Presentation Design Strategist
π Job Overview
Job Title: Presentation Design Strategist Company: Faegre Drinker Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (with flexibility for Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, or downtown Indianapolis) Job Type: Full-Time Category: Marketing Operations / Client Development Support Date Posted: September 23, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years implied) Remote Status: Hybrid
π Role Summary
- Serve as the primary expert in developing visually compelling and strategic presentations for client-facing opportunities, aligning with Faegre Drinker's brand standards and business objectives.
- Partner directly with attorneys, consulting professionals, and internal teams to manage presentation intake, refine messaging, and enhance visual storytelling through expert design.
- Provide strategic guidance, comprehensive project management, and training to elevate the firm's overall presentation capabilities and impact.
- Leverage deep expertise in design software and presentation tools to create high-quality visual communications that effectively convey complex information and support client development efforts.
- Contribute to a dynamic marketing and client development team, fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and excellence in visual communications.
π Enhancement Note: While the title is "Presentation Design Strategist," the responsibilities and required skills suggest a role that blends graphic design expertise with strategic thinking and project management, crucial for effective Go-To-Market (GTM) support in a professional services environment. The emphasis on client-facing opportunities and visual storytelling positions this role within the broader GTM operations, supporting business development and client engagement.
π Primary Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end design and development of high-impact, visually compelling presentations, ensuring alignment with Faegre Drinkerβs brand guidelines, strategic objectives, and target audience needs.
- Collaborate closely with attorneys, consultants, and client development professionals to understand presentation requirements, gather content, and translate complex information into clear, concise, and visually engaging narratives.
- Manage multiple presentation projects simultaneously from intake to final delivery, employing strong project management skills to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Provide strategic input on presentation structure, content flow, and visual hierarchy to maximize message clarity and audience impact.
- Develop and maintain presentation templates, design assets, and best practice guidelines to ensure brand consistency and efficiency across the firm.
- Train and mentor firm personnel on effective presentation design principles and the use of presentation software, enhancing the firm's internal capabilities.
- Visualize data and complex information effectively using charts, graphs, infographics, and other visual elements to support persuasive arguments and enhance comprehension.
- Stay abreast of industry trends in presentation design, visual communication, and relevant software technologies to continuously improve the firm's presentation output.
- Support the Client Development & Marketing (CDM) group with other visual communication needs as required, contributing to broader marketing initiatives.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for proactive engagement and strategic input, not just execution. Responsibilities like "shape messaging" and "elevate visual storytelling" indicate a strategic partner role rather than a pure production role, which is common in advanced GTM operations support.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- Undergraduate degree in Graphic Design, Communications, Marketing, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in design principles and visual communication.
Experience:
- 4-6 years of dedicated experience in graphic design or a presentation-focused role.
- A minimum of 3 years of experience within a law firm or professional services environment is strongly preferred, demonstrating an understanding of client service expectations and industry nuances.
Required Skills:
- Expert proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, including advanced features for design, template development, animation, and graphic integration.
- Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, for creating custom graphics, layouts, and visual assets.
- A strong sense of design, with a keen aesthetic eye for layout, typography, color, and visual composition.
- Proven ability to visualize complex data and information into easily digestible and impactful visual formats (e.g., charts, graphs, infographics).
- Demonstrated experience in adhering to and implementing brand standards and style guides to maintain visual consistency.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, essential for effective collaboration and client service.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and the capacity to work calmly and effectively under pressure with tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to manage projects independently, prioritize tasks, and maintain a high level of detail and accuracy.
- Adaptability and flexibility to manage changing work environments and priorities.
- Ability to build and maintain positive internal and external relationships with a strong client service orientation.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with other presentation software or visual collaboration tools.
- Familiarity with video editing or motion graphics software.
- Understanding of user experience (UX) principles as applied to presentation design.
- Experience in training or mentoring others on design tools and best practices.
π Enhancement Note: The requirement for expertise in both PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Suite signifies a need for a versatile designer who can leverage templates and master-level software skills. The preference for professional services experience is a key indicator of the type of environment and client interactions the candidate will encounter.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- A robust portfolio showcasing a range of presentation design projects, demonstrating expertise in Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Suite applications.
- Evidence of transforming complex information, data, and messaging into clear, compelling visual narratives.
- Case studies highlighting projects where strategic design thinking directly contributed to enhanced communication effectiveness or business outcomes.
- Examples of creating and utilizing branded templates, ensuring consistent visual identity across multiple presentations.
- Portfolio pieces that illustrate skill in data visualization, including the creation of custom charts, graphs, and infographics.
Process Documentation:
- Candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to managing presentation projects, from initial client consultation and content gathering through design execution, review cycles, and final delivery.
- Ability to articulate the process for translating client needs and raw data into effective visual communication strategies.
- Understanding of workflow optimization for presentation design, including how to maintain efficiency and quality while managing multiple projects and stakeholders.
π Enhancement Note: For a role focused on presentation strategy, a portfolio is paramount. It should not only display aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, problem-solving in design, and the ability to adapt to brand guidelines and specific client needs within a professional services context.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- The anticipated initial annual salary range for this position is $90,000 β $100,000 USD. This range is an estimate and may vary based on the candidate's specific skills, relevant training, experience, and other job-related factors, including the specific office location where the position is filled, in accordance with applicable law.
Benefits:
- Flexible working environment designed for work-life success, supporting a hybrid work model.
- Opportunity to participate in firm-sponsored volunteer events, fostering community engagement.
- Comprehensive wellness programming with personalized content and activities to support employee well-being.
- A professional environment offering the chance to work alongside and learn from experts in their respective fields.
- A variety of health plan options, including dental and vision coverage, to meet diverse employee needs.
- Participation in a 401(k) plan for retirement savings.
- Generous paid time off (PTO) to support work-life balance and personal needs.
Working Hours:
- This is an exempt, full-time role. Standard working hours are typically aligned with a 40-hour work week, though flexibility is implied given the "flexible working environment" benefit and the potential for deadline-driven work in a client-facing role.
π Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a specialized design role in a major metropolitan area, especially within the professional services sector. The benefits package emphasizes work-life balance and employee well-being, reflecting a modern workplace culture.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Legal Services / Professional Services. Faegre Drinker is a large, international law firm providing comprehensive legal and consulting services. This context implies a professional, client-centric, and deadline-driven environment. Company Size: Large. Faegre Drinker is a significant international firm, indicating a structured organization with established processes, a broad client base, and diverse internal teams. This size often means opportunities for specialization and career development within large departments. Founded: The firm's history traces back to 1896, indicating a long-standing reputation, established client relationships, and a deep understanding of the legal and business landscape. This longevity suggests stability and a commitment to long-term success.
Team Structure:
- The Presentation Design Strategist will be part of the Client Development & Marketing (CDM) group, a key support function for the firmβs business development efforts.
- This team likely includes professionals specializing in marketing strategy, business development, communications, digital marketing, and potentially other creative roles.
- The role requires close collaboration with attorneys and consulting professionals across various practice groups and geographic offices, necessitating strong cross-functional communication and relationship-building skills.
Methodology:
- The CDM group likely employs data-driven approaches to marketing and client development, utilizing analytics to measure campaign effectiveness and inform strategy.
- Workflow planning and optimization are critical for managing diverse client needs and internal requests efficiently.
- The firm emphasizes a culture of learning and continuous improvement, encouraging the adoption of new technologies and best practices in visual communication and marketing.
Company Website: faegredrinker.com
π Enhancement Note: Working within a large law firm's marketing department means understanding the unique communication needs of legal professionals and their clients. The culture is likely to be highly professional, with a strong emphasis on accuracy, confidentiality, and client service.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role sits at a mid-to-senior level within the marketing operations and client development support structure. It requires specialized technical and creative skills combined with strategic thinking and project management capabilities. Reporting Structure: The Presentation Design Strategist will report into the Client Development & Marketing (CDM) group, likely to a manager or director overseeing marketing operations or creative services. The role involves significant collaboration with attorneys and consulting professionals who are internal clients. Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the firm's ability to effectively communicate its value proposition to clients and prospects. High-quality presentations are critical for winning new business, supporting client relationships, and reinforcing the firm's brand image and expertise. Strong visual communication can significantly influence client perception and decision-making.
Growth Opportunities:
- Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced presentation design techniques, data visualization, and potentially motion graphics or interactive content.
- Strategic Involvement: Progress to a more senior strategist role, taking on greater responsibility for defining presentation strategies and leading major design initiatives.
- Team Leadership: Opportunities may arise to mentor junior designers or lead specific project teams within the CDM group as experience grows.
- Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader exposure to other areas of marketing and business development, potentially leading to roles in broader marketing strategy or campaign management.
π Enhancement Note: The career path for a Presentation Design Strategist in a firm like Faegre Drinker can lead to leadership within the creative services or marketing operations functions, or even transition into broader marketing strategy roles, leveraging their strong visual communication and project management skills.
π Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid. The firm supports a hybrid work environment, allowing for a blend of in-office and remote work. This offers flexibility while maintaining opportunities for in-person collaboration and team cohesion. Office Location(s): The role can be based in Chicago, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Denver, or downtown Indianapolis. This wide range of office locations provides geographical flexibility for candidates.
Workspace Context:
- The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities to interact with colleagues within the CDM group and with attorneys and consultants from various practice areas.
- Access to necessary technology, software, and resources for high-quality presentation design and remote collaboration will be provided.
- The environment encourages a client-service mindset, where team members are expected to be responsive, professional, and proactive in supporting internal clients.
Work Schedule:
- While the role is full-time (typically 40 hours/week), the firmβs emphasis on a "flexible working environment for work-life success" suggests a degree of flexibility in daily scheduling, provided that project deadlines and client needs are met.
π Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a significant draw for many professionals, offering a balance between focused individual work and collaborative team engagement. The ability to choose from multiple major office locations further enhances the appeal of this position.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and portfolio by HR or the hiring manager to assess qualifications and creative output.
- Skills Assessment/Technical Interview: May include a practical exercise or detailed discussion about your experience with PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite, and your approach to design challenges. Expect questions about specific techniques, problem-solving scenarios, and how you handle feedback.
- Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Interviews with members of the CDM team and potentially attorneys or consultants to assess your communication style, collaboration skills, client service approach, and ability to manage projects and stakeholders.
- Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your work, discussing your design process, strategic thinking, and the impact of your contributions on past projects.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your expertise in presentation design, data visualization, and brand adherence, ideally with examples from professional services if possible.
- Highlight Process & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the client's objective, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the tools used, and the measurable impact or outcome of your work. Focus on how your design solutions addressed specific business needs.
- Demonstrate Versatility: Show a range of styles and solutions, from highly branded corporate presentations to data-heavy reports and visually engaging pitch decks.
- Technical Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your work, such as template creation, animation techniques, and file optimization.
- Conciseness: Present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most critical aspects of each project to respect the interviewer's time.
Challenge Preparation:
- Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve refining a given set of content into a more polished presentation slide or a short set of slides.
- Practice articulating your design choices and strategic rationale clearly and concisely. Think about how you would approach a request from an attorney who needs a complex legal concept visualized effectively.
- Prepare to discuss how you manage feedback from stakeholders who may have varying levels of design understanding.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to not only show their work but also to articulate the "why" behind their design decisions and how they align with business objectives, demonstrating strategic value beyond pure aesthetics.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- Microsoft PowerPoint: Expert-level proficiency required for design, template development, animation, and advanced graphics.
- Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop for custom asset creation, layout design, and image manipulation.
Analytics & Reporting:
- While not explicitly listed as a primary tool for this role, familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, or advanced Excel charting) will be beneficial for creating impactful data-driven presentations.
CRM & Automation:
- Understanding of how CRM systems (like Salesforce, though not specified) and marketing automation platforms feed into the content and data used for client presentations may be advantageous, but not a core requirement.
- Familiarity with project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) could be helpful for managing workflow.
π Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements are firmly rooted in Microsoft Office Suite (specifically PowerPoint) and the Adobe Creative Suite. Proficiency here is non-negotiable and should be a primary focus for applicants.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Client Service Excellence: A dedication to providing exceptional support to internal clients (attorneys, consultants) and external clients, ensuring all visual communications are professional and effective.
- Collaboration: A commitment to working effectively with diverse teams across the firm, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a supportive and inclusive work environment.
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement: An eagerness to explore new design trends, technologies, and methodologies to enhance presentation quality and efficiency.
- Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to design, ensuring accuracy, brand consistency, and a polished final product.
- Integrity & Confidentiality: Upholding the highest standards of discretion when handling sensitive client and firm information, a critical value in a legal environment.
Collaboration Style:
- Proactive Partnership: Engaging actively with attorneys and consultants to understand their needs and provide strategic design input, rather than just executing instructions.
- Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders, using it constructively to refine designs.
- Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design expertise and best practices with colleagues to elevate the firm's overall visual communication capabilities.
- Team-Oriented: Contributing to a positive team dynamic within the CDM group, supporting colleagues and working collectively towards shared goals.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on confidentiality and integrity is paramount in a law firm setting. The collaborative style needs to be effective in communicating with professionals who may not be design-savvy, requiring clear explanations and a consultative approach.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Balancing the varied design preferences, technical understanding, and strategic objectives of attorneys and consultants across different practice groups.
- Translating Complex Information: Effectively visualizing intricate legal concepts, data, and arguments into clear, concise, and compelling visual narratives.
- Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring adherence to strict brand guidelines across a wide range of presentation types and user-generated content.
- Meeting Tight Deadlines: Delivering high-quality design work under pressure in a fast-paced, deadline-driven professional services environment.
- Adapting to Evolving Technology: Staying current with the latest features and best practices in presentation software and design tools.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Advanced Design Training: Opportunities to attend workshops or online courses focused on advanced PowerPoint features, data visualization techniques, or new design software.
- Industry Best Practices: Learning from industry leaders through webinars, conferences, or internal knowledge-sharing sessions on presentation strategy and visual communication.
- Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior marketing or design professionals within the firm.
- Exposure to Legal Marketing: Gaining in-depth understanding of marketing and business development strategies within the legal sector.
π Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be translating complex, often abstract, legal information into visually digestible formats while maintaining professional standards. Growth lies in mastering these translation skills and expanding strategic influence.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- "How would you approach designing a presentation for a client pitch on a complex regulatory matter, ensuring clarity and impact for a non-expert audience?" (Focus on process, information hierarchy, and visual storytelling.)
- "Describe a time you had to manage conflicting feedback on a presentation design. How did you resolve it and what was the outcome?" (Focus on stakeholder management, communication, and decision-making.)
- "How do you ensure brand consistency across presentations created by different individuals within an organization?" (Focus on template development, style guides, and training.)
- "Walk us through your process for visualizing complex data sets for a presentation. What tools and techniques do you prioritize?" (Focus on data visualization skills and tool proficiency.)
Company & Culture Questions:
- "What interests you about working for Faegre Drinker and in the legal industry specifically?" (Research the firm's values, recent news, and practice areas.)
- "How do you see your role contributing to the success of our Client Development & Marketing team and the firm as a whole?" (Connect your skills to their business objectives.)
- "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative culture." (Align your working style with the firm's stated values.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Structure Your Narrative: For each project, use a STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or a similar storytelling framework. Clearly articulate the problem, your solution, and the impact.
- Focus on Strategic Intent: Explain why you made certain design choices, linking them back to the project's objectives and audience.
- Showcase Technical Skills: Be ready to briefly demonstrate or explain specific features or techniques used in PowerPoint or Adobe Suite that were critical to the project's success.
- Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you collaborated with subject matter experts or stakeholders to gather information and refine the design.
- Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design process, challenges encountered, and how you handle feedback.
π Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to speak to the strategic value of their design work, not just its aesthetic quality. Demonstrating an understanding of the legal industry's communication needs will be a significant advantage.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Presentation Design Strategist position:
- Submit your application through the provided Workday link on the Faegre Drinker careers page.
- Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., via a link to a personal website, Behance, or a professional PDF) and highlights your strongest presentation design work. Tailor the selection to showcase relevant skills for a professional services environment.
- Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, proficiency in PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Suite, and any prior experience in law firms or professional services. Quantify achievements whenever possible (e.g., "Designed 50+ client pitch presentations annually, contributing to a 15% increase in successful proposals").
- Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on your design process, strategic thinking, and the impact of your work. Prepare answers to common behavioral and situational questions, especially those related to client service, collaboration, and deadline management.
- Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Faegre Drinkerβs practice areas, values, and recent firm news. Understand the firm's client base and the types of presentations they might require. This research will be valuable for both your application and interview.
β οΈ 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
An undergraduate degree in graphic design, communications, or marketing is required, along with 4-6 years of experience in a graphic design or presentation-focused role. Expert knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint and design software is essential.