Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer Company: Partners by Design Location: Chicago, Illinois Job Type: Full-Time Category: Marketing & Design Operations Date Posted: January 27, 2026 Experience Level: Mid-level (3-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive business development initiatives through expert visual storytelling and compelling proposal development.
• Enhance the firm's brand presence by creating high-quality marketing collateral and client-facing materials.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design and leadership teams to translate complex concepts into engaging visual narratives.
• Manage and maintain design assets, ensuring brand consistency and strategic alignment across all communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the "Key Responsibilities" and "About the Role" sections clearly indicate a strong focus on business development and marketing operations within the AEC industry. This role requires a blend of design proficiency and strategic marketing acumen, aiming to support the firm's growth through effective visual communication in pursuits and client engagement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate comprehensive responses to RFQs, RFPs, and qualifications packages, ensuring all visual and textual elements align with pursuit strategy.
• Design, format, and manage multi-page proposal documents, presentations, brochures, project sheets, and resumes with a high degree of proficiency in Adobe InDesign.
• Apply advanced graphic design principles, including typography, layout, and visual hierarchy, to elevate the quality and effectiveness of all marketing and client-facing materials.
• Collaborate with project teams to select, edit, and present imagery and graphics that effectively communicate design intent and client goals, ensuring a cohesive visual narrative.
• Maintain and evolve visual standards across all marketing collateral, ensuring strict adherence to the firm’s established brand identity and guidelines.
• Curate, organize, and maintain a digital library of project imagery, case studies, and visual assets for efficient access and utilization in proposals and marketing efforts.
• Conduct research on industry trends, market sectors, and prospective clients to inform and support strategic pursuit decisions and content development.
• Utilize and contribute to the firm’s CRM platform (Membrain) for tracking leads, pursuits, and client engagement activities, ensuring data accuracy for reporting.
• Support the preparation for client meetings by developing impactful visual aids, key talking points, and essential background research.
• Assist in the planning and execution of firm-hosted events, professional engagement opportunities, and marketing campaigns to enhance brand visibility and client relationships.
• Support internal tracking and reporting of business development Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), pursuit pipelines, and conversion metrics.
• Contribute to the refinement and execution of the firm’s annual business development and marketing plan, aligning design efforts with strategic objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core graphic design tasks with significant business development and marketing operations functions. The emphasis on RFPs, RFQs, CRM utilization, and KPI tracking indicates a role deeply embedded in the GTM (Go-To-Market) process for an architecture and design firm.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Graphic Design, Architecture, Interior Design, or a closely related field is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• 3–5 years of experience in marketing and/or business development, with a preference for candidates with experience in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) or design industries.
• Demonstrated experience producing professional proposals and presentations, showcasing a strong understanding of design marketing principles.

Required Skills:

• Advanced Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Demonstrated expertise in Adobe InDesign is critical for multi-page document design; strong working knowledge of Photoshop is also required.
• Graphic Design Expertise: Strong foundational skills in typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and color theory to create visually appealing and effective materials.
• Proposal and Presentation Development: Proven ability to translate complex information into clear, concise, and compelling visual narratives for RFPs, RFQs, and client presentations.
• Brand Management: Ability to maintain and enforce brand consistency across all marketing collateral and client-facing communications.
• Collaboration and Communication: Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including leadership and project designers.
• Organization and Time Management: Highly organized with a proven ability to manage multiple deadlines, prioritize tasks, and deliver high-quality work under pressure.
• Research Skills: Ability to conduct industry, market, and client research to inform business development strategies and content creation.
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency: Competency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for general business and proposal support.

Preferred Skills:

• CRM Platform Experience: Familiarity with CRM platforms, specifically Membrain, for tracking leads, pursuits, and client engagement.
• AEC Industry Knowledge: Understanding of the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, including its typical marketing and business development cycles.
• Digital Asset Management: Experience with curating and managing digital libraries of project imagery and collateral.
• Event Support: Experience assisting with the planning and execution of marketing events and professional engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a strong blend of creative design skills and business operations acumen. The specific mention of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, alongside proposal development and CRM usage, points towards a specialized role within GTM operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Proposal Design Showcase: Include examples of multi-page proposals, RFPs, or qualifications packages that demonstrate strong layout, typography, and visual storytelling relevant to architectural or design services.
• Marketing Collateral Examples: Showcase a variety of marketing materials such as brochures, project sheets, presentations, and digital assets that highlight brand consistency and design quality.
• Process Optimization Examples (if applicable): If you have experience improving design workflows or proposal production processes, briefly outline the challenge, your solution, and the positive outcome.
• Visual Asset Management: Demonstrate an understanding of organizing and utilizing visual assets effectively within design projects.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their process for managing proposal development from initial brief to final delivery, including steps for content gathering, design application, review cycles, and final production.
• Ability to describe their method for maintaining brand consistency across diverse marketing materials and design projects.
• Demonstrate how they approach selecting and integrating imagery and graphics to support client goals and design intent.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role combining graphic design with business development support, a portfolio should not only showcase design quality but also the candidate's ability to execute under business constraints (deadlines, brand guidelines, specific client needs). Demonstrating process efficiency is a key differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 3-5 years of experience in Chicago, IL, the estimated salary range for this role is approximately $65,000 - $85,000 annually. This range accounts for the hybrid work model, the specialized nature of the role within the AEC industry, and the required proficiencies in advanced design software and business development support.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) or similar plan, potentially with employer matching.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and continuing education related to design, marketing, and business development.
• Hybrid Work Arrangement: Flexibility to balance on-site collaboration with remote work.
• Team Collaboration Environment: Access to a collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and idea sharing.

Working Hours:

• Full-time position, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility, with specific in-office days to be coordinated with the team and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is an estimate based on industry data for similar roles in Chicago, IL. Specific benefits will be detailed during the interview process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architecture, Interior Design, and Planning Services (AEC Sector). Partners by Design is a nationally recognized firm known for its creative, client-focused approach and strategic design solutions. As a member of ONE Global Design, they offer seamless services across North America and internationally. Company Size: The company description implies a mid-to-large sized firm, being ranked among the top 100 architecture and design firms in the United States and part of a larger global network. Founded: 1993, indicating a long-standing reputation and established presence in the industry.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a Business Development or Marketing department, working closely with leadership and project teams.
• Reporting structure will be to a Business Development Manager or Director, with frequent interaction with Principals and Project Managers.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core aspect, requiring close partnerships with design staff, project managers, and business development professionals.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Pursuit Strategy: The role supports strategic decisions by leveraging CRM data and market research to target opportunities effectively.
• Visual Storytelling: Emphasis on translating design concepts and firm value into compelling visual narratives for proposals and presentations.
• Brand Consistency: A methodological approach to ensuring all outward-facing materials reflect the firm's established brand identity and quality standards.
• Client-Centric Design: Focus on understanding client needs and tailoring visual communications to resonate with their specific objectives and expectations.

Company Website: https://partnersbydesign.bamboohr.com/careers/33 (Note: This is the application link provided, not the main company website. A general search for "Partners by Design Chicago" would yield their primary site.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's position as a top-tier design firm suggests a culture that values quality, creativity, and strategic client engagement. The integration of a Graphic Designer into business development highlights the firm's understanding of visual communication's critical role in winning new projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Mid-level" position, requiring 3-5 years of experience. It serves as a crucial support function within the Business Development and Marketing operations, bridging creative execution with strategic client acquisition efforts.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Business Development Manager or Director. They will collaborate extensively with various internal stakeholders, including Principals, Project Managers, and other design staff, requiring strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is directly tied to the success of business development efforts. By creating compelling proposals, presentations, and marketing materials, they directly influence the firm's ability to win new projects, secure clients, and enhance its market reputation. Their work contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire Go-To-Market strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in AEC Marketing: Deepen expertise in marketing and business development specific to the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, potentially leading to a Senior Graphic Designer or Marketing Specialist role.
• Business Development Acumen: Develop a stronger understanding of sales cycles, pursuit strategy, and client relationship management, potentially transitioning into a Business Development Coordinator or Manager role with a focus on proposal management.
• Brand Strategy Development: Contribute to the evolution of the firm's brand identity and marketing strategy, potentially moving into a Brand Manager or Marketing Director track.
• Leadership Potential: With proven success and expanded responsibilities, opportunities for team leadership or managing junior designers may arise.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid platform for a designer to gain valuable experience in a specialized industry and understand the operational aspects of business development, paving the way for diverse career paths within marketing, design, or business operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "Hybrid," indicating a blend of working from the company's physical office and remotely. This suggests a modern work environment that values flexibility while ensuring opportunities for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Chicago, Illinois. The specific office location (postal code 60654) places it in a central business district, likely offering accessibility via public transportation and proximity to other professional services.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and the nature of the role imply a need for collaborative spaces where the designer can interact with project teams, business development staff, and leadership for brainstorming, feedback, and proposal development.
• Technology and Tools: Access to high-performance workstations equipped with the Adobe Creative Suite and other necessary design and productivity software is expected.
• Team Interaction: Regular in-office days will facilitate direct communication, team meetings, and opportunities to build relationships with colleagues, which is crucial for effective cross-functional work.

Work Schedule: The standard full-time work schedule of approximately 40 hours per week will be managed within a hybrid arrangement. This allows for flexibility in managing personal schedules while ensuring core business hours are covered and deadlines are met, particularly during critical proposal development periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role suggests the company is adapting to modern work trends, offering a balance of autonomy and collaborative engagement. This is often attractive to professionals seeking work-life integration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, design skills, and relevant experience.
• First Interview: Typically a conversation with the hiring manager (e.g., Business Development Manager) to discuss your background, motivations, and fit for the role, focusing on your understanding of business development marketing.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: You may be asked to present specific portfolio pieces, explain your design process, or complete a small design task related to proposal development or marketing collateral. This is where your ability to articulate your process and rationale will be key.
• Second Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or key stakeholders (e.g., Principals, Directors) to evaluate strategic thinking, collaboration skills, and cultural fit.
• Final Offer: Extended to the selected candidate.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong projects that best represent your capabilities in proposal design, marketing collateral, and visual storytelling for professional services. Prioritize work done for AEC or similar client-focused industries if available.
• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the client's objective, your design process, the challenges you faced, and the solutions you implemented. Highlight your role and contributions.
• Demonstrate Software Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly indicates your mastery of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, especially for multi-page documents and image manipulation.
• Highlight Business Impact: If possible, quantify the impact of your work (e.g., "contributed to winning X% of proposals," "improved brand consistency leading to positive client feedback").
• Brand Alignment: Be prepared to discuss how you approach maintaining brand guidelines and adapting design to specific client needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Proposal Simulation: If a design challenge is given, focus on clarity, conciseness, and adherence to any provided brand guidelines or instructions. Think about how you would structure information for maximum impact and readability.
• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a reasonable timeframe, as this role will involve managing multiple deadlines.
• Articulate Your Rationale: Be ready to explain why you made specific design choices, linking them back to business objectives, client needs, or brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess both creative talent and operational efficiency. A strong portfolio that demonstrates an understanding of business development needs within the AEC sector will significantly differentiate candidates.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential, with advanced proficiency required in Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. Familiarity with Illustrator may also be beneficial for logo work or vector graphics.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Word for text editing and formatting, PowerPoint for presentations, and Excel for data management and reporting.

Analytics & Reporting:

• CRM Platform (Membrain): Experience or ability to quickly learn Membrain for tracking leads, pursuits, and client engagement data. Understanding how to extract and use this data for reporting is key.
• Internal Reporting Tools: May involve using Excel or other internal systems for tracking business development KPIs.

CRM & Automation:

• Membrain CRM: The specified platform for managing business development activities.
• Potential for Marketing Automation Tools: While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with tools used for email marketing or campaign management could be a plus, though not a primary requirement.
• Cloud Storage & Collaboration: Experience with platforms like OneDrive, SharePoint, or similar for file sharing and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe InDesign is paramount for this role. Experience with CRM systems like Membrain is a significant advantage, indicating the company's investment in structured business development processes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Design: A commitment to high-quality visual output that reflects the firm's reputation for design excellence.
• Client Focus: Prioritizing client needs and tailoring communications to effectively meet their objectives and expectations.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and open communication, working effectively across departments to achieve shared goals.
• Detail-Orientation: A meticulous approach to design and documentation, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to brand standards.
• Proactiveness and Initiative: Eagerness to contribute to the firm’s growth strategy and take ownership of tasks and projects.
• Efficiency and Organization: Commitment to streamlined processes and organized workflows to manage multiple deadlines effectively.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with design teams, project managers, and business development leadership to translate complex information into compelling visual narratives.
• Feedback Exchange: An open environment for giving and receiving constructive feedback on design work and proposal content.
• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design best practices, asset libraries, and insights to support the broader team's efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely emphasizes professionalism, creativity, and a strong client-centric approach, common in high-performing design and architecture firms. The hybrid model suggests an emphasis on trust and autonomy within collaborative structures.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Concepts: Effectively visualizing complex architectural and design concepts for a non-technical or diverse audience requires strong creative problem-solving skills.
• Balancing Creative Freedom with Brand Constraints: Maintaining a high level of design creativity while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines and client-specific requirements.
• Managing Multiple High-Priority Deadlines: Juggling the demands of various RFPs, RFQs, and marketing collateral projects simultaneously, especially during peak business development periods.
• Adapting to Evolving Design Trends and Tools: Staying current with the latest design software features, industry trends, and best practices in visual communication.
• Integrating CRM Data into Design Strategy: Effectively using CRM insights to inform and enhance the content and presentation of proposals and marketing materials.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AEC Industry Specialization: Gain in-depth knowledge of the architecture, engineering, and construction industry's marketing and business development landscape.
• Proposal Management Best Practices: Develop expertise in the end-to-end process of proposal creation, from strategy to execution.
• Advanced Design Software Skills: Master advanced features of Adobe Creative Suite and explore new design technologies.
• Business Development Strategy: Understand the nuances of client acquisition, market analysis, and strategic pursuit planning.
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Potential to lead design efforts on key business development initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for a designer to grow beyond traditional design responsibilities into a more strategic, operations-focused role within a dynamic industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a complex, multi-page proposal from initial brief to final submission. How do you ensure brand consistency and client alignment throughout?" (Focus on your workflow, use of InDesign, and client-centric approach.)
• "How do you approach selecting and integrating imagery and graphics to tell a compelling visual story for an architectural or design firm?" (Prepare examples of how you've used visuals to convey complex ideas or evoke specific emotions.)
• "Tell us about a time you had to manage multiple urgent design requests simultaneously. How did you prioritize and ensure quality for each?" (Highlight your organizational skills, time management strategies, and ability to deliver under pressure.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for an architecture and design firm like Partners by Design, and how do you see your graphic design skills contributing to our business development goals?" (Research the firm's recent projects and values to tailor your answer.)
• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or collaborative team environment. How do you ensure effective communication and contribution when working remotely?" (Emphasize your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively across different work settings.)
• "How do you stay updated on design trends and new software features, and how do you incorporate them into your work?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Organize your portfolio by project type (e.g., Proposals, Brochures, Presentations) or by the impact/objective of the work.
• Tell the Story: For each selected project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process, the solution, and the outcome. Use specific examples from your work.
• Highlight InDesign Skills: Be ready to discuss specific techniques you used in InDesign for layout, typography, and managing complex documents.
• Connect to Business Needs: Frame your design choices in terms of how they support business objectives, client needs, and brand strategy. Be prepared to discuss how your work contributes to winning bids.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to showcase not only your design talent but also your understanding of business development processes, client-facing communication, and operational efficiency within the AEC industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link: https://partnersbydesign.bamboohr.com/careers/33
• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize your experience in proposal development, marketing collateral creation, and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign). Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., managing X number of proposals per year, contributing to Y% win rate).
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that best showcase your skills in multi-page document design, brand consistency, and visual storytelling relevant to professional services. Be ready to explain your process and rationale for each piece.
• Research Partners by Design: Familiarize yourself with their work, client base, and company culture. Understand their approach to design and business development to tailor your responses during interviews.
• Prepare for a Hybrid Role: Be ready to discuss your experience and expectations for working in a hybrid environment, highlighting your ability to collaborate effectively both in-office and remotely.

⚠️ 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.