Graphic Designer

At ESS Companies (ESSC), we empower people to own their futures by redefining the employee and client experience. As a 100% employee-owned family of heavy civil construction companies, we don’t do this for fame or fortune — we do it #ForTheWorkers. Our purpose fuels our passion, our passion drives our performance, and our performance strengthens the partnerships that build strong communities. This is who we are. This is what we do. And the men and women of our subsidiary companies, Emery Sapp & Sons, Achen-Gardner Construction, Rummel Construction and Premier Testing Laboratories, live out these values every day.

ESSC is entering an exciting new chapter — we’ve launched a new brand that brings our collective identity to life for the first time. Backed by a strong, experienced executive team and guided by industry experts, we have a rare opportunity to build something extraordinary from the ground up. The foundation is set, but there’s a lot of white space — and even more potential — to shape how our story is told across companies, industries, and communities.

Our people build infrastructure that lasts for generations — and we approach our brand and marketing work with the same care, ambition, and long-term vision. To help shape and steward our growing brand family, we’re looking for a Graphic Designer to join our team. Graphic designers at ESSC are self-motivated individuals with a positive attitude who create enterprise-wide campaigns and initiatives, in collaboration with multiple stakeholders across a diverse business ecosystem.

What you'll be doing...

• The go-to brand steward and expert in applying guidelines to various forms of internal and external communications materials and platforms

• Creating and executing company campaigns for brand awareness, company milestones, and other initiatives across a variety of print and digital media

• Building brand style guides and style treatment boards for campaigns

• Developing a catalog of graphics, templates, and creative elements

• Design a wide range of creative assets on a variety of internal and external initiatives and campaigns – including social media, email campaigns, direct mail, branded merchandise, event materials, infographics, motion graphics and more

• Leading and contributing to creative brainstorming sessions

• Transforming ideas into actionable deliverables, assets, and cohesive campaigns

• Provide best practices and encourage creativity with all marketing team members, staying abreast of and applying design trends

• Work with individuals across a variety of teams to develop creative solutions for our company, partners, and clients

• Coordinate with external agencies, freelancers, or production partners as needed

• Sourcing materials and coordinating production with third-party vendors for standard print projects, direct mail, large-format printing, promotional materials, apparel, promotional items, trade show booths, and event assets

• Attend company events and represent the firm at industry events as needed

• Overseeing the day-to-day deadlines and responsibilities of all assigned projects, ensuring timely reviews and approvals before distribution

You're a good fit if ...

• You hold a Bachelor's degree in graphic design, fine arts, visual communications, or a related discipline

• You have 3+ years of graphic design experience

• You approach design with passion and discipline

• You're a little obsessed with processes, proofing, and error-checking

• You thrive in both an independent and collaborative environment

• You are passionate about transforming ideas into clear, cohesive, and impactful campaigns

• You don't sweat it if you need to juggle concurrent projects with tight deadlines

• You are an absolute rockstar in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop

• You possess an online portfolio of clever, campaign-worthy work and enjoy challenging the status quo

• You have routinely worked with third-party vendors and have experience preparing creative files for web and large-format printing

• You're an active member of the design, marketing, and communications community

• You play well with others and generally have a positive attitude

• You take initiative and drive projects

• You have a sense of humor (big plus)

Bonus skills/experience:

• Know a little about the A/E/C industry already? Bonus!

• Know about civil construction, too? Double bonus!

• You can navigate Adobe PremierPro, Adobe After Effects, and WordPress

• You dabble in video editing and motion graphics and/or have experience collaborating with video editors to create impactful motion graphics

• We use Monday.com (project management), WordPress (website), and Open Asset (digital asset management), so it would be fantastic if you already know those tech tools.

• ¿Hablas español? We routinely translate our copy into Spanish. If you can write or QC Spanish content, that would be outstanding!

Location: This team member will work out of the Kansas City, MO office located in the River Market district. Other office locations would be considered. Some regional travel may be required,

including a few overnight stays here and there. ESSC offers a comprehensive and competitive package including access to top-notch tech tools and flex time.

Hybrid Work Schedule:

• Monday/Friday - Remote

• Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday - Office

But wait, there’s more. ESSC offers its employee-owners a variety of additional perks and bonus opportunities:

• Industry-leading Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

• 401(k) and financial health education

• Comprehensive health benefits and insurance

• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

• Casual and professional work environment

• Paid training and continuing education

• Paid overtime

• Paid time off (PTO)

• Wellness program

• Referral bonus program

• Apprenticeship programs

• Leadership and training programs

ESS Companies is an EEO/AA Employer - applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, protected veteran status or other status protected by laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)