Blue River PetCare is a leading multi‑state owner and operator of high‑quality veterinary hospitals, headquartered in downtown Chicago. With a commitment to enhancing the well‑being of pets and supporting veterinary professionals, Blue River PetCare offers a unique platform that combines business expertise with compassionate animal care. The company provides an exit strategy for veterinary hospital owners seeking to reduce operational burdens, diversify their assets, or transition into retirement, all while preserving the legacy and community presence of their practices. Blue River PetCare emphasizes strengthening hospital brands and fostering local franchise growth, ensuring each hospital maintains its individual identity while benefiting from the collective resources and support of the organization.
About The Role
The Graphic Designer at Blue River PetCare plays a vital role in creating visual assets that support the company’s marketing initiatives across its nationwide network of veterinary hospitals. Reporting directly to the Marketing Manager and collaborating closely with the Senior Graphic Designer and marketing team, this role is ideal for a creative professional eager to develop their skills in branding, digital design, and marketing communications within the veterinary industry. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing customized marketing materials that reflect each hospital’s unique community and brand personality, maintaining brand consistency, and supporting various marketing campaigns and projects. This position offers a hybrid work environment based in Chicago, IL, and provides opportunities to contribute to impactful projects that enhance brand visibility and engagement across multiple channels.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, or a related field, or an associate’s degree with 3+ years of professional experience
- Minimum of 2+ years of professional experience in graphic design
- Portfolio demonstrating a variety of design materials across print, digital, social media, and email channels
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to high‑quality work
- Strong creative thinking, visual communication, and layout design skills
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
- Organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
- Flexibility and drive to meet tight deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively
- Ability to work collaboratively and accept feedback professionally
- Interest or ability to develop knowledge of the veterinary industry
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Canva; experience with PremierePro, After Effects, and Figma is a plus
- Proficiency in email template creation via Mailchimp
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools (Monday, Basecamp, etc.)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Understanding of digital design principles, social media formats, and typography
Responsibilities
- Create customized marketing materials that reflect each hospital’s community and brand personality while adhering to Blue River PetCare’s visual standards
- Maintain and update brand kits for all hospitals within the organization
- Support the Field Marketing Team by fulfilling design requests for seasonal campaigns, brand development, location‑specific marketing, and interior design projects
- Assist with hospital rebranding and brand revision projects in collaboration with the Senior Graphic Designer
- Design and refine mockups and brand kits for interior design initiatives within hospitals
- Edit and optimize hospital and company photos using Adobe Photoshop to support marketing and communication needs
- Support the Communication Manager by creating layouts and graphics for monthly newsletters
- Organize and manage hospital brand assets within Digital Asset Management tools, ensuring accessibility and currency
- Prepare visual content for website updates and digital marketing efforts
- Conduct research on brand trends, competitor activity, and target audiences to enhance creative output
- Ensure consistency of brand standards across all visual materials
- Stay informed on industry best practices, design tools, and veterinary marketing trends
- Adhere to company policies and procedures, and perform additional duties as assigned, including special projects
- Act as a brand steward for all Blue River PetCare entities, ensuring brand integrity across channels
Benefits
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Disability, Life Insurance, and Critical Illness Coverage
- Retirement plans with company matching
- Paid Time Off, Holidays, and Bereavement Leave
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Pet Perks with industry vendor partners, including discounts on insurance, preventatives, food, and supplies
- Chicago CTA Transit Program Benefits
- Discounted gym memberships for local Chicago team members
- Childcare discounts with KinderCare
- Exclusive travel, entertainment, and retail discounts
- Hybrid and remote work opportunities
Equal Opportunity
Blue River PetCare is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We embrace the uniqueness of all individuals and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or ancestry.