Lead Graphic Designer

Company Description

Why Wellmark: We are a mutual insurance company owned by our policy holders across Iowa and South Dakota, and we’ve built our reputation on over 80 years’ worth of trust. We are not motivated by profits. We are motivated by the well-being of our friends, family, and neighbors–our members. If you’re passionate about joining an organization working hard to put its members first, to provide best-in-class service, and one that is committed to sustainability and innovation, consider applying today! 

Learn more about our unique benefit offerings here. 

Job Description

Tired of #AgencyLife? Keep the creative energy but lose the stress as Wellmark’s Lead Graphic Designer! 

Join Team Indigo at Wellmark! 
Searching for work-life balance with actual career benefits? Indigo is Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s internal creative and communications agency dedicated to delivering custom campaigns to Wellmark’s largest accounts. This position offers genuine growth, leadership, and creative freedom.  

The Lead Graphic Designer guides the appearance and overall aesthetic of all Indigo client projects. Working in close partnership with copywriters, you will translate marketing strategy into big, compelling ideas, with fresh concepts that bridge our clients’ goals and their employees’ needs. 

Top candidates: 

• Excel in a client-driven, fast-paced, and deadline-oriented environment, with the ability to manage their time and the time of contracted designers. 
• Possess the ability to switch fluidly between brand aesthetics (e.g. Wellmark, Indigo and variety of clients) and demonstrate versatility across mediums, displaying skills in print, digital and web design.  
• Insist on the highest creative standards and use best-practice information design and behavioral-economics principles to enhance the comprehension and retention of complex, health-related content.  
• Are comfortable presenting to clients from manager-level to C-suite and able to clearly articulate and sell the thought process and design theory behind aesthetic recommendations. 
• Take pride in and ownership of their work, naturally holding themselves accountable for their product and output.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree or direct and applicable work experience.
• 6+ years’ experience in an agency or in-house design role. Must demonstrate design skill across a variety of communication mediums, including but not limited to marketing collateral, direct mail, publication design, online communication, and promotional materials.
• Exceptional computer skills:
  • Macintosh operating platform experience.
  • Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign are required; Adobe After Effects, Dreamweaver and Premier are a plus.
  • Presentation software (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Keynote) are a plus.
• Skilled in print production and digital design standards, including file set up, packaging files, and printer specifications.
• Knowledge of HTML/CSS and photography preferred.
• Effective project coordination skills, including organization, time management, prioritization, and an ability to oversee multiple priorities for the team.
• A collaborative, team-based approach to work, yet self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Travel required up to 5%
• A strong website-based portfolio showcasing your finished work and demonstrating your creative abilities in publication design, as well as across a spectrum of media touchpoints, will be requested.

Preferred: 

• Ability to coach and mentor others.
• Exemplary presentation skills, having a commanding, knowledgeable presence, yet also have strong people skills, ability to read the room and adapt to the audience.

Additional Information

a.  Manage the design process from concept to completion, collaborating with Indigo peers (Account management and copywriter) to understand and then translate marketing objectives into clear creative strategies.

b.  Leads the aesthetic direction and design vision for client HR brand and identity projects. Present conceptual options to clients and clearly articulate and sell the thought process behind your design recommendations.

c.  Possesses a deep understanding of the client brand aesthetic and standards, ensuring they are applied appropriately and thoroughly across all executions.

d.  Serves as steward and champion of both Indigo and Wellmark brands, maintaining a consistent brand experience across all channels and mediums.

e.  Demonstrates design expertise, working proficiently in graphics programs such as the Adobe Creative Cloud (e.g. InDesign,