Marketing Graphic Designer (Hybrid: Madison, WI)

TruStage
Full-time$73k-110k/year (USD)Madison, United States

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Marketing Graphic Designer (Hybrid)

Company: TruStage

Location: Madison, WI, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: June 12, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • Drive the end-to-end design and production of compelling creative assets for marketing campaigns, ensuring strategic alignment and optimized execution.

  • Own the design content lifecycle from concept development through to final production and distribution across digital and print channels.

  • Leverage data-driven insights to iterate and improve creative asset performance, focusing on direct response drivers and customer-centric results.

  • Collaborate effectively within a marketing team to develop and execute integrated campaigns that meet defined business objectives.

  • Maintain strict adherence to brand guidelines, production standards, and compliance requirements while ensuring a consistent voice across all materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Marketing Graphic Designer," the responsibilities emphasize strategic concept ownership, data-driven iteration, and campaign execution, strongly suggesting a role within Marketing Operations or Creative Operations, focusing on the efficiency, effectiveness, and scalability of marketing creative production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Conceptualize, design, edit, and proofread a wide range of marketing collateral, including brochures, presentations, fact sheets, advertisements, infographics, white papers, and case studies.

  • Execute hands-on design and production for both digital and print materials, ensuring a consistent brand experience across all touchpoints.

  • Present creative concepts with strategic rationale, defending design choices based on campaign objectives and target audience insights.

  • Develop designs optimized for direct response, employing a deep understanding of customer behavior to drive desired actions and conversions.

  • Translate complex information into simplified, visually engaging creative that resonates with specific audience segments.

  • Ensure all creative output aligns seamlessly with established brand identity, business area objectives, production capabilities, and regulatory compliance standards.

  • Utilize performance data and analytics to inform design improvements and iterative enhancements for ongoing campaign optimization.

  • Manage and maintain internal databases for design assets, imagery, photography, and video to ensure efficient retrieval and organization.

  • Actively participate in and leverage departmental training on direct response creative best practices to continuously elevate design effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on direct response creative drivers, data-driven iteration, and optimization for scale and efficiency indicates a strong focus on measurable marketing outcomes, aligning this role with a strategic marketing operations function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, a closely related field, or equivalent practical work experience.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a graphic design capacity.

Required Skills:

  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

  • Demonstrated ability to develop creative concepts from inception to final production for both digital and print media.

  • Strong understanding of direct response marketing principles and their application in design.

  • Excellent attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency in all design deliverables.

  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, adhering to strict deadlines and maintaining high-quality output.

  • Experience working effectively within collaborative team environments, contributing to shared project goals.

  • Ability to self-manage workload, follow established guidelines, and take ownership of projects.

  • Capacity to receive and integrate constructive feedback into design work to achieve optimal results.

  • A diverse portfolio showcasing a range of relevant design work and successful campaign executions. Preferred Skills:

  • Prior experience designing within the financial services or credit union industry.

  • Familiarity with marketing automation platforms and their creative asset requirements.

  • Experience with data visualization and creating compelling infographics from complex data sets.

  • Understanding of UX/UI principles for digital marketing assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a diverse portfolio and specific Adobe Creative Suite skills, combined with the mention of direct response and financial services experience, suggests the need for a candidate who can not only create visually appealing work but also demonstrate its impact on business goals.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase a minimum of 5 years of professional graphic design work, with a strong emphasis on marketing collateral for digital and print channels.

  • Include case studies demonstrating the design process from initial concept and strategic brief through to final execution and measurable results.

  • Highlight examples of direct response creative and explain the strategic rationale behind design decisions that drove customer action.

  • Present projects that illustrate the ability to adapt designs based on performance data and feedback, showcasing iterative improvement.

  • Ensure portfolio pieces reflect adherence to brand guidelines and compliance standards, particularly relevant for financial services. Process Documentation:

  • Demonstrate experience in documenting design workflows, from brief intake to asset delivery and archiving.

  • Provide examples of how design processes were optimized for efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

  • Illustrate the ability to manage project timelines and resource allocation within design projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role with direct response and data-driven responsibilities, the portfolio should not only showcase aesthetic quality but also the candidate's ability to translate strategy into impactful, measurable creative.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $73,100 - $109,700 annually.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support.

  • Life Insurance and Disability Plans for income protection.

  • Generous Parental Leave policy.

  • Paid Time Off (PTO) for work-life balance.

  • 401k retirement savings plan with company contributions.

  • Tuition Reimbursement for continued education and professional development.

  • Eligibility for an Annual Incentive (Bonus) Plan based on performance.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with the flexibility afforded by a hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a senior graphic designer role with a marketing operations focus in a mid-sized metropolitan area like Madison, WI. The benefits package is robust and typical for a company that values employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Insurance and Financial Products). TruStage's mission is to make a brighter financial future accessible to everyone, operating within a regulated industry that requires precision and trust.

Company Size: TruStage is a well-established organization, indicated by its numerous awards for being a top place to work. This suggests a company culture that prioritizes employee engagement, development, and a positive work environment, likely supporting a structured yet collaborative approach to marketing operations.

Founded: TruStage has a history of providing financial services, and its ongoing focus on innovation indicates a forward-thinking culture that embraces new solutions.

Team Structure:

  • The role sits within a larger marketing team accountable for strategy development, creative development, and campaign execution.

  • This likely involves close collaboration with marketing strategists, campaign managers, content creators, and potentially data analysts.

  • The graphic designer will operate with minimal supervision, suggesting a degree of autonomy within the team's structure. Methodology:

  • Emphasis on data-driven decision-making, using performance data to iterate and improve creative assets.

  • A structured approach to creative development, moving from strategic concept to production and execution with clear objectives.

  • Focus on customer-centric design, developing creative that resonates with specific audiences and drives desired actions.

  • Commitment to brand consistency and compliance, crucial in the financial services sector.

Company Website: [TruStage Website URL - https://www.trustage.com/]

📝 Enhancement Note: TruStage's positioning as a mission-driven financial services provider suggests a culture that values integrity, customer focus, and innovation. For a graphic designer, this translates to creating materials that are not only visually appealing but also trustworthy, compliant, and effective in communicating financial value.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor within the marketing function, with significant ownership over creative asset development and production. It requires a strong blend of creative talent and operational understanding of campaign execution and performance.

Reporting Structure: The graphic designer reports into the broader marketing team, likely to a Marketing Manager or Creative Director, and works collaboratively with marketing strategists and campaign managers.

Operations Impact: The graphic designer's output directly impacts the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, influencing customer engagement, lead generation, and brand perception. By optimizing creative for direct response and data-driven iteration, this role contributes significantly to measurable marketing ROI.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as direct response design, data visualization, or digital campaign asset optimization.

  • Project Leadership: Take on ownership of larger, more complex creative projects and potentially mentor junior designers.

  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader understanding of marketing strategy, campaign management, and analytics through close collaboration with other marketing functions.

  • Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in financial services marketing design, a valuable niche.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth by deepening specialized design skills and taking on more strategic creative responsibilities within the marketing operations framework.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring a balance of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. This suggests a modern work environment that values both team interaction and individual focus.

Office Location(s): Madison, WI. This location likely offers a professional office setting conducive to creative work and team collaboration.

Workspace Context:

  • The hybrid arrangement allows for focused individual work at home and collaborative sessions, brainstorming, and team meetings in the office.

  • Access to company resources, IT support, and direct interaction with marketing colleagues will be available during in-office days.

  • The role requires self-management and the ability to follow guidelines, indicating an environment that trusts employees to manage their time and tasks effectively.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected. The hybrid nature offers flexibility in managing the balance between office and remote workdays, accommodating project needs and personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model indicates a company that embraces flexible work arrangements, which is a significant draw for many professionals seeking better work-life integration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Resume and portfolio review to assess qualifications, experience, and creative style.

  • Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about past projects, design process, problem-solving skills, and alignment with team/company culture.

  • Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: May involve a design exercise or case study to evaluate practical design skills, strategic thinking, and ability to work under constraints.

  • Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members and cross-functional collaborators to assess fit and communication style.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate a range of skills, particularly those involving direct response, data visualization, and financial services.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the strategic objectives, your design process, challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

  • Highlight Data & ROI: If possible, showcase how your designs contributed to campaign success (e.g., increased click-through rates, conversion improvements). Quantify results whenever possible.

  • Demonstrate Process: Show rough concepts, iterations, and how you incorporated feedback or data to refine designs. This highlights your operational approach.

  • Brand & Compliance: For financial services roles, explicitly mention how you ensured brand consistency and met compliance requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Brief: Carefully analyze any design challenge prompt, identifying key objectives, target audience, and constraints.

  • Think Strategically: Before diving into design, outline your approach, consider the direct response elements, and how you'll articulate your rationale.

  • Time Management: Practice creating a design within a defined timeframe, similar to what might be expected in an interview challenge.

  • Presentation Skills: Prepare to clearly and concisely present your solution, explaining your design choices and their strategic underpinnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on data-driven improvement and direct response, candidates should prepare to discuss why their designs are effective, not just that they are visually appealing.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud Suite: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop (Advanced proficiency required).

  • Design Collaboration Tools: Potentially platforms like Figma, Adobe XD, or similar for interactive mockups or collaborative design workflows.

  • Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or Workfront for managing design projects and deadlines.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Web Analytics Platforms: Understanding of how design impacts metrics tracked in tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar.

  • Performance Dashboards: Experience interpreting data from dashboards that report on campaign performance, A/B test results, and creative effectiveness.

CRM & Automation:

  • Marketing Automation Platforms: Familiarity with platforms such as HubSpot, Marketo, Pardot, or Salesforce Marketing Cloud, understanding how creative assets are deployed through these systems.

  • Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience with platforms like WordPress, Drupal, or similar for web content and asset integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly listed, proficiency with digital asset management (DAM) systems and an understanding of how designs integrate into marketing automation workflows would be highly beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Customer-Centricity: A core value driving the creation of marketing materials that resonate with and serve the needs of individuals seeking financial well-being.

  • Excellence & Precision: A commitment to high-quality, accurate, and compliant creative output, essential in the financial services industry.

  • Innovation: A drive to push boundaries and find new, effective ways to communicate financial solutions and make them accessible.

  • Collaboration: A belief in working together across teams to achieve shared marketing and business objectives.

  • Data-Driven Improvement: A dedication to using performance metrics to continuously refine strategies and creative execution.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Works closely with marketing strategists, campaign managers, and potentially compliance officers to ensure creative aligns with broader goals and requirements.

  • Feedback-Oriented: Open to receiving and implementing feedback from stakeholders to enhance design quality and effectiveness.

  • Proactive Communication: Engages in clear and timely communication regarding project status, potential challenges, and creative rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "brighter financial future accessible to everyone" suggests a culture that values impact and social responsibility, in addition to professional rigor.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Creativity with Compliance: Navigating the strict regulatory landscape of financial services while producing innovative and engaging creative.

  • Data Interpretation for Design: Translating performance data and A/B test results into actionable design improvements for direct response campaigns.

  • Hybrid Work Management: Effectively collaborating and maintaining momentum on projects while splitting time between office and remote work.

  • Evolving Digital Landscape: Staying current with digital design trends, platform requirements, and best practices for online marketing assets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to master new features or entirely new design tools relevant to marketing operations.

  • Financial Services Marketing Specialization: Gaining deep expertise in the unique design considerations and regulatory requirements of this industry.

  • Marketing Analytics Fundamentals: Developing a stronger understanding of how to interpret campaign performance data to inform design decisions.

  • Cross-Functional Project Involvement: Participating in projects that broaden understanding of marketing strategy, campaign planning, and execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a chance to hone skills in a specialized, high-impact area of marketing operations, where creative execution directly influences business outcomes.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to design a piece of collateral for a highly regulated industry. How did you ensure compliance while maintaining creative effectiveness?" (Focus on process, brand guidelines, and collaboration with compliance).

  • "Walk me through a direct response campaign you designed. What were the objectives, what were your design choices, and what were the results?" (Prepare a specific case study with metrics).

  • "How do you use performance data and feedback to iterate on your designs? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight your data-driven approach and iterative process). Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about TruStage's mission to make a brighter financial future accessible?" (Research the company's values and mission statement).

  • "How do you approach collaboration within a hybrid work environment?" (Discuss strategies for effective communication and teamwork).

  • "How do you stay updated on design trends and best practices in marketing, especially within financial services?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by impact. For each project, have a clear "story" ready: Problem, Solution, Results.

  • Quantify Impact: Use numbers and data to demonstrate the success of your designs. If exact numbers aren't available, discuss the intended impact or qualitative feedback.

  • Highlight Process: Be prepared to discuss your design process, including how you interpret briefs, brainstorm, iterate, and finalize assets.

  • Tailor to TruStage: Emphasize any experience with financial services, direct response, or data-driven design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss not just what you designed, but why you designed it that way, linking your creative decisions directly to business objectives and customer behavior.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Marketing Graphic Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on TruStage's Workday portal.

  • Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Adobe Creative Cloud," "direct response creative," "digital and print collateral," "collaboration," and "project management." Emphasize your 5+ years of experience and any financial services industry background.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest, most relevant work samples. Focus on projects that demonstrate your ability to create effective marketing collateral for both digital and print, with a clear emphasis on direct response and measurable results. Include a diverse range of work and be ready to discuss your process and impact.

  • Prepare for the Interview: Research TruStage's mission, values, and recent achievements. Practice articulating your design process, your approach to data-driven iteration, and your experience with compliance in regulated industries.

  • Understand the Hybrid Model: Be ready to discuss how you effectively manage your time and collaborate in a hybrid work environment.

⚠️ 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

Requires a Bachelor's degree in graphic design or equivalent experience with at least 5 years of professional design experience. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and a portfolio of diverse work samples are essential.