Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Kimley-Horn

Location: Greenwood Village, CO

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing & Creative Operations

Date Posted: April 24, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the Regional Marketing & Graphic Design team by creating compelling visual assets for proposals, reports, and marketing collateral.

• Develop and maintain brand consistency across all internal and external communications, adhering strictly to corporate and client branding guidelines.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, project managers, and technical staff to translate complex information into accessible and engaging visual designs.

• Manage a diverse range of design projects from concept to completion, including print and digital brochures, e-blasts, social media graphics, and large-format displays.

• Leverage advanced design software and techniques to produce high-quality outputs, including photo simulations and multimedia graphics.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a Marketing & Graphic Design team, indicating a focus on visual communication for business development and internal engagement, rather than traditional revenue or sales operations. The emphasis on proposals, client branding, and technical staff collaboration suggests a strong GTM support function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design visually appealing covers, templates, layouts, and supporting graphics for client proposals and technical reports, ensuring clarity and adherence to brand standards.

• Create dynamic presentations and multimedia graphics that effectively communicate project scope, objectives, and outcomes.

• Develop detailed before-and-after photo simulations and sophisticated aerial map exhibits to illustrate project impact and scope.

• Produce unique and impactful brochures, both print and digital versions, that align with marketing objectives and company branding.

• Design engaging e-blast campaigns and social media graphics to support marketing initiatives and company outreach.

• Manage large format printing and production processes, ensuring quality and timely delivery for trade shows and events.

• Thrive as an integral part of a large, creative, and specialized marketing team, contributing to a collaborative and high-performance environment.

• Interact effectively with engineers, project managers, and technical staff, translating their needs into creative design solutions.

• Diligently work within and uphold corporate and client branding guidelines across all design outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on GTM support through proposal development, marketing collateral creation, and client-facing visual communication. The interaction with technical staff points to the need for strong communication and translation skills, common in GTM operations roles supporting sales and business development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a demonstrable track record of creating impactful visual assets for a corporate or agency environment. Experience in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat.

• Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint), as Kimley-Horn operates on a PC-based platform.

• Strong understanding and application of layout principles for complex documents, particularly using InDesign.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration and client interaction.

• Professional demeanor, a positive and solution-seeking attitude, and a high sense of personal responsibility.

• Ability to manage multiple, varied assignments simultaneously, meeting tight deadlines with consistent quality and accuracy.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with video filming/editing and/or motion graphics creation.

• Familiarity with Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, 3DS Max, or Sketchup.

• Web design experience, with WordPress proficiency and knowledge of HTML/CSS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are standard for a graphic designer. However, the explicit mention of InDesign for complex documents, proficiency with Microsoft Office, and the preference for video/motion graphics and web design skills suggest the role requires a versatile designer capable of supporting diverse GTM and internal communication needs. The "2-5 years" experience level implies a mid-level role, needing both execution skills and some independent project management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive online portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design projects, with a strong emphasis on proposal graphics, marketing collateral, and presentations.

• Demonstrations of before-and-after photo simulations or aerial map exhibits are highly desirable.

• Examples of digital assets, such as e-blasts or social media graphics, should be included.

• Case studies or project descriptions that detail the design process, challenges, and solutions implemented.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly a "process documentation" role, the portfolio should implicitly demonstrate an understanding of design workflows, including:

  • Project scoping and brief interpretation.

  • Iterative design processes and feedback incorporation.

  • File management and organization for large projects.

  • Pre-press preparation for print outputs.

  • Adaptation of assets for various digital platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for an online portfolio link is a critical component for this role. For operations-focused roles, portfolios often showcase process optimization, system implementation, or data analysis. Here, the focus is on visual execution and GTM support collateral, implying the "process" is the design workflow itself, and the "system" is the Adobe Creative Suite and brand guidelines.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $67,000 - $72,000 per year, dependent on applicable experience.

Benefits:

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

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

• Time Off: Generous personal leave, flexible scheduling options, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.

• Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in the 401(k) program, and performance-based bonuses.

• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs to foster skill advancement.

• Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.

Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per week, with flexibility to periodically work outside normal working hours as required for business needs, such as meeting proposal deadlines or event support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-level Graphic Designer in the Denver metro area, reflecting the specialized skills and responsibilities. The benefits package is exceptionally robust, particularly the retirement and profit-sharing contributions, which are indicative of a company that invests heavily in employee long-term financial well-being. The mention of half-day Fridays is a significant perk for work-life balance, appealing to many professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Consulting, and Design Services. Kimley-Horn operates within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, providing a broad range of consulting services. This context means designs often need to convey technical information and project feasibility.

Company Size: Large (Kimley-Horn is a multinational engineering consulting firm with thousands of employees). This size suggests a structured environment with established processes and a significant marketing and operations support function.

Founded: 1945. A long history indicates stability, a strong reputation, and well-established business practices.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the "Regional Marketing & Graphic Design team," located in the Denver office.

• This team likely comprises other designers, marketing specialists, and potentially proposal managers, supporting various business units within the region.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not a primary function for this role, design decisions should be informed by an understanding of target audiences and communication goals, implying a need to interpret marketing briefs.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The role requires efficient management of design projects, adhering to deadlines and optimizing workflows to handle simultaneous assignments.

• Automation & Efficiency: While not focused on process automation, efficient use of design software and tools is crucial. Familiarity with web design tools like WordPress and HTML/CSS can contribute to digital efficiency.

Company Website: https://www.kimley-horn.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Kimley-Horn's placement on the Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work" list for 19 years is a significant indicator of a positive and employee-centric culture. The company's industry requires strong visual communication to translate complex engineering concepts for diverse stakeholders, making the Graphic Designer role critical for GTM success.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Mid-Level Graphic Designer. It requires independent execution of design tasks and the ability to manage smaller projects or specific components of larger ones. It's a step up from an entry-level position, expecting a solid grasp of design principles and software, and the ability to work with less direct supervision.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a manager within the Regional Marketing & Graphic Design team. This manager will likely oversee the team's workload, project assignments, and professional development.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the company's ability to win new business by creating compelling proposals and marketing materials. High-quality visuals enhance the company's brand perception, communicate technical expertise effectively, and support sales efforts. Their contributions are crucial for GTM success by making complex engineering projects understandable and attractive to clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design software (e.g., advanced After Effects or 3DS Max) and develop skills in emerging areas like motion graphics or web design.

• Industry Specialization: Gain in-depth knowledge of the AEC industry and its unique visual communication needs, becoming a subject matter expert for marketing collateral.

• Leadership Potential: With proven performance and expanded skill sets, potential to move into a Senior Graphic Designer role, lead design initiatives, or specialize in areas like proposal management support or digital marketing design.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "operations" role in the sense of revenue or sales operations, the "impact" is directly tied to Go-To-Market (GTM) effectiveness. The growth opportunities are framed within a creative and marketing context, but the underlying principles of skill development, specialization, and potential leadership apply broadly to operations career paths.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an office-based opportunity, indicating a traditional work environment within a professional services firm.

Office Location(s): 6200 South Syracuse Way, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO. This location is in a suburban business district, likely with good accessibility and professional amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with designers working alongside other marketing professionals and interacting frequently with technical staff.

• Access to standard office technology and design software (Adobe CC, Microsoft Office) will be provided.

• The environment likely fosters creativity and professional development, given the company's accolades for employee satisfaction.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. However, flexibility is required to periodically work outside normal hours and potentially travel for business needs, especially for proposal deadlines or events. This flexibility is common in GTM support roles that are client-service oriented.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an "office-based" role and the need for flexibility to work "outside normal hours" is typical for client-facing GTM support functions where responsiveness to business development opportunities is key. The collaborative aspect suggests an environment where knowledge sharing and teamwork are valued.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Resume and portfolio review to assess technical skills, design aesthetic, and alignment with experience requirements.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth discussion about design philosophy, process, and specific projects showcased in the portfolio. This may include a design challenge or a request to discuss how specific projects were executed.

• Team/Manager Interview: Meet with the hiring manager and potentially other team members to assess cultural fit, communication style, and collaborative abilities. Discussions may focus on how the candidate handles feedback and works with technical teams.

• Final Interview (Optional): May involve a senior leader or HR for final assessment of fit and compensation discussion.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those demonstrating skills in proposal graphics, technical illustrations, and marketing collateral.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, the tools used, challenges faced, and the final outcome. Highlight how you incorporated feedback.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While difficult for design, if a design contributed to a successful proposal or marketing campaign, mention it. Focus on quality, accuracy, and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Highlight Technical Collaboration: If any projects involved close work with engineers or technical staff, be prepared to discuss that collaboration.

• Ensure Accessibility: Provide a clear, working link to your online portfolio. Make sure it's well-organized and easy to navigate.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design exercise. This could involve creating a graphic element for a hypothetical proposal or adapting existing branding.

• Practice articulating your design choices and rationale clearly and concisely, especially when discussing technical aspects or client requirements.

• Be ready to discuss your experience with Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office Suite in detail, including specific features you leverage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to not only show their work but also discuss their process, problem-solving skills, and ability to collaborate with non-designers. This mirrors how operations professionals are expected to present their process improvements and system implementations.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential suite including InDesign (for complex layouts), Photoshop (for image manipulation and digital graphics), and Illustrator (for vector graphics and illustrations). Acrobat for PDF management.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Critical for integration with company-wide documents, particularly PowerPoint for presentations and Word for proposal integration.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tool requirements are listed, but familiarity with how marketing assets are deployed through platforms like email marketing software or social media management tools would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe CC and Microsoft Office Suite highlights the core technical requirements. The preferred skills in video editing and web design suggest a growing need for multimedia content creation, which is increasingly important for GTM strategies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: (Interpreted through company values and role expectations)

• Quality & Accuracy: A strong emphasis on producing high-quality, error-free work, especially critical for client-facing proposals and reports.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The need to work effectively within a large marketing team and interact closely with technical departments.

• Client Focus: Designing with the client's needs and brand guidelines at the forefront, supporting business development objectives.

• Professionalism & Responsibility: Maintaining a professional demeanor, taking ownership of assignments, and being solution-oriented.

• Efficiency & Adaptability: Ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure and adapt to changing project requirements and deadlines.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to collaborate closely with engineers and project managers, requiring clear communication to translate technical information into understandable visuals.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture that likely involves iterative design processes with feedback from marketing managers, project teams, and potentially clients.

• Knowledge Sharing: Working within a large marketing team suggests opportunities for sharing best practices, design techniques, and learning from peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Kimley-Horn's reputation for being a great place to work suggests a supportive and collaborative culture. The role's interaction with technical staff underscores the importance of clear communication and teamwork, essential for any operations-adjacent function focused on business support.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Managing a high volume of diverse design requests with competing deadlines requires excellent time management and prioritization skills.

• Translating Technical Information: Effectively visualizing complex engineering concepts for non-technical audiences requires strong communication and creative problem-solving.

• Adhering to Strict Branding: Consistently applying corporate and client branding guidelines across all outputs while maintaining creative integrity.

• Rapid Turnaround Times: The fast-paced nature of proposal development and marketing campaigns may require quick adaptation and execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Deepening: Opportunities to become an expert in advanced features of Adobe CC, motion graphics, video editing, or web development.

• Industry Knowledge: Gaining a deep understanding of the AEC industry and its specific marketing and communication needs.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced designers and marketing professionals within a well-established company.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Developing a better understanding of engineering and project management processes through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a corporate graphic designer supporting GTM functions. The growth opportunities are geared towards expanding creative skill sets and industry expertise, aligning with continuous improvement often sought in operations roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex engineering project and translating its key features into an engaging visual for a proposal." (Focus on communication, understanding brief, iterative design)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across a wide range of marketing materials, from a brochure to a social media post?" (Focus on process, tool usage, attention to detail)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Kimley-Horn and our work in the engineering consulting industry?" (Research company, understand their projects and values)

• "How do you see yourself fitting into a large, collaborative marketing team?" (Highlight teamwork, communication, positive attitude)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each project, tell a story: the problem, your solution, the tools you used, and the impact.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out where your portfolio demonstrates proficiency in InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and any preferred skills like video or web.

• Focus on Relevance: Emphasize projects that align with the responsibilities listed, especially proposal graphics and marketing collateral.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: If you showcase complex graphics, be ready to explain the technical aspects of their creation.

• Showcase Collaboration: If applicable, discuss how you collaborated with technical teams or project managers on specific pieces.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role emphasizes demonstrating technical proficiency, creative problem-solving, and strong collaborative skills, similar to how operations candidates would prepare to showcase their analytical abilities, process improvement methodologies, and stakeholder management.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

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

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, proposal graphics, and any multimedia or web design skills. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed graphics for X number of proposals annually").

• Curate your portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is easily accessible and showcases your most relevant work, focusing on proposal graphics, marketing collateral, and technical illustrations. Prepare to walk through 2-3 key projects during an interview.

• Research Kimley-Horn: Understand their services, industry (AEC), and company culture. Familiarize yourself with their branding and recent projects.

• Prepare for design questions: Be ready to discuss your design process, how you handle feedback, and your approach to working with technical teams.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.