Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Higginbotham

Location: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: April 29, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is central to the Business Development (BD) function, focusing on creating visually compelling and brand-compliant materials that support sales and client engagement.

• The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in translating complex information into clear, impactful designs for RFPs, presentations, and various marketing collateral, directly influencing the win rate of new business.

• A key aspect of this position involves maintaining strict brand consistency across all creative outputs while also innovating within brand guidelines to enhance visual appeal and client perception.

• This role requires a blend of technical design skills, strategic thinking for sales support, and strong project management capabilities to handle multiple high-pressure deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Graphic Designer," has a strong emphasis on supporting revenue-generating activities through design for RFPs and sales collateral. This positions it within a "Marketing & Design Operations" or "Sales Enablement Design" category, requiring a candidate who understands the business impact of their creative work. The mention of "employee benefits design and production" and "insurance brokerage or industry knowledge is desired" suggests a specialization within a specific industry, which is crucial for understanding client needs and industry-specific design conventions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce high-impact collateral for pre- and post-sales deliverables, including Request for Proposals (RFPs), finalist presentations, white papers, case studies, infographics, brochures, and placemats.

• Develop custom, visually engaging, and brand-aligned designs for revenue-generating deliverables to meet the specific needs of producers and clients, aiming to win and retain business.

• Ensure strict adherence to brand guidelines across all creative outputs, while proactively exploring and implementing opportunities for visual enhancement within established parameters.

• Create polished, cohesive, and impactful PowerPoint presentations that effectively communicate key messages and support sales objectives.

• Collaborate closely with departmental teams, producers, and other stakeholders to understand project requirements and deliver creative solutions that align with business goals.

• Contribute innovative ideas and creative solutions for various sales materials and communication initiatives, participating actively in brainstorming and design planning sessions.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet tight deadlines and high-pressure demands within the BD cycle.

• Maintain and utilize design templates, paragraph styles, and style sheets to ensure efficiency and consistency in production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on revenue enablement through design. Phrases like "revenue-generating deliverables," "win and keep business," and "supports pre- and post-sales deliverables" indicate that this role is not just about aesthetics but about driving business outcomes. The mention of specific document types (RFPs, white papers, case studies) and tools (PowerPoint) points to a need for specialized design skills within a corporate sales environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience specifically in employee benefits design and production, or a comparable role requiring similar design output and industry understanding.

• Demonstrated experience in creating and working with design templates, paragraph styles, and style sheets to ensure efficiency and brand consistency in high-volume design environments.

• Proven ability to design for digital, print, and/or broadcast communications, showcasing versatility in media application.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Expert-level command of the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, for creating professional and impactful visuals.

• Presentation Design: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, including creating engaging, dynamic, and brand-compliant presentations.

• Layout & Typography: Strong understanding of fundamental design principles, including layout, typography, visual hierarchy, and color theory, applied to diverse media.

• Brand Management: Ability to maintain and enforce brand consistency across all design outputs, ensuring alignment with corporate identity standards.

• RFP Design Expertise: Proven experience in designing and formatting complex RFP submissions, ensuring clarity, readability, and visual appeal.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication abilities to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and articulate design concepts.

• Time Management & Prioritization: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines under high pressure, prioritizing tasks efficiently.

• Problem-Solving: Capacity to quickly identify and resolve design challenges independently, offering creative and practical solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Insurance Brokerage/Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with the insurance brokerage sector or employee benefits industry to better understand client needs and industry-specific design conventions.

• Editorial/Agency Experience: Prior experience in an editorial setting or a creative agency, which often involves fast-paced project cycles and diverse client requirements.

• Applied Epic or AMS Knowledge: Familiarity with Applied Epic or similar Account Management Systems (AMS) is a plus, indicating potential understanding of client data management and system integration in a brokerage context.

• Creative Thinking & Innovation: A proactive approach to suggesting new ideas and methods to enhance design processes and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "employee benefits design and production" experience is a significant differentiator. This suggests that candidates with a background in highly regulated or specialized industries (like finance, insurance, or healthcare) where detailed documentation and strict compliance are paramount will be highly valued. The emphasis on PowerPoint and RFP design indicates a need for skills in creating persuasive, data-driven visual narratives for business development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Brand Consistency: Showcase examples of projects where brand guidelines were strictly followed while still achieving creative impact.

• RFP & Presentation Excellence: Include at least two strong examples of complex RFP submissions and engaging PowerPoint presentations, highlighting your role and contributions.

• Workflow Efficiency: Present case studies or examples that illustrate how you’ve used templates, styles, or streamlined processes to improve design production efficiency.

• Cross-Media Application: Provide examples demonstrating your ability to design for both digital and print mediums effectively.

• Problem/Solution Focus: Include a project that clearly outlines a design challenge faced and the innovative solution you developed, detailing the process and outcome.

Process Documentation:

• Template Development & Usage: Evidence of creating or significantly improving design templates for recurring deliverables (e.g., RFPs, presentations, brochures).

• Style Guide Adherence: Examples demonstrating a deep understanding and application of style guides for typography, color, and imagery.

• Collaboration Workflow: Showcase how you’ve integrated with team members or utilized project management tools (like Asana, Monday.com, SharePoint, Teams) to manage design projects from brief to completion.

• Design Iteration & Feedback: Examples of how you incorporate feedback and iterate on designs to meet client or stakeholder requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on BD and sales enablement, the portfolio should emphasize not just visual aesthetics but also the strategic impact of the design. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their designs contributed to winning business, improved clarity of information, or enhanced client engagement. Demonstrating proficiency with template usage and style guides is critical for efficiency in a high-volume environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to provide robust coverage for employees and their families.

• Retirement Savings Plan: A 401(k) plan with potential company match, offering a pathway to long-term financial security.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous PTO package including vacation days, sick leave, and paid holidays to support work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, including access to training resources, workshops, and potentially support for industry certifications or conferences related to design and marketing.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Employer-sponsored life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage for added peace of mind.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees facing personal or work-related challenges.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While standard business hours are expected (e.g., 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM), there may be occasional requirements to work beyond standard hours or on weekends to meet critical project deadlines, particularly during RFP submission periods. Flexibility and a commitment to meeting business needs are essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for experienced graphic designers in the Fort Worth, TX area, with adjustments for the specialized nature of the role (RFP/BD support) and the industry (employee benefits/insurance). Benefit details are standard for full-time roles at companies of this size and industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Insurance Brokerage (Employee Benefits focus)

Company Size: Higginbotham is a large organization, employing over 1,000 individuals across multiple locations. This size suggests a structured corporate environment with established processes and a significant market presence.

Founded: Higginbotham was founded in 1948, indicating a long-standing history and deep-rooted expertise in the insurance and financial services industry. This longevity implies stability and a commitment to long-term client relationships.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a Business Development (BD) or Marketing department, which is typically a central support function within a larger sales organization.

• Reporting will likely be to a Marketing Manager, Creative Director, or BD Operations Lead, who oversees the creation and delivery of sales enablement materials.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, the design approach emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and the effective communication of data-driven insights, especially in RFPs and presentations.

• Process Optimization: The company values efficiency and continuous improvement, expecting designers to leverage templates, styles, and project management tools to streamline workflows and meet deadlines consistently.

• Brand Governance: A strong emphasis is placed on adhering to established brand guidelines to ensure a unified and professional company image across all client touchpoints.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Higginbotham's established history and large size suggest a professional, corporate culture where standardized processes and brand consistency are highly valued. The focus on employee benefits within the insurance industry means that designs often need to convey complex information clearly and build trust. Collaboration is key, as the designer will be supporting a broad sales force.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an experienced individual contributor, likely mid-level to senior within a specialized design function. It requires a high degree of autonomy and expertise in specific design applications and corporate communication needs.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer typically reports to a manager or director within the Business Development or Marketing department. This structure allows for guidance on strategic priorities and brand direction while enabling the designer to execute tasks independently.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the company's ability to secure new business and retain existing clients. High-quality, persuasive design materials for RFPs and presentations are critical for making a strong first impression, conveying professionalism, and differentiating Higginbotham from competitors. Effective design can significantly influence client perception and purchasing decisions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Graphic Designer / Lead Designer: Potential to advance into a more senior role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, or leading specific design initiatives.

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas such as presentation design strategy, RFP development best practices, or data visualization for financial services.

• Marketing Specialization: Transition into broader marketing roles, leveraging design skills within content marketing, digital marketing, or communications strategy.

• Project Management: Develop project management skills to oversee design project lifecycles and client interactions more comprehensively.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within specialized design functions supporting sales and business development. The emphasis on industry-specific deliverables like RFPs can lead to developing highly sought-after expertise. The opportunity to impact revenue directly provides a tangible measure of success and career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration and access to company resources are expected.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Fort Worth, Texas. This implies working within a corporate office setting that may include shared workspaces, private offices, and collaborative meeting areas.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be professional and conducive to focused design work, likely equipped with industry-standard hardware and software.

• Opportunities for collaboration with sales teams, marketing colleagues, and subject matter experts will be readily available, fostering a dynamic and communicative atmosphere.

• Access to necessary design tools, software licenses (Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office), and potentially cloud-based storage and project management systems (SharePoint, Asana) will be provided.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule will be full-time, aligning with typical business hours. However, the demands of sales cycles and RFP deadlines may necessitate occasional flexibility, requiring the ability to work extended hours or adapt schedules as project needs dictate.

📝 Enhancement Note: As an on-site role, the expectation is for the designer to be physically present in the Fort Worth office, contributing to a collaborative team environment. The work schedule flexibility is a common requirement in BD support roles where deadlines are often immovable.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications, focusing on resume content, required experience (5+ years in design, ideally benefits/insurance), and proficiency with Adobe Suite/PowerPoint.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio showcasing relevant design work, particularly RFPs, presentations, and brand-aligned collateral. This is a critical stage to assess visual skills, creativity, and understanding of business communication.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: A practical exercise may be given, such as a short design task related to an RFP or presentation, to evaluate real-time design capabilities, problem-solving, and efficiency under timed conditions.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Interviews will explore past experiences, problem-solving approaches, collaboration style, and ability to handle pressure and tight deadlines. Questions may focus on how you’ve managed conflicting priorities or worked with challenging stakeholders.

• Final Interview: A meeting with key stakeholders, potentially including senior BD leaders or marketing executives, to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize RFPs, presentations, and brand-focused collateral for this specific role.

• Showcase Process & Impact: For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, and the outcome or impact (e.g., "This RFP design contributed to a 20% increase in proposal acceptance rates for this quarter").

• Highlight Technical Skills: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates proficiency with Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and advanced PowerPoint features.

• Emphasize Brand Consistency: Include examples that clearly show your ability to adhere to and creatively apply brand guidelines.

• Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to walk through your portfolio, articulate your design choices, and answer questions about your workflow and problem-solving methods.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice PowerPoint: Master advanced features like custom animations, SmartArt integration, and embedding multimedia. Practice creating professional, branded slides quickly.

• Understand RFP Structure: Familiarize yourself with typical RFP sections and how design can enhance readability and impact.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within strict time limits. Focus on delivering a polished, complete deliverable rather than perfection.

• Communicate Your Process: Be prepared to verbally explain your design decisions and thought process, especially if given a timed design challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the candidate's portfolio and their ability to demonstrate practical design skills relevant to sales enablement. Candidates should prepare to articulate the business value of their design work, not just its aesthetic quality.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop): Essential for all graphic design tasks, from layout and illustration to photo editing and asset creation. Proficiency in creating and utilizing templates, styles, and master pages within these applications is critical.

• Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook): Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint is paramount for developing compelling presentations. Word and Excel may be used for content integration and data management, while Outlook is standard for communication.

• Project Management Software (Asana, Monday.com): Experience with project management tools is required for tracking tasks, managing deadlines, and collaborating effectively with team members.

• Cloud Collaboration Platforms (SharePoint, Teams): Familiarity with platforms like SharePoint for document storage and collaboration, and Teams for real-time communication and virtual meetings.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Applied Epic or Similar AMS: Experience with Applied Epic or other Account Management Systems (AMS) is preferred. This indicates an understanding of the brokerage environment, client data management, and how design assets might integrate into CRM workflows or client portals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft PowerPoint is standard for graphic design roles. The inclusion of project management and collaboration tools highlights the need for efficiency and teamwork. Preferred experience with Applied Epic or similar AMS suggests a desire for candidates who can quickly understand the company's operational ecosystem.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accuracy and Detail: A paramount value, especially in creating RFPs and client-facing documents where precision is critical. This translates to meticulous proofreading and adherence to specifications.

• Client Focus: Dedication to understanding and exceeding client expectations through high-quality, impactful design that supports their business objectives.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with diverse personalities and departments to achieve shared goals, fostering a supportive and team-oriented environment.

• Efficiency and Timeliness: A commitment to completing tasks and projects accurately and on schedule, managing resources and priorities effectively to meet tight deadlines.

• Creative Problem-Solving: An openness to suggesting new ideas and methods, and the ability to analyze challenges and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with sales, BD, and subject matter experts, requiring clear communication and the ability to translate technical or business requirements into visual assets.

• Feedback Loop: A culture that encourages constructive feedback for continuous improvement of both designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design best practices, templates, and insights with team members to elevate the overall quality of creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align with those typically found in professional services firms: precision, client-centricity, teamwork, and a results-oriented approach. The emphasis on creativity is balanced with a need for accuracy and efficiency, reflecting the demands of supporting a sales organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Competing Deadlines: The inherent challenge of supporting a busy sales team means frequent, high-pressure deadlines for RFPs and presentations, requiring exceptional prioritization and time management.

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining strict brand guidelines while also producing fresh, engaging designs can be a creative challenge, requiring skillful interpretation of brand rules.

• Content Complexity: Translating complex technical information, financial data, and employee benefits details into visually digestible and persuasive formats.

• Stakeholder Management: Effectively gathering requirements, managing feedback, and aligning design output with the diverse expectations of various stakeholders across different departments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific Adobe Creative Suite features or explore new design software and techniques.

• Industry-Specific Design: Gaining specialized knowledge in designing for the employee benefits and insurance sectors, understanding industry nuances and client expectations.

• Presentation Strategy: Developing skills in strategic presentation design, focusing on narrative flow, data visualization, and persuasive communication.

• Project Management Skills: Enhancing capabilities in managing project timelines, resources, and stakeholder communication, potentially through formal training or on-the-job experience.

• Exposure to Sales Enablement: Learning how design directly contributes to sales success and business development strategies within a large financial services organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around managing the demands of a fast-paced sales environment and the complexities of industry-specific design. Growth opportunities are focused on deepening specialized design skills and understanding the strategic role of design in business development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to create a complex RFP submission under a tight deadline. What was your process, and how did you ensure accuracy and impact?" (Focus on process, time management, and quality control.)

• "How do you approach maintaining brand consistency while still bringing a fresh, creative perspective to design projects?" (Assess understanding of brand governance and creative problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Higginbotham, and what do you know about our services or the employee benefits industry?" (Research the company, its values, and its market position.)

• "How do you handle feedback on your designs, especially if it conflicts with your creative vision?" (Demonstrate adaptability, professionalism, and a client-focused approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your solution, and the result. Connect your design choices to business objectives.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data to showcase the success of your designs (e.g., "This presentation was used in X number of client meetings," "This RFP design helped secure Y amount in new business").

• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your process within Adobe Suite and PowerPoint, explaining how you leveraged specific features to achieve your results.

• Showcase Adaptability: Include a variety of projects that demonstrate your range and ability to adapt to different styles and requirements.

• Be Concise: Respect the interviewer's time. Present your most impactful work clearly and efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical design skills but also an understanding of business objectives, the ability to work under pressure, and strong collaborative capabilities. Candidates should be prepared to articulate the "why" behind their design choices and their impact on business outcomes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

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

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight your 5+ years of design experience, specifically mentioning RFP development, presentation design, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, and any relevant industry experience (employee benefits, insurance). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a digital portfolio that showcases your strongest work, focusing on RFPs, presentations, and brand collateral. Ensure it demonstrates your technical skills, creativity, and understanding of business communication needs.

• Prepare for a Design Challenge: Anticipate a potential design exercise to assess your skills under timed conditions. Practice creating branded presentations or mock RFP sections.

• Research Higginbotham: Understand the company's mission, values, services, and target market. Familiarize yourself with their brand guidelines to demonstrate your attention to detail and alignment with their visual identity.

⚠️ 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.