Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Two Circles

Location: Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Sports Marketing

Date Posted: 2025-12-02T22:27:29.09

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is integral to the Two Circles North America Studio, focusing on the creation of compelling visual assets for the sports and entertainment marketing industry.

• The Graphic Designer will collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to a fast-paced, creative environment that emphasizes speed, precision, and a deep understanding of sports aesthetics.

• Key responsibilities include developing bold designs for digital, social, and campaign platforms, ensuring high-quality output that resonates with sports fans and elevates client brands.

• The position requires a strong sports-first mindset, with an emphasis on capturing emotion, momentum, and impact in visual storytelling, while also demonstrating proficiency in brand development and illustration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is specifically for a "Graphic Designer" with a strong emphasis on sports marketing. The description highlights the need for someone who "lives and breathes the energy, aesthetics, and storytelling of sport," indicating a need for domain-specific creativity beyond general graphic design. The "on-site" work arrangement for a "telecommute" job type suggests a hybrid model where some in-office presence is expected in Kansas City, MO.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute bold, engaging graphic designs tailored for digital platforms, social media channels, and large-scale marketing campaigns, with a specific focus on sports-related content.

• Collaborate effectively with a multi-disciplinary team, including creatives, strategists, and marketers, to conceptualize and visually bring sports marketing campaigns to life.

• Concept and execute innovative visual ideas that push creative boundaries within the sports and entertainment landscape, ensuring designs are current and impactful.

• Maintain an exceptionally high bar for design quality and visual standards while operating with speed and efficiency in a fast-paced, sports-driven environment.

• Stay abreast of the latest sports design trends, visual culture, emerging tools, and platform-specific design best practices to ensure creative output remains relevant and cutting-edge.

• Demonstrate strong proficiency in photo compositing and retouching techniques to enhance visual assets and create polished, professional imagery.

• Clearly articulate creative thinking and design rationale, effectively communicating the "why" behind design choices to team members and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are detailed to reflect the dynamic nature of sports marketing. Emphasis is placed on "bold, engaging designs," "pushing creative boundaries," and "staying up to date on sports design trends," differentiating this from a general graphic design role. The need to communicate the "why" behind design choices is crucial for operations and strategy alignment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is implied by the experience and skill requirements.

Experience: 2+ years of professional experience in sports graphic design, with a demonstrated track record of working within college sports, the NFL, or a sports media/publisher environment.

Required Skills:

• Proven proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, for creating high-quality visual assets.

• Demonstrated experience designing for social media platforms, comprehensive brand campaigns, and sports marketing initiatives.

• A strong portfolio showcasing recent and relevant sports design work is essential for evaluation.

• Ability to effectively balance speed of execution with uncompromising quality in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• Solid understanding of fundamental design principles, including typography, color theory, and layout composition.

• Knowledge of social platform formats, aspect ratios, and best practices for optimal visual performance.

• A highly collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively within a team and incorporate feedback.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe After Effects for motion graphics and animation.

• Skills in illustration, capable of creating original artwork and visual elements.

• Experience with Figma for collaborative design and prototyping.

• Familiarity with 3D design principles and software.

• Understanding of scripting/programming or motion design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements are tailored to a specialized graphic design role within sports marketing. The emphasis on a "strong portfolio featuring recent sports design work" is highlighted as "essential." Preferred skills like After Effects, illustration, Figma, and 3D design suggest a forward-looking studio that values versatility and advanced creative capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly demonstrates a minimum of 2 years of professional experience in sports graphic design, with a strong emphasis on recent and relevant work.

• Showcase specific examples of digital, social media, and campaign designs that highlight creativity, brand adherence, and fan engagement within the sports context.

• Include case studies or visual examples that illustrate the ability to translate brand identity and marketing objectives into compelling visual narratives.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should implicitly or explicitly show a design process, from initial concept to final execution, highlighting problem-solving and creative decision-making.

• Examples should reflect an understanding of workflow within a creative studio environment, including collaboration and iteration.

• Where applicable, portfolio items might showcase an ability to adapt designs for various platforms and formats efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the nature of a design role, the "Portfolio Essentials" are critical. The emphasis is on demonstrating practical application of skills in a sports marketing context, showcasing speed, quality, and creative problem-solving. Process documentation is inferred through the quality and clarity of the presented work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (2-5 years), location (Kansas City, MO), and industry (Sports & Entertainment Marketing), a competitive salary range for a Graphic Designer in this market typically falls between $55,000 and $75,000 annually. This estimate is derived from industry benchmarks for similar roles in mid-sized to large metropolitan areas within the United States, adjusted for the specialized nature of sports marketing.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage to support overall well-being.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Opportunities for 401(k) or similar plans to aid in long-term financial planning.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays to ensure work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and conferences to enhance design and creative skills, especially within the sports marketing domain.

• Creative Environment: Access to a dynamic and collaborative studio space with cutting-edge tools and technology.

• Employee Assistance Program: Support services for personal and professional challenges.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are expected to be around 40 hours per week, reflecting a full-time position. However, given the fast-paced nature of sports marketing, there may be occasions requiring flexibility and extended hours to meet campaign deadlines or respond to live sports events.

📝 Enhancement Note: A salary range has been estimated based on industry standards for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Kansas City, MO, considering the specialized sports marketing niche. Benefits are typical for a full-time role in a reputable company. The working hours note acknowledges the potential for overtime due to the dynamic sports industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports & Entertainment Marketing. Two Circles operates at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and data-driven marketing, leveraging technology to understand and influence fan behavior, thereby growing audience engagement and revenue for its clients.

Company Size: Over 1000 employees globally. This indicates a well-established organization with significant resources, a broad client base, and a structured operational framework.

Founded: The company was founded to address the need for deeper fan understanding and revenue growth in the sports and entertainment sectors. Its growth has led to a global presence with 15 offices.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the North America Studio, a multi-disciplinary team comprising creatives, strategists, and marketers, reporting to the Lead Graphic Designer.

• The Studio is designed to be collaborative, emphasizing teamwork and shared creative output.

Methodology:

• Two Circles employs a data-driven approach, using fan insights to inform marketing strategies and creative output.

• The Studio operates with an emphasis on speed and agility, mirroring the dynamic pace of the sports world.

• Creativity is paramount, with a focus on developing "bold, engaging designs" that capture emotion and impact.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is fleshed out to provide a sense of Two Circles' position in the market, its operational scale, and its core values. The team structure and methodology emphasize the collaborative and fast-paced nature of the North America Studio, crucial for a designer in this environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an intermediate-level Graphic Designer. It requires 2+ years of experience, indicating a need for foundational skills and some independent work capability, but also significant room for growth under mentorship.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Lead Graphic Designer within the North America Studio. This provides a clear line of mentorship and oversight, with opportunities to learn from experienced leadership.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in terms of process optimization, the Graphic Designer's output directly impacts the company's ability to deliver effective marketing campaigns for its clients. High-quality visuals are critical for client satisfaction, brand perception, and revenue generation through successful fan engagement strategies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as illustration, motion graphics (After Effects), or 3D design, aligning with preferred skills.

• Creative Leadership: Potential to progress to Senior Graphic Designer or Lead Graphic Designer roles, taking on more complex projects and mentoring junior designers.

• Client Exposure: Increased responsibility in client-facing presentations or campaign strategy, contributing to strategic visual planning.

• Industry Knowledge: Continuous learning in sports marketing trends and fan engagement strategies, enhancing value as a specialized creative professional.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section frames the Graphic Designer role within a career progression context relevant to creative operations. It highlights the direct link between design output and business impact (client satisfaction, revenue) and outlines clear paths for skill development and advancement within the company's creative structure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is listed as "TELECOMMUTE" but with a specific "Kansas City, Missouri, United States" location and an "On-site" work arrangement. This strongly suggests a hybrid work model. The North America Studio is described as a "multi-disciplinary team" environment, implying a collaborative office space.

Office Location(s): Kansas City, Missouri, United States. This location serves as the base for the North America Studio, likely offering modern office facilities designed for creative collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration among creatives, strategists, and marketers, encouraging idea exchange and teamwork.

• Access to industry-standard design tools and technology is expected, including the Adobe Creative Suite and potentially other relevant software for illustration, motion, or 3D design.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with team members and leadership within the studio are ample, facilitating mentorship and quick feedback loops essential for fast-paced creative work.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. However, the dynamic nature of sports marketing means flexibility may be required to meet critical deadlines or respond to live sporting events, which can necessitate working outside standard hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: Clarification on the hybrid work model is provided based on conflicting information ("telecommute" vs. "on-site"). The workspace context emphasizes the collaborative and technologically equipped environment suitable for creative professionals in sports marketing.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the sports design focus. Candidates should ensure their portfolios are easily accessible and highlight relevant sports projects prominently.

• Creative Assessment/Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a design challenge or present a case study from their portfolio that demonstrates their approach to sports marketing visuals, problem-solving, and conceptual thinking under pressure. Preparation should focus on articulating the "why" behind design choices.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with the Lead Graphic Designer and potentially other members of the creative team to evaluate collaboration skills, cultural fit, and understanding of sports aesthetics.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to assess overall fit, career aspirations, and potential impact on client projects.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Sports: Select and prominently feature your strongest work specifically related to sports and entertainment marketing. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., engagement metrics, campaign success).

• Showcase Process: For key projects, briefly outline your design process, including research, concept development, and iteration, especially how you captured the "emotion, momentum, and impact" of sports.

• Highlight Versatility: Demonstrate proficiency across different platforms (social, digital, campaigns) and show your ability to adapt a brand's visual identity.

• Clarity and Polish: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually polished, reflecting your attention to detail.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If a design challenge is given, thoroughly read and understand the objectives, target audience, and any constraints.

• Think Like a Fan: Approach the challenge from the perspective of a sports fan, considering what resonates visually and emotionally.

• Articulate Your Rationale: Be prepared to explain your design decisions, justifying your choices based on brand guidelines, campaign goals, and sports industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, focusing on how to best present themselves and their work, especially concerning the portfolio and potential design challenges, given the specialized nature of the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for graphic creation, manipulation, and layout.

• Adobe After Effects: A strong advantage for creating motion graphics, animations, and visual effects for dynamic content.

• Figma: Preferred for collaborative design workflows, prototyping, and maintaining design systems.

Analytics & Reporting: While not direct responsibilities, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics on social media and digital platforms is beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards used by marketing teams could be advantageous.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role, but understanding how visual assets are deployed within marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven campaigns can provide context.

Other Potential Tools:

• Illustration Software: Procreate or similar for digital illustration.

• 3D Design Software: Blender, Cinema 4D, or similar for 3D modeling and rendering.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira for task management and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools section is specific to graphic design, emphasizing the Adobe Creative Suite as core and others as preferred or advantageous. This highlights the technical requirements and the studio's likely technology environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Sports-First Mentality: A genuine passion for sports and a deep understanding of its culture, aesthetics, and fan engagement drivers.

• Creativity & Innovation: A commitment to pushing creative boundaries and developing unique visual solutions that stand out in the sports landscape.

• Speed & Agility: The ability to work efficiently and adapt quickly to the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of sports events and marketing cycles.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong belief in working together across disciplines to achieve collective goals and deliver exceptional client work.

• Precision & Quality: A dedication to maintaining high standards in all design outputs, ensuring accuracy, polish, and brand consistency.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The studio actively fosters collaboration between designers, strategists, and marketers, encouraging a shared understanding of campaign objectives and how visuals contribute to success.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: Openness to constructive feedback and iterative design processes is encouraged to refine creative output.

• Knowledge Sharing: Team members are expected to share insights on design trends, tools, and best practices, contributing to a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines the core values and collaborative approach expected within the Two Circles North America Studio, emphasizing the blend of creative passion, operational efficiency, and teamwork crucial for success in a sports marketing environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of Sports: Keeping up with the rapid pace of live sports events and the need for reactive creative content can be demanding.

• Brand Consistency: Balancing creative innovation with strict adherence to client brand guidelines across diverse sports organizations.

• Diverse Client Needs: Adapting design style and approach to suit a wide range of sports clients, from major leagues to individual teams or events.

• Evolving Trends: Continuously staying ahead of rapidly changing design trends and digital platform requirements in the sports media landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to workshops and courses focused on advanced design techniques, motion graphics, illustration, and 3D design relevant to sports marketing.

• Industry Exposure: Opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns for leading sports brands, gaining invaluable experience and portfolio material.

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced Lead Graphic Designers and creative directors to hone skills and navigate career development.

• Exploration of New Tools: Encouragement to experiment with emerging design software and technologies to enhance creative capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section addresses potential challenges and growth avenues, offering a realistic outlook on the role and highlighting specific opportunities for professional development within the sports marketing creative field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to create a visual asset under a very tight deadline for a sports event. What was your process, and how did you ensure quality?" (Focus on speed, quality, and process.)

• "How do you stay current with sports design trends and visual culture? Can you give an example of a recent trend you've incorporated into your work?" (Assess industry awareness and continuous learning.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about working in sports marketing, and why Two Circles specifically?" (Gauge passion for the industry and company alignment.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as strategists or marketers, to ensure your designs meet campaign goals?" (Assess teamwork and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each portfolio piece, articulate the client, the objective, your creative process, the tools used, and the impact or outcome.

• Highlight Sports Relevance: Clearly explain how each piece is tailored to the sports audience and marketing goals.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Show a range of work across different platforms and styles, proving your adaptability.

• Showcase Technical Skill: Be prepared to discuss specific techniques used, especially in photo compositing, retouching, or advanced Adobe Suite features.

📝 Enhancement Note: This provides targeted interview preparation advice, including sample questions and strategies for portfolio presentation, all tailored to the specific demands of a sports marketing graphic design role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the Workable platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest and most relevant sports design work. Prioritize recent projects that demonstrate your understanding of sports aesthetics, fan engagement, and campaign effectiveness across digital, social, and broader campaign platforms.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 2+ years of professional experience in sports graphic design, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with preferred tools like After Effects or illustration software. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, creative rationale, and the "why" behind your design choices, especially for sports-related projects. Be ready to discuss how you capture emotion, momentum, and impact in your work.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Two Circles' client roster, recent campaigns, and their approach to sports marketing. Understand their emphasis on data-driven insights and fan engagement to articulate your cultural fit and enthusiasm.

⚠️ 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.