Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Cotopaxi

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah (Remote Work Available in MST or PST)

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: March 20, 2026

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

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for bringing the Cotopaxi brand to life through compelling visual design across multiple platforms, including digital, email, and retail.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for creating high-impact graphics for paid media campaigns, ensuring brand consistency and driving engagement.

• The position involves a blend of high-volume production work and creative exploration to evolve the brand's visual language.

• Collaboration with the Creative team and external partners is key to successful campaign and product launch execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Graphic Designer focused on performance marketing and broad brand representation, rather than a specialized Revenue Operations, Sales Operations, or GTM role. The core responsibilities and required skills align with creative execution for marketing initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop eye-catching graphics for paid media campaigns across platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube, including static images, motion graphics, GIFs, and short-form video.

• Create engaging and story-driven visual content for email marketing campaigns to captivate and inform the audience.

• Design impactful graphics and display concepts for retail environments, coordinating with print partners for production.

• Develop print materials such as mailers and other collateral that align with brand messaging and inspire customers.

• Collaborate with the Creative team to shape and refine the brand's visual identity for product launches and broader marketing campaigns.

• Ensure consistent application of design standards and maintain a high-quality brand experience across all marketing channels.

• Research and incorporate emerging trends in digital advertising and brand design to bring fresh ideas and creative energy to projects.

• Actively participate in refining design processes, workflows, and overall design strategies for the Creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize creative output for marketing and brand presence, with a strong focus on performance-driven digital assets and cohesive campaign execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for mid-level design roles.

Experience: 3-5 years of professional design experience with a strong portfolio. Experience in Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), performance marketing, or e-commerce is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in design tools including Figma and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Experience with motion graphics tools such as After Effects, Premiere, or Principle.

• Strong understanding of both print and web design principles.

• Ability to prepare files accurately for production and output.

• Conceptual thinking and ability to develop cohesive campaign narratives.

• Aptitude for iteration, testing, and refining creative assets to improve performance.

• Skill in rapid execution of creative concepts without compromising quality.

• Confidence in presenting and pitching design ideas to stakeholders.

• Excellent visual storytelling abilities, balancing graphic design with messaging.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in DTC, performance marketing, or e-commerce environments.

• Familiarity with A/B testing creative assets for marketing campaigns.

• Experience with asset management systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are heavily weighted towards creative software proficiency and visual design execution for marketing purposes, aligning with a mid-level creative role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a range of work including brand identity projects, digital advertisements (static, motion, video), and email campaign designs.

• Highlight projects that demonstrate conceptual thinking and the ability to create cohesive campaign narratives.

• Include examples that illustrate iterative design processes and how creative assets were refined for performance.

• Showcase experience in preparing files for both digital and print production, demonstrating an understanding of output requirements.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate understanding of design workflows from concept to final execution, including project management for high-volume tasks.

• Showcase experience in collaborating with print partners and managing production timelines.

• Illustrate how design standards are maintained and evolved across various channels.

• Provide examples of how creative was tested and iterated upon to achieve marketing objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on a visual portfolio demonstrating creative execution and process, rather than operational process documentation typically required in RevOps/SalesOps roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000 annually, plus potential for an annual bonus.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance with HSA, FSA, and DCSA options.

• Life Insurance: Company-paid basic life insurance with options for additional coverage.

• Disability Coverage: Voluntary short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Additional Insurance: Voluntary accident and critical illness insurance.

• Employee Assistance Program: Company-paid EAP for support services.

• Wellness Benefits:

  • Company-paid volunteer time.
  • 401(k) plan with employer match.
  • Unlimited responsible Paid Time Off (PTO).
  • "In The Wild Days": Two company-wide days off for recharging.

• Uniquely Cotopaxi Perks:

  • Generous product discounts (60% off Cotopaxi gear).

  • Exclusive discounts from partner outdoor and lifestyle brands.

  • Opportunities for personal and professional growth through learning and development programs.

  • Regular in-person and virtual team events to foster connection.

  • A vibrant, values-driven company culture. Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. Flexibility is implied with remote work availability, but specific daily schedules would be discussed during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided, and benefits are detailed, aligning with standard mid-level full-time roles. The "In The Wild Days" and extensive product discounts are unique company perks.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Outdoor Adventure Travel Gear and Apparel. Cotopaxi operates as a Certified B Corporation, emphasizing ethical sourcing, sustainability, and social impact.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the existence of an HQ, retail shops, and a creative team suggests a medium-to-large organization, likely between 50-250 employees based on typical B Corp structures in this sector.

Founded: Cotopaxi was founded in 2014. Its mission is to create adventure travel gear to "empower people to see the world and make it better," with a significant commitment to philanthropy through the Cotopaxi Foundation, donating 1% of revenue to nonprofits fighting poverty.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Creative team, working closely with other designers, marketers, and content creators.

• Collaboration extends across departments, including marketing, product, and potentially retail operations.

Methodology:

• Cotopaxi emphasizes a "Gear for Good" promise, integrating ethical and sustainable practices into product development and operations.

• The company culture is described as passionate, curious, mission-driven, and focused on business as a force for good.

• Design work is expected to be campaign-oriented, iterative, and driven by a blend of creativity and performance metrics.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's B Corp status and mission are central to its culture and operations, influencing its approach to business and employee experience.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Mid-Level Graphic Designer role. It implies a solid foundation in design principles and software, with the ability to work independently on assigned projects and contribute to creative strategy. It is not an operations or GTM role.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Creative Lead or Manager within the Creative team. They will collaborate with various marketing and brand stakeholders.

Operations Impact: While not directly in operations, the Graphic Designer's work significantly impacts the company's brand perception, customer acquisition through digital channels, and overall marketing effectiveness. Their creative assets directly support sales and marketing goals by driving engagement and conversion.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, video editing, or performance creative.

• Leadership: Potential to move into Senior Designer or Art Director roles, leading creative projects and mentoring junior designers.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working on diverse projects across different marketing initiatives and potentially collaborating on product design aspects.

• Skill Development: Access to learning and development opportunities, partner discounts, and exposure to industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth opportunities are focused on creative career progression within design and marketing, not on operations management or strategic GTM planning.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company has a physical HQ in Salt Lake City, Utah, but explicitly offers remote work options for this position within specified time zones (MST or PST). This suggests a hybrid or fully remote-friendly work environment.

Office Location(s): Salt Lake City, Utah (HQ). Remote work is available for candidates in MST or PST time zones.

Workspace Context:

• The remote work option allows for flexibility, enabling employees to work from home or other suitable locations.

• The company culture fosters connection and collaboration through virtual and in-person events, supporting a distributed team.

• Access to design tools and technology is expected to be robust, though specific hardware or software provisions for remote employees would need clarification.

Work Schedule: Full-time, generally aligning with standard business hours within MST or PST time zones to facilitate team collaboration. The mention of "Unlimited responsible PTO" suggests a focus on outcomes and trust rather than strict hour tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is designed to be flexible, accommodating remote talent while maintaining a sense of team cohesion and adherence to core business hours for collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and, crucially, your portfolio to assess design skills and experience alignment.

• Portfolio Review & Interview: Likely involves a discussion about your portfolio pieces, focusing on your design process, conceptual thinking, and problem-solving approach. You may be asked to present specific examples.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Potentially a design exercise or small project to evaluate your technical skills, creative approach, and ability to work within brand guidelines and performance objectives.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with the Creative team and potentially marketing leadership to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and strategic thinking.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss the role's impact and confirm mutual fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to prominently feature work relevant to performance marketing, digital ads, and email design.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process, the tools used, and the results achieved (especially if performance metrics are available).

• Showcase your ability to iterate and test creative, explaining how you refined designs based on feedback or data.

• Ensure your portfolio demonstrates a strong understanding of brand consistency and visual storytelling.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a creative challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly and aligning your solution with Cotopaxi's brand and marketing goals.

• Prioritize clarity and impact in your presentation. Be ready to explain your design decisions and how they address the prompt.

• Practice articulating your process and rationale concisely, demonstrating your ability to deliver high-quality work efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily emphasizes the portfolio as the primary evaluation tool, with a focus on creative execution for marketing and brand objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Figma (required), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign - required).

• Motion Graphics/Video: After Effects, Premiere, or Principle (required experience).

• Prototyping/Design Systems: Figma implies experience with collaborative design platforms and potentially design system components.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this role, but understanding how creative assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms or CRMs could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is focused on industry-standard design and motion graphics software, crucial for creating digital and print assets.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Do Good: A core commitment to positive impact on people and the planet, reflected in ethical sourcing and philanthropy.

• Adventure: Fostering a spirit of exploration, curiosity, and embracing new experiences.

• Collaboration: Encouraging open communication, teamwork, and mutual support across departments and roles.

• Innovation & Creativity: Valuing fresh ideas, pushing creative boundaries, and finding new ways to tell the brand's story.

• Sustainability & Ethics: Integrating responsible practices into all aspects of the business, from product to operations.

Collaboration Style:

• The company promotes a collaborative environment, encouraging team members to share ideas and work together across functions.

• For this role, collaboration with the Creative team, marketing stakeholders, and external partners (like print vendors) is essential.

• A "builder and collaborator" mindset is sought, indicating a willingness to actively contribute to improving team processes and strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is strongly mission-driven, emphasizing social responsibility, adventure, and a collaborative, innovative spirit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Volume and Creativity: Meeting high-volume demands for digital ad creative while maintaining high creative quality and brand consistency.

• Evolving Brand Identity: Contributing to the refinement and evolution of Cotopaxi's visual language in a dynamic market.

• Performance Optimization: Translating design skills into tangible performance improvements for marketing campaigns through iteration and testing.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and staying connected as a remote team member, ensuring seamless communication and project integration.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in motion graphics, video editing, or specific design software.

• Industry Trends: Stay abreast of the latest in digital advertising creative, design trends, and e-commerce best practices.

• Cross-functional Learning: Gain exposure to marketing strategy, product development, and brand management.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship within the Creative team and opportunities to develop leadership skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are geared towards creative execution and collaboration within a marketing context, with growth opportunities focused on design specialization and creative leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a campaign where your design significantly impacted performance. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Focus on data-driven design and ROI).

• "How do you approach balancing creative exploration with the need for rapid execution in performance marketing?" (Highlight efficiency and strategic creativity).

• "Describe a time you had to present a design concept that was initially met with resistance. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Assess stakeholder management and communication).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Cotopaxi's mission and our 'Gear for Good' promise?" (Showcase alignment with company values).

• "How do you envision your design style contributing to our brand identity?" (Connect your aesthetic to the brand).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-5 strong projects that best represent your skills for this role (digital ads, email, brand work).

• For each project, tell a story: the objective, your role, your creative process, challenges, solutions, and outcomes (with metrics if possible).

• Be prepared to discuss your software proficiency and how you leverage tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.

• Clearly articulate your understanding of performance marketing creative and how design drives results.

• Practice presenting concisely and engagingly, anticipating questions about your design choices and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation focuses on showcasing creative talent, process, and alignment with Cotopaxi's mission, emphasizing portfolio strength and performance-oriented design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Cotopaxi careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and highlights relevant work for digital ads, email design, and brand campaigns. Tailor your selection to showcase skills directly applicable to Cotopaxi's product and mission.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your years of experience, proficiency in required design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, motion graphics tools), and any relevant experience in DTC or performance marketing. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to iteration and testing, and your understanding of brand storytelling. Be ready to present your portfolio confidently and discuss how your work aligns with Cotopaxi's values.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Cotopaxi's brand, mission, product lines, and recent marketing campaigns. Understand their commitment to being a Certified B Corporation and their "Gear for Good" philosophy.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. While tailored for a Graphic Designer role, it is crucial to verify all details directly with Cotopaxi during the application and interview process. The role is creative, not operations-focused.