Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer Company: RME LLC (Operating as LeadingResponse) Location: Tampa, Florida, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: Marketing & Creative Operations Date Posted: January 15, 2026 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid (with potential for remote work depending on account manager/sales team collaboration needs)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on graphic design and production, specifically for direct mail and social media campaigns, requiring a strong understanding of print production standards and variable data.
• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for preparing artwork for XMPie production and ensuring all pre-production requirements are met with meticulous attention to detail.
• The position demands a self-managing individual who can effectively follow established processes and procedures within a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Collaboration with account managers and sales teams is a key aspect, requiring consistent communication and the ability to adapt to both office and remote work settings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original job description implies a hybrid or flexible work arrangement, stating "Able to adapt to an open office or remote environment with account managers & sales team; communicate consistently with both teams daily." This has been interpreted as a hybrid model, emphasizing the need for adaptability and strong communication across different work settings.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Order Verification & Pre-Production: Meticulously check incoming orders for all pre-production requirements, including mail type, job numbers, copyright adherence, location specifications, timing, spell-check, bar codes, and return addresses, ensuring accountability and accuracy.
• Artwork Preparation & Production: Prepare customer-supplied art for variable printing and general print production, adhering to established vendor specifications and print production standards.
• Typesetting & Layout: Execute typesetting tasks as required, ensuring correct formatting and layout for various marketing collateral.
• Production Packaging & Delivery: Package jobs properly for XMPie production and prepare them for distribution to various vendors, ensuring all orders include correct page layout specifications.
• Template Adherence: Follow established templates for a range of marketing materials, including letters, tickets, envelopes, business reply cards, customer reply cards, self-mailers, and private label templates, to maintain brand consistency and efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Communicate consistently with account managers and the sales team daily, providing design support and addressing graphic-related queries.
• Continuous Learning: Actively engage in training and be willing to learn new programs and system updates to assimilate efficiently and support evolving operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been expanded to detail specific operational tasks such as "Order Verification & Pre-Production" and "Artwork Preparation & Production," reflecting the procedural nature of the role within a performance marketing context. The emphasis on "Template Adherence" highlights the need for process-driven design work.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically preferred for roles requiring proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and design principles. Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in graphic design, with a strong emphasis on print production and variable data applications.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise in using Adobe Creative Cloud applications for design, editing, and production.
• Adobe Suite Experience: At least 3 years of experience working with the Adobe Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Typesetting Skills: Competency in typesetting for print and digital materials.
• Preflighting & Art Preparation: Ability to preflight and prepare customer-supplied artwork according to print production standards.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Basic and navigational knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook) for order processing and communication.
• Process Adherence: Proven ability to follow established processes, procedures, and templates accurately.
• Fast-Paced Environment Management: Demonstrated success in delivering quality designs within a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting.
• Accuracy Under Pressure: Capability to work accurately and efficiently while under pressure to meet production deadlines.
• Time Management: Excellent time management skills to prioritize tasks and manage workload effectively.
• Attention to Detail: Keen attention to detail to ensure accuracy in all design and production tasks.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing work environments (office and remote) and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Communication Skills: Strong listening skills and the ability to communicate effectively with peers, account managers, and sales teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Variable Data Printing (VDP) Knowledge: Strong understanding of variable data principles and their application in direct mail environments.
• XMPie Production Experience: Familiarity with XMPie production software or similar variable data printing platforms.
• Direct Mail Design: Experience specifically designing for direct mail campaigns, including understanding of postal regulations and mailpiece design best practices.
• Social Media Design: Experience creating graphics optimized for various social media platforms.
• Creativity: Demonstrated creative thinking and ability to produce visually appealing designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" section has been structured to explicitly list technical proficiencies like "Adobe Creative Cloud Proficiency" and "Preflighting & Art Preparation," directly linking to the core responsibilities. "Preferred Skills" were inferred from the mention of "variable data" and the nature of direct mail and social media design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Print Production Examples: Showcase examples of direct mail pieces, including design, typesetting, and pre-production readiness, highlighting attention to detail and adherence to specifications.
• Variable Data Projects: Include case studies or examples demonstrating experience with variable data printing, illustrating how personalization and dynamic content were integrated into designs.
• Template Utilization: Provide examples where established templates were effectively used and adapted, demonstrating efficiency and brand consistency.
• Cross-Functional Project Examples: If possible, include projects that show collaboration with sales or marketing teams, demonstrating communication and integration skills.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Candidates may be asked to describe their process for taking an order from receipt to final production-ready artwork, emphasizing efficiency and accuracy.
• Quality Assurance Steps: Be prepared to discuss the specific steps you take to ensure design quality, accuracy, and adherence to client specifications and production requirements.
• System Integration: Demonstrate an understanding of how design work integrates with production systems (like XMPie) and vendor requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to a design role within an operations context. The "Portfolio Essentials" focus on tangible outputs relevant to direct mail and variable data, while "Process Documentation" probes the candidate's understanding of workflow, quality control, and system integration, crucial for operations roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the location (Tampa, FL) and the mid-level experience requirement (2-5 years), the estimated annual salary range for a Graphic Designer in this market is approximately $50,000 - $70,000 USD.

• Methodology: This estimate is derived from current market data for Graphic Designer roles in the Tampa, Florida area, considering the specified experience level and the responsibilities outlined in the job description. It accounts for the emphasis on specialized skills like variable data printing and Adobe Suite proficiency.

Benefits:

• Sales Training & Mentorship: Ongoing individual and group sales training and coaching, including one-on-one mentorship from industry leaders.
• Industry Experience: Opportunity to gain experience in performance marketing, sales, and SaaS sectors.
• Career Growth: Performance-based opportunities for career advancement.
• Technology Resources: Access to cutting-edge sales enablement technology resources.
• Competitive Compensation:
  • Competitive base salary.
  • Uncapped variable sales compensation (note: this typically applies to sales roles, but may indicate a performance-driven culture or potential for bonuses).
• Paid Time Off: Two weeks of paid vacation during the first full year.
• Wellness: Fitness reimbursement.
• Referral Program: Referral bonus program.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Health, Dental, Vision, HSA/FSA coverage available from the first of the month following hire date.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with company match.
• Paid Holidays: Standard paid holidays.

Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week, consistent with a full-time position.
• Flexibility may be required to meet production deadlines, and the role accommodates potential remote collaboration alongside office-based work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on market data for the specified location and experience. The benefits list is directly extracted and formatted for clarity, with a note added about the variable compensation potentially being more sales-oriented.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Performance Marketing, Marketing Services, Direct Mail, Digital Marketing, Financial Services Marketing, Insurance Marketing, Healthcare Marketing, Legal Marketing. Company Size: RME LLC, operating as LeadingResponse, is part of the marketing services sector. While specific current employee count isn't provided, the company's extensive service offerings and multiple locations suggest a robust organization, likely falling into the medium to large enterprise category (500+ employees, based on typical industry structures for such service providers). Founded: LeadingResponse was founded in 2004, indicating a company with over two decades of experience in the performance marketing space. This longevity suggests stability and a deep understanding of evolving marketing strategies.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The Graphic Designer will be part of a team that supports a performance marketing company. This likely includes close collaboration with account managers, sales teams, and potentially other creative or production staff.
• Reporting: While not explicitly stated, the role likely reports into a Creative Director, Production Manager, or a Marketing Operations lead.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role emphasizes daily communication with account managers and sales teams, indicating a highly collaborative environment where design directly supports client acquisition and retention efforts.

Methodology:

• Response-Focused Strategies: LeadingResponse specializes in developing and implementing response-focused marketing strategies and solutions. This means the design work must be geared towards driving measurable actions from clients' target audiences.
• Data-Driven Execution: The company's performance marketing model implies a data-driven approach, where marketing efforts are tracked, analyzed, and optimized for results. Design outputs are expected to align with these data-informed strategies.
• Process and Procedure Emphasis: The job description highlights the importance of following established processes and procedures, suggesting a structured operational framework for creative delivery.

Company Website: www.leadingresponse.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context has been fleshed out based on the provided description and common industry structures. The emphasis on "response-focused" and "data-driven" marketing is crucial for a designer to understand how their work contributes to overall business objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Graphic Designer. It requires a solid foundation of technical skills (Adobe Suite) and practical experience (3+ years) in design production, particularly for direct mail and variable data. The emphasis on following processes and working under pressure suggests a role that is operational in its execution, supporting broader marketing strategies. Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a manager within the creative or production department. However, a significant portion of their daily interaction will be with account managers and sales teams, highlighting a matrixed communication structure where project direction and feedback will come from client-facing roles. Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the effectiveness of client marketing campaigns. High-quality, accurate, and timely design execution is critical for driving client response rates, which in turn affects client retention and the company's overall revenue generation. The ability to produce designs that align with performance marketing goals is paramount.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in variable data printing, direct mail design, and potentially digital design for social media campaigns.
• Process Improvement: Potential to contribute to refining design workflows and production processes, leveraging experience to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Project Leadership: As experience grows, there may be opportunities to lead design aspects for specific client projects or campaigns.
• Cross-Functional Development: Gaining deeper insights into sales and account management functions through daily interaction, which could open doors to roles with more strategic marketing or client-facing responsibilities.
• Formal Training: The company offers ongoing training and mentorship, providing a structured path for professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on how a Graphic Designer role fits within an "Operations" framework, emphasizing process, impact on revenue (client success), and structured growth paths common in operations environments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at LeadingResponse Headquarters in Tampa, FL, suggesting a professional office environment. The description also mentions the ability to adapt to an "open office" setting and potentially work remotely, indicating a flexible approach to workspace. Office Location(s): The primary listed location is Tampa, FL. The description also mentions "Atlanta, GA" as a potential work location, suggesting either multiple office sites or a distributed team structure where designers can work from either location. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Atmosphere: Expect a dynamic and collaborative team environment, with frequent interaction with account managers and sales teams.
• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) and potentially internal production systems (XMPie).
• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with peers for scheduling and graphics-related questions, requiring the ability to manage interruptions while staying on task.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time position, typically 40 hours per week.
• While standard hours are expected, the fast-paced environment and production deadlines may occasionally require flexibility or overtime to ensure timely delivery of client materials. The hybrid aspect also implies a degree of schedule flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment emphasizes the blend of structured office work with the need for remote adaptability, a common characteristic of modern creative operations roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio to assess technical skills, experience, and fit with requirements.
• Technical Interview: May involve a discussion about design philosophy, workflow, and specific software proficiency. Candidates might be asked to walk through past projects.
• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: A practical exercise to evaluate design skills, process adherence, and ability to work under time constraints. This could involve editing existing artwork, creating a design based on a brief, or preparing a file for production.
• Behavioral/Team Fit Interview: Focus on assessing adaptability, communication skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and collaboration with sales/account management teams.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a hiring manager or senior leadership to discuss role expectations, career growth, and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Production Readiness: Showcase examples demonstrating your understanding of print production requirements, preflighting, and variable data preparation. Clearly label what aspects of the design process each piece represents.
• Demonstrate Process Adherence: Select projects where you followed specific briefs, templates, or workflows. Be prepared to explain how you ensured accuracy and met client specifications.
• Showcase Problem-Solving: Include examples where you overcame design challenges, optimized artwork for production, or effectively incorporated variable data.
• Tailor to Direct Mail & Social Media: Prioritize pieces relevant to the job's focus on direct mail and social media graphics.
• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs contributed to measurable campaign success (e.g., increased response rates), highlight this.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice Preflighting: Familiarize yourself with common preflight errors and how to resolve them.
• Work with Templates: Be ready to demonstrate how you would adapt or work within pre-defined templates.
• Variable Data Understanding: Prepare to discuss the principles of VDP and how you would approach designing for it.
• Time Management Simulation: Practice completing design tasks within strict time limits, simulating the fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice specifically for a Graphic Designer in an operations-focused role, emphasizing the practical aspects of portfolio presentation and interview preparation relevant to production and client support.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Software:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential. Proficiency expected in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• XMPie: Highly preferred, given the mention of "XMPie production." Familiarity with this variable data software is a significant advantage.

Supporting Software:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Basic knowledge required for general office tasks, order processing, and communication.
• Project Management Tools: Potentially used for task tracking and workflow management (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com), though not explicitly mentioned.
• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for daily communication with account managers and sales teams.

Other Relevant Technologies:

• Variable Data Printing (VDP) Concepts: Understanding the principles and application of VDP is crucial, even if not directly using specific VDP software beyond XMPie.
• File Transfer Protocols: Familiarity with methods for sending large design files to vendors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section directly lists the technologies mentioned or strongly implied in the job description, providing clear expectations for the candidate's technical toolkit.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accuracy & Quality: A strong emphasis on delivering accurate, high-quality designs that meet all production specifications and client requirements.
• Efficiency & Productivity: The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage time well, and meet deadlines consistently.
• Process Orientation: Adherence to established workflows, procedures, and templates to ensure consistency and reliability in output.
• Collaboration & Communication: A culture that values open communication and teamwork, particularly between creative, sales, and account management functions.
• Adaptability & Learning: Willingness to learn new systems, adapt to changing requirements, and embrace continuous improvement.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless integration with sales and account management teams, necessitating proactive communication and a service-oriented approach to design support.
• Process-Driven Feedback: Feedback and requests will likely come through defined channels, and designers are expected to integrate this feedback efficiently into their work.
• Knowledge Sharing: While individual tasks are important, the ability to share knowledge, especially regarding design best practices or troubleshooting, will be valued in a collaborative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style are inferred from the job description's emphasis on processes, speed, accuracy, and team interaction, framing them within an operations context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: The primary challenge will be consistently delivering high-quality, error-free designs under tight production deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Managing Multiple Projects/Clients: Juggling design tasks for various clients and projects simultaneously, each with unique specifications and deadlines.
• Adapting to Variable Data Complexity: Effectively designing for variable data applications, which requires a different mindset than static design, especially for direct mail.
• Handling Interruptions: Managing occasional interruptions from peers or account managers while maintaining focus and productivity.
• Staying Current: Keeping up with design software updates and evolving digital/print production standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Variable Data Expertise: Deepening knowledge and practical application of variable data printing, becoming a subject matter expert in this area.
• Direct Mail Design Specialization: Gaining advanced skills in designing effective and compliant direct mail pieces.
• XMPie Proficiency: Becoming highly proficient in XMPie or similar VDP software.
• Cross-Functional Understanding: Developing a stronger understanding of sales and marketing strategies through close collaboration, potentially leading to roles with more strategic input.
• Company Training Programs: Leveraging provided ongoing training and mentorship to enhance design skills and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed around the specific demands of the role and the industry, highlighting areas for skill development and career progression within a creative operations setting.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Process & Workflow: "Describe your process for taking a client's artwork request from initial brief to final, production-ready file for direct mail. What are your key quality assurance steps?" (Focus on accuracy, efficiency, and adherence to procedures).
• Tool Proficiency: "How have you used Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) to prepare artwork for variable printing? Can you elaborate on your experience with XMPie or similar VDP software?" (Highlight technical skills and specific software experience).
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a client provides artwork that doesn't meet print specifications or has copyright issues. How would you handle this situation, ensuring both client satisfaction and production accuracy?" (Assess communication, problem-solving, and process adherence).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Adaptability: "This role involves working in a fast-paced environment and adapting to both office and remote collaboration. How do you manage your productivity and communication in such settings?" (Assess flexibility and communication style).
• Teamwork: "Describe a time you collaborated closely with a sales or account management team on a design project. What was your role, and what was the outcome?" (Evaluate collaboration and service orientation).
• Learning: "The company provides training on new programs and systems. How do you approach learning new software or workflows?" (Gauge willingness to learn and adapt).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Production: For each piece, clearly state the project's goal, your role, the tools used, and specifically highlight how you prepared it for production (e.g., file setup, preflight checks, variable data considerations).
• Demonstrate Process Adherence: Be ready to explain how you followed briefs, templates, or specific client requirements for key pieces.
• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of direct mail, social media graphics, and any variable data projects.
• Quantify Results: If possible, share any metrics or positive feedback related to the effectiveness of your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are crafted to probe the operational aspects of the design role, focusing on process, technical execution, and collaborative skills relevant to a performance marketing environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on paycomonline.net.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature examples of direct mail design, social media graphics, and any work involving variable data printing or template utilization. Ensure clear explanations of your role and the production readiness of each piece.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 3+ years of experience with Adobe Suite, knowledge of print production standards, experience in fast-paced environments, and any specific experience with XMPie or variable data. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, quality assurance steps, and how you collaborate with client-facing teams. Be ready to discuss your experience with preflighting and adapting to new software.
• Company Research: Visit www.leadingresponse.com to understand their services, client sectors, and their focus on response-driven marketing strategies. This will help you tailor your responses to align with their business objectives.

⚠️ 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.