Design Lead

About Us

FPW Media is a full-service creative team of 40 professionals with one focus: making the impossible possible for our clients on a daily basis. We work across industries including agriculture and timber, consumer products, healthcare, and professional services. From national campaigns to community initiatives, we build strategies, design visuals, produce films, launch websites, and deliver marketing that drives measurable results.

What motivates us goes beyond deliverables. We’re driven by helping clients achieve growth, visibility, and impact. We thrive on creative problem-solving, the energy of collaboration, and the challenge of producing work that stands out in crowded markets. Our culture is fast-paced and ambitious, yet supportive and grounded in the belief that when our people grow, our company grows too.

Job Overview

As the Design Lead, you’ll take ownership of major brand initiatives and design projects. This is a non-managerial role with heightened creative responsibility, where you’ll serve as a trusted creative authority and peer mentor while producing exceptional design work.

In this role, you’ll be hands-on in creating client-facing designs across branding, campaigns, digital and print, renderings, and mockups. You’ll interpret client direction, apply brand guidelines, and ensure deliverables are accurate, consistent, and impactful. Working in a fast-paced, agency environment, you’ll balance multiple projects at once while adapting quickly to shifting priorities and deadlines. You may also conduct initial project reviews and, when the Creative Director is unavailable, assume responsibility for design review and scheduling.

This position is ideal for a proactive, highly skilled designer who thrives on bringing client visions to life, delivering exceptional creative work under tight timelines, and contributing to the overall success of the agency.

Key Responsibilities

• Creative Ownership: Lead client design projects from concept through completion, ensuring alignment with client goals and specifications.
• High-Level Design Execution: Produce original design work across digital, print, and branding platforms, delivering creative that meets client standards and expectations.
• Client-Focused Delivery: Interpret and apply client brand guidelines, technical specifications, and feedback to ensure all deliverables are accurate, consistent, and on-brand.
• Peer Mentorship: Provide guidance and informal coaching to fellow designers to elevate team performance and creative output.
• Design Review: Conduct initial project reviews as assigned, and when needed, step into review and scheduling responsibilities in the absence of the Creative Director.
• Collaboration: Partner with Account Management, internal creative teams, and external vendors to deliver client-ready designs on time and within budget.
• Production Support: Gather, refine, and adapt assets; prepare pre-production and final deliverables in adherence to client and vendor requirements.
• Creative Process Contribution: Support the development of workflows, standards, and practices that improve efficiency and uphold quality across all design deliverables.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or equivalent experience.
• 5 years of design experience in a deadline-driven creative environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, XD).
• Strong knowledge of design standards, principles, and pre-press/print production.
• Experience with interior layout design a plus.
• 2 years of agency experience highly preferred.
• Proficiency in GSuite and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Onsite presence required – this is not a remote position.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive Benefits Package – including 100% employer-paid Health & Vision Insurance.
• 401K Matching – Invest in your future with company contributions.
• Paid Time Off – Enjoy time off for yourself.
• Growth & Professional Development – Work in a dynamic, creative environment with opportunities for advancement.

Join our team and take ownership of impactful design projects where your creativity makes a lasting mark!