Graphic Designer — Direct Mail & Multichannel Marketing
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Graphic Designer — Direct Mail & Multichannel Marketing Company: Lending Science DM Location: Alpharetta, GA Job Type: Full-Time, Salaried Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations Date Posted: 2025-10-10 Experience Level: 10+ Years Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
- This role is pivotal in shaping brand perception and driving customer engagement through impactful visual design across direct mail and multichannel marketing initiatives.
- Responsibilities include translating marketing strategies into compelling visual narratives that enhance brand experience and optimize conversion rates.
- The position requires a blend of creative artistry and data-driven decision-making to ensure designs not only meet aesthetic standards but also achieve measurable marketing objectives.
- Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including marketing strategists and leadership, is crucial for conceptualizing and executing integrated campaigns.
📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the emphasis on "Direct Mail & Multichannel Marketing," "response and conversion rates," "performance analytics," and "data-driven design" strongly positions this role within the realm of Marketing Operations or Creative Operations, focusing on the measurable impact of design on Go-To-Market strategies. The requirement for 8+ years of experience, with an AI-derived experience level of 10+, suggests a senior or lead designer who can also contribute to strategic discussions.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
- Design compelling, on-brand direct mail campaigns that capture attention and effectively motivate customer response.
- Develop visual assets for diverse channels, including email, digital advertising, and social media, to ensure a cohesive and integrated brand experience across all touchpoints.
- Collaborate closely with marketing strategists and relevant stakeholders to conceptualize creative campaigns that align with overarching business objectives and target audience insights.
- Translate complex marketing strategies into clear, effective, and visually appealing layouts designed to maximize response and conversion rates for clients.
- Prepare and deliver print-ready and digital files, meticulously ensuring accuracy, quality, and consistency across all channels and formats.
- Continuously research and integrate current design trends, direct mail innovations, and emerging technologies to elevate creative output and campaign effectiveness.
- Test and iterate designs based on performance analytics and feedback, actively optimizing for enhanced audience engagement and conversion metrics.
- Maintain brand consistency and steward brand identity across all creative deliverables.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "response & conversion rates," "performance analytics," and "data-driven design" highlights the operational aspect of this creative role. A successful candidate will need to demonstrate an understanding of how design impacts marketing KPIs and be comfortable with iterative design based on data.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field.
- Equivalent professional experience will be considered as a substitute for a formal degree.
Experience:
- 8+ years of dedicated experience in graphic design, with a significant portion focused on direct mail and multichannel campaign work.
- Proven track record demonstrated through a strong portfolio showcasing successful DM, email, landing page, and digital ad campaigns.
Required Skills:
- Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
- Strong understanding of fundamental design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and composition.
- Comprehensive knowledge of print production processes, including pre-press requirements and file preparation for various printing methods.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, essential for collaborating with cross-functional teams and presenting to senior leadership and clients.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse teams, fostering a collaborative and productive environment.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Self-motivated, curious, detail-oriented, and a proactive brand steward.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with email design platforms and digital advertising tools.
- Familiarity with Figma and After Effects for advanced digital asset creation.
- Basic understanding of HTML/CSS for web and email design optimization.
- Experience in data-driven design principles and personalized direct mail tactics, including A/B testing methodologies.
- Strong conceptual thinking abilities, capable of generating fresh ideas for both traditional and digital formats.
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint for presentations.
📝 Enhancement Note: The "8+ years of experience" requirement, combined with the AI-derived "10+" years, implies a need for a senior-level designer who can not only execute but also contribute strategically and potentially mentor junior team members. The inclusion of "client presentations" suggests a need for strong presentation and communication skills beyond just design execution.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a minimum of 8 years of relevant graphic design work with a strong emphasis on direct mail and multichannel campaigns (DM, Email, Landing Pages, Display Ads).
- The portfolio must demonstrate a clear understanding of how design elements contribute to response rates and conversion optimization for clients.
- Showcase examples of cohesive visual strategies across multiple channels, highlighting integrated campaign execution.
- Include case studies or detailed project descriptions that explain the design process, challenges, solutions, and quantifiable results achieved.
Process Documentation:
- Ability to articulate the design process from concept to final delivery, including client brief interpretation, ideation, design development, feedback incorporation, and final asset preparation.
- Demonstrate understanding of print production workflows, including file preparation, color management, and collaboration with print vendors.
- Showcase experience with iterative design based on performance analytics and A/B testing results, illustrating a data-informed design methodology.
- Provide examples of how design strategies were aligned with specific marketing objectives and target audience insights.
📝 Enhancement Note: For a role with this emphasis on results and client interaction, the portfolio should not just be a collection of pretty pictures. It needs to tell a story of how the designer's work directly contributed to business outcomes and client success, particularly in the direct mail and multichannel marketing space.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 8-10+ years of experience in the Alpharetta, GA area, and considering the specialized nature of direct mail and multichannel marketing, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between $75,000 - $100,000 annually. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and interview performance.
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation package based on experience, divisional growth, and other performance factors.
- Comprehensive benefits program including Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
- 401k retirement plan with employer matching.
- Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy.
- Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance coverage.
- Unique opportunity to become an Employee Owner through the company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) program.
Working Hours:
- Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week.
- While the role is on-site, there may be flexibility in managing tasks and project timelines, provided that deadlines and client needs are met.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research for senior graphic designers in the Atlanta metropolitan area, adjusted for the specialized direct mail and multichannel marketing focus which can command higher compensation due to its direct impact on revenue. The ESOP program is a significant benefit that can lead to long-term wealth accumulation and is a strong differentiator.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Marketing and Advertising Services, with a specialization in direct mail and multichannel marketing solutions. Lending Science DM likely serves clients in the financial services sector, given its name. Company Size: The provided data doesn't specify, but the presence of an ESOP suggests a company that values employee ownership and long-term commitment, often seen in established, mid-to-large sized organizations that can support such programs. Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's focus on direct mail suggests it may have roots in traditional marketing, evolving to incorporate multichannel strategies.
Team Structure:
- The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a larger marketing or creative team.
- This team would include marketing strategists, copywriters, project managers, and potentially digital marketing specialists.
- Collaboration with account managers or client-facing roles is probable, given the agency-like nature of serving clients.
- Reporting structure would likely be to a Creative Director or Marketing Manager.
Methodology:
- The company emphasizes a results-driven approach, blending creative artistry with strategic marketing objectives and performance analytics.
- Direct mail is a core focus, implying a deep understanding of print production, personalization, and response tracking.
- Multichannel integration suggests a strategy of creating cohesive brand experiences across various digital and physical touchpoints.
- Data-driven design and testing are key for optimizing campaign performance and demonstrating ROI to clients.
Company Website: lendingsciencedm.com
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "Lending Science DM" suggests a data-intensive approach to direct mail, likely serving clients in the lending or financial services industry. The "Science" aspect implies a methodology that prioritizes testing, analysis, and optimization over purely aesthetic considerations.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: Senior Graphic Designer. This role is positioned as an experienced individual contributor with a strong command of design principles, software, and marketing strategy integration. The expectation of 8+ years of experience and client presentation capabilities points to a level of seniority. Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director, Art Director, or Marketing Manager who oversees campaign development and client deliverables. This role will involve close collaboration with marketing strategists and project managers. Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts client acquisition, retention, and revenue generation through effective direct mail and multichannel campaigns. By optimizing designs for response and conversion, they play a critical role in the Go-To-Market success of client campaigns, thereby influencing Lending Science DM's own revenue and reputation.
Growth Opportunities:
- Lead Designer/Art Director: Potential to move into a leadership role, overseeing design projects, mentoring junior designers, and setting creative direction for campaigns.
- Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like direct mail personalization, data visualization for marketing reports, or advanced digital asset creation.
- Client Strategy: Transition into a more strategic role, advising clients on visual marketing strategies and contributing to campaign planning beyond pure design execution.
- Cross-Functional Roles: Explore opportunities within project management or marketing strategy teams, leveraging design acumen to inform broader marketing initiatives.
📝 Enhancement Note: The "8+ years" requirement and the "client presentation" aspect suggest a growth path towards leadership or a more consultative role, where the designer’s strategic understanding of marketing impact becomes as important as their creative skills. The ESOP program also offers a unique long-term growth opportunity beyond traditional career progression.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. Office Location(s): Alpharetta, Georgia. This suburban location is part of the larger Atlanta metropolitan area, offering access to a significant business hub.
Workspace Context:
- A collaborative office environment where designers work alongside marketing strategists, copywriters, and other creative professionals.
- Access to standard office technology, including high-performance computers equipped with the Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant design software.
- Opportunities for in-person brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and client meetings, fostering a dynamic creative workflow.
- The environment likely encourages a blend of focused individual work and team-based creative problem-solving.
Work Schedule:
- Standard full-time schedule, likely Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week.
- While on-site, the emphasis on "response & conversion rates" and "performance analytics" suggests that project deadlines and client needs may occasionally require focused effort, potentially involving some flexibility in task management.
📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a company culture that values in-person collaboration and team synergy, which can be beneficial for creative roles requiring spontaneous idea sharing and direct feedback.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: Resume and portfolio review to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements, especially the direct mail and multichannel focus.
- Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: A practical design exercise may be given to evaluate technical proficiency, creative problem-solving, and ability to interpret a brief under time constraints. This might involve designing a direct mail piece or a set of digital assets.
- Interviews with Hiring Team: In-depth discussions with the hiring manager and potentially team members to assess communication skills, collaboration style, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. Expect questions about past projects, design process, and how design impacts marketing ROI.
- Presentation to Leadership/Client Scenario: A potential final stage could involve presenting a selected portfolio piece or a solution to a hypothetical client scenario to senior leadership, demonstrating presentation skills and strategic rationale.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Curate for Relevance: Prioritize direct mail and multichannel campaign examples. Showcase the breadth of your work, from eye-catching direct mail pieces to integrated digital assets.
- Highlight Results: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the design process, and, most importantly, the measurable results (e.g., response rates, conversion improvements, engagement metrics). Use data points where possible.
- Showcase Process: Include mockups, wireframes, or explanations of your design thinking. Demonstrate how you translate strategy into visual solutions.
- Tailor to Lending Science DM: Research the company and its clients. If possible, highlight any experience with financial services or similar industries. Emphasize your understanding of data-driven marketing and direct response.
- Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually polished. Consider a digital format (PDF or personal website).
Challenge Preparation:
- Understand the Brief: Carefully read and analyze any design challenge provided. Ask clarifying questions if needed.
- Focus on Strategy: Approach the challenge with a strategic mindset. How does the design solve a business problem or achieve a marketing goal?
- Demonstrate Process: Be prepared to walk through your thought process, from initial concept to final execution, explaining your design choices.
- Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a given timeframe.
- Presentation Skills: Rehearse presenting your work clearly and concisely, highlighting key design decisions and their strategic rationale.
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the company's name and focus, expect interviewers to probe deeply into how design influences response rates and client success, particularly in the direct mail space. A portfolio that clearly quantifies impact will be a significant advantage.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign (essential for direct mail layout), Photoshop (image editing, digital asset creation), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, icons).
- Microsoft Office Suite: PowerPoint (for presentations and client pitches), Word (documentation), Excel (basic data handling).
Analytics & Reporting:
- Familiarity with understanding and incorporating insights from performance analytics and A/B testing results, even if not directly using the analytics platforms.
CRM & Automation:
- Basic understanding of how design assets integrate with email platforms, digital ad platforms, and potentially CRM systems, though direct experience may not be required.
Other Potential Tools (Plus):
- Figma (for digital design collaboration and prototyping)
- After Effects (for motion graphics, animated ads)
- Basic HTML/CSS (for email template optimization or understanding web design constraints)
📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign for direct mail. Experience with digital tools like Figma or After Effects, and foundational knowledge of HTML/CSS, are significant pluses that indicate a candidate's versatility in a multichannel environment.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Results-Oriented: A strong emphasis on driving measurable outcomes, such as response rates and conversion rates, through design.
- Data-Driven: Valuing the use of analytics and testing to inform design decisions and optimize campaign performance.
- Client-Focused: A commitment to understanding and meeting client objectives, delivering high-quality creative solutions that contribute to client success.
- Collaborative: Encouraging teamwork, open communication, and mutual support among team members to achieve common goals.
- Innovative: A desire to stay current with design trends and marketing technologies, continuously seeking ways to improve creative output and campaign effectiveness.
- Brand Stewardship: A dedication to maintaining brand integrity and consistency across all projects.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with marketing strategists, copywriters, and project managers to ensure cohesive campaign development.
- Feedback Exchange: An environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and utilized to refine designs and improve outcomes.
- Presentation & Communication: Open dialogue and clear communication are essential, especially when presenting designs and strategic rationale to internal teams and clients.
- Agile Workflow: Potentially working in an agile or iterative manner, adapting to project changes and performance feedback.
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's name "Lending Science DM" implies a culture that values empirical evidence and strategic application of knowledge, which likely extends to their creative operations. Expect a culture that rewards data-backed creativity and demonstrable client impact.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Balancing Creativity with Data: Effectively integrating performance analytics and A/B testing results into the creative design process without stifling innovation or artistic expression.
- Client Expectations: Managing diverse client needs and expectations, particularly in the direct response marketing space where ROI is paramount.
- Rapid Iteration: Adapting quickly to feedback and performance data to make design adjustments efficiently, especially under tight deadlines.
- Staying Current: Keeping pace with evolving design trends, marketing technologies, and best practices in both direct mail and digital channels.
- Print Production Nuances: Navigating the complexities of print production, ensuring design fidelity from screen to final printed piece.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to hone skills in specialized areas like advanced typography, motion graphics, or personalized direct mail design.
- Marketing Strategy Insights: Learning more about direct marketing strategy, customer segmentation, and campaign analytics from experienced strategists.
- Cross-Channel Expertise: Developing a deeper understanding of how to create cohesive brand experiences across email, digital ads, social media, and direct mail.
- Client Presentation Skills: Opportunities to refine presentation and client-facing communication skills through regular interaction and pitch preparation.
- Employee Ownership Growth: Understanding the business from an owner's perspective through the ESOP program, potentially leading to greater engagement and long-term financial growth.
📝 Enhancement Note: The key challenge for this role is bridging the gap between creative execution and tangible business results, and the growth opportunities lie in becoming a more strategic, data-informed designer who can directly contribute to client success and company ownership.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- "Describe a direct mail campaign you designed that significantly exceeded response rate targets. What were the key design elements that contributed to its success?" (Focus on quantifiable results and strategic design choices.)
- "How do you approach balancing creative vision with the need for data-driven optimization in your designs?" (Highlight your process for incorporating analytics and testing.)
- "Walk us through your process for developing a multichannel campaign, ensuring brand consistency across direct mail, email, and digital ads." (Emphasize your understanding of integrated marketing and brand stewardship.)
- "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in direct mail and multichannel marketing design?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning and industry awareness.)
Company & Culture Questions:
- "What interests you about Lending Science DM and our focus on direct mail and data-driven marketing?" (Research the company, its services, and its clientele.)
- "How do you handle constructive criticism on your designs, particularly from clients or senior leadership?" (Demonstrate professionalism, adaptability, and a focus on project goals.)
- "Describe a time you collaborated with a non-designer (e.g., a strategist, copywriter) on a project. How did you ensure effective communication and alignment?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Select Your Best: Choose 3-5 projects that best represent your expertise in direct mail and multichannel marketing, and demonstrate measurable results.
- Tell the Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's objective, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, and the impact of your work (use metrics!).
- Highlight Data Integration: If possible, show how data influenced your design decisions or how you analyzed results to inform future work.
- Showcase Versatility: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to work across different channels (DM, email, digital ads).
- Be Concise and Confident: Practice presenting your work efficiently and confidently, answering questions clearly and professionally.
📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss the "science" behind your design choices – how you use data, testing, and strategic thinking to drive response and conversion. Your portfolio should be a testament to your ability to deliver tangible business results for clients.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Graphic Designer position:
- Submit your application through the provided link on the Rippling careers portal.
- Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience in direct mail and multichannel marketing campaigns. Prioritize projects that showcase response rates, conversion improvements, and integrated channel strategies.
- Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and any relevant experience with email/digital ad platforms, HTML/CSS, or data-driven design. Quantify your achievements whenever possible.
- Prepare for Presentation: Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on your design process, strategic thinking, and the measurable impact of your work. Practice presenting your most relevant projects.
- Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lending Science DM's services, client base (likely financial services), and their emphasis on data-driven direct response marketing. Understand how your skills align with their mission.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
A bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or a related field is required, along with 8+ years of graphic design experience. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and strong communication skills are essential.