Lead Designer – Brand & Creative
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Lead Designer – Brand & Creative
Company: Everest Global Services, Inc.
Location: Warren, NJ; New York, NY
Job Type: Full-time, Regular
Category: Brand & Creative Design
Date Posted: June 25, 2026
Experience Level: 10+ years
🚀 Role Summary
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This role is pivotal in shaping and executing Everest's visual identity across all communication platforms, requiring a senior-level designer with a strong command of brand systems and integrated creative strategies.
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The Lead Designer will be instrumental in translating complex business objectives into compelling visual narratives that enhance brand presence and market impact.
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Responsibilities span the full creative lifecycle, from ideation and concept development to hands-on execution of assets for digital, print, video, and event channels.
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A key focus will be on maintaining and evolving brand guidelines, ensuring visual consistency, and driving creative innovation, including the exploration of AI tools for workflow enhancement.
📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw input categorizes this role under "Marketing & Communications," its core functions and required expertise clearly place it within the "Brand & Creative Design" domain, with a leadership component and a focus on visual strategy rather than campaign execution alone.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Design and deliver high-impact creative assets across a diverse range of channels, including digital platforms (web, social media), print materials, video content, presentations, and event collateral.
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Lead the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns, ensuring visual coherence and strategic alignment with business objectives and brand messaging.
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Maintain, evolve, and enforce brand guidelines and visual systems to ensure consistent application of brand standards across all creative outputs, thereby strengthening brand equity.
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Develop and manage scalable design templates, frameworks, and assets that empower various organizational functions and enhance operational efficiency in creative production.
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Collaborate closely with marketing, communications, and business stakeholders to understand strategic needs and translate them into innovative and effective visual solutions.
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Support digital initiatives by contributing to website design, user experience (UX) considerations, and the creation of responsive, digital-first experiences that drive engagement.
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Contribute actively to campaign concepting and creative ideation sessions, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to visual storytelling.
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Explore and leverage AI tools and emerging technologies to optimize creative workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of design output.
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Partner with external agencies, freelancers, and production partners, managing relationships and ensuring deliverables meet quality and strategic expectations.
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Demonstrate senior-level creative capability in brand systems, campaign development, and multi-channel execution, mentoring junior team members if applicable.
📝 Enhancement Note: The raw description highlights "Design and deliver high-impact creative" as a primary responsibility. This has been expanded to encompass the full scope of creative execution across various channels, emphasizing the strategic integration and quality standards expected of a "Lead" role.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: Specific educational requirements are not explicitly stated, but a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a senior-level role of this nature.
Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in graphic design, brand design, or dedicated creative roles, with a proven track record of leading and executing impactful visual communication strategies.
Required Skills:
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Brand Systems Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of brand identity systems, including the ability to develop, maintain, and evolve comprehensive brand guidelines.
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Campaign Development: Proven ability to conceptualize and execute integrated marketing campaigns, translating strategic objectives into compelling visual narratives across multiple channels.
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Multi-channel Design Execution: Proficiency in designing for a wide array of platforms including digital (web, social media, email), print, video, presentations, and events.
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Adobe Creative Suite Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is essential for high-quality design execution.
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Digital Design & UX Principles: Strong understanding of UX principles, digital design best practices, and responsive design for creating engaging online experiences.
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Visual Storytelling: Ability to translate complex business objectives and concepts into clear, compelling, and impactful visual stories.
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Attention to Detail & Quality: Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards of design quality and brand consistency across all deliverables.
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Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including marketing, communications, and business units.
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Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Skills:
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Motion Graphics & Video Production: Experience or working knowledge in motion graphics and video editing software (e.g., After Effects, Premiere Pro).
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AI Tool Integration: Familiarity and experience with leveraging AI tools and emerging technologies to enhance creative workflows and efficiency.
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Web Design & Development: Experience in web design, UI/UX design, or front-end development principles.
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Presentation Design: Expertise in creating sophisticated and impactful executive-level presentations.
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Agency or In-house Creative Team Leadership: Experience leading creative projects or teams, potentially including managing external agency partners.
📝 Enhancement Note: The raw description lists "10+ years of experience" and "Strong portfolio" as key qualifications. These have been elaborated into specific skill sets and experience areas that a candidate would need to demonstrate. Preferred skills have been inferred based on the "Creative Innovation" and "Digital & Campaign Design" responsibilities.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Brand System Showcase: Demonstrate experience in developing or evolving brand identity systems, including style guides, logo usage, color palettes, and typography.
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Campaign Case Studies: Present detailed case studies of integrated campaigns, highlighting the strategic objectives, creative concept, execution across multiple channels, and measurable impact.
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Multi-channel Design Examples: Include a diverse range of work showcasing proficiency in digital design (websites, social media graphics, digital ads), print collateral, presentations, and potentially video/motion graphics.
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Problem/Solution Framework: For key projects, articulate the business challenge, the creative solution proposed, and the rationale behind design decisions, emphasizing alignment with strategic goals.
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Quality & Consistency: Portfolio should reflect a high standard of design execution, attention to detail, and consistent application of brand principles.
Process Documentation:
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Workflow Design: While not explicitly required, candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for managing creative projects from brief to final delivery, including ideation, concept development, iteration, and finalization stages.
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Brand Governance: Ability to articulate processes for ensuring brand consistency across all touchpoints and for updating or evolving brand guidelines.
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Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrate an understanding of how to integrate creative processes with marketing, communications, and business teams to ensure alignment and efficient workflow.
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Tool Utilization: Be prepared to discuss how specific design tools and emerging technologies (like AI) are integrated into their workflow to enhance efficiency and quality.
📝 Enhancement Note: The raw description emphasizes a "Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in brand systems, campaign development, and multi-channel design." This section details what specific elements should be included in such a portfolio and how a candidate might structure their discussion around their processes.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $115,000 - $155,000 annually.
- Methodology: This range is directly provided in the job description. It aligns with industry benchmarks for a Lead Designer role with 10+ years of experience in a high-cost-of-living area like the New York metropolitan area. The salary will be determined based on factors including individual qualifications, experience, education, and specific work location.
Benefits:
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Health Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
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Employee Wellness Program: Initiatives and resources aimed at supporting employee health and well-being.
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Life and Disability Insurance: Provisions for income protection and financial security.
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401k Match & Retirement Savings Plan: Employer-matched contributions to a retirement savings plan, supporting long-term financial planning.
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Paid Holidays: Observed public holidays with paid time off.
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Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous allocation of paid leave for vacation, personal time, and sick days.
Working Hours:
- The role is full-time, implying a standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid model requires 3 days onsite and 2 days remote, offering flexibility in structuring the work week.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits are explicitly stated. The working hours are inferred from "Full time" and the hybrid model description. The salary range is confirmed as directly provided and within typical market expectations for this seniority and location.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Risk Management. Everest is a global leader in this sector, providing underwriting of risk, growth, progress, and opportunity, with a 50+ year heritage. This industry context implies a need for professionalism, reliability, and a strategic approach to communication that instills confidence.
Company Size: Everest Global Services, Inc. indicates a large, established, global organization. As a global leader, it likely has a well-defined structure and processes, but also offers opportunities for significant impact within its operations.
Founded: Over 50 years ago. This long history suggests stability, deep industry expertise, and a potentially traditional yet evolving corporate culture.
Team Structure:
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The role reports to the Global Creative Director, indicating a structured creative department within the Marketing & Communications function.
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This Lead Designer will likely collaborate closely with marketing teams, communications specialists, and potentially other creative personnel, including external agencies.
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The team structure will likely involve clear reporting lines and established workflows for project management and creative approvals. Methodology:
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Data-Driven Insights: While not explicitly stated for this role, the company's focus on risk management and long-term value creation suggests an underlying emphasis on data-informed decision-making, which would extend to marketing and creative strategies.
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Strategic Planning: The role requires translating business objectives into creative solutions, implying a strategic approach to design that aligns with overarching company goals.
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Efficiency & Execution: The company values "Efficiency" and "Execution" among its colleague behaviors, suggesting a focus on streamlined processes and delivering results effectively.
Company Website: https://www.everestglobal.com/
📝 Enhancement Note: Information on company size, founding, and industry was derived from the provided description. The "Methodology" section infers operational approaches based on the company's stated values and industry, which is relevant for how a designer would integrate into the organization.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: Lead Designer. This is a senior individual contributor role, often a stepping stone to Creative Director or Head of Design positions. It signifies a high level of expertise, strategic input, and responsibility for delivering key creative outcomes.
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Global Creative Director. This implies mentorship opportunities and exposure to senior leadership within the creative and marketing functions.
Operations Impact: The role directly impacts Everest's brand perception, market presence, and stakeholder engagement through visual communications. High-quality, consistent, and strategic design is crucial for a global financial services firm to build trust and convey its value proposition.
Growth Opportunities:
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Creative Leadership Development: Potential to step into a Creative Director role, managing larger teams and strategic initiatives, or specialize further in areas like brand strategy or digital experience design.
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Skill Expansion: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like motion graphics, video production, UX/UI design, and AI-driven creative tools through training or project involvement.
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Cross-functional Influence: As a lead, there's potential to influence creative strategy across various departments and contribute to broader business objectives, enhancing visibility and career progression.
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Industry Exposure: Working for a global leader in risk management provides exposure to complex business challenges and the opportunity to develop creative solutions for a sophisticated audience.
📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis infers growth paths and impact based on the "Lead" designation, reporting structure, and the nature of the company and its industry, providing context for career-minded operations professionals.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid. The role requires 3 days per week in the office (Warren, NJ or New York City) and 2 days remote. This offers a blend of in-person collaboration and focused remote work.
Office Location(s): Warren, NJ and New York City. These are key business hubs, offering access to talent, resources, and a dynamic professional environment.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Environment: The 3-day in-office requirement is designed to foster collaboration, brainstorming, and team cohesion, essential for creative ideation and project alignment.
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Tools & Technology: As a design role, it's expected that the company provides industry-standard design software and hardware, along with access to necessary digital collaboration tools.
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Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with the Global Creative Director, marketing teams, and other stakeholders, facilitating clear communication and feedback loops.
Work Schedule:
- Full-time, with a hybrid arrangement. This structure allows for a balance between structured office presence and remote flexibility, accommodating diverse work styles and personal needs.
📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and office locations are explicitly stated. The workspace context is inferred based on typical requirements for a design role in a corporate setting and the benefits of a hybrid model.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with role requirements.
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Portfolio Presentation/Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing key projects, their role, strategic thinking, design process, and impact. Be prepared to articulate your approach to brand systems, campaign development, and multi-channel execution.
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Skills-Based Interviews: Interviews focusing on specific design skills, software proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite, etc.), understanding of UX/digital design, and ability to translate business objectives into creative solutions.
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Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interviews: Assessment of collaboration style, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and alignment with Everest's values (Talent, Thoughtful assumption of risk, Execution, Efficiency, Humility, Leadership, Collaboration, Inclusion and Belonging).
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Final Round: May involve meeting with senior leadership, including potentially the Global Creative Director or other executives, to discuss strategic vision and readiness for the role.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that best showcase your expertise in brand systems, campaign development, and multi-channel design. Tailor selections to highlight skills mentioned in the job description.
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Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your creative process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable results or impact. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.
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Highlight Process: Be ready to discuss your design thinking, how you approach problem-solving, and how you collaborate with stakeholders. Demonstrate your understanding of brand stewardship and maintaining consistency.
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Showcase Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and any other relevant tools. If you have motion graphics or video experience, ensure those examples are readily available.
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Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Emphasize how your design work contributed to business objectives and enhanced brand presence.
Challenge Preparation:
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Consider potential design challenges that might involve refining a brand element, conceptualizing a campaign for a financial services product, or creating a presentation slide that conveys complex information visually.
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Practice articulating your design thinking and rationale clearly and concisely, especially under time constraints.
📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers typical interview stages and portfolio expectations for a Lead Designer role, drawing upon industry best practices and the specific requirements outlined in the job description.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design, layout, and image manipulation. This includes:
- Photoshop: For raster image editing and manipulation.
- Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
- InDesign: For page layout and print design.
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Motion Graphics & Video Software (Preferred):
- After Effects: For motion graphics and visual effects.
- Premiere Pro: For video editing.
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Prototyping/UX Tools: While not explicitly stated, familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD might be beneficial for digital design and UX considerations.
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AI Tools: The role explicitly mentions leveraging AI tools, suggesting familiarity with AI-powered design assistants or platforms for ideation, asset generation, or workflow optimization.
Analytics & Reporting:
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While direct analytics tools might not be the primary responsibility, an understanding of how design impacts digital analytics (website traffic, engagement rates, conversion rates) is beneficial. CRM & Automation:
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Not directly applicable to the designer role, but awareness
Application Requirements
Candidates must have 10+ years of experience in graphic or brand design with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in brand systems and multi-channel campaigns. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is required, with a strong understanding of UX principles and digital design best practices.