Design Lead

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield seeks a hands‑on Design Lead to shape the brand through strategic design, creative execution, and thoughtful innovation. You will produce high‑quality visual communications across print and digital channels while mentoring the team and guiding projects from concepto to delivery.

The role emphasizes brand standards, collaboration with Marketing and Corporate Communications, and responsible use of AI tools to improve speed and options without compromising quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, or related degree, or direct and applicable work experience.

Responsibilities

• Shape Wellmark’s brand through strategic design, creative execution, and thoughtful innovation.
• Lead design execution across print and digital channels in an agency‑like environment.
• Mentor and guide other designers, sharing expertise and influencing project progress.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Corporate Communications to maintain brand standards.

Skills

Creative leadership

Adobe Creative Cloud

Brand stewardship

Communication skills

Mentoring

Multi-project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

HTML/CSS basics

Content management systems

Job 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

Shape Wellmark’s brand through strategic design, creative execution, and thoughtful innovation.

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 is first and foremost a 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’ll also help raise the bar for the team by sharing expertise, offering guidance, and influencing how work moves from idea to finished product while staying closely connected to 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 when appropriate, while keeping brand standards, quality, risk, and responsible use at the forefront. You will help identify where 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 contributing strong design execution, thoughtful recommendations, and steady informal leadership that supports the team and strengthens Wellmark’s visual brand.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, or related degree, or direct and applicable work experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of related experience in a design 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 and demonstrated ability 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

• Bachelor's degree
• 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

• Guide and provide overall subject matter expertise for designers. Mentor others and help create an inclusive and collaborative culture for team members.
• 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 usage of brand trademarks in compliance with Blue Cross and Blue Shield guidelines. Communicate brand guidelines and ensure adherence to standards across all company creative. Serve as subject matter expert on visual branding and corporate identity questions and issues.
• Collaborate with Marketing staff to establish visual standards for Wellmark business segments, products, and services. Provide in-depth design knowledge to ensure creative is effective and compelling. Maintain Wellmark’s brand guidelines and identity tools.
• 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.
• Provide art subject matter expertise to in‑house and outside resources through all phases of creative development, working to ensure design objectives are met and all creative solutions meet brand standards.
• Provide guidance to designers and Marketing team on quality of design. Alongside team leader, coach and create design training to help employees develop their skills. Keep up to date on design trends and technology and collaborate with team leader on implementing changes that can result in more effective communication or improved processes.
• Create design concepts and production artwork for a variety of content formats (print collateral and magazines, emails, presentations, online publications, infographics, etc.). Present creative to appropriate stakeholders and provide consultation on desired edits to ensure content is accurate and expectations are met.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Marketing peers and business clients. As needed, negotiate on timelines, and project task specifications and quickly adapt to changing priorities, timelines, and direction, as well as handle multiple projects between clients.
• Use project tracking software to log and track design projects and provide regular reports to leadership on the number and nature of design projects.
• Other duties 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 [e-mail]

Please inform us if you meet the definition of a "Covered DoD official".

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.