Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Security Benefit Business Services / Everly Life

Location: Topeka, Kansas, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design

Date Posted: March 16, 2026

Experience Level: 4-6 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Responsible for developing compelling, visually engaging design solutions that align with company brand standards across multiple channels, ensuring both consistency and creativity.

• Operates with a high level of autonomy, contributing to the shaping of creative direction and elevating the overall quality of work produced by the design team.

• Engages in cross-functional partnerships, articulates clear design rationale, and provides mentorship and strong direction to other designers.

• Manages projects from concept to final execution for both print and digital outputs, ensuring brand compliancy and adherence to timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer, indicating a need for strong individual contribution, creative leadership, and the ability to mentor junior team members. The emphasis on autonomy and shaping creative direction suggests a significant level of trust and responsibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute compelling visual design concepts for a variety of marketing materials, digital assets, and internal communications, ensuring alignment with Security Benefit's brand identity.

• Apply systems-level thinking to design projects, ensuring solutions are scalable, adaptable across different platforms, and consistent with evolving brand standards.

• Interpret and apply established brand guidelines independently, making sound design decisions within the existing design system while identifying opportunities for evolution.

• Prepare and package final design files for both print and digital outputs, proactively anticipating and addressing technical production requirements.

• Conduct thorough reviews of final proofs and layouts, identifying potential issues and proposing constructive improvements to enhance quality and accuracy.

• Maintain and adhere to established processes, procedures, and project management practices to ensure efficient and timely project execution.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, clearly communicating design rationale, actively listening to feedback, and responding constructively to suggestions.

• Stay current with industry trends, design tools, and best practices, maintaining a working knowledge of current design software and techniques.

• Support additional business needs and projects as assigned by the Manager, Graphic Design/Art Director, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution, strategic thinking (systems-level thinking, brand interpretation), technical proficiency (file preparation), and interpersonal skills (collaboration, mentorship). The expectation to "help shape creative direction" and "provide strong direction to other designers" emphasizes the senior nature of the role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Graphic Design, or a related field.

Experience: 4-6 years of professional graphic design experience.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator for professional design work.

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, for document creation and presentation.

• Exceptional attention to detail, with a proven track record of producing error-free work critical for brand consistency.

• Thorough understanding of the creative process, from conceptualization to final delivery across various media.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, essential for articulating design rationale and collaborating with stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic knowledge of Adobe Premier Pro and/or After Effects for motion graphics or video editing support.

• Basic knowledge of Figma or similar interface design tools for digital product design or prototyping.

• Experience working within established design systems and contributing to their evolution.

• Proven ability to take projects from concept to final execution with a high degree of autonomy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 4-6 years aligns with a senior-level position, suggesting a need for a candidate who can operate independently and mentor others. The emphasis on "error-free work" is crucial for a company in the financial services sector where accuracy is paramount.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of projects demonstrating conceptual thinking, creative execution, and problem-solving abilities across both print and digital mediums.

• Include examples that highlight adherence to and interpretation of brand guidelines, demonstrating an understanding of brand systems.

• Present case studies that detail the design process from initial brief to final output, including any iterations or feedback incorporated.

• Feature projects that reflect strong technical execution, including file preparation for print and digital outputs.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal workflow and how you manage projects from concept to completion, including time management strategies.

• Articulate how you interpret and apply brand standards, and how you ensure consistency across diverse projects.

• Be ready to explain your approach to file preparation and packaging for various production requirements.

• Discuss your experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and how you incorporate feedback into your design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Graphic Designer role, the portfolio is critical. It should not only showcase aesthetic quality but also the candidate's ability to think strategically, manage projects independently, and integrate into a structured team environment. Demonstrating experience with "systems-level thinking" and brand systems is particularly important.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Graphic Designer with 4-6 years of experience in Topeka, Kansas, the estimated salary range is $70,000 - $95,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Topeka and the specialized skills required for the role.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and annual incentive bonuses.

• Generous paid time off, including PTO, holidays, Volunteer Day, and days of significance (totaling 33 days).

• Paid parental leave after 90 days of service.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company match, alongside a Profit Sharing & Savings Plan.

• Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance for income protection.

• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.

• Life Insurance to provide financial security for beneficiaries.

• Educational assistance programs to support ongoing career development.

• Associate assistance programs focused on personal and professional well-being.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on national averages for senior graphic designers, adjusted for the Topeka, Kansas, cost of living and the specific requirements of the role as described. The provided benefits package is extensive and competitive, reflecting a strong commitment to employee well-being and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Retirement Market). Security Benefit is a significant player in the U.S. retirement market, managing over $60 billion in assets. This industry context implies a need for professionalism, accuracy, and a focus on trust and long-term financial planning in all communications.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Specific number not provided, but implied by "over $60 billion in assets under management" and multiple awards). A larger company size typically means established processes, cross-functional departments, and opportunities for career growth within a structured environment.

Founded: Not explicitly stated, but the company has a significant history and market presence, indicated by its asset management scale and awards.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer reports to the Manager, Graphic Design/Art Director.

• The design team emphasizes psychological safety, encouraging designers to ask questions, offer ideas, give and receive feedback, and take creative risks.

• There is a strong value placed on team cohesion, diverse perspectives, and shared ownership of outcomes.

• Senior designers are expected to actively contribute to strengthening this team culture.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on maintaining and applying established processes, procedures, and project management practices for efficient execution.

• Design solutions are expected to align with evolving brand standards and utilize systems-level thinking.

• Collaboration involves clear communication of design rationale and constructive response to feedback.

• A focus on psychological safety fosters an environment for creative risk-taking and open idea exchange.

Company Website: [Security Benefit Website URL - Provided as company_url in input, assumed to be securitybenefit.com]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture description highlights a supportive and collaborative environment, with a strong emphasis on psychological safety, which is beneficial for creative roles. The industry context of financial services suggests a need for clarity, precision, and a professional aesthetic in all design work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Graphic Designer. This level signifies an individual contributor with substantial experience who is expected to work autonomously, influence creative direction, and mentor junior designers. They are responsible for the quality and strategic alignment of their design work and contribute to team culture.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Manager, Graphic Design/Art Director, indicating a clear line of management and guidance within the design department.

Operations Impact: The role's output directly impacts the company's brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and internal communications. High-quality, on-brand design is crucial for a financial services company to build trust, convey professionalism, and effectively communicate complex information to customers and stakeholders.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud, potentially gain proficiency in motion graphics (Premier Pro, After Effects), and learn interface design tools (Figma).

• Creative Leadership: Potential to take on more complex projects, lead creative initiatives, and further develop mentorship skills.

• Career Progression: Possible pathways could lead to Art Director, Creative Lead, or specialized design roles within the organization, depending on performance and company needs.

• Industry Exposure: Working within the retirement market provides specialized knowledge and experience in a stable and critical industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title combined with mentorship responsibilities suggests a clear growth path for experienced designers looking to expand their influence beyond individual contribution. The company's emphasis on "structured career development" reinforces this potential.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Arrangement. This indicates a blend of on-site work at the Topeka, Kansas office and remote work, offering flexibility.

Office Location(s): Topeka, Kansas (Home office). Specific details about the office environment are not provided, but it is the primary location for on-site work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The team culture promotes psychological safety, open feedback, and shared ownership, suggesting a supportive and interactive workspace, whether in-office or virtual.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) and office productivity tools (Microsoft Office Suite) is expected. The mention of Premier Pro, After Effects, and Figma suggests these may also be available or encouraged for development.

• Team Interaction: Regular collaboration with the Manager, Graphic Design/Art Director, and other designers is anticipated, along with cross-functional engagement with marketing, product, and other departments.

Work Schedule: While not explicitly defined, a standard full-time schedule (likely 40 hours/week) is implied, with flexibility provided by the hybrid arrangement. This allows for focused work time and integration into the team's operational rhythm.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a significant aspect of the work environment, offering work-life balance. The emphasis on psychological safety and open feedback suggests a culture that values constructive dialogue and mutual support among team members.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of the resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and creative output.

• Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their design process, rationale, and problem-solving approaches. This is where adherence to brand standards and systems-level thinking will be evaluated.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Expect questions related to teamwork, collaboration, handling feedback, decision-making in ambiguous situations, and mentorship capabilities.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: May involve meeting with stakeholders from departments the designer would support to assess collaboration and communication skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 strong projects that best represent your skills in print, digital, and brand consistency.

• Showcase Process: For each project, detail the brief, your conceptual thinking, design iterations, problem-solving steps, and final execution. Explain your rationale clearly.

• Highlight Brand Adherence: Include examples where you effectively applied or interpreted brand guidelines, demonstrating your understanding of brand systems.

• Demonstrate Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss file preparation for print and digital, and any experience with motion graphics or UI design tools.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have data on how your designs performed (e.g., increased engagement, improved clarity), present it.

• Tailor to Security Benefit: Research Security Benefit's current branding and marketing materials to understand their aesthetic and tailor your presentation accordingly.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge or a detailed discussion about a hypothetical design scenario.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale clearly and concisely, especially under time pressure.

• Consider how you would approach a project with ambiguous requirements or tight deadlines, demonstrating your problem-solving and time management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "sound judgment in ambiguous situations" and "clear rationale" suggests that interviewers will be looking for strategic thinking and strong communication skills, not just creative talent. The portfolio review will be a critical component.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential proficiency in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Required for general business communication and document creation, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Emerging Tools:

• Adobe Premier Pro / After Effects: Basic knowledge is preferred, suggesting opportunities to engage with video or motion graphics.

• Figma (or similar): Basic knowledge is preferred, indicating potential involvement in UI/UX design or prototyping for digital platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirements focus on the Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office. The "preferred" skills in Premier Pro, After Effects, and Figma indicate areas where the company is either expanding its capabilities or where the senior designer can contribute to growth and development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accountability: Taking ownership of projects, deadlines, and the quality of work produced.

• Open Feedback: Actively participating in giving and receiving constructive criticism to improve individual and team performance.

• Structured Career Development: Commitment to employee growth through defined paths, learning opportunities, and mentorship.

• Psychological Safety: Creating an environment where team members feel secure to take creative risks, ask questions, and share ideas without fear of negative repercussions.

• Team Cohesion: Valuing strong relationships, diverse perspectives, and a shared commitment to team goals.

• Shared Ownership: Collective responsibility for project outcomes and team success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactive engagement with other departments to understand their needs and align design solutions with business objectives.

• Constructive Dialogue: Open communication, clear articulation of design rationale, and a willingness to discuss and incorporate feedback.

• Mentorship and Guidance: Senior designers are expected to guide and support junior team members, fostering a learning environment.

• Process-Oriented: Adherence to established workflows and project management practices ensures efficient and organized collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "psychological safety" is a significant cultural indicator, suggesting an environment that encourages innovation and open communication, which is highly beneficial for creative professionals. The emphasis on "structured career development" points to a company that invests in its employees' growth.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Creativity: Ensuring all designs adhere strictly to brand standards while still being innovative and engaging, especially across a wide range of materials.

• Managing Ambiguous Situations: Making sound design decisions with incomplete information or evolving project requirements, demonstrating strong judgment.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively translating diverse stakeholder needs into cohesive design solutions and managing expectations across different departments.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Design Tools: Continuously learning and adapting to new software and design methodologies, particularly in digital and motion graphics.

• Mentorship Responsibilities: Effectively guiding and developing junior designers while managing personal workload.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to gain deeper expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud, or develop skills in motion graphics (Premier Pro, After Effects) and UI/UX design (Figma).

• Creative Direction: Potential to influence the visual strategy and creative output of the design team.

• Industry Specialization: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the financial services and retirement market, which can lead to specialized design expertise.

• Leadership Development: Developing mentorship and team leadership skills, potentially paving the way for future management roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a large organization, particularly in a regulated industry. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with the role's senior status and the company's stated commitment to development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance strict brand guidelines with a creative brief that pushed boundaries. How did you resolve it?" (Assesses judgment, brand adherence, and creative problem-solving).

• "Walk me through a complex project from concept to execution. What were the key challenges, how did you overcome them, and what was the outcome?" (Evaluates process, problem-solving, and communication of impact).

• "How do you ensure your designs are scalable and consistent across different platforms (print, digital, social media)?" (Tests systems-level thinking and understanding of multi-channel design).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Security Benefit and the retirement market? How do you see design playing a role in this industry?" (Tests research, industry understanding, and strategic thinking).

• "How would you contribute to our team's culture of psychological safety and open feedback?" (Assesses cultural fit and understanding of team dynamics).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating specific skills (e.g., brand application, digital design, print collateral).

• Tell a Story: For each project, don't just show the final output. Explain the problem, your process, your rationale, and the solution. Emphasize why you made certain design decisions.

• Focus on Impact: If possible, quantify the success of your designs (e.g., "This brochure led to a 15% increase in inquiries," or "This web banner had a click-through rate 20% above average").

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your technical choices, your interpretation of the brief, and how you handled feedback.

• Highlight Senior-Level Contributions: Showcase projects where you took initiative, led aspects of the creative process, or mentored others.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill, but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and cultural alignment. The ability to articulate design rationale and process is paramount for a senior role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Dayforce careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that demonstrate your ability to work within established brand guidelines, your experience with print and digital design, and your conceptual thinking. Tailor your selection to highlight your most relevant and impactful work for a financial services company.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 4-6 years of experience, emphasizing achievements and responsibilities aligned with the job description, such as brand consistency, cross-functional collaboration, and creative direction. Use keywords from the job posting naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your design process, rationale, and problem-solving skills for key projects in your portfolio. Prepare to answer behavioral questions related to teamwork, feedback, and mentorship. Research Security Benefit and its brand to demonstrate genuine interest.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Security Benefit's mission, values, and recent marketing efforts. Understand the retirement services industry and consider how design contributes to building trust and clarity in this 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.