Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Kimley-Horn

Location: Greenwood Village, Colorado, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: March 16, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive visual communication strategies through compelling graphic design for proposals, reports, and marketing collateral, ensuring brand consistency across all platforms.

• Develop and execute creative design solutions for diverse projects, including digital assets, print materials, presentations, and large-format graphics, to enhance market presence and internal engagement.

• Collaborate closely with technical staff and project managers to translate complex information into easily understandable and visually engaging design elements.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, adhering to strict corporate and client branding guidelines, while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy under demanding deadlines.

• Contribute to a specialized, large-scale marketing team, leveraging design expertise to support business development, community outreach, and employee connectivity initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a "Regional Marketing & Graphic Design team," indicating a focus on supporting multi-disciplinary projects and client-facing deliverables. The emphasis on "proposals and reports" suggests a strong need for design skills in business development and technical documentation, a key area within GTM operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design captivating covers, templates, layouts, and supporting graphics for technical proposals and client reports, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and project requirements.

• Create impactful presentations, multimedia graphics, and visual aids to effectively communicate project concepts and technical information to diverse audiences.

• Develop realistic before-and-after photo simulations and detailed aerial map exhibits to visually represent project impacts and proposed solutions.

• Produce unique and compelling brochures (print and digital), trade show graphics, e-blast campaigns, and social media graphics to support marketing and business development efforts.

• Manage large-format printing and production processes, ensuring quality and timely delivery of physical marketing materials.

• Thrive within a large, collaborative, and specialized marketing team, contributing to a dynamic and creative work environment.

• Interact effectively with engineers, project managers, and technical staff to understand project needs and translate them into compelling visual designs.

• Diligently work within and enforce corporate and client branding guidelines to maintain a consistent and professional brand image.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical documentation design (proposals, reports) and marketing collateral creation. This requires a designer who can navigate complex information and apply creative solutions, a crucial skill in supporting Go-To-Market (GTM) functions that rely on clear communication of value propositions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related creative field.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a portfolio demonstrating a strong track record in creating diverse visual assets for business and marketing purposes.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat are essential for complex document layout, image manipulation, vector graphics, and PDF production.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) for integration with design projects and collaboration with PC-based teams.

• Layout & Template Design: Proven ability to design and maintain document templates, covers, and layouts for proposals, reports, and marketing collateral.

• Presentation Design: Skill in creating visually engaging and informative presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Demonstrated ability to work within and enforce strict corporate and client branding guidelines.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with technical staff and project managers.

• Problem-Solving & Professionalism: A positive, solution-seeking attitude, high personal responsibility, and a professional demeanor.

Preferred Skills:

• Video Production: Experience with video filming, editing, and motion graphics.

• Advanced Adobe Suite: Familiarity with Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects for video and motion graphics.

• 3D Modeling/Rendering: Experience with 3DS Max or SketchUp for creating 3D visualizations.

• Web Design: Knowledge of web design principles, preferably with WordPress experience and basic HTML/CSS understanding.

• Large Format Graphics: Experience designing and preparing files for large-format printing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on InDesign for "complex documents" and the preference for video/motion graphics suggest a need for a designer who can handle intricate technical documentation and dynamic visual storytelling, aligning with operations' need for clear, engaging communication of technical and business information.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse projects that highlight your design process from concept to completion, demonstrating problem-solving and creativity.

• Technical Document Design: Include examples of complex layouts for proposals, reports, or technical manuals, emphasizing clarity, organization, and adherence to branding.

• Marketing Collateral: Feature a range of marketing materials such as brochures, e-blasts, social media graphics, and trade show displays, showcasing versatility and brand application.

• Visualizations & Simulations: Present examples of photo simulations, aerial map exhibits, or other data visualization techniques that effectively communicate complex information.

• Demonstrated Software Proficiency: Clearly indicate the primary software used for each project, with a strong emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite applications.

Process Documentation:

• Design Workflow: Briefly outline your typical design workflow, from initial brief and concept development through revisions and final delivery, highlighting collaboration points.

• Brand Application Examples: Show how you have successfully applied and maintained brand consistency across various deliverables, including instances where you had to adapt designs within established guidelines.

• Project Management: Provide examples of how you manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks under pressure, and meet tight deadlines, perhaps through a specific project example.

📝 Enhancement Note: Applicants must submit a link to their online portfolio. The portfolio should not only showcase aesthetic capabilities but also demonstrate an understanding of how design supports business objectives, such as winning proposals or communicating complex technical information effectively, which is critical for operations roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $67,000 - $72,000 USD per year, commensurate with applicable experience.

Benefits:

• Exceptional Retirement Plan: Generous 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus), plus additional profit-sharing contributions.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options designed to support employee well-being.

• Generous Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling options, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays to promote work-life balance.

• Financial Wellness: Student loan matching program within the 401(k) and performance-based bonuses to support financial goals.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs to foster career growth.

• Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and access to childcare resources to support employees' families.

Working Hours: The role is office-based with standard working hours, likely 40 hours per week. Flexibility for occasional work outside normal hours and travel may be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided. The benefits package is exceptionally strong, particularly the retirement plan and extensive time-off policies, which are attractive to professionals seeking stability and work-life integration, common priorities in operations roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Consulting, and Design Services. Kimley-Horn operates within the professional services sector, providing a wide range of engineering and design expertise across various markets. This context means design supports technical outputs and client proposals.

Company Size: Large (over 1,000 employees). Kimley-Horn is a significant player in its industry, indicating a structured environment with established processes and ample resources for professional development.

Founded: 1961. With a long history, Kimley-Horn possesses a stable foundation and a wealth of experience, suggesting a culture that values long-term relationships and proven methodologies.

Team Structure:

• Regional Marketing & Graphic Design Team: The graphic designer will join a specialized team focused on regional marketing and design needs, suggesting a collaborative environment with peers who have complementary skills.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires significant interaction with engineers, project managers, and technical staff, underscoring the need for strong interpersonal and communication skills to bridge the gap between technical and creative disciplines.

• Reporting Line: Likely reports to a Marketing Manager or Design Lead within the regional marketing structure, with a clear hierarchy and defined responsibilities.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated for design, Kimley-Horn's broader company culture likely emphasizes data and evidence, suggesting that design decisions may need to be supported by rationale and an understanding of project goals.

• Client-Centric Approach: A core part of the company's philosophy is prioritizing client goals and success, meaning design output must directly support client needs and business objectives.

• Quality and Accuracy: As an engineering and design firm, there is an inherent emphasis on precision, accuracy, and quality in all deliverables, including graphic design.

Company Website: www.kimley-horn.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Kimley-Horn's long history and large size suggest a company with established processes and a strong focus on quality and client satisfaction, which translates to operations roles requiring meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality outputs that support business goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Graphic Designer (2-5 years experience). It involves executing design tasks with some autonomy and contributing to broader marketing strategies, but likely under the guidance of senior designers or marketing leadership.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a manager within the Regional Marketing & Graphic Design team. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance while providing opportunities to contribute to significant projects.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is crucial in shaping Kimley-Horn's market perception, supporting business development efforts through compelling proposals and marketing materials, and enhancing internal communication and employee engagement. Effective design directly influences client acquisition and retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas like proposal design, digital marketing graphics, or even emerging areas like motion graphics or 3D visualization, based on interest and business needs.

• Skill Development: Access to extensive internal training programs and tuition reimbursement encourages continuous learning and skill enhancement in design software, techniques, and marketing principles.

• Leadership Potential: With experience and demonstrated success, opportunities may arise to take on lead roles on design projects, mentor junior designers, or contribute to the strategic development of design initiatives within the marketing team.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, understanding how design contributes to the overall GTM strategy is key. This role offers growth within a specialized function, with potential to influence how technical information is communicated, which is a vital component of operations' role in driving business success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an office-based role located in Greenwood Village, CO. The environment is designed to facilitate collaboration among marketing and design professionals, as well as interaction with technical teams.

Office Location(s): 6200 South Syracuse Way, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO. This location is within the Denver metropolitan area, offering accessibility and proximity to a major business hub.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role is part of a "Regional Marketing & Graphic Design team," suggesting a dynamic workspace where brainstorming, feedback, and peer support are encouraged.

• Technology & Tools: Kimley-Horn is a PC-based company, and the role requires proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office Suite, indicating a well-equipped digital workspace.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with a diverse range of colleagues, including engineers and project managers, foster a rich professional exchange and cross-disciplinary learning.

Work Schedule: Standard office hours are expected, likely 40 hours per week. The company offers flexible scheduling options and half-day Fridays, indicating a commitment to work-life balance, which is beneficial for maintaining focus and productivity in design-intensive roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and direct interaction, which is often preferred for creative roles where spontaneous idea exchange and real-time feedback are beneficial.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: Expect a detailed discussion about your portfolio, focusing on your design process, software proficiency, and how you've approached similar projects. This may include technical questions about design software and principles.

• Behavioral & Situational Interview: Questions will assess your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and how you handle deadlines and client interactions.

• Team/Manager Interview: An opportunity to meet potential colleagues and discuss how you would integrate into the team and contribute to their workflow.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest and most relevant projects that showcase a range of skills, particularly those aligning with proposal design, technical communication, and marketing collateral.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your design approach, the challenges faced, and the solution. Highlight your role and contributions.

• Highlight Technical Document Design: Emphasize projects involving complex layouts, data visualization, or technical information presentation.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you can demonstrate how your design contributed to a successful proposal win or increased engagement, include that information.

• Ensure Clarity and Professionalism: Your portfolio should be well-organized, easy to navigate, and professionally presented. Provide a clear link to an online portfolio.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design exercise, which might involve creating a graphic element for a mock proposal or presentation based on a given brief. Focus on quickly understanding requirements, applying brand guidelines, and delivering a polished output.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Practice answering questions about how you would handle conflicting feedback from different stakeholders (e.g., an engineer and a marketing manager) or how you manage your time when facing multiple urgent requests.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, the interview process often tests an applicant's ability to translate requirements into actionable outputs and manage complex workflows. For this design role, the portfolio review is paramount, and candidates should prepare to articulate their design process and its impact on business objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Expert proficiency required in InDesign (for complex document layout), Photoshop (for image editing and manipulation), and Illustrator (for vector graphics and logos). Acrobat for PDF creation and management.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential for integration with proposals and presentations. Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel is expected.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Preferred/Advanced Tools:

• Adobe Premiere & After Effects: For video editing and motion graphics, enhancing multimedia capabilities.

• 3DS Max or SketchUp: For 3D modeling and visualization, useful for project simulations.

• WordPress: Basic understanding of web design and content management systems.

• HTML/CSS: For potential web design contributions or understanding web asset requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of PC-based systems and specific Adobe Creative Cloud applications (especially InDesign) indicates a need for candidates to be fully proficient in this particular technology stack. Understanding how these tools integrate with broader business systems is a plus for operations-minded candidates.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Accuracy: Reflecting Kimley-Horn's engineering roots, there's a strong emphasis on precision, attention to detail, and delivering error-free work that upholds the company's reputation.

• Client Focus: All design work should ultimately serve the client's needs and contribute to their success, aligning with Kimley-Horn's core business philosophy.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The role is embedded in a team and requires constant interaction with technical staff, emphasizing the value of shared effort and open communication.

• Innovation & Creativity: While adhering to guidelines, the team fosters an environment where creative solutions are sought to solve design challenges and enhance communication.

• Professional Responsibility: A high sense of personal responsibility is expected, ensuring tasks are completed diligently, deadlines are met, and work quality is consistently high.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with engineers and project managers, acting as a bridge between technical expertise and visual communication.

• Feedback-Driven: The process likely involves iterative feedback loops to refine designs and ensure they meet project objectives and stakeholder expectations.

• Knowledge Sharing: Being part of a large marketing team suggests opportunities for sharing best practices, learning from peers, and contributing to a collective knowledge base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes professionalism, client success, and collaborative problem-solving. For operations professionals, this translates to roles that require strong communication, a commitment to quality, and an ability to work effectively across different departments to achieve business goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Effectively translating technical information and adhering to strict corporate and client branding guidelines while still producing creative and engaging designs.

• Managing Multiple Demanding Projects: Juggling numerous assignments with tight deadlines, requiring excellent time management and prioritization skills.

• Communicating Design Rationale: Articulating design choices and their strategic value to non-designers (engineers, project managers), ensuring buy-in and understanding.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying current with design software updates, new creative techniques (like motion graphics or 3D), and digital design trends.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Access to extensive internal training programs and tuition reimbursement can support learning advanced design techniques, new software, and marketing principles.

• Industry Exposure: Working on diverse projects for a large engineering firm exposes designers to various industries and technical challenges, broadening their understanding and skill set.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior designers and marketing professionals within a large, established organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in operations-adjacent roles where technical requirements meet creative execution. The growth opportunities highlight Kimley-Horn's investment in employee development, a key factor for career progression in any specialized field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem-Solving: "Describe your process for designing a complex proposal cover from initial brief to final delivery." "How do you approach a design project when faced with very technical or abstract information?" "Walk me through a time you had to balance conflicting feedback from different stakeholders on a design project."

• Brand Management: "How do you ensure brand consistency across various collateral types?" "Describe a situation where you had to adapt a design to fit strict client branding requirements."

• Time Management & Prioritization: "How do you manage multiple design projects with competing deadlines?" "What steps do you take when you realize you might miss a deadline?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Kimley-Horn and this specific role?" "How do you see your design skills supporting the goals of an engineering consulting firm?" "Describe your ideal team environment."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each portfolio piece, craft a narrative that explains the challenge, your solution, and the outcome. Focus on how your design solved a problem or met an objective.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out examples that demonstrate your expertise in InDesign for complex layouts, your ability to create engaging presentations, and your handling of branding guidelines.

• Showcase Versatility: Present a range of work, from technical documentation to marketing collateral, to demonstrate your adaptability.

• Be Prepared for Technical Q&A: Anticipate questions about specific software features, file preparation for print, and digital asset optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for operations-focused roles often involves demonstrating problem-solving, strategic thinking, and communication skills. For this design role, the emphasis is on articulating the value of design in a business context and showcasing a structured, professional approach to creative execution.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Kimley-Horn careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features projects that align with the responsibilities listed, particularly those involving complex document layouts, proposal graphics, and marketing collateral for professional services.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign), Microsoft Office Suite, and any experience with video editing, 3D modeling, or web design. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed X proposals that contributed to Y% win rate").

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio with a focus on your design process, problem-solving approach, and how your work contributes to business objectives. Prepare for technical questions about design software and brand adherence.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Kimley-Horn's services, projects, and company culture. Understand how graphic design plays a role in supporting an engineering and consulting firm's business development and client engagement strategies.

⚠️ 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.

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