Graphic Designer

About Williams Group

Williams Group is a women-owned strategic communications agency based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

For nearly 50 years, we have partnered with leading corporations, foundations and nonprofits across North America to move people from awareness to action. Whether we’re changing hearts and minds or driving the bottom line, our communications are grounded in strategy, delivered through strong design and messaging, and expertly managed.

As a Certified B Corporation™, our team is always mindful of doing the right thing for the people and places our work involves. We value belonging, integrity, generosity, openness and joy—and we bring it all into our work to build meaningful, long-lasting relationships with clients and each other.

About the Graphic Designer Role

If you’re a versatile graphic designer who knows how to turn ideas into compelling visual communications—and bring them to life across print and digital media—this position might be for you.

Williams Group seeks a graphic designer to create communications that help our nonprofit, philanthropic and corporate clients move people from awareness to action. In this role, you’ll work closely with Wg account leaders and writers to translate strategy, research and complex ideas into clear, engaging visual communications. You’ll work across brand identity, print and digital design, presentations, reports, motion graphics and video, bringing both strategic thinking and strong visual craft to the work.

This is a hands-on creative role for someone who enjoys both concepting and making. You’ll contribute to the creative process from early ideas through final production, balancing thoughtful creative thinking with attention to the details that make work polished, purposeful and effective.

Like all Wg associates, designers balance independent, self-directed work with active, team-based co-creation. We’re looking for someone who is curious, collaborative and eager to make the work—and the team—better.

What You’ll Do

At Wg, success is measured by contributions to “the three Cs”—clients, commerce and culture.

Clients

• Translate strategic direction into visual outputs
• Make complex ideas and information more accessible through visual design
• Create, expand and apply brand identities and brand systems
• Design discrete outputs (e.g., presentations, handouts, infographics, reports, etc.) in accordance with client brand standards
• Adapt layouts for multiple formats (e.g., orientation, screen size, production method, etc.)
• Contribute to brainstorms, communication planning and strategy development for client projects
• Style content within preexisting layouts and templates
• Implement edits and proofreading changes
• Prep files for production and distribution (e.g., keylining and other preflight activities, saving out assets, creating thumbnails, etc.)
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices
• Conduct research on design approaches, including production vendors and/or processes that support efficiencies, and document/share findings
• Contribute to project debriefs and share learnings
• Maintain proficiency in hardware and software used by Williams Group
• Manage production details (e.g., vendor relations, file management, quality assurance, etc.)

Commerce

• Consistently meet deadline, scope and budget expectations
• Recognize and help to pursue new business opportunities
• Maintain personal billings aligned with company targets and project capacity
• Uphold company financial practices (e.g., accurate timekeeping, expense documentation, etc.)

Culture

• Demonstrate excellent communication, client service and interpersonal skills throughout every step of a project
• Support internal Wg strategies and initiatives
• Uphold organizational values and commitments
• Work extended hours when needed
• Mentor and support other associates

What You’ll Bring

• 5 years of related experience
• Understanding of brand and design fundamentals
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, After Effects and Premiere Pro
• Familiarity with common communications practices and platforms
• Creativity and enthusiasm; a high degree of initiative and desire to make a positive impact
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make well-reasoned decisions
• Superb attention to detail, effective time-management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Deep commitment to social, racial and economic justice

What You Can Expect

All Wg associates play a big role in shaping our work and culture. We operate under three core principles:

• We make it happen. Williams Group associates are empowered—and expected—to satisfy the needs of our clients and our company. When something needs doing, we hit the ground running and find valuable ways to contribute. We explore before we ask. We offer options over issues. When the moment brings new challenges and opportunities, we build the skill and know-how needed to meet it.
• We’re in it together. Nobody goes it alone at Wg. We recognize our shared journey with each other, clients, vendors and the greater community—and our responsibility to help and be helped by everyone around us. Being in it together means checking ego, checking in and showing up to lighten the burden and bring out the best.
• We take great care. Wg associates are always aiming for better. We sincerely want the work we do to make a difference for our clients and the world. So we always take care to add value and up our game. Every project, every interaction is an opportunity to understand and think deeply, respond thoughtfully and strategically, and create experiences that are meaningful and memorable.

Compensation and Benefits

Williams Group is committed to creating an environment where all associates can thrive both personally and professionally. Here are just a few ways we invest in our team:

• Salary: The range for this role is $75,000 to $85,000, with opportunities for continued growth and profit sharing as described below
• Profit sharing: Quarterly and annual bonuses based on personal contributions, as well as overall company profitability
• 401(k): 25% match and an additional distribution (typically at least 5% of compensation) annually
• Health insurance: Competitive coverage for individuals and families at minimal cost to associates
• Personal causes: Associates receive funds each year to support the causes they care about most—and we match personal donations in an annual giving campaign
• Community giving: Wg donates at least 10% of our profits annually, so your work has continued impact
• Growth opportunities: Regular 1:1s and review cycles using our transparent career progression framework and individual development plans
• Team time: Regular in-person and remote activities to foster connection—we genuinely enjoy one another!

Where and When

Location: This position is based in Michigan. You may choose to work from Wg headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids, from home or another remote location, or a hybrid of the two.

Working hours: Our normal working hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time; extended hours are occasionally necessary to satisfy client needs and accommodate differing time zones.

Travel: Associates gather in person in West Michigan at least once per year. Most associates have little to no additional overnight travel; occasional 2–3 day trips to client locations may be required depending on client needs and location.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume, portfolio and cover letter expressing your interest in this position to Martha Sawle, hello@williams-group.com.

Williams Group is an equal opportunity employer, with a commitment to building and fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. We welcome candidates who would both contribute to and want to learn from working in such an environment.