Design Lead

Department: Marketing | Digital | Communications Pay Grade: 21 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 offeringshere . Job Description Shape Wellmark’s brand through strategic design, creative execution,andthoughtfulinnovation. At Wellmark, design is how we bring our brand to life through clear, compelling work that connects with the people we serve. We are seeking a Design Lead who isfirst and foremosta hands-on designer: someone who enjoys doing the work, solving creative problems, and producing high-quality visual communications across print and digital channels. In this informal lead role,you’llalso help raise the bar for the team by sharingexpertise, offering guidance, and influencing how work moves from idea to finished product while stayingclosely connectedto the details. Curiosity about new tools and tech, including generative AI, is important, but the focus is on practical application. The ideal candidate is comfortable experimenting with tools like Adobe Firefly or similar platforms to improve speed, iteration, and creative options whenappropriate, while keeping brand standards, quality, risk, andresponsibleuse at the forefront.You willhelpidentifywhere AI can support the creative process, but your strength will be turning ideas into polished, effective work. This is a fast-paced, highly visible role suited for someone who enjoys an agency-like environment, takes ownership, and likes being in the weeds as much as shaping the direction of the work. You will partner closely with Marketing and Corporate Communications, balance multiple priorities, and help move projects forward by contributingstrong designexecution, thoughtful recommendations, and steady informal leadership that supports the team and strengthens Wellmark’s visual brand. Qualifications Required: Bachelor's degree inGraphicDesign, or related degree, or direct and applicable work experience. Minimum of 6 years of related experience inadesign or a similar role as well as using content management systems in a production, deadline-driven environment. Some experience leading photo shoots for large scale projects. Exceptional attention to detail. Thorough understanding of color theory and how that can be used within marketing. Ability to balance multiple projects for multiple clients and meet deadlines consistently. Fluency in Adobe Creative Cloud. Strong technology knowledge with the ability to work in PC and MAC environments. Technical aptitude to learn new software quickly. Ability to lead and/or mentor other creative professionals. Ability to perform, document, and guide others through workflows with accuracy anddemonstratedability to recommend changes to improve processes. Strong verbal and written communication skills.Engaging, professional, and polished presentation skills, including the ability to respond to questions from key clients and stakeholders. Must articulate information accurately to internal and external stakeholders, as well as represent Wellmark’s brand with professionalism. Demonstrates sound judgment, critical thinking, and poise in all situations. Ability to give and take feedback in a constructive manner and to support cooperation and collaboration across teams. Preferred: Adobe certifications. Experience developing designs for websites and digital publications. Experience in coding languages (HTML, CSS, etc.). Familiarity and experience with WCAG accessibility compliance guidelines. Additional Information a. Guide and provide overall subject matterexpertisefor designers. Mentor others and help create an inclusive and collaborative culture for team members. b. Manage and own the Wellmark visual brand guidelines and visual styles used to ensure the Wellmark image is cohesive and consistent in all mediums. Ensure correct use of brand trademarks in compliance with Blue Cross and Blue Shield guidelines. Communicate brand guidelines and ensure adherence to standards across allcompanycreative. Serve as subject matter expert on visual branding and corporate identity questions and issues. c. Collaborate with Marketing staff toestablishvisual standards for Wellmark business segments, products, and services. Provide in-depth design knowledge to ensurecreativeis effective and compelling. Maintain Wellmark’s brand guidelines and identity tools. d. Lead in developing unique design concepts and content to solve business and brand challenges. Use data to inform and support creative decisions. Present creative ideas to Marketing peers and clients in the business, communicating strategic quality and creative rationale. e. Provide art subject matterexpertiseto in-house and outside resources through all phases of creative development, working to ensure designobjectivesare met and all creative solutions meet brand standards. f. Provide guidance to designers and Marketing team on quality of design. Alongside teamleader, coach and create design training to help employees develop their skills. Keep up to date on design trends and technology and collaborate with teamleaderon implementing changes that can result in more effective communication or improved processes. g. Create design concepts and production artwork for a variety of content formats (print collateral and magazines, emails, presentations, online publications, infographics, etc.). Present creative toappropriate stakeholdersand provide consultation on desired edits to ensure content isaccurateand expectations are met. h. Developandmaintainstrong relationships with Marketing peers and business clients. As needed,negotiate ontimelines, and project task specifications and quickly adapt to changing priorities, timelines, and direction, as well as handle multiple projects between clients. i. Use project tracking software to log and track design projects and provide regular reports to leadership on the number and nature of design projects. j.Otherduties as assigned. An Equal Opportunity Employer The policy of Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation due to a disability at any stage of the employment application process should contact us at [emailprotected] At this time, Wellmark is not considering applicants for this position that require any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please refer to the following resources:Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants Wellmark supports and expects the responsible use of AI for our workforce! We welcome the responsible use of these tools by job seekers as well and are interested in learning from you; you will have an opportunity in the application process to share which tools you used and how you applied them. By clicking the link above or any third-party link within this posting, you are leaving this site and going to a third-party website where the third-party website's terms and privacy policy apply #J-18808-Ljbffr