding of the business and open doors to other marketing or GTM roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The reporting structure to a Creative Operations Manager is a key indicator. It suggests that beyond creative talent, the role requires an understanding of operational efficiency, project timelines, and resource management within the creative production pipeline. Growth paths are likely tied to both creative excellence and operational effectiveness.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the Support Center in Ankeny, Iowa, suggesting a professional office environment designed for administrative and corporate functions.

Office Location(s): One SE Convenience Blvd, Ankeny, Iowa, 50021.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is likely collaborative, given the emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional partnerships.

• As a Support Center, it will house various departments, offering opportunities for interaction and understanding of different business functions.

• The workspace will be equipped with the necessary technology, including MacBook Pros and Adobe Creative Cloud software, to facilitate high-quality design production.

• The "dress for your day" policy, including jeans, suggests a modern, relatively relaxed, yet professional office culture.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, providing a predictable schedule for planning and execution of design tasks and projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement for this role suggests that collaboration, in-person feedback sessions, and direct interaction with the Creative Operations Manager and team members are highly valued, which is typical for roles requiring close creative coordination and project oversight.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Presentation/Review: A key stage will involve presenting a portfolio, discussing design choices, process, and problem-solving approaches for selected projects. Candidates should be prepared to articulate the "why" behind their design decisions.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or a discussion about how to approach specific design scenarios relevant to Casey's marketing needs.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions focused on collaboration, problem-solving, handling feedback, and working within brand guidelines, likely with the hiring manager and potentially other team members.

• Cultural Fit Assessment: Evaluation of how well the candidate aligns with Casey's values, particularly around service, community, and teamwork.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in static and motion design, print, and digital marketing. Ensure a variety that showcases your versatility.

• Highlight Process: For each project, be ready to explain your thought process, the problem you were solving, your design rationale, the tools you used, and the outcome. Show your problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully worked within strict brand guidelines, or if you have experience developing brand assets, showcase that.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or results related to your designs (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign metrics). Even if direct attribution is hard, discuss the intended impact.

• Showcase Motion Graphics: Given the emphasis on After Effects and motion design, ensure you have strong examples of animated graphics or short videos.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research Casey's brand identity, recent marketing campaigns, and target audience.

• Anticipate Scenarios: Practice designing for common convenience store promotions (e.g., new product launches, seasonal offers, in-store events).

• Focus on Efficiency: If given a design challenge, consider not just the aesthetic but also the feasibility and speed of execution, as this is a key operational aspect.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenges highlights the practical, results-oriented nature of this role. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only creative talent but also an understanding of efficient production and brand consistency, which are core operational concerns in marketing.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud:

  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout design of print materials like flyers, brochures, and promotional pieces.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and creating digital graphics.
  • After Effects: Essential for motion graphics, animations, and dynamic visual content for digital ads and social media.

• Google Web Designer: For creating interactive HTML5-based ads and other web content.

• MacBook Pro: The standard operating system and hardware platform for design work.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly used by the Graphic Designer, but understanding how marketing assets are deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms might provide context for asset requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of Adobe Creative Cloud applications and Google Web Designer indicates a need for hands-on technical proficiency. The role requires expertise in tools that are standard in marketing operations and digital asset creation pipelines.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Service First: A core value at Casey's, implying that the design work should ultimately serve the needs of guests and stakeholders effectively.

• Pride in Caring: Fosters a culture of dedication and high standards in all aspects of work, including the quality and impact of design.

• Collaboration & Mutual Respect: Encourages teamwork and positive working relationships across departments and with colleagues.

• Efficiency & Process Improvement: The role's responsibility to "improve processes" directly reflects a value placed on operational effectiveness and continuous improvement within the creative function.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: While more for marketing strategists, designers are expected to create assets that support communication objectives, implying a need to understand the purpose and potential impact of their work.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with the Creative Operations Manager, other designers, and cross-functional teams (marketing, product, UX).

• Emphasis on transparent communication and building relationships based on trust and respect.

• Expected to provide support to team members and potentially mentor less experienced designers, indicating a supportive and knowledge-sharing environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "transformative culture," "service first," and "caring for each other" suggests a supportive and mission-driven work environment. For a designer, this translates to creating work that resonates with the brand's values and contributes to positive guest experiences, while also fostering positive team dynamics.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Consistency: Effectively translating creative ideas while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines across diverse marketing needs.

• Managing Multiple Complex Projects: Juggling numerous design requests with varying deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment, requiring strong organizational and time management skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying current with the rapid pace of change in design software, motion graphics, and digital marketing trends while maintaining a consistent brand voice.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Effectively communicating design concepts and gathering feedback from stakeholders with diverse backgrounds and expectations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in After Effects, motion graphics, and potentially explore new design software or plugins.

• Industry Trend Immersion: Staying updated via industry publications, webinars, workshops, and conferences focusing on graphic design, digital marketing, and creative operations.

• Mentorship: Learning from the Creative Operations Manager and senior team members, potentially receiving guidance on project management, strategic design, and career development.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working on a wide array of marketing initiatives for a large retail brand offers broad experience and skill-building opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a mid-level designer but are framed within an operational context. For example, managing multiple projects and adapting to trends requires operational discipline and continuous learning, which are key for career growth in the GTM space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex design project you managed from concept to completion. What was your process, and what were the key challenges?" (Focus on your project management and problem-solving skills, linking to operations.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across all your design outputs, especially when working with multiple stakeholders or on diverse campaign types?" (Demonstrate understanding of brand governance and stakeholder management.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Casey's brand and its marketing efforts? How would your design approach align with our values?" (Research recent campaigns and the company's mission.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs, especially from non-designers?" (Showcase adaptability and a collaborative mindset.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the client (or internal department), the problem, your solution (the design), and the result.

• Emphasize Process, Not Just Polish: Show sketches, wireframes, or early concepts to illustrate your thought process and how you arrived at the final design.

• Highlight Motion Graphics: Ensure your strongest After Effects or animation work is prominently featured and explained. Discuss the purpose of the motion and how it enhanced the message.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use data (even estimates) to show the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., "This digital ad campaign saw a 15% increase in click-through rates").

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Discuss your familiarity with the specified software and any technical constraints you considered during your design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also an operational mindset. Candidates should be ready to discuss project management, process efficiency, and how their designs contribute to measurable business outcomes, aligning with the GTM and operations focus of the role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Casey's careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that best demonstrate your skills in static and motion graphics, print and digital marketing, and adherence to brand guidelines. Include specific examples of how you've improved design processes or managed complex projects efficiently.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3+ years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (especially After Effects), and any experience with process improvement or project coordination within a marketing or creative team. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio with a focus on your design process, problem-solving approach, and the operational aspects of your work. Prepare to answer behavioral questions related to collaboration, prioritization, and handling feedback.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Casey's brand, its current marketing initiatives, and its company culture. Understand how your design skills can contribute to their business objectives and values.

⚠️ 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.