Graphic Designer – Proposal Development

“Create a Lasting Competitive Advantage”

Shipley Associates is a global professional services firm that focuses on helping companies win business. Founded in 1972, we provide a comprehensive suite of services including business development consulting, training programs, and AI enablement to improve clients' abilities to compete for and win contracts.

To learn more, visit Shipleywins.com.

Job Summary

The Graphic Designer will play a crucial role in enhancing the visual appeal and effectiveness of our RFx responses, proactive proposals, and sales presentations. Collaborating closely with Proposal Managers, Technical staff, and other proposal team members, the Graphic Designer will be responsible for understanding the proposal journey and creating high-quality, professional graphics and visual presentations that clearly communicate our value proposition and brand. This role requires a strong understanding of visual communication principles, proficiency in design software, and the ability to translate complex information into engaging and accessible visuals.

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Key Responsibilities

• Proposal Journey Participation: Understand and actively participate in the RFx proposal development lifecycle from initiation to final submission.
• Visual Concept & Creation: Gather existing materials or collaborate with Proposal Managers and Technical staff to design and create new artwork and/or entire visual presentation decks in PowerPoint, often from a conceptual stage or built from scratch.
• Customer & Branding Research: Research the customer's brand and visual identity to define proposal branding that creates a balanced and cohesive partnership message through compelling visuals.
• Custom Graphics Development & Management: Create, edit, and manage a variety of custom graphics, including diagrams, process flows, screenshots, and other visual elements, ensuring they are compliant with brand guidelines and meet accessibility standards.
• Design Element Creation: Design custom covers, executive summaries, dividers, and/or callout boxes, collaborating closely with Desktop Publishers and Proposal Writers to ensure the design effectively supports the proposal's goals and messaging.
• PowerPoint Template Customization & Formatting: Customize PowerPoint templates to align with proposal branding and expertly format draft slide content, ensuring visual consistency and impact. Import text and graphics into desktop publishing software programs as needed.
• Proofing & Correction: Check proofs or preliminary layouts for visual errors, inconsistencies, and alignment issues, and make necessary corrections in collaboration with Proposal Writers and Desktop Publishers.
• Final Document Preparation: Finalize formatted documents and visual presentations for printing or electronic publication, ensuring they are visually appealing and error-free.
• AI Application for Creative Services: Explore and apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and methodologies to improve the scope and efficiency of creative services within the proposal development process, creating new and effective ways of working and producing impactful visual outcomes.
• Quality Program Participation: Actively participate in quality programs and initiatives designed to continuously improve the visual quality and effectiveness of deliverables for Microsoft customers.
• SharePoint Content Management: Maintain and keep SharePoint sites updated with all relevant graphic materials, ensuring easy access and organization for the proposal team.

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Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in graphic design, ideally within proposal development and/or technical communications environments.
• Proven effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate design concepts and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Advanced Microsoft Office Skills: Demonstrated expertise in PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams for creating and managing visual presentations.
• Basic Microsoft Office Skills: Working knowledge of Excel, Word, and Visio for supporting proposal document creation.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite Programs: Strong working knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator for creating and editing high-quality graphics.
• Basic Skills in Adobe Creative Suite Programs: Familiarity with Premier and After Effects for potential video or animation elements.
• Strong portfolio showcasing design skills in creating professional graphics and visual presentations for business documents.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality, error-free visual materials.