Creative Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer

Company: Hill Country Telephone Cooperative (HCTC)

Location: Kerrville, TX

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-11

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the development of original creative concepts and visual campaigns that support overarching marketing and communication objectives for a community-focused telecommunications cooperative.

• Design compelling and consistent visual assets across a multi-channel GTM strategy, including print, digital, social media, advertising, and community outreach initiatives.

• Translate complex messaging and content into clear, effective visual communications that resonate with diverse customer segments and community stakeholders.

• Leverage advanced proficiency in design software, including Adobe Creative Suite and generative AI tools, to produce high-quality finished work and optimize production efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as more than a production design function. It requires a strategic thinker capable of conceptualizing and executing original visual approaches that directly support marketing and communication objectives, emphasizing a strong connection to customer engagement and brand representation within the telecommunications industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute original creative concepts, campaign themes, and visual approaches to support marketing and communication goals.

• Design a wide range of engaging materials including advertising, direct mail, brochures, signage, presentations, emails, website assets, social media graphics, and event collateral.

• Effectively translate messaging and content into clear, impactful visual communications tailored for various channels.

• Adapt and maintain a consistent HCTC brand identity across all print and digital design applications.

• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Digital Marketing, Public Relations, Customer Experience, and Sales teams to deliver creative solutions for customer, sales, community, and internal communications.

• Utilize Adobe Creative Suite and other professional design applications to produce high-quality, production-ready artwork.

• Integrate generative AI and AI-assisted creative tools for ideation, image creation, design exploration, and enhancing production efficiency.

• Provide support for photography, short-form video production, and basic motion graphics as needed.

• Prepare production-ready artwork, organize creative assets, and manage multiple projects to meet deadlines.

• Analyze campaign results and audience engagement data to continuously improve creative effectiveness and strategic alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on using generative AI tools and analyzing campaign results for continuous improvement suggests a forward-thinking approach to design operations, requiring adaptability and a data-informed mindset.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, Communications, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and professional experience will be considered.

Experience: Minimum of five years of professional graphic design, creative design, or visual communications experience.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or comparable professional design applications.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating original concept development and execution across multiple media (print and digital).

• Expertise in typography, layout, composition, color theory, imagery selection, and visual hierarchy principles.

• Proven experience designing for both print and digital environments, ensuring brand consistency.

• Ability to develop independent creative ideas while effectively incorporating feedback from stakeholders across different departments.

• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and project management capabilities.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration and presentation. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with photography, video production, and/or motion graphics.

• Familiarity with generative AI and AI-assisted creative platforms for ideation and production.

• Experience within the telecommunications, broadband, utility, cooperative, or service industries.

• Understanding of customer experience (CX) principles and how design impacts user journeys.

• Basic knowledge of website content management systems (CMS) and digital asset management (DAM) systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a strong portfolio showcasing original concept development and execution across multiple forms of media is critical, indicating a need for a designer who can think conceptually and produce across various platforms, not just execute existing briefs. The preference for AI tools points towards an evolving design operational landscape.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive professional portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a minimum of five years of original creative work and concept development.

• Demonstrate successful execution of design projects across a variety of media, including print, digital, social media, and advertising campaigns.

• Include case studies or examples that illustrate the process from initial concept to final output, highlighting problem-solving and creative strategy.

• Highlight projects that show adaptability in maintaining brand consistency across different channels and formats.

• Showcase your ability to translate marketing objectives or messages into compelling visual narratives. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have managed the design process from brief to final delivery, including project timelines and stakeholder management.

• Demonstrate your approach to concept ideation, including any brainstorming or mood-boarding techniques used.

• Illustrate your workflow for preparing production-ready artwork for both print and digital applications.

• Showcase how you have used data or campaign results to inform and improve future design iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "original concept development and execution" and the need to translate "marketing objectives or messages into compelling visual narratives" implies that the portfolio should not just be a collection of pretty pictures, but a demonstration of strategic thinking and problem-solving through design. The inclusion of AI tools suggests a need to showcase how these are integrated into the workflow.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary for this role in Kerrville, TX, for a Creative Designer with 5-10 years of experience, is estimated to be between $60,000 and $85,000 annually. This range is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in mid-sized telecommunications cooperatives in Texas, considering the cost of living and the specialized skill set required.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement benefits, likely including a 401(k) or similar plan, potentially with employer match.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and company holidays.

• Paid Family Leave to support employees during significant life events.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and potential conference attendance.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional overtime during peak project periods or campaign launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research from compensation data for Graphic Designers and Creative Professionals in similar geographic locations and industries, factoring in the specified experience level (5-10 years) and the inclusion of advanced skills like AI integration. Benefits are listed as provided in the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications Cooperative. HCTC operates within a sector characterized by essential infrastructure, community service, and a commitment to providing reliable connectivity. Cooperatives often foster a strong sense of member-centricity and community involvement.

Company Size: HCTC is likely a mid-sized organization, typical for a regional telephone cooperative. This size often means a more close-knit team environment where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful, but with enough structure to offer professional growth opportunities.

Founded: Hill Country Telephone Cooperative was founded to serve the needs of the Texas Hill Country. This historical context suggests a company deeply rooted in its community, prioritizing long-term relationships and service reliability over short-term gains.

Team Structure:

• The Creative Designer will likely be part of a Marketing or Communications department, potentially a small but agile team.

• Reporting structure will likely be to a Marketing Manager or Director, with close collaboration across Digital Marketing, Public Relations, Customer Experience, and Sales functions.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, requiring the designer to work with various departments to understand their communication needs and translate them into visual assets. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Utilizing campaign results and audience engagement data to refine creative strategies and improve effectiveness.

• Collaborative Workflow: Working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure design solutions align with broader business objectives.

• Brand Stewardship: Maintaining a consistent and strong brand identity across all touchpoints.

• Innovation Integration: Embracing new tools and technologies, such as AI, to enhance creativity and efficiency.

Company Website: https://hctc.net

📝 Enhancement Note: The cooperative model implies a focus on service and community, which should be reflected in the designer's work. The integration of AI suggests a company that is looking to modernize its creative processes while maintaining its community focus.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-to-senior level position within the creative and marketing operations spectrum. It requires not just execution skills but also the ability to conceptualize, strategize visually, and manage projects independently. The designer is expected to be a key contributor to the company's brand presence and communication effectiveness.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Director. This position will involve significant collaboration with various departments, including Sales, Customer Experience, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations, necessitating strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Operations Impact: The Creative Designer's work will have a direct impact on HCTC's brand perception, customer engagement, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. By creating compelling visual communications, the designer will help drive customer acquisition, retention, and community support, ultimately contributing to the cooperative's overall success and mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like digital design, video production, or AI-assisted creative workflows.

• Leadership: Potential to move into a Senior Creative Designer role, mentoring junior designers or leading creative projects.

• Broader Marketing Strategy: Develop a more comprehensive understanding of marketing strategy and campaign management, potentially transitioning into a broader Marketing Specialist or Art Director role within HCTC or a similar organization.

• Skill Expansion: Continuous learning in emerging design technologies and marketing trends, supported by professional development opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a chance to impact a community-focused organization directly. Growth opportunities are tied to both deepening creative skills and expanding into strategic marketing functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office environment within HCTC's facilities in Kerrville, TX. This setting fosters direct collaboration and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): Kerrville, Texas. This location is in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, offering a specific regional context for the company's operations and community engagement.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be designed to support creative collaboration, with access to necessary design software and hardware.

• Expect a dynamic environment where the designer will interact with various internal teams, requiring adaptability and strong interpersonal skills.

• The role involves working with modern design tools, including Adobe Creative Suite and potentially AI-powered creative platforms, facilitating efficient and innovative design processes.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday. While core hours will be established, there may be flexibility required to meet project deadlines, especially during campaign launches or special events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and integration within the HCTC team and community.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess fundamental qualifications and creative capabilities.

• Portfolio Presentation/Review: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, discusses their design process, explains their creative rationale, and highlights how their work aligns with marketing objectives. Expect questions about concept development and execution.

• Skills Assessment: Potentially a design challenge or a case study related to a HCTC marketing objective to evaluate problem-solving skills, creativity under pressure, and proficiency with design tools.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with the hiring manager and potentially members of the Marketing or cross-functional teams to assess communication style, collaboration approach, and alignment with HCTC's community-focused values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to prominently feature original concept development and execution across diverse media (print, digital, social).

• For each project, articulate the marketing objective, your creative strategy, your specific role, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved. Quantify results where possible.

• Be prepared to discuss your process for using Adobe Creative Suite and any experience with generative AI tools.

• Tailor your presentation to HCTC's industry and community focus, showcasing how your design approach can support their mission.

• Ensure your online portfolio link is functional and professionally presented. Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with HCTC's brand, services, and its role in the Texas Hill Country.

• Anticipate potential design challenges related to promoting telecommunications services, community initiatives, or member benefits.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, focusing on the strategic rationale behind your creative choices.

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach a project with limited information or tight deadlines, demonstrating adaptability and resourcefulness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio presentation and a potential design challenge indicates that practical creative skills and strategic thinking will be heavily evaluated. Understanding HCTC's unique position as a cooperative is crucial for tailoring responses.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for advanced graphic design, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Generative AI Tools: Experience with AI-assisted creative platforms for ideation, image generation, and design exploration is a plus and increasingly important for efficiency.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for managing multiple projects, deadlines, and collaborative workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Basic understanding of Google Analytics or similar platforms to interpret website traffic and user engagement data, informing design decisions.

• Social Media Analytics: Familiarity with analytics dashboards within platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter to gauge content performance.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot): While not a primary tool for design, understanding how design assets are used within CRM campaigns (e.g., email marketing) is beneficial.

• Marketing Automation Platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact): Experience designing for email campaigns within these platforms is advantageous.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) Systems: Familiarity with systems for organizing and distributing creative assets can be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "generative AI and AI-assisted creative tools" highlights a key area of focus for this role, indicating that proficiency or at least familiarity with these emerging technologies is highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Community Focus: A deep commitment to serving and connecting the communities of the Texas Hill Country. This translates to design that is relatable, informative, and supportive of member needs.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on working effectively across departments to achieve shared goals, valuing input from various stakeholders.

• Innovation: Encouragement to explore and adopt new technologies and creative approaches, such as AI, to enhance work.

• Quality & Excellence: A dedication to producing high-quality, effective design work that upholds the HCTC brand.

• Integrity & Service: Operating with honesty and a strong sense of responsibility as a cooperative provider.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The designer will be expected to actively engage with teams from Marketing, Sales, Customer Experience, and Public Relations, understanding their needs and contributing creatively to their objectives.

• Feedback-Driven: A willingness to receive and incorporate constructive feedback from colleagues and stakeholders to refine designs.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining open lines of communication regarding project status, potential challenges, and creative ideas.

• Team-Oriented: Contributing to a positive and supportive team environment where knowledge sharing and mutual respect are valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: The cooperative structure of HCTC likely fosters a culture of service, community, and mutual support, which will be reflected in how teams collaborate and value each other's contributions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Brand Consistency: Ensuring original concepts adhere strictly to HCTC's established brand guidelines across diverse media.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Effectively translating varied requests and feedback from different departments into cohesive design solutions.

• Adapting to Evolving Technology: Staying current with design software, AI tools, and digital trends to maintain a competitive edge and optimize workflows.

• Measuring Creative Impact: Quantifying the effectiveness of design work in achieving marketing objectives and demonstrating ROI.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software & AI Training: Opportunities to deepen skills in Adobe Creative Suite and explore advanced applications of generative AI in design.

• Industry Trends & Best Practices: Access to professional development resources, workshops, or conferences focused on graphic design, digital marketing, and creative strategy.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining a broader understanding of marketing strategy, customer experience, and sales operations through close collaboration.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from senior marketing professionals or be involved in mentoring junior team members as experience grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a creative role in a dynamic environment, with opportunities for growth directly linked to embracing new technologies and expanding strategic marketing understanding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed an original creative concept for a marketing campaign. What was the objective, your process, and the outcome?" (Focus on concept development, strategy, and results.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency when designing for both print and digital channels simultaneously?" (Demonstrate understanding of brand stewardship and adaptability.)

• "How have you incorporated generative AI or AI-assisted tools into your design workflow, and what benefits did it provide?" (Highlight innovation and efficiency.)

• "Walk us through your process for managing feedback from multiple stakeholders on a single design project." (Showcase collaboration and problem-solving.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for a telecommunications cooperative like HCTC, specifically in the Texas Hill Country?" (Research HCTC's mission and community role.)

• "How do you see your creative contributions aligning with HCTC's community-focused values?" (Connect your work to the company's mission.)

• "Describe a project where your design significantly impacted campaign performance or audience engagement." (Prepare a case study demonstrating impact.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation logically: Objective -> Strategy -> Execution -> Results.

• For each project, clearly articulate your role, the problem you were solving, and your creative rationale.

• Be prepared to discuss your technical process, including software and any AI tools used.

• Emphasize original concept development and how your designs met specific marketing objectives.

• Practice your presentation to ensure it flows well and fits within the allocated time. Be ready for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills, but also strategic thinking, adaptability to new technologies, and an understanding of HCTC's unique position as a community-focused cooperative.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your professional online portfolio through the HCTC applicant portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature original concept development and execution across print, digital, and social media. Prioritize projects that align with HCTC's industry (telecommunications, community service) and showcase your ability to translate marketing objectives into compelling visuals.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight the 5+ years of relevant experience, advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with generative AI or related creative technologies. Use keywords from the job description like "concept development," "brand management," and "multi-channel design."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, articulating your design process, and explaining the strategic rationale behind your creative choices. Be ready to discuss how you would approach design challenges for a telecommunications cooperative.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Hill Country Telephone Cooperative, its mission, its services, and its role within the Texas Hill Country community. Understand their brand identity and recent marketing efforts.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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