Graphic Designer, Gardner Builders (on site, Minneapolis)

At Gardner, we believe commercial construction should feel as welcoming as it is professional. That’s why we don’t just build and remodel – we build relationships, rooted in hospitality. Our mission is to set the platinum standard for our clients, partners, and team members by delivering exceptional results while embodying our core values: passion, humility, excellence, empathy, and nimbleness. We bring a hospitality-driven approach to every project, ensuring that every interaction is thoughtful, responsive, and human-centered.

Who You Are

You are a creative professional who thrives at the intersection of design and storytelling. You bring both artistry and strategy to your work with attention to detail. You are energized by collaboration and take pride in creating visual materials that inspire, inform, and align with brand identity. You love translating ideas into visuals that move people, and you see design as an act of hospitality.

How You’ll Contribute

Print + Digital Design

• Create a wide range of on-brand marketing and internal communications materials, including infographics, illustrations, and publications.
• Produce printed pieces, including brochures, long-form pieces, stationery, and signage, and prep files for print.
• Develop digital design assets for web and landing pages, email campaigns, and presentations.
• Build and maintain reusable templates and asset libraries to support the marketing team and provide working files for staff.
• Support the Marketing Proposal Specialist during high-volume periods by producing essential design elements for pursuit materials.
• Ensure that all materials, both visual and written, are polished, accurate, and ready for distribution.

Creative Thinking + Collaboration

• Partner closely with marketing, shared services, and proposal teams to understand goals, audiences, and messaging while developing materials to support the design request.
• Contribute to brainstorming sessions and present multiple design options for feedback.
• Incorporate feedback thoughtfully and efficiently while maintaining brand and project alignment.

Copy Creation + Editing

• Review and proofread copy for clarity, grammar, and brand consistency.
• Collaborate with content developers to pair compelling visuals with strong written content.
• Write concise, engaging, short-form copy for marketing materials, headlines, and social media.

Project Management

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.
• Communicate timelines and milestones with transparency.
• Coordinate with vendors, print partners, and creative contractors to ensure production excellence.
• Maintain organized design archives and asset management systems for team access and reuse.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Communications, Fine Arts, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 4 years of professional experience in graphic design, which may include internships and/or co-ops that have helped you grow as a designer.
• Strong understanding of graphic design principles, including composition, typography, and color theory.
• Proven ability to maintain consistent branding across print and digital media.
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop). Experience designing both short- and long-form materials such as proposals, publications, and presentations.
• Knowledge of print production processes and digital file preparation.
• Understanding of design best practices for web, social, and email platforms.
• Passion for storytelling, visual identity, and continuous creative innovation.
• Exceptional attention to detail, time management, and organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present and integrate feedback.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and curious, with a strong desire to learn and improve.
• Openness to light travel (generally under 5%) for conferences, events, or visits to other Gardner offices, typically planned well in advance and with flexibility to accommodate personal and family needs.

What Will Set You Apart

• Working knowledge of creative and collaboration tools such as After Effects, Premiere Pro, Lightroom, Canva, Google Workspace, HubSpot, and Asana.
• Experience with animation, video editing, photography, or photo retouching.
• Experience contributing as part of an in-house creative or marketing team.

Why Join Gardner Builders?

We are proud to be recognized as:

• 7-Time “Best Places to Work” by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
• 6-Time “Top 150 Workplaces” by Minneapolis Star Tribune
• #1 Top Workplace in Construction by Star Tribune (2023)
• 4-Time “Best Workplace” by Inc Magazine
• “Best Places to Work” by Milwaukee Business Journal

Our culture-first approach encourages personal and professional growth, an EOS-led structure, and a commitment to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, challenged, and loves coming to work.

Compensation & Benefits

● Annual Salary: $70,000-80,000 (paid weekly) + discretionary bonus.

● Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, HSA with employer contribution, and 401(k) plan with employer contribution.

● Ancillary Benefits: Company-paid basic life & AD&D insurance, company-paid long-term disability, company-paid employee assistance program, accident insurance, and critical illness insurance.

● Perks: Paid parking or public transportation costs, company-provided phone, and laptop.

● Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off,  paid sabbatical leave, paid bereavement leave, paid parental leave, free onsite fitness facility, and regular company and team outings.

Interview Process

This interview process will consist of a minimum of four conversations (phone, virtual, and two in-person) to ensure a mutual fit.

Pre-Employment Screening

Drug screen and background check required.

Other Items to Note

• Gardner reserves the right to hire any individual without legal or financial obligation for unwanted solicitations. No agency emails, calls, or solicitations are accepted without a valid agreement.
• Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
• We are currently only considering local candidates. We are unable to provide relocation assistance at present.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• This is a full-time, in-person role located in downtown Minneapolis. Remote work is available as needed, but is not intended to be standard operating procedure.
• This role is performed in a standard office setting with standard office equipment.
• This position requires prolonged sitting at a desk and working on a computer, with frequent typing, writing, and document handling.
• The role also requires occasional light travel (generally under 5%) for conferences, events, or visits to other Gardner offices, typically planned well in advance and with flexibility to accommodate personal and family needs.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions of the role.

How to Apply

Submit your resume, cover letter*, and a body of representative work in the form of a portfolio link or PDFs. Send your materials to our search manager: heather@soladayolson.com. Please label the subject of your email “Your Name > Graphic Designer, Gardner Builders” and include your salary request in the message.

*Please include a cover letter that answers the following:

We look forward to getting to know you!