Policy Brand Designer

Kalshi
Full-time•$150k-250k/year (USD)•New York, United States

šŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Policy Brand Designer

Company: Kalshi

Location: New York City, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Brand Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-07

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

šŸš€ Role Summary

  • Spearhead visual communication strategies for policy, regulatory, and public-interest initiatives, translating complex ideas into accessible and compelling designs.

  • Drive the end-to-end design process for policy-focused campaigns, reports, publications, and digital experiences, ensuring brand consistency and impact.

  • Develop and maintain robust visual identity systems and editorial guidelines for policy-related content across print and digital platforms.

  • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including policy experts, communications specialists, and brand strategists, to translate strategic objectives into impactful visual narratives.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the title is "Policy Brand Designer," the core responsibilities and required skills heavily lean into operations, specifically within the creative and communications functions. This role requires a strong understanding of how to operationalize brand messaging for complex, regulated subject matter, making it a crucial GTM (Go-To-Market) support function. The emphasis on creating visual systems and ensuring consistency across diverse formats points to a need for strong operational discipline in design execution.

šŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and execution of visual assets for policy-focused campaigns, reports, and publications, ensuring clarity, engagement, and brand alignment.

  • Transform dense, technical, or regulatory subject matter into easily understandable and visually engaging stories through strategic design choices.

  • Design across a variety of mediums including editorial layouts, print materials (reports, one-pagers), and digital experiences (landing pages, social assets), maintaining a high standard of craft.

  • Develop and implement comprehensive visual identity systems and brand guidelines for specific policy initiatives and company-wide campaigns.

  • Partner with policy, communications, legal, and marketing teams from initial concept development through final asset delivery, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned and informed.

  • Apply a meticulous editorial eye to typography, information hierarchy, layout, imagery selection, and overall visual composition to enhance readability and impact.

  • Maintain a consistently high standard of design quality and production craft while efficiently managing multiple projects and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

  • Contribute to the evolution of Kalshi's brand voice and visual language, particularly as it pertains to communicating complex financial and regulatory topics.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for operationalizing creative output. This includes managing multiple project streams, ensuring brand consistency across diverse outputs, and collaborating with stakeholders who may have differing priorities or technical understanding. The expectation to "maintain a high bar for craft while moving quickly" is a classic operations challenge in creative functions.

šŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in brand design, editorial design, or a similar creative role, with a proven track record of translating complex information into compelling visual narratives.

Required Skills:

  • A robust portfolio demonstrating exceptional editorial, print, and digital/web design skills, showcasing versatility and a strong aesthetic sensibility.

  • Mastery of typography, layout design, and information hierarchy principles to create clear and impactful visual communications.

  • Proven ability to develop and execute strong visual identities and systems that function consistently across diverse formats and platforms.

  • Skill in transforming complex or technical subjects into accessible and engaging visual stories.

  • Experience collaborating effectively with writers, subject matter experts, policy professionals, and other non-design stakeholders.

  • Strong attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality production craft.

  • Ability to take a loosely defined concept and develop it into a well-defined and thoughtful creative direction. Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in the financial services, fintech, or regulatory technology sectors.

  • Familiarity with designing for policy, public interest, or advocacy campaigns.

  • Proficiency in creating motion graphics or animated assets for digital platforms.

  • Experience with A/B testing visual elements for effectiveness in digital campaigns.

  • Understanding of user experience (UX) principles as they apply to digital design and information architecture.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio and specific design skills like typography and information hierarchy are critical for this role. The "ability to take a loosely defined idea and develop it into a thoughtful creative direction" suggests a need for self-direction and strategic thinking, which are often developed through experience in operations-focused roles where ambiguity is common.

šŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects that demonstrate expertise in editorial design, print design, and digital/web design.

  • Include case studies that highlight the process of translating complex or technical information into clear visual narratives.

  • Present examples of visual identity systems developed for specific initiatives or campaigns, illustrating consistency and strategic application.

  • Demonstrate strong typography, layout, and information hierarchy skills through well-crafted examples.

  • Highlight projects where collaboration with non-design stakeholders was key to successful execution. Process Documentation:

  • Projects should ideally reflect an understanding of design process, from initial concept and research to final production and implementation.

  • Be prepared to discuss your design process, including how you approach understanding briefs, developing creative concepts, iterating based on feedback, and managing production.

  • Showcase projects where you successfully managed multiple design formats (e.g., a report, a web page, and social assets for the same initiative).

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evidence of design capability and process. The expectation for "process documentation" within the portfolio means candidates should be ready to articulate their workflow, not just present final assets. This aligns with operations' focus on methodology and efficiency.

šŸ’µ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 to $250,000 annually.

Benefits:

  • Equity participation in Kalshi's growth.

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

  • Generous paid time off and holidays.

  • Professional development opportunities, including conferences and training.

  • Opportunity to work in a fast-paced, high-growth environment at the forefront of financial innovation.

  • Potential for significant impact within a rapidly expanding company.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with potential for extended hours during critical project phases or campaign launches. The role is on-site in New York City, requiring full-time presence.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided with transparency, which is a positive indicator of operational maturity in HR practices. The inclusion of equity and professional development aligns with attracting and retaining top talent in specialized creative roles. The on-site requirement is a key operational detail for candidates.

šŸŽÆ Team & Company Context

šŸ¢ Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (Fintech), Prediction Markets, Financial Exchange. Kalshi operates at the intersection of finance and technology, defining a new category of financial assets based on event outcomes. This unique position requires clear communication of complex and novel financial concepts.

Company Size: Kalshi is described as having a "relatively small" team, suggesting a startup or early-stage growth company environment. This implies a need for individuals who can wear multiple hats and contribute broadly.

Founded: Kalshi was founded with the mission to legalize prediction markets in the US, which implies a history of innovation, resilience, and regulatory navigation.

Team Structure:

  • The Policy Brand Designer will be a hands-on individual contributor, working closely with creative, policy, communications, and brand teams.

  • This role will likely report into a Creative Director, Head of Brand, or Head of Marketing/Communications, depending on the current organizational structure.

  • Cross-functional collaboration is key, with frequent interaction with policy experts, writers, legal counsel, and marketing strategists to ensure accurate and effective visual communication. Methodology:

  • Kalshi's culture emphasizes meritocracy, ownership, hard work, and a deep appreciation for craft.

  • The company operates with a "dream big" mentality, focused on building a significant financial market while delivering a useful product that promotes truth through markets.

  • Employees are trusted from day one, indicating a high degree of autonomy and responsibility.

Company Website: https://kalshi.com

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as meritocratic and ownership-driven, which is common in high-growth startups. For a designer, this means being proactive, taking initiative, and being comfortable with ambiguity. The "small team" aspect suggests that operational efficiency and individual output are highly valued.

šŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Individual Contributor. This role is for an established designer with 2-5 years of experience who can operate independently and contribute significantly to strategic projects. The focus is on execution and translating concepts into tangible design assets.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a senior creative lead or department head, receiving strategic direction and project assignments. However, the "hands-on individual contributor" nature means direct involvement in project execution rather than team management.

Operations Impact: The Policy Brand Designer directly impacts Kalshi's ability to communicate its mission, regulatory stance, and market offerings to a broad audience. Effective visual communication is critical for building trust, educating users, and supporting regulatory understanding, which are all operational imperatives for a company in a novel financial category.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for complex financial and regulatory topics, becoming a go-to expert for policy-related visual communications.

  • Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Designer or Art Director role, leading design initiatives and potentially mentoring junior designers as the team scales.

  • Strategic Influence: Influence the overall brand identity and visual strategy for Kalshi, particularly in how it communicates its unique value proposition and regulatory compliance.

  • Skill Expansion: Develop skills in areas like campaign strategy, digital product design, or data visualization through exposure to diverse projects.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The growth path here is framed around deepening specialized skills and potentially moving into leadership as the company scales, which is a typical trajectory for design operations roles in growing organizations. The impact on communication strategy is significant for a company navigating a new market.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in New York City. This indicates a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is expected and valued.

Office Location(s): New York City, NY. Specific office details (e.g., co-working space, dedicated office) are not provided but imply a professional workspace in a major business hub.

Workspace Context:

  • The environment is likely dynamic and fast-paced, reflecting the startup culture and the nature of the fintech industry.

  • Collaboration is expected to be frequent, with opportunities to interact with diverse teams and stakeholders on a daily basis.

  • Access to design tools and technology will be provided to support efficient workflow and high-quality output.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. However, given the startup environment and the nature of design projects, flexibility may be required, with potential for occasional overtime to meet deadlines, especially around campaign launches or report releases.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key operational detail, emphasizing in-person collaboration and integration within the company's physical workspace. This is important for understanding the daily work environment and team dynamics.

šŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative fit.

  • Portfolio Presentation/Interview: A deeper dive into your portfolio, where you'll discuss your design process, specific projects, and how you approach translating complex information visually. Be prepared to walk through your thought process and decision-making for key pieces.

  • Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Potentially a small design exercise or case study related to policy communication, or an in-depth discussion about how you would approach specific design challenges Kalshi faces.

  • Team/Culture Fit Interviews: Meetings with members of the creative, policy, and communications teams to assess collaboration style and cultural alignment.

  • Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, long-term vision, and compensation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your editorial, print, and digital design skills, with a focus on those that involved translating complex information.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, your role, the solutions you developed, and the impact of your work. Use visuals to support your narrative.

  • Highlight Process: Be ready to discuss your design process, including research, ideation, iteration, and production. This shows operational thinking.

  • Showcase Systems: If you have examples of building visual systems or identities, emphasize how they ensured consistency and scalability.

  • Tailor to Kalshi: Understand Kalshi's mission and the nature of prediction markets. Frame your portfolio and discussions to show how your skills directly address their communication needs.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Landscape: Familiarize yourself with Kalshi's platform, mission, and the concept of prediction markets. Research how similar companies or organizations communicate complex financial and regulatory information.

  • Practice Articulation: Be ready to clearly and concisely explain your design rationale and strategic thinking. Practice presenting your portfolio and design concepts.

  • Embrace Ambiguity: Be prepared for challenges that may involve loosely defined problems or require creative problem-solving.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a strong portfolio review and the ability to articulate design strategy. This aligns with operations' focus on process, methodology, and measurable outcomes. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their operational approach to design.

šŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Software:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential for editorial and print design.

  • Figma/Sketch: Strong skills in digital design tools like Figma or Sketch are crucial for web design, UI elements, and collaborative workflows.

Collaboration & Project Management:

  • Slack: For day-to-day communication and team interaction.

  • Asana/Jira/Trello (or similar): Experience with project management tools to track tasks, deadlines, and project progress, demonstrating an understanding of workflow management.

Asset Management & Archiving:

  • Familiarity with digital asset management (DAM) systems or organized file structures for efficient storage and retrieval of design assets. Analytics & Reporting (for digital assets):

  • Understanding of how to interpret basic analytics (e.g., website traffic, engagement metrics) to inform future design decisions for digital campaigns and landing pages.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools is non-negotiable. Experience with project management and collaboration tools is also vital, as it indicates an operational understanding of how design integrates into broader team workflows and project lifecycles.

šŸ‘„ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Meritocracy & Ownership: Individuals are valued for their contributions and are expected to take initiative and responsibility for their work.

  • Craftsmanship & Excellence: A deep appreciation for quality and a commitment to producing exceptional work that reflects pride and expertise.

  • Dream Big & Impactful Work: A drive to build something significant and useful, contributing to a larger mission of bringing truth through markets.

  • Data-Driven Insights: While this role is design-focused, an appreciation for how design impacts metrics and user understanding is valued.

  • Efficiency & Speed: The ability to maintain high standards while moving quickly and adapting to evolving project needs.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with policy, communications, legal, and brand teams, fostering a shared understanding of goals and challenges.

  • Open Communication: Direct and transparent communication, with a willingness to share feedback and ideas constructively.

  • Proactive Partnership: Designers are expected to be proactive partners, anticipating needs and offering creative solutions rather than just executing directives.

  • Focus on Clarity: A shared commitment to making complex topics understandable and accessible to a broad audience.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The values highlight a culture that rewards initiative, quality, and impact. For a designer, this means not just executing tasks but understanding the strategic context and contributing to the company's broader goals, which is a hallmark of an operations-minded professional.

⚔ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Translating Complexity: The primary challenge is consistently translating Kalshi's novel and complex policy, regulatory, and financial concepts into clear, compelling, and accessible visual narratives.

  • Balancing Craft and Speed: Maintaining a high bar for design quality and production craft while working within the fast-paced demands of a growing startup and potentially tight deadlines.

  • Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating diverse stakeholder needs and perspectives (policy, legal, marketing) to achieve cohesive and effective design solutions.

  • Defining a New Category: Visually communicating the value and legitimacy of prediction markets, a relatively new financial instrument, to a broad audience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Specialized Expertise: Develop deep knowledge in designing for financial regulation and policy, a niche but growing field.

  • Brand System Development: Gain experience in building and scaling comprehensive brand systems for a unique financial product.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Work closely with policy experts, financial analysts, and communications strategists, broadening understanding of the fintech and regulatory landscape.

  • Impactful Projects: Contribute to high-visibility projects that directly shape public perception and user understanding of Kalshi's innovative market.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed around operationalizing design for complex subject matter and balancing quality with speed. The growth opportunities are tied to developing specialized expertise and contributing to strategic brand development, which are valuable career advancements in operations and creative fields.

šŸ’” Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "How would you approach designing a report explaining the regulatory framework for prediction markets to a non-expert audience?" (Focus on information hierarchy, visual storytelling, and accessibility)

  • "Describe a time you had to translate a highly technical or complex concept into a visual asset. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate problem-solving, process, and impact)

  • "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple design formats and stakeholders with differing opinions?" (Highlight operational discipline, system thinking, and stakeholder management) Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What attracts you to Kalshi's mission of bringing more truth to the world through markets?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with company vision)

  • "How do you approach working in a fast-paced, meritocratic startup environment where you are expected to take ownership?" (Demonstrate adaptability, proactivity, and a results-oriented mindset)

  • "How do you balance creative vision with practical constraints and feedback from non-designers?" (Show collaborative spirit and ability to integrate diverse input) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Focus on Process: For each selected project, clearly articulate your design process, starting from the brief and ending with the final delivered asset. Explain your decision-making at each stage.

  • Quantify Impact (where possible): If your designs led to measurable outcomes (e.g., increased engagement on a landing page, clarity in a report), be prepared to share that data.

  • Showcase Systems Thinking: Highlight projects where you built or applied a visual system, demonstrating your ability to create scalable and consistent brand assets.

  • Tailor to Policy: Emphasize projects that involved translating complex information or creating visual narratives for critical communications.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating not just design skill but also strategic thinking, operational process, and cultural fit. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to problem-solving, collaboration, and delivering results in a dynamic environment.

šŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Policy Brand Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

  • Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest editorial, print, and digital design work, specifically highlighting projects that demonstrate your ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, compelling visuals. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your design process for each project.

  • Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize experience in brand design, editorial design, information design, and visual systems. Use keywords from the job description such as "typography," "layout," "visual identity," and "information hierarchy." Quantify achievements where possible.

  • Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio projects, clearly explaining your role, process, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing for Kalshi's specific needs.

  • Company Research: Thoroughly research Kalshi, its mission, the prediction market category, and its current brand presence. Understand their communication challenges and how your design skills can address them.

āš ļø 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 must possess a strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional editorial, print, and digital design skills with a focus on typography and information hierarchy. You should be comfortable working with non-design stakeholders and have the ability to develop thoughtful creative directions from loosely defined concepts.