Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: H.W. Kaufman Group

Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing / Art & Design / Creative & Media

Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Strategic creative leadership in developing and executing high-quality marketing assets across digital, print, events, and sales enablement channels.

• Driving brand consistency and evolution through the creation and maintenance of scalable design systems and templates.

• Translating business objectives into impactful, brand-aligned creative solutions to support enterprise-wide initiatives.

• Collaborating closely with business and marketing stakeholders to ensure creative output supports key business goals and enhances audience engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a strategic creative leader, indicating a need for not just design execution but also proactive contribution to marketing strategy and visual identity development. The emphasis on "Kaufman companies" suggests a need to understand and cater to a network of distinct brands within a larger group.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and production of marketing assets across digital, print, tradeshow, and sales enablement channels, ensuring high standards for design quality, brand alignment, and effectiveness.

• Translate business goals and project requirements into thoughtful, strategic creative solutions that resonate with target audiences.

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve a library of templates that meet global brand standards, enabling efficiency and consistency for marketing staff across different teams.

• Serve as the primary creative and design lead on projects, coordinating with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure clear project visibility and timely delivery.

• Provide creative direction and problem-solving expertise for larger, more complex initiatives, contributing to a cohesive brand experience across all touchpoints.

• Champion and evolve brand standards, ensuring consistency and integrity across all visual communication and deliverables.

• Act as a trusted resource and advisor to internal teams on brand application, visual best practices, and design efficiency.

• Lead periodic reviews of marketing materials in collaboration with senior stakeholders and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), driving proactive updates and refinements.

• Create and adapt advertising assets across various channels, as assigned, ensuring alignment with campaign objectives.

• Collaborate on the development of integrated marketing campaigns, contributing creative input to enhance campaign effectiveness and audience engagement.

• Work with the Events Team to develop meeting themes and execute on-brand experiences for internal and external events.

• Design and oversee the production of event-related materials, including signage, presentations, and collateral, managing vendor coordination as needed.

• Serve as a primary creative point of contact, building strong partnerships with cross-functional teams and aligning creative work with business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic oversight. The emphasis on "scalable design systems," "template library," and "brand standards" points to a need for efficiency and process-oriented thinking, common in operations-adjacent roles. The coordination with "external vendors" and "internal stakeholders" necessitates strong project management and communication skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Experience: 5–10 years of professional graphic design experience, with a demonstrated track record of increasing project ownership and responsibility.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop).

• Demonstrated expertise in creating marketing assets for both digital and print mediums.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and build consensus.

• High attention to detail with a steadfast commitment to quality, brand excellence, and visual consistency.

• Ability to work independently and take initiative while also contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in Canva for template creation and broader asset development.

• Experience leveraging AI tools for design efficiency and creative exploration.

• Understanding of marketing campaign development and integrated marketing principles.

• Experience working within the insurance industry or a related financial services sector.

• Familiarity with event design and production coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for both Adobe Creative Suite and Canva suggests a need for versatility in design tools, catering to both professional-grade design and user-friendly template creation for broader team use. The preference for AI tools points towards an organization embracing modern design workflows and efficiency gains, a common theme in operational excellence.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate strategic thinking behind design choices, not just aesthetic execution.

• Showcase a variety of projects across digital (web assets, social media graphics, digital ads) and print (brochures, flyers, event materials).

• Include examples of brand system development, template creation, or the evolution of visual identity.

• Highlight projects where design directly supported business objectives, such as lead generation, sales enablement, or event engagement, ideally with quantifiable results.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for taking a project from brief to final deliverable, including research, concept development, stakeholder feedback integration, and production.

• Demonstrate experience in creating and managing design templates and style guides to ensure brand consistency and operational efficiency for a broader team.

• Be ready to explain how they ensure design quality and brand integrity are maintained across diverse marketing channels and by various team members.

• Discuss experience with project management tools and workflows used to track design projects, manage revisions, and meet deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Graphic Designer role emphasizing strategic leadership and scalable systems, a portfolio that showcases process, efficiency, and strategic impact is crucial. This goes beyond just a gallery of work to demonstrate how the candidate approaches design challenges, collaborates, and contributes to operational effectiveness within a marketing function.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (5-10 years), location (Farmington Hills, MI), and the strategic nature of this role within a global organization, the estimated salary range for a Graphic Designer is likely between $65,000 and $90,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with potential company match (e.g., 401(k)).

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuing education in design and marketing.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or annual salary reviews.

• Access to employee assistance programs and other wellness initiatives.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours are typically 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional overtime during peak periods or project deadlines. The role is primarily on-site, necessitating a consistent presence in the Farmington Hills office.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on industry benchmarks for experienced graphic designers in the Detroit metropolitan area, considering the company's industry (insurance) and size. Benefits are typical for a full-time corporate role of this nature. The on-site requirement is explicitly stated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Insurance (specialty insurance brokerage and underwriting). H.W. Kaufman Group operates as a global network of companies, positioning itself as a leader in innovative insurance solutions. This context implies a professional, client-focused environment where reliability and expertise are paramount.

Company Size: Over 2,000 dedicated professionals across more than 60 offices globally. This indicates a large, well-established organization with significant resources and a structured corporate environment. For designers, this means potential for working on large-scale projects with diverse internal clients but also adherence to established corporate processes and brand guidelines.

Founded: The company is privately and family-owned. This often translates to a long-term strategic vision, stability, and a culture that may prioritize employee well-being and commitment over short-term shareholder demands.

Team Structure:

• This Graphic Designer role is part of the marketing team, suggesting close collaboration with marketing strategists, content creators, and campaign managers.

• The role reports to a Marketing leader and will likely have direct interaction with various business units and stakeholders across the Kaufman Group of companies.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While creative, the design solutions are expected to be informed by business goals and potentially campaign performance data, emphasizing effectiveness over purely aesthetic pursuits.

• Process Optimization: The emphasis on developing "scalable design systems," "templates," and "reusable assets" points to a focus on efficiency and standardized workflows within the marketing department.

• Brand Stewardship: A core methodology involves championing and evolving brand standards, ensuring a consistent and high-quality visual identity across all company communications.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's private, family-owned nature and focus on the insurance industry suggest a stable, professional, and potentially relationship-driven culture. The size implies a need for adaptability within established structures. This designer will likely work across multiple brands within the group, requiring an understanding of how to maintain individual brand identities while adhering to overarching group standards.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as an experienced-level Graphic Designer, typically falling into the mid-career bracket (5-10 years of experience). It involves significant ownership of projects, strategic input, and leadership in specific design areas, moving beyond junior-level execution to proactive contribution and mentorship.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a marketing leader (e.g., Marketing Director, Creative Director, or Marketing Manager) and will collaborate closely with other marketing team members. They will also serve as a key creative point of contact for various business stakeholders across the H.W. Kaufman Group of companies, requiring strong matrixed communication.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is crucial for shaping the visual representation of H.W. Kaufman Group and its constituent companies. By creating compelling and brand-aligned marketing assets, they directly influence brand perception, audience engagement, sales enablement effectiveness, and the overall professionalism of the company's communications. This role supports revenue generation by ensuring marketing materials are persuasive and effective.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Graphic Designer/Art Director: Progression could lead to a Senior Graphic Designer role with expanded responsibilities, or an Art Director position focused on leading creative vision and strategy for larger campaigns or specific brands.

• Specialization: Opportunities may arise to specialize in areas like digital design, UX/UI for digital platforms, or event branding.

• Team Leadership: With demonstrated success and leadership potential, there could be a path toward managing a small design team or overseeing external design resources.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining deeper understanding of marketing strategy, campaign management, or specific insurance product lines can open doors to roles with broader marketing responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth analysis assumes a typical career trajectory for a mid-level designer within a corporate structure. The emphasis on strategic contribution and brand stewardship suggests that demonstrating leadership in design thinking and process improvement will be key for advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site in Farmington Hills, MI, suggesting a traditional office environment within a corporate setting. This likely includes shared office spaces, meeting rooms, and potentially a dedicated creative or marketing department area.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located at 30833 Northwestern Highway, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. This is a suburban business district location, likely with ample parking and accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, fostering interaction with marketing colleagues, project managers, and other internal stakeholders.

• Access to standard office technology and design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) is assumed, along with necessary hardware for design work.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with various business units will provide exposure to different aspects of the insurance industry and diverse project needs.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there might be some flexibility in daily start/end times, but adherence to core business hours for collaboration is expected. Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines, particularly around major events or campaign launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature implies a traditional corporate office culture. The designer will be integrated into a team where in-person collaboration, quick feedback loops, and direct communication are likely valued, which can be beneficial for creative problem-solving and project alignment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design process, strategic thinking, and how they've achieved specific outcomes. Be prepared to articulate your role, challenges, and solutions.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: A practical design exercise or case study may be assigned to evaluate your design skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of brand application under realistic project constraints.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with marketing leadership and potentially key business stakeholders to assess communication, collaboration, and strategic alignment with business objectives.

• Final Interview: Meeting with senior leadership to discuss cultural fit and overall suitability for the role and H.W. Kaufman Group.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your strongest, most relevant work, focusing on projects that demonstrate strategic thinking, brand consistency, and impact across digital and print.

• For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the challenges faced, your creative process, the solutions implemented, and the results achieved (quantifiable if possible).

• Include examples of template creation, design systems, or how you've maintained brand integrity across multiple touchpoints.

• Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, and any experience with AI design tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with H.W. Kaufman Group's various brands and their visual identities if possible.

• Anticipate design challenges that might involve creating assets for a specific campaign, adapting existing materials, or developing a new template based on a brief.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, focusing on how your creative choices support business objectives.

• Be prepared to discuss how you manage feedback and revisions from stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio presentation and potential design challenge underscores the practical nature of this role. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their creative talent but also their ability to think strategically, manage projects, and collaborate effectively within a corporate framework.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in:

  • InDesign: For layout design, print collateral, brochures, and template creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex illustrations.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, digital assets, and web graphics.

• Canva: Experience leveraging Canva for template creation, quick asset generation, and empowering other team members with design capabilities.

• AI Tools for Design: Experience or familiarity with AI-powered design tools is preferred, indicating an interest in modern design workflows and efficiency enhancements.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary responsibility, understanding how design impacts campaign performance metrics (e.g., click-through rates for digital ads, engagement for social media graphics) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms that track visual asset performance may be a plus.

CRM & Automation: No direct CRM or automation tool requirements are specified for this design role, but an understanding of how marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email marketing) utilize design assets can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, along with a preference for AI tools, clearly defines the expected technical proficiency. This designer needs to be adept at professional design software while also being pragmatic about creating scalable, user-friendly assets for broader organizational use.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished creative work that reflects positively on the H.W. Kaufman Group brand.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships with marketing colleagues, business stakeholders, and external vendors to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new design technologies and approaches (like AI tools) to improve efficiency and creative output, while adapting to evolving business needs.

• Brand Stewardship: Acting as a guardian of brand integrity and consistency across all visual communications, ensuring a unified and professional image.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Developing design solutions and systems that are not only effective but also scalable and efficient for broader use within the organization.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly with marketing strategists, content creators, event planners, and business unit representatives to align creative efforts with overarching business objectives.

• Feedback & Iteration: Engaging constructively with feedback from stakeholders and iterating on designs to meet project requirements and maximize impact.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design expertise, best practices, and template resources with other team members to foster a collaborative and informed creative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values, inferred from its industry, size, and private ownership, suggest a culture that values professionalism, long-term relationships, and a commitment to quality. For a designer, this means being a reliable, strategic partner who understands the business context of their creative work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Brands: Effectively managing and designing for a diverse portfolio of companies within the H.W. Kaufman Group, each potentially with its own brand nuances, requires strong organizational skills and adaptability.

• Stakeholder Management: Navigating diverse stakeholder needs and feedback across different business units to deliver unified creative solutions.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency at Scale: Ensuring brand integrity across a vast network of offices and marketing materials, especially when empowering non-designers to use templates.

• Keeping Pace with Design Trends and Technology: Continuously learning and integrating new design tools and techniques (like AI) into workflows to maintain relevance and efficiency.

• Prioritization in a Fast-Paced Environment: Managing a high volume of requests and projects while meeting tight deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software & AI Tools: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and explore emerging AI design platforms through training and experimentation.

• Brand Strategy & Marketing Principles: Gaining a deeper understanding of marketing campaign development, brand strategy, and audience segmentation through collaboration and potentially internal training.

• Industry-Specific Design: Developing expertise in designing for the insurance and financial services sectors, understanding industry conventions and compliance considerations.

• Project Management & Workflow Optimization: Enhancing skills in managing complex projects and optimizing design workflows for greater efficiency.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers or lead creative initiatives as experience grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges helps candidates prepare for the realities of the role. The growth opportunities highlight the company's potential investment in its employees' professional development, crucial for retaining talent in creative fields.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a design brief from concept to final deliverable, especially when working across multiple brands." (Focus on structured approach, feedback loops, and brand adaptation.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across digital, print, and event materials, particularly when empowering others to use templates?" (Highlight template creation, style guide adherence, and clear communication.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about H.W. Kaufman Group and the insurance industry?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent news. Show genuine interest.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers or stakeholders who may have limited design understanding?" (Emphasize clear communication, active listening, and educating stakeholders.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 4-6 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your strategic thinking, versatility (digital/print), and ability to manage brand consistency.

• For each project, prepare a concise narrative: problem/objective, your role, your process/solution, and the result/impact.

• Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and any AI design tools.

• Highlight any experience with template systems, brand guidelines, or creating assets for sales enablement or events.

• Practice your presentation to ensure it flows well and stays within any allocated time limits.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill, but also strategic thinking, process management, and communication abilities, which are critical for a senior-level role interacting with various stakeholders.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the H.W. Kaufman careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases projects demonstrating strategic design thinking, brand consistency across digital and print, and experience with template development or design systems. Tailor your project selection to highlight relevant experience for sales enablement, events, and digital/print asset creation.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight your 5-10 years of experience, specific proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), Canva, and any AI design tools. Quantify achievements where possible, focusing on contributions to marketing effectiveness and brand integrity.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, stakeholder management approach, and how you translate business objectives into creative solutions. Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and be ready for a potential design challenge.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research H.W. Kaufman Group, understanding its network of companies, its mission, and its position in the insurance industry. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest during interviews.

⚠️ 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.