Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Sunnyside* (Cresco Labs)

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-29T20:34:40

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive execution and ensure quality across a variety of print and digital deliverables for both retail and wholesale brands within the cannabis industry.

• Support and contribute to creative direction for web assets, email campaigns, social media content, in-store signage, sales materials, event graphics, internal communications, and branded merchandise.

• Mentor Mid-Level and Junior Graphic Designers, review and elevate team output, and serve as a creative authority within the organization.

• Play a key role in driving creative excellence and consistency across The HotBox, the in-house creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is within the cannabis industry, which requires a strong understanding of regulatory compliance and brand messaging appropriate for this sector. The emphasis on "The HotBox" as the in-house creative team suggests a structured, internal agency-like environment focused on B2B and B2C creative output.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end design process for projects, from initial concept development through final delivery across multiple print and digital channels.

• Collaborate closely with the Associate Design Director to execute team strategy and uphold established design direction.

• Lead conceptual development for campaigns, focusing on elevating creative quality and innovative approaches.

• Conduct thorough reviews of work produced by Junior and Mid-Level Designers, providing constructive and formal feedback to enhance output.

• Serve as the final quality checkpoint for all creative assets before they are presented to stakeholders or passed to external vendors for production.

• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior designers, actively supporting their professional development and skill enhancement.

• Manage high-priority, complex, and fast-turnaround design initiatives, ensuring timely and effective delivery.

• Drive continuous process improvement and foster creative innovation within the design team.

• Act as a primary creative problem-solver for challenging or high-visibility design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a senior-level role with significant leadership and quality assurance duties. The emphasis on mentoring, quality control, and managing complex initiatives aligns with a senior designer expected to elevate team performance and ensure brand consistency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Graphic Designer role.

Experience: 6+ years of professional design experience, either in-house or within an agency setting.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), with the ability to establish and guide best practices for team usage.

• Demonstrated Art Direction experience, including supporting creative direction and developing strong conceptual ideas.

• Proven ability to elevate and evolve visual systems while rigorously maintaining brand integrity across all touchpoints.

• Advanced production knowledge for both print and digital, with the capability to review and approve vendor-ready files.

• Proficiency in After Effects, including the ability to create motion assets and guide animation direction.

• Deep multi-channel expertise, particularly in executing complex, high-visibility initiatives across various platforms.

• Strong skills in color correction and retouching to ensure the production of high-quality, production-ready visuals.

• Ability to effectively balance leadership responsibilities, quality control, and complex project management.

• High-level communication skills, with demonstrated experience mentoring others and presenting creative concepts to senior stakeholders.

• Proven leadership ability, including formal mentorship of team members and elevating overall team output.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the regulated cannabis industry, understanding its unique branding and compliance challenges.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira) for workflow tracking and team coordination.

• Experience with UI/UX principles for web and digital asset design.

• Knowledge of emerging design trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize hands-on technical skill in Adobe Creative Suite and After Effects, alongside strong conceptual and leadership abilities. The explicit mention of "art direction experience" and "elevate visual systems" points to a need for strategic design thinking beyond execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong track record of elevated conceptual thinking and leadership across multiple design campaigns.

• Evidence of ability to evolve visual systems while maintaining strict brand integrity.

• Examples demonstrating proficiency in After Effects and motion graphics creation.

• Case studies highlighting leadership in managing complex, high-visibility initiatives from concept to delivery.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you have led design projects through a structured process, from initial brief to final execution.

• Include evidence of process improvement initiatives within a design team or workflow.

• Illustrate your approach to quality control and ensuring brand consistency across diverse deliverables.

• Present case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your creative solution, and the measurable impact of your design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily focused on demonstrating leadership, conceptual strength, and end-to-end project ownership, particularly for complex and multi-channel initiatives. This suggests the company values strategic design thinking and the ability to guide projects to successful completion.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,000 - $85,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Major medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(K)-match program.

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Savings Account (HSA) programs.

• Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) options.

• Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.

• Paid holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Annual discretionary bonuses.

• Stock options.

• Employee discount program.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is fixed at $85,000. The benefits package is comprehensive, covering health, retirement, disability, life insurance, and paid time off, along with performance-based incentives like bonuses and stock options, which are attractive for senior roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cannabis industry. Cresco Labs is a vertically integrated, multi-state operator with a focus on quality, consistency, and regulatory compliance. The company aims to normalize and professionalize the cannabis industry.

Company Size: Large (implied by "one of the largest public, vertically integrated, multistate operators" and "dozens of locations nationwide"). This suggests a structured corporate environment with established processes.

Founded: 2013. This indicates a company with significant experience and growth within the relatively new cannabis industry.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of "The HotBox," an in-house creative team.

• This team likely comprises various design roles (Senior, Mid-Level, Junior Graphic Designers) and potentially other creative functions.

• The Senior Graphic Designer reports to the Associate Design Director, indicating a clear reporting hierarchy within the creative department.

Methodology:

• Focus on regulatory compliance, product consistency, and customer satisfaction.

• High level of integrity and professionalism in all operations.

• Use of data and analytics to inform creative decisions (implied by B2C and CRM channels).

• Emphasis on quality and consistency of product and creative output.

• Commitment to Social Equity and Educational Development (SEED™ initiative).

Company Website: https://www.crescolabs.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be professional, compliance-focused, and growth-oriented, reflecting its position as a major player in the cannabis industry. The internal creative team structure suggests a desire for centralized creative control and efficiency.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Graphic Designer. This level implies a transition from pure execution to leadership, mentorship, and strategic creative input. The role is expected to guide junior talent and contribute to overall creative direction.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Associate Design Director. This places the role within a clear management structure for creative operations.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's role directly impacts brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and customer engagement across B2B and B2C channels. Ensuring creative excellence and brand integrity contributes significantly to the company's market position and revenue generation through effective marketing collateral and campaigns.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Associate Design Director or similar leadership roles within The HotBox.

• Opportunities to take on more strategic creative direction for larger campaigns or brand initiatives.

• Potential to specialize in specific areas like motion graphics, brand systems, or B2B marketing creative.

• Continued development through mentorship of junior designers and exposure to high-profile projects.

• Professional development within the dynamic and evolving cannabis industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior Graphic Designer role is a significant step in a creative career, offering opportunities for leadership, strategic influence, and professional growth within a rapidly expanding industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in Chicago, IL. This indicates a traditional office setting for the creative team.

Office Location(s): Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Workspace Context:

• The role is part of "The HotBox," suggesting a collaborative creative studio environment within the larger Cresco Labs organization.

• Access to standard creative office resources and technology.

• Opportunities for direct collaboration and feedback with other designers, the Associate Design Director, and potentially marketing and brand teams.

• The on-site nature facilitates team cohesion and spontaneous creative brainstorming.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time work schedule (approximately 40 hours per week), likely with some flexibility depending on project demands, but requiring physical presence at the Chicago office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement fosters a collaborative team dynamic essential for creative roles, allowing for direct interaction and faster iteration on design projects.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Creative Assessment: A portfolio review session, potentially with a presentation of key projects, focusing on conceptual thinking, art direction, and leadership.

• Technical/Skills Interview: Discussion of proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects, production knowledge, and problem-solving abilities.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with the Associate Design Director and potentially other team members to evaluate collaboration style, mentorship approach, and alignment with company values.

• Case Study/Design Challenge: May involve a practical exercise to assess problem-solving skills, conceptualization, and execution under time constraints.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating leadership, conceptual strength, and multi-channel execution.

• Select 3-5 of your strongest campaigns that showcase your art direction and ability to elevate visual systems.

• Be prepared to walk through your process, explaining your strategic thinking, design choices, and the impact of your work.

• Clearly highlight any instances where you mentored junior designers or improved design processes.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly before diving into execution.

• Prioritize conceptual development and strategic thinking, then demonstrate your ability to execute within the given constraints.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, linking them back to the project objectives.

• Be ready to present your work and answer questions about your approach and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the portfolio's demonstration of leadership, conceptual depth, and technical mastery. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their strategic contributions and mentorship capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level proficiency required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for all design tasks.

• Adobe After Effects: Required for creating motion assets and guiding animation direction.

• Other Design Software: Potential use of Figma, Sketch, or similar for digital design workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with how design assets are used within CRM campaigns and marketing automation platforms (e.g., email marketing software) would be advantageous for understanding cross-channel integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite, with a specific emphasis on After Effects for motion graphics. This highlights the need for a designer who can handle both static and dynamic visual content.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity & Professionalism: Adherence to high standards, especially crucial in the regulated cannabis industry.

• Quality & Consistency: A commitment to producing high-quality creative assets that are consistent with brand guidelines.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within "The HotBox" and with other departments.

• Innovation: Driving creative excellence and exploring new design approaches.

• Social Responsibility: Commitment to the SEED™ initiative, reflecting a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Collaboration Style:

• Expected to be collaborative, working closely with the Associate Design Director and junior designers.

• Proactive communication and feedback exchange within the creative team.

• Ability to partner effectively with marketing, sales, and other stakeholders to translate business needs into creative solutions.

• A culture that likely values constructive critique to elevate the overall quality of work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are rooted in professionalism, integrity, and a drive for excellence, particularly relevant in the compliance-heavy cannabis sector. The collaborative style is essential for an in-house creative team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Brand Integrity: Ensuring consistent and high-quality visual representation across diverse B2B and B2C channels in a regulated industry.

• Balancing Creativity with Compliance: Navigating the specific marketing and advertising restrictions within the cannabis industry.

• Managing High-Volume Workload: Effectively handling multiple high-priority and fast-turn projects while mentoring junior designers.

• Elevating Creative Output: Continuously pushing creative boundaries and driving innovation within a structured corporate environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Specialization: Deepening expertise within the cannabis industry's unique branding and marketing landscape.

• Leadership Development: Formal mentorship and opportunities to lead creative projects and teams.

• Skill Enhancement: Continued learning in After Effects, motion graphics, and potentially new design technologies.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining a broader understanding of marketing, sales, and operational strategies within a large CPG-style company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the unique demands of the cannabis industry and the senior-level expectation of leadership and process improvement. Growth opportunities are geared towards leadership and specialized industry knowledge.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex, high-visibility design project you led from concept to completion. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure quality and brand integrity?"

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers and providing constructive feedback to elevate their work?"

• "How do you balance creative innovation with strict brand guidelines and regulatory compliance, especially in an industry like cannabis?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the cannabis industry and specifically with Cresco Labs/Sunnyside*?"

• "How would you contribute to a collaborative and innovative creative team environment like The HotBox?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Prepare a concise presentation (e.g., 10-15 slides) highlighting your most relevant work.

• Focus on 3-4 key projects that demonstrate leadership, art direction, conceptual thinking, and multi-channel execution.

• For each project, clearly outline: the objective, your role and process, creative solutions, challenges overcome, and measurable results (if available).

• Be ready to discuss your After Effects capabilities and any motion graphics work.

• Practice articulating your design rationale and leadership contributions smoothly.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of design principles applied within a corporate and regulated environment. Portfolio presentation is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application directly through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your 6+ years of experience, expert Adobe Creative Suite and After Effects skills, art direction capabilities, and leadership in complex projects. Showcase your ability to elevate visual systems and maintain brand integrity.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists achievements related to project management, mentoring junior designers, and driving process improvements. Use keywords such as "Adobe Creative Suite," "After Effects," "Art Direction," "Brand Integrity," and "Multi-channel Campaigns."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, leadership philosophy, and passion for the cannabis industry. Prepare a strong portfolio presentation that showcases your best work and strategic thinking.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Cresco Labs' brands, mission, and the Sunnyside* retail experience. Understand the company's commitment to regulatory compliance and social equity.

⚠️ 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.

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