Senior Graphic Designer

Equitable
Full_time$71k-95k/year (USD)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer Company: Equitable Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States / Remote Job Type: Full-time Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations Date Posted: August 08, 2025 Experience Level: 7+ Years Remote Status: Hybrid (with potential for fully remote)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Spearhead the conceptualization and execution of integrated marketing campaigns across diverse channels, including digital, print, and social media, requiring a strong understanding of campaign strategy and execution.
  • Develop high-impact marketing collateral, encompassing email campaigns, landing pages, digital advertisements, and social media assets, demanding proficiency in digital design best practices and an eye for engagement.
  • Evolve and enhance the Equitable brand identity through innovative and forward-thinking creative solutions, ensuring brand consistency and modern aesthetic appeal across all touchpoints.
  • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including copywriters, developers, and business stakeholders, to deliver cohesive and impactful creative projects, emphasizing strong communication and teamwork.
  • Manage projects from initial concept through to final production-ready assets, demonstrating robust project management skills and a keen attention to detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Graphic Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into marketing campaign execution and brand evolution, suggesting a role that bridges creative design with strategic marketing operations. The emphasis on integrated campaigns and digital/social assets indicates a need for a designer who understands the broader marketing funnel and how design contributes to business objectives. The hybrid/remote nature implies a need for strong self-management and digital collaboration skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the end-to-end concepting and execution of integrated marketing campaigns, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives across digital, print, and social media platforms.
  • Design and produce visually compelling marketing collateral, including but not limited to email templates, landing page layouts, digital ad banners, social media graphics, and presentations, optimizing for engagement and conversion.
  • Extend and continuously refine the Equitable brand guidelines by developing fresh, modern, and impactful design solutions that resonate with target audiences and maintain brand integrity.
  • Foster collaborative relationships with internal teams such as copywriters, web developers, marketing specialists, and business partners to ensure seamless project execution and holistic campaign success.
  • Create production-ready artwork and manage the design lifecycle of projects, from initial brief and concept development through to final asset delivery and quality assurance, including press checks for print collateral.
  • Proactively push creative boundaries and explore innovative design approaches while rigorously adhering to established brand standards and ensuring visual hierarchy and typographic excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic and leadership component, typical of a senior role. The mention of "extending and evolving the Equitable brand" suggests a need for a designer who can not only execute but also contribute to brand strategy and visual direction. The requirement for production-ready assets and press approvals indicates a need for a designer with a strong understanding of print production processes and technical design specifications.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in design principles.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a demonstrable track record of leading creative development and execution for integrated marketing campaigns across digital and print mediums.
  • Proven experience in extending and evolving brand identities through contemporary design aesthetics and strategic visual communication.

Required Skills:

  • Adobe Creative Suite Expertise: Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, for creating and manipulating high-quality visual assets.
  • Typography & Composition: Deep understanding of typography, color theory, composition, and visual hierarchy to create aesthetically pleasing and effective designs.
  • Digital Design Proficiency: Experience designing for web, mobile interfaces, email marketing campaigns, and digital advertising platforms, optimizing for various screen sizes and user experiences.
  • Print Production Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of print production processes, including file preparation, color management, and experience with press approvals to ensure accurate and high-quality print output.
  • Collaboration & Communication: Strong ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, communicate design concepts clearly, and collaborate with copywriters, developers, and business partners.
  • Portfolio Presentation: Ability to present a strong, diverse portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, campaign work, and brand evolution examples.

Preferred Skills:

  • Storytelling & Presentation: Excellent presentation skills with the ability to articulate creative concepts and design decisions effectively to stakeholders and cross-functional teams through polished storytelling.
  • Motion Graphics/Animation: Experience with motion graphics software such as Adobe After Effects for creating animated logos, explainer videos, or dynamic social media content.
  • UI/UX Design Principles: Familiarity with Figma for UI design and collaborative workflows, indicating an understanding of user interface design and user experience principles.
  • Familiarity with Financial Services: General knowledge of the Insurance and Financial Services industry, understanding the unique communication needs and regulatory considerations within this sector.
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to balance hands-on design execution with strategic thinking, aligning creative output with broader business objectives and marketing strategies.
  • Search Engine Marketing (SEM) & Social Media Marketing: Understanding of how design integrates with SEM and social media marketing strategies to drive traffic, engagement, and brand visibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred qualifications suggest a desire for a designer who is not only technically skilled but also a strong communicator and strategic thinker, capable of influencing brand direction and collaborating effectively with business partners. Familiarity with Figma and motion graphics indicates an interest in modern design workflows and dynamic content creation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Campaign Showcase: Portfolio must include examples of integrated marketing campaigns, demonstrating the ability to maintain brand consistency across digital, print, and social media channels.
  • Brand Evolution Examples: Showcase projects where the candidate has successfully extended or evolved a brand's visual identity, highlighting strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.
  • Digital Asset Design: Include a variety of digital assets such as email campaigns, landing pages, web banners, and social media graphics, demonstrating proficiency in optimizing designs for various platforms.
  • Print Collateral Examples: Feature examples of print materials such as brochures, flyers, or advertisements, with attention to layout, typography, and print production readiness.
  • Process Documentation: While not explicitly stated, a portfolio that subtly demonstrates a structured design process (e.g., showing initial concepts, revisions, and final assets) will be beneficial.

Process Documentation:

  • Candidates are expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of the design process, from brief interpretation and concept generation to final asset delivery and production.
  • The ability to articulate how design decisions support marketing objectives and contribute to measurable business outcomes will be critical.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio link emphasizes its importance in the evaluation process. The emphasis on integrated campaigns and brand evolution suggests that the portfolio should not just be a collection of pretty pictures, but rather a demonstration of strategic thinking and execution across multiple channels. Providing examples that show the design process, from concept to completion, will likely be viewed favorably.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $71,000 - $95,000 per year.

  • Note: Actual base salaries will vary based on candidate skills, experience, and geographical location. Equitable also offers performance-based compensation, including base salary increases, spot bonuses, and short-term incentive compensation opportunities, depending on role and functional area.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
  • Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company contributions.
  • Work-Life Balance: Paid Time Off (PTO) for vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
  • Total Rewards Program: Access to Equitable's Total Rewards Program, which likely includes additional benefits and resources for employee well-being and professional development. (Details available via the provided link).

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely aligning with a 40-hour work week. Flexibility may be available depending on project demands and team needs, especially given the hybrid/remote work options.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a key piece of information for candidates. The mention of additional performance-based compensation indicates a performance-driven culture. The benefits package is competitive and standard for a large financial services organization. The hybrid/remote aspect may offer some flexibility in daily work schedules, but core working hours for collaboration will be expected.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Insurance & Investment Management)

  • Equitable operates within the highly regulated and competitive financial services sector, specializing in insurance and investment management. This context implies a need for design that is professional, trustworthy, and compliant, while still being engaging and modern.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Specific employee count not provided, but Equitable is a well-established, publicly traded company).

  • Working in a large organization like Equitable means opportunities for collaboration with diverse teams, exposure to complex projects, and potential for career advancement within a structured environment. It also suggests established brand guidelines and processes that designers must adhere to.

Founded: Equitable has a long history, tracing its origins back to 1859 (as The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States).

  • This heritage suggests a company with deep-rooted values and a commitment to client security, which can be reflected in its brand messaging and visual identity. The "in-house agency" structure implies a dedicated team focused on internal creative needs, fostering a collaborative and brand-centric environment.

Team Structure:

  • The Senior Graphic Designer will be part of an "In-house agency" and work within a "multi-disciplinary team."
  • This team likely includes other designers, copywriters, marketing specialists, and potentially project managers.
  • Reporting structure is not specified, but a senior role typically reports to a Creative Director, Design Manager, or Marketing Lead.

Methodology:

  • The role emphasizes a blend of creativity and strategic thinking, requiring designers to translate business objectives into compelling visual solutions.
  • Collaboration is key, with an expectation to work closely with various departments.
  • Data-driven insights and modern design tools (like Figma) are likely integrated into workflows.

Company Website: https://www.equitable.com/ (Based on domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The industry context is crucial for a graphic designer, as it dictates the tone, style, and compliance requirements of visual communications. The company's long history suggests stability and a strong brand legacy. The "in-house agency" structure implies a focus on internal brand consistency and efficiency in creative production.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor

  • This role is a senior-level position focused on design execution and creative leadership within marketing campaigns. It requires a high degree of autonomy and expertise in graphic design principles and application.

Reporting Structure:

  • The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director, Design Manager, or a Marketing Lead within the in-house agency or marketing department.
  • They will be expected to collaborate with various stakeholders across different business units.

Operations Impact:

  • The Senior Graphic Designer's work directly impacts Equitable's brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and client engagement.
  • By creating compelling visual assets, they contribute to the success of marketing campaigns, lead generation, and overall brand communication strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Development: Potential to lead specific design projects or mentor junior designers, developing leadership and management skills.
  • Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like digital design, campaign strategy, or even explore motion graphics and UI/UX.
  • Cross-functional Exposure: Gain broader marketing knowledge by working closely with copywriters, developers, and business strategists.
  • Career Advancement: Potential progression to roles such as Art Director, Creative Director, or Design Manager within Equitable, or moving into specialized design roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path for growth into leadership or specialized senior roles. The emphasis on collaboration across departments offers opportunities to broaden understanding of marketing operations and business strategy, which can be valuable for career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid/Remote

  • The role is based in Charlotte, NC, with an option for remote work, indicating a hybrid or flexible work environment. This suggests a modern workplace that accommodates different working styles and locations.

Office Location(s):

  • Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Specific office address not provided, but typically a major financial hub.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Design Studio: As part of an "in-house agency," the environment is likely collaborative, with opportunities for brainstorming, feedback sessions, and team-based project work.
  • Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially other collaboration tools (like Figma, as mentioned in preferred qualifications).
  • Brand-Centric: The workspace will be geared towards supporting and advancing the Equitable brand, likely with a focus on creative output and brand consistency.

Work Schedule:

  • While typically a standard 40-hour work week, the hybrid/remote nature may offer some flexibility in daily scheduling, provided project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid/remote flexibility is a significant factor for many professionals. It suggests that Equitable values work-life balance and is equipped to support remote collaboration, which is crucial for creative teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess qualifications and creative fit.
  • Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design process, and how their work aligns with Equitable's brand and objectives. Expect questions about campaign strategy, problem-solving, and collaboration.
  • Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: A potential design exercise to evaluate creative thinking, technical skills, and ability to work under time constraints.
  • Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with cross-functional team members (copywriters, marketing leads) and potentially senior leadership to assess collaboration skills, communication, and cultural fit.
  • Final Interview: Possibly with a senior leader for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase campaign execution, brand evolution, and digital/print design versatility.
  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the measurable impact or outcome.
  • Highlight Campaign Integration: Emphasize projects where you managed creative across multiple channels (digital, print, social) and maintained brand consistency.
  • Showcase Brand Acumen: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to understand and apply brand guidelines, or to strategically evolve a brand's visual identity.
  • Prepare for Articulation: Be ready to discuss your design decisions, rationale, and how your work contributed to business goals. Practice presenting your work clearly and concisely.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Brush up on core design principles, typography, and color theory.
  • Familiarize yourself with current design trends, especially in the financial services sector.
  • Be prepared to discuss your approach to common design challenges, such as working with tight deadlines, incorporating feedback, or adapting designs for different platforms.
  • If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly, outlining your approach, and delivering a well-reasoned solution, even if it's not fully polished.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical. Candidates need to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking and the ability to execute campaigns across multiple touchpoints. Preparing to articulate the "why" behind design choices and their impact on business objectives is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud:
    • InDesign: Essential for layout, print collateral, and multi-page documents.
    • Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
    • Photoshop: Necessary for image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Microsoft Office Suite:
    • PowerPoint: For creating presentations and proposals, often used for design reviews and stakeholder communication.
    • Word & Excel: For general document creation and data handling.
  • Figma (Preferred): Increasingly important for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not direct tools for the designer, understanding how design impacts analytics and reporting (e.g., A/B testing results for digital ads, email open rates) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

  • Familiarity with how design assets are used within CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., email builders) is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Proficiency in Figma is highly desirable, indicating a forward-thinking designer aligned with modern collaborative workflows. Understanding the context of how designs are deployed (e.g., in email marketing, digital ads) is also important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Creativity & Innovation: Encouragement to bring fresh ideas and modern aesthetics to elevate the Equitable brand.
  • Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork and working effectively with cross-functional partners.
  • Brand Stewardship: Commitment to maintaining and enhancing brand integrity and consistency across all communications.
  • Strategic Impact: Focus on how design contributes to business objectives, marketing success, and client engagement.
  • Professionalism & Excellence: Dedication to producing high-quality, production-ready work and maintaining high standards in all aspects of the role.

Collaboration Style:

  • Integrated Team Approach: Designers work alongside copywriters, developers, and marketing strategists to create cohesive campaigns.
  • Feedback-Driven: Expectation of constructive feedback during design reviews to refine creative output.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to present and defend design choices to various stakeholders, including business partners and potentially senior leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to value both creative output and strategic contribution. The ability to collaborate effectively and communicate design rationale is as important as the technical design skills themselves.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: The primary challenge will be to push creative boundaries while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines and compliance requirements within the financial services industry.
  • Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring that design effectively supports the diverse needs and objectives of various business partners and marketing initiatives.
  • Managing Multiple Projects: Effectively prioritizing and managing a diverse workload of campaigns and collateral under potentially tight deadlines.
  • Adapting to Industry Changes: Staying current with design trends, digital technologies, and evolving marketing strategies within the financial services sector.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in digital design, motion graphics, UI/UX principles, or specialized areas through internal training or external resources.
  • Industry Exposure: Gaining insights into the financial services industry and its unique design considerations.
  • Portfolio Growth: Building a strong portfolio with impactful campaign work and brand evolution projects that can support future career advancement.
  • Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior creative leaders within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a designer who is not only creative but also process-oriented, adaptable, and possesses strong communication skills. The growth opportunities focus on both technical skill development and strategic career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you led the concepting and execution of an integrated marketing campaign. What were the key channels, your role, and the outcome?" (Focus on campaign strategy, cross-channel integration, and impact).
  • "How do you approach evolving a brand's visual identity while maintaining its core essence and ensuring brand integrity?" (Prepare examples of brand extension or refresh projects).
  • "Walk us through your process for designing a key marketing asset, such as a landing page or digital ad. How do you ensure it's optimized for engagement and conversion?" (Detail your design process, tool usage, and considerations for user experience).
  • "How do you balance creative innovation with adherence to brand guidelines and compliance requirements, particularly in a regulated industry like financial services?" (Emphasize your strategic thinking and problem-solving approach).

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What do you know about Equitable and our brand? How do you see your design skills contributing to our mission?" (Research Equitable's mission, values, and recent marketing efforts).
  • "Describe your experience working in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team. How do you handle feedback and disagreements with colleagues or stakeholders?" (Prepare examples of successful collaboration and conflict resolution).
  • "How do you measure the success of your design work?" (Discuss metrics like engagement rates, conversion rates, brand recall, or feedback from stakeholders).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, follow a clear story arc: Challenge -> Your Role -> Process/Solution -> Outcome/Impact.
  • Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., "Increased click-through rate by X%," "Improved conversion by Y%").
  • Showcase Versatility: Ensure your portfolio highlights a range of skills – digital, print, campaign integration, brand work.
  • Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, software techniques, and your creative process.
  • Enthusiasm for the Brand: Express genuine interest in Equitable's mission and how your creative contributions can support it.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their work in terms of business impact and strategic contribution, not just aesthetic appeal. Demonstrating an understanding of the financial services industry and Equitable's specific brand will be a significant advantage.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on Equitable's career portal.
  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features integrated campaign work, brand evolution examples, and a diverse range of digital and print assets. Tailor the presentation to highlight skills relevant to financial services marketing.
  • Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 7+ years of experience, specific achievements in campaign execution, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience relevant to the financial services industry. Use keywords from the job description.
  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.
  • Company Research: Thoroughly research Equitable, its mission, values, recent marketing campaigns, and its brand identity. Understand the nuances of designing for the financial services sector.

⚠️ 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

Candidates should have 7+ years of graphic design experience with expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud. A strong understanding of typography, composition, and visual hierarchy is essential.