Graphic Designer

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Location: Sioux Falls, SD

Job Summary:

Responsible for designing layouts and templates for print and digital materials in support of marketing campaigns and website development, as related to business to business, financial services focus. Ensure all files are accurate, proofed and turned around on time. Collaborate with design team, content specialists, sales group, management, and others to deliver creative output as required in support of marketing communications.

Essential Functions:

• Develop innovative, impactful, and promotional pieces for print or electronic communication, conforming to appropriate production requirements and company branding initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with team members to understand priorities and translate creative concepts into the required design elements.
• Follow brand guidelines, or incorporate new design elements, depending on need. Carry out cohesive look among all materials.
• Work closely with senior level designers and project stakeholders to accomplish creative initiatives.
• Determine arrangement of copy and illustrations or graphics, typeface, design and composition in support of marketing and sales communications, events, and incentive programs.
• Understand and manage priorities in a fast-paced environment, while maintaining quality controls, interacting frequently with team members on priority changes and status updates.
• Provide web and HTML creative design for corporate internet, intranet and extranet sites, as well as support in digital marketing platforms.
• Ensure functionality, quality, consistency enforced at all steps and across all assets, devices, and browsers.
• Support ad hoc creative needs, such as the development of print projects, banners, social ads, and other digital media
• Proof all creative design work and graphic files. Distribute PDF or HTML proofs to project requestors, and make all necessary corrections to files before going to press, publishing information on the web site, prior to considering a project complete.
• Work accurately and expediently within workflow system to edit all print and digital marketing materials, and other jobs as needed.
• Assist others in the organization with miscellaneous artistic or design needs, which may include taking photographs, sending or saving digital photos, creating design elements or logos for cards, POP displays or trade show booths.
• Assist the team with mobile-first emails, using HTML & CSS.
• Learn and manage filing system so as to provide other artwork, logos, photos, etc., for various Company departments and programs. Ensure file and versioning accuracy when saving and posting files. Follow guidelines for naming and storing files.
• Keep abreast of graphic industry developments and graphic trends in the industry and resourcefully uses this information to assure we remain current and competitive in those practices, and stay up to date with email coding best practices.
• Utilize knowledge and research of current email best practices to make suggestions for the optimization of design, layout, coding, messaging and deliverability
• Be responsive to ever changing business needs that support the overall company.
• Interact with team, others in organization and outside vendors (i.e., printers, fulfillment companies, promotional product companies, publishers, etc. to efficiently and effectively implement marketing communication initiatives).
• Commitment to embrace Sammons Financial Group Companies shared values (Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Openness)
• As stated within the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy, regular attendance is required and expected in order to meet the business service levels and workflow demands.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from a University or Design College or Technical College with an emphasis in graphic design required
• Minimum 3 years' related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• 2-5 years' HTML and CSS development experience specific to email coding preferred
• Minimum 2 years' experience with enterprise-level email service providers; experience with Eloqua or Marketing Cloud preferred
• Proven knowledge and skilled design talent in the graphic arts, along with an online portfolio illustrating competencies
• Solid understanding of email best practices and testing
• A strong sense of design, typography, color theory, vector graphics, mood boards, etc. is required
• Ability to optimize email code to render properly across devices and providers.
• Proficient in Mac computer systems using Adobe Creative Suite - Photoshop, Illustrator , InDesign, Adobe XD, Acrobat Pro, Dreamweaver; CSS; HTML; responsive web design; User Experience design; interactive landing pages; and typography.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with marketing automation platforms
• Knowledge or familiarity of the Insurance Industry or financial services preferred
• Willingness to learn new things, and keep up on latest digital and design trends
• Creativity, ingenuity, and imagination as it pertains to business strategy
• Excellent communication skills-both verbal and written.
• Strong problem solving abilities
• Self-starter and strategic mindset
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and reprioritize projects as necessary
• Criminal background check required.