Digital Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Digital Graphic Designer

Company: RTI International

Location: Research Triangle Park, NC; Raleigh, NC

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: August 11, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute engaging visual content for diverse digital platforms, including websites, social media, email campaigns, and online advertising, aligning with strategic marketing objectives.

• Manage end-to-end digital design projects from conceptualization through production, ensuring adherence to quality standards, project deadlines, and budget constraints.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, creative partners, and external vendors to deliver cohesive and high-impact creative solutions that strengthen brand identity.

• Maintain brand consistency across all digital touchpoints, ensuring all visual assets adhere to established brand guidelines and licensing requirements.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and workflows, staying abreast of emerging design trends and technologies to enhance creative output and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a newly established, integrated brand and marketing function at RTI International. The focus on "powering institutional growth, strengthening market presence, and delivering consistent, high-value experiences across the buyer journey" indicates a strategic importance for this design role in supporting broader business objectives, not just isolated creative tasks. The emphasis on "hybrid office arrangements" suggests a need for on-site collaboration, particularly for local candidates.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce a wide array of marketing and communication materials, with a significant focus on digital assets such as website graphics, social media visuals, email banners, online advertisements, and infographics.

• Develop and refine layouts, illustrations, icons, and other visual elements that not only align with user needs and best practices but also contribute to cohesive and scalable visual systems.

• Design and produce comprehensive branded materials for conferences and events, encompassing signage, booth graphics, presentation templates, digital displays, and promotional collateral, ensuring a unified visual identity.

• Manage and organize production files, design assets, and relevant documentation to facilitate efficient project execution, streamline future scalability, and support knowledge sharing within the team.

• Actively research and incorporate current design trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices into design workflows and output, proposing and implementing process improvements where appropriate.

• Provide essential project support to the marketing and brand team, contribute to continuous process optimization initiatives, and actively mentor or collaborate with fellow designers to foster a culture of shared learning and development.

• Ensure meticulous maintenance of brand consistency across all digital platforms and marketing collateral, acting as a guardian of RTI's visual identity.

• Translate complex marketing concepts and business objectives into compelling and easily understandable visual narratives that resonate with target audiences.

• Collaborate closely with content creators, marketing strategists, and other stakeholders to ensure design solutions effectively support campaign goals and overall brand messaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "design and produce branded conference and event materials" highlights a critical, often overlooked, aspect of GTM support. This indicates the role is not solely digital but also involves tangible, physical design elements for high-visibility events, requiring an understanding of print production and large-format design considerations in addition to digital expertise.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field.

• Equivalent combination of education and professional experience may be considered. Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of dedicated professional experience in digital graphic design.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent design projects, from initial concept to final delivery, while meeting quality, deadline, and budget requirements.

• Proven experience in designing for various digital platforms including websites, social media, email marketing, and online advertising. Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A strong, comprehensive portfolio showcasing a diverse range of digital design capabilities, including web graphics, social media assets, infographics, and branding examples.

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Advanced proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential for creating and manipulating visual assets.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Competency in using Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for document creation, presentations, and data integration.

• Typography & Layout: Deep understanding and practical application of typography principles and layout design to create visually appealing and effective compositions.

• Branding & Visual Identity: Solid grasp of branding principles and the ability to maintain and evolve a consistent visual identity across all design outputs.

• Color Theory: Expertise in color theory and its application in design to evoke specific emotions and enhance brand recognition.

• Digital Illustration: Skill in creating original digital illustrations and icons that align with brand aesthetic and project requirements.

• Time Management: Exceptional organizational and time management skills to effectively prioritize tasks and meet multiple project deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to approach design challenges with creativity and develop innovative solutions that meet client and business needs.

Preferred Skills:

• UI/UX Design: Experience or foundational knowledge in User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design principles.

• Motion Graphics: Familiarity or experience with creating animated graphics and visual effects.

• Video Editing: Proficiency in video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro or After Effects.

• Social Media Content Creation: Specific experience in developing engaging content tailored for various social media platforms.

• Figma, Canva, or Sketch: Experience with collaborative design tools like Figma, or user-friendly design platforms like Canva, or design software like Sketch.

• HTML/CSS: Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS is beneficial for understanding web design integration and creating web-ready assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a "Strong portfolio demonstrating digital design capabilities" is paramount. For this role, it's not just about listing skills but visually proving them. Applicants should curate their portfolios to specifically highlight projects relevant to digital platforms, marketing collateral, and brand consistency, ideally showcasing examples of projects managed from concept to completion. The inclusion of "Figma, Canva, or Sketch" as a plus suggests an openness to modern collaborative design tools beyond the traditional Adobe suite.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Digital Design Showcase: A curated selection of digital design projects that clearly demonstrate proficiency in creating assets for websites, social media, email campaigns, and online advertising. Focus on visual impact, brand alignment, and user engagement.

• Brand Consistency Examples: Specific projects or sections within the portfolio that illustrate the ability to maintain and apply brand guidelines across diverse digital and print materials, showcasing an understanding of visual system management.

• Project Lifecycle Documentation: For select key projects, provide brief descriptions or case study elements that outline the design process from brief to final output, including challenges faced and solutions implemented.

• Asset Organization: Evidence of organized file management and asset creation, as demonstrated through well-structured project files or a clear explanation of asset organization methodologies.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Ability to articulate and demonstrate understanding of design workflows, including project briefing, concept development, feedback loops, revisions, and final asset delivery. Highlight any contributions to process improvement.

• Collaboration & Feedback Integration: Showcase how feedback from cross-functional teams and stakeholders is incorporated into the design process, demonstrating effective communication and revision management.

• Asset Scalability & Templating: Illustrate experience in creating design assets that are scalable, adaptable, and potentially templated for efficient reuse across multiple campaigns or platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly asking for a separate "process document," the portfolio itself serves as evidence of process. Candidates should structure their portfolio presentations to implicitly showcase their workflow, demonstrating how they move from a brief to a polished final product, and how they manage revisions and maintain brand integrity throughout. Highlighting experience with "organized production files, design assets, and documentation" within the portfolio is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $74,000 - $92,000 Annually

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Life & Disability Insurance: Provisions for life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.

• Retirement Savings: Access to a robust retirement savings program, including a 401(k) plan.

• Work-Life Balance Support: Generous paid time off (PTO) policy, paid parental leave for all parents, and an employee assistance program.

• Family Support: Financial assistance for adoption expenses or infertility treatments.

• Professional Development: Financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities to support career growth.

• Performance Recognition: Merit-based annual increases and bonus opportunities, complemented by a strong recognition program.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time employment, typically around 40 hours per week.

• The hybrid work arrangement allows for a blend of on-site and remote work, offering flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is a national average. Given the role is located in Research Triangle Park/Raleigh, NC, which is a significant tech and research hub, the stated range is competitive. However, candidates should be aware that actual compensation may vary based on specific location within the region and the candidate's precise experience and qualifications. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance and professional development, which is attractive for design professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Scientific Research & Development Services. RTI International operates as an independent, scientific research institute focused on addressing critical global problems through technical and science-based solutions.

Company Size: RTI International is a large organization, with its employee count typically in the thousands, indicating a complex, established, and resource-rich environment.

Founded: RTI International was founded in 1958, signifying a long history of research and a stable organizational foundation with decades of experience and expertise.

Team Structure:

• This position is part of a newly established "Institute-wide integrated brand and marketing function," suggesting a dynamic, evolving team structure.

• The team is designed to "power institutional growth, strengthen market presence, and deliver consistent, high-value experiences across the buyer journey," implying a strategic, business-oriented approach.

• The role reports to the Vice President, Marketing, indicating a clear reporting line within a senior leadership structure. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role requires translating marketing concepts into compelling graphics, implying a need to understand data and objectives to inform design decisions.

• Process Improvement: A stated responsibility is to "contribute to continuous process improvement," indicating a culture that values efficiency and iterative enhancement of workflows.

• Collaboration & Integration: The emphasis on an "integrated brand and marketing function" and collaboration with "cross-functional teams, creative partners, and external vendors" points to a highly collaborative operational model.

Company Website: www.rti.org

📝 Enhancement Note: The establishment of a new, integrated brand and marketing function suggests an organizational pivot towards more centralized and strategic marketing efforts. This means the design team will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the company's external image and supporting growth initiatives, offering significant visibility and impact. The company's mission to "improve the human condition" and "address the world's most critical problems" suggests a culture that values purpose-driven work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Digital Graphic Designer, requiring 3+ years of professional experience. It's a key contributor role within the marketing function, responsible for executing creative strategies and maintaining brand integrity.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report directly to the Vice President, Marketing, providing a direct line of sight to senior leadership and an opportunity to understand strategic priorities.

Operations Impact: The designer's work will directly impact RTI's market presence, institutional growth, and the overall "buyer journey." High-quality visual content is critical for brand perception, lead generation, and stakeholder engagement in the research and development sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in UI/UX design, motion graphics, or video editing, as these are listed as preferred experience areas.

• Leadership: Opportunity to contribute to process improvement and mentor junior designers, paving a path toward senior designer or design lead roles.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Working closely with a VP of Marketing and various internal teams offers broad exposure to marketing strategy, business development, and research project communication.

• Skill Development: The company offers financial reimbursement for education and development, encouraging continuous learning in design tools, techniques, and industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "newly established Institute-wide integrated brand and marketing function" presents a unique growth opportunity. As this function matures, there will likely be opportunities to shape its processes, define standards, and potentially grow into leadership positions as the team expands and its strategic importance is further realized.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work arrangement, indicating a blend of remote work and in-office presence. The primary office locations are in Research Triangle Park (RTP) and Raleigh, NC.

Office Location(s):

• Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC: 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. This is a major hub for research and technology organizations.

• Raleigh, NC: A secondary location within the Research Triangle area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams, suggesting an office setting that facilitates teamwork and communication.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) and potentially other collaborative design tools will be provided.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with other designers, marketing professionals, and potentially researchers or project teams, fostering a dynamic work environment.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 per week), with flexibility offered through the hybrid model. This allows for structured workdays while accommodating personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for "local candidates within commuting distance to RTP, NC for hybrid office arrangements" is a key detail. This implies that while remote work is part of the hybrid model, regular in-office presence for collaboration and team integration is expected. Candidates should be prepared for a structured hybrid schedule rather than a fully remote setup.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to review the candidate's portfolio in detail, discussing specific projects, design choices, and problem-solving approaches. This may involve a practical design exercise or a case study presentation.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with the hiring manager (VP, Marketing) and potentially other team members or key stakeholders to evaluate collaboration skills, cultural fit, and understanding of marketing objectives.

• Final Interview: Potentially a final discussion with senior leadership to confirm alignment with organizational goals and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase a range of digital design skills (web, social, email, infographics). Tailor selections to highlight experience with branding and marketing collateral.

• Showcase Process: For 1-2 key projects, briefly outline the brief, your design process, challenges, and the final outcome. This demonstrates your problem-solving approach.

• Highlight Impact: Where possible, quantify the impact of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved brand perception, successful campaign metrics).

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use high-quality mockups and clear descriptions.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to articulate your design rationale, tool choices, and how your work aligns with business objectives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential design challenge that simulates real-world tasks, such as creating social media graphics from a brief or redesigning a web banner. Focus on speed, creativity, and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Case Study Presentation: If asked to present a case study, focus on storytelling: the problem, your solution, the process, and the results. Practice concise and impactful delivery.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to discuss how you would collaborate with non-designers (e.g., marketing managers, researchers) to gather requirements and present design concepts effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on supporting "institutional growth" and "market presence," interviewers will likely probe how the candidate's design work directly contributes to these business goals. Be ready to connect your creative output to tangible outcomes and strategic objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential proficiency required in Photoshop (image editing, manipulation), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, icons), and InDesign (layout, brochures, reports).

• Microsoft Office: Competency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for document creation, presentations, and data integration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary tool for the designer, understanding how to interpret basic analytics (e.g., social media engagement metrics, website traffic) can inform design choices. Experience with tools like Google Analytics or social media platform insights would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are listed as primary requirements for this design role. However, familiarity with how design assets are deployed via marketing automation platforms (e.g., email marketing systems) could be an advantage. Collaboration & Prototyping Tools (Preferred):

• Figma: A leading collaborative interface design tool, increasingly used for UI/UX and even marketing graphics.

• Canva: A user-friendly graphic design platform popular for creating quick social media graphics and marketing materials.

• Sketch: A popular design tool for macOS, primarily used for UI/UX design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Cloud is standard for graphic design roles. However, the mention of Figma, Canva, or Sketch as "a plus" indicates a forward-thinking approach to design tools and collaboration, suggesting that familiarity with these platforms could differentiate candidates.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Design: A commitment to producing high-quality, visually compelling, and effective design solutions that meet client needs and brand standards.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams, creative partners, and external vendors to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Encouragement to stay current with design trends, explore new technologies, and contribute to process improvements.

• Brand Stewardship: A dedication to maintaining brand consistency and integrity across all visual communications.

• Purpose-Driven Work: Alignment with RTI's mission to use science and technical solutions to address critical global problems and improve the human condition.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with marketing strategists, content creators, and potentially researchers or project managers, requiring clear communication and understanding of diverse perspectives.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that likely embraces constructive feedback to refine designs and ensure alignment with project objectives.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share insights, best practices, and learnings with fellow designers and the broader marketing team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given RTI's mission, the "purpose-driven work" value is likely a significant aspect of the company culture. Designers may find fulfillment in knowing their creative output contributes to meaningful research and societal impact. This should be a point of emphasis for candidates aligning with the company's broader goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Managing a diverse workload with competing deadlines and varying creative demands requires strong organizational and prioritization skills.

• Translating Complex Concepts: Articulating complex scientific research or technical solutions visually requires creativity and a deep understanding of the subject matter.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring adherence to brand guidelines across a wide range of digital and print materials for a large organization can be demanding.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Keeping pace with rapid changes in digital design, social media platforms, and technology requires continuous learning and skill development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in preferred areas like UI/UX, motion graphics, or video editing.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend conferences or workshops focused on design, marketing, and research communication.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced marketing professionals and potentially mentor junior designers.

• Formal Education Reimbursement: Financial support for courses, certifications, or further education to enhance design skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of "translating complex concepts" is particularly relevant for an organization like RTI International, which is involved in scientific research. Designers will need to develop strategies for making intricate information accessible and engaging without oversimplifying or misrepresenting it.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex technical or scientific concept into a clear and compelling visual. What was your process and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem-solving, simplification, and impact.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various digital platforms and marketing materials, especially when working with multiple stakeholders?" (Highlight process, attention to detail, and communication.)

• "Walk us through a digital design project from your portfolio that you are particularly proud of. What was the brief, your approach, the challenges, and the results?" (Prepare a concise, impact-driven case study.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends and new technologies, and how have you incorporated them into your work?" (Demonstrate continuous learning and proactive skill development.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about RTI International's mission and how do you see your design skills contributing to it?" (Research RTI's mission and connect your passion for design to their purpose.)

• "How would you approach collaborating with non-designers, such as researchers or marketing strategists, to ensure your designs meet their needs?" (Emphasize active listening, clear communication, and iterative feedback.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or collaborative team environment. What are your strategies for effective remote and in-office collaboration?" (Highlight adaptability and communication skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as mini-stories – the challenge, your creative solution, the process, and the impact.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., engagement rates, click-through rates, brand recall).

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize projects that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description (digital platforms, marketing collateral, brand consistency).

• Showcase Process: Be ready to discuss your design thinking, tool choices, and how you handled feedback and revisions.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most impactful projects and insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss how you would create visual assets that respect the scientific integrity of RTI's work while making it accessible and engaging to a broader audience. This requires a nuanced approach to design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Digital Graphic Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete and submit your application through the provided link on the RTI International careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your most relevant and impactful digital design projects. Tailor it to showcase expertise in web graphics, social media, email campaigns, and branding. Ensure it is well-organized and easy to navigate.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 3+ years of professional digital design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, and any relevant experience in UI/UX, motion graphics, or video editing. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on 2-3 key projects. Be ready to discuss your process, design rationale, problem-solving skills, and the impact of your work.

• Research RTI International: Familiarize yourself with RTI's mission, values, and recent projects. Understand their brand identity and consider how your design approach aligns with their purpose.

⚠️ 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.