Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: BerlinRosen

Location: New York, N.Y. or Washington, D.C.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-05T18:45:50

Experience Level: 3-5 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on translating strategic messaging into compelling visual assets for political campaigns, emphasizing direct mail, digital ads, and other campaign collateral.

• The position requires a strong foundation in print design and art direction within a fast-paced agency or comparable environment.

• Candidates will collaborate closely with Art Directors and account teams to meet tight deadlines and deliver high-impact creative solutions.

• This is a temporary, full-time position critical for supporting the 2026 election season.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw input specifies "Graphic Designer," the detailed description and company context (BerlinRosen Campaigns team, Democratic political consulting, 2026 election season) strongly indicate a focus on political campaign design and marketing operations rather than general graphic design. The role's responsibilities around translating messages into campaign materials and collaborating with account teams align with a Marketing Operations function supporting GTM initiatives within the political sphere.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Art Directors and account team members to conceptualize and produce high-impact direct mail, canvassing literature, digital ads, and social media graphics for political campaigns.

• Translate abstract campaign messages and strategic objectives into effective visual narratives that resonate with target audiences.

• Manage and organize project files, ensuring efficient workflow and easy retrieval of assets for multiple ongoing campaigns.

• Regularly meet tight deadlines for a diverse range of candidates and political initiatives, adapting to shifting priorities and last-minute requests.

• Participate actively in visual concept development for mail pieces and other campaign collateral, contributing creative solutions that maintain strong layouts, branding, and design hierarchy.

• Apply strong time management skills to prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly point to a role that bridges creative execution with campaign strategy. The emphasis on producing direct mail and campaign collateral, collaborating with account teams, and translating abstract messages aligns with a Marketing Operations function that supports Go-To-Market (GTM) efforts in the political sector.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating relevant design education and practical application is essential.

Experience: 3-5 years of experience with print design and art direction, preferably within an agency setting or a comparable fast-paced creative environment.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, for creating and editing high-quality design assets.

• Demonstrated experience in print design and art direction, with a keen eye for layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Detail-oriented approach to work, ensuring accuracy and quality in all design outputs.

• Highly organized and productive, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Collaborative work style, with the capacity to work effectively both independently and as part of a cross-functional team.

• Strong time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet stringent deadlines.

• Adaptability and resilience under pressure, with a willingness to pivot priorities to meet last-minute demands.

• Willingness to work extended hours, including nights and weekends, during peak campaign periods. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in editorial design, demonstrating an understanding of narrative flow and layout for longer-form content.

• Direct experience in political campaign design, including an understanding of campaign messaging, target audiences, and the specific requirements of political collateral.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 3-5 years suggests a mid-level designer role. The emphasis on agency experience and political campaign design points to a need for practical, results-oriented skills rather than purely theoretical knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a diverse range of print design projects, with a strong emphasis on direct mail and campaign collateral.

• Demonstrate the ability to translate strategic briefs and abstract concepts into clear, impactful visual designs.

• Include examples that highlight problem-solving skills, such as adapting designs based on feedback or meeting challenging production constraints.

• Showcase projects that illustrate strong branding and visual hierarchy, particularly within political or advocacy contexts. Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow management within design projects, illustrating how tasks were organized, prioritized, and executed to meet deadlines.

• Demonstrate experience in collaborating with stakeholders (e.g., Art Directors, account managers) to refine designs and incorporate feedback effectively.

• Showcase how designs were adapted for different platforms (print, digital, social media), indicating an understanding of cross-channel implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role, particularly in a campaign context, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking and the ability to execute under pressure.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000 annually (prorated for the duration of the contract).

• This aligns with industry standards for experienced graphic designers in major metropolitan areas like New York and Washington D.C., especially for specialized roles in political campaigns. Benefits:

• As a temporary position, standard long-term benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off may not be fully applicable. Specifics will depend on the contract terms.

• Opportunity to gain significant experience in high-stakes political campaign design.

• Exposure to a dynamic and fast-paced agency environment.

• Potential for networking within the political consulting and communications industry.

Working Hours: Full-time, with an expectation of working extended hours, including nights and weekends, during peak periods (May-October 2026). A standard 40-hour work week is implied outside of these peak times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary is explicit. For temporary roles, benefits are often more limited, but the note highlights the experiential value. The extended hours are a critical aspect of campaign work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Strategic Communications & Marketing, Political Consulting, Public Affairs. Orchestra is a conglomerate of firms specializing in these areas, including BerlinRosen, which focuses on campaigns.

Company Size: Orchestra is a large organization, formed through the acquisition of nine firms, employing over 700 people. BerlinRosen itself is a significant entity within this group. This size offers resources and a broad network while maintaining specialized teams.

Founded: Orchestra was formed in 2022, consolidating established firms like BerlinRosen (founded in 2005). This blend of established expertise and a new, integrated structure shapes its operational approach.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the BerlinRosen Campaigns (BRC) team, which operates as an in-house creative studio.

• This team includes strategists, copywriters, branding experts, and designers, fostering a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

• The role reports to Art Directors and collaborates closely with account team members, indicating a hierarchical structure with strong cross-functional interaction. Methodology:

• The Campaigns team specializes in direct mail and creative production, serving as creative partners to clients from brainstorming through execution.

• Orchestra's overall methodology emphasizes decoding audiences, designing bold strategies, and integrating people, platforms, and stories for lasting influence.

• Design work is expected to be data-informed, translating client objectives and audience insights into visually compelling campaign materials.

Company Website: www.orchestraco.com, www.berlinrosen.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Orchestra's structure as a holding company with multiple acquired firms suggests a dynamic environment where established expertise meets new integration efforts. The Campaigns team's focus on Democratic politics provides a specific operational context.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer with a specialization in political campaign materials. It requires independent work on specific design tasks but within a collaborative team structure led by Art Directors.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to Art Directors and work closely with account team members within the BerlinRosen Campaigns (BRC) team. This structure emphasizes direct creative output and client-facing project support.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts the effectiveness of political campaigns by creating persuasive visual communications that influence voter perception and drive engagement. Success in this role contributes to the overall GTM strategy of the political candidates and the reputation of BerlinRosen Campaigns.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in political campaign design, a niche but critical area within communications.

• Skill Enhancement: Gain experience in rapid-response design, direct mail production, and integrated campaign collateral development.

• Portfolio Building: Create a strong portfolio with high-profile campaign work, potentially leading to opportunities with other political organizations or agencies.

• Networking: Build connections within the political consulting and communications industry through collaboration and project involvement.

• Advancement: While this is a temporary role, successful performance could lead to consideration for future contract extensions or full-time opportunities within BerlinRosen or Orchestra's broader network, potentially moving into Senior Designer or Art Director roles if experience and skills align.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant stepping stone for designers interested in political communications. The temporary nature means growth is primarily through skill acquisition and portfolio enhancement rather than traditional internal promotions within this specific contract.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring 3 days per week in either the New York or Washington D.C. office. Remote candidates may be considered, suggesting flexibility but a preference for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): New York, N.Y. and Washington, D.C.

• These locations are hubs for political activity and major metropolitan areas, offering access to industry events and professional networks. Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as fast-paced, deadline-driven, and collaborative, typical of political campaign operations.

• Expectation of working closely with Art Directors and account teams to refine designs and meet client needs.

• Access to design software and potentially internal production resources.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a significant expectation of extended hours, including nights and weekends during peak campaign seasons (May through October 2026). This reflects the demanding nature of election cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model indicates a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, common in modern agencies. The emphasis on extended hours during peak times is a crucial consideration for candidates.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess design skills, relevant experience, and fit with the role's requirements.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discuss their design process, and potentially complete a design exercise simulating campaign-related tasks. This will assess their ability to translate concepts, handle feedback, and meet deadlines.

• Interviews with Art Directors/Hiring Managers: Discussions about experience, working style, understanding of political campaigns, and ability to collaborate within a team.

• Final Round: May involve meeting with additional team members or senior leadership to confirm cultural fit and overall suitability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize political campaign design, direct mail, and print collateral.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the problem you solved, your process, and the outcome or impact. Use case study format.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, and how you use them to achieve specific design goals.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Include examples of how you’ve incorporated feedback, worked under pressure, or adapted designs for different formats.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While difficult for design, if a project led to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign outcome), highlight it.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether digital or physical.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with common political campaign design elements and messaging strategies.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale clearly and concisely.

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical campaign design brief under tight deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most critical component for this role. Candidates should tailor their presentation to highlight political campaign relevance and execution under pressure.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Adobe InDesign: Essential for layout and print production of direct mail, literature, and other multi-page documents. Proficiency in templating, pre-press, and long-document features is key.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image editing, manipulation, and creating digital assets for social media and web ads.
  • Adobe Illustrator: Necessary for creating vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations used across various campaign materials.

• Project Management Tools: Likely internal systems or standard tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for task tracking and workflow management.

• File Sharing/Collaboration: Platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, or internal server systems for asset management and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a direct responsibility, understanding how design impacts campaign performance metrics (e.g., engagement rates for digital ads, response rates for mailers) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the designer's core function, but awareness of how campaign materials integrate with CRM or voter databases may be helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite, with a specific emphasis on InDesign for print production and Photoshop/Illustrator for broader campaign collateral.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A strong focus on creating materials that achieve tangible results for political campaigns.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within a team of designers, writers, and strategists to achieve shared goals.

• Responsiveness: Ability to adapt quickly to changing campaign needs and deliver under pressure.

• Excellence: Commitment to high-quality design that reflects positively on clients and the firm.

• Data-Informed Creativity: Using insights about audiences and campaign strategy to inform design decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with Art Directors, copywriters, and account managers to ensure cohesive campaign messaging and execution.

• Feedback Loop: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders to refine designs.

• Team Support: Willingness to assist colleagues and contribute to a positive, productive team atmosphere, especially during demanding periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely fast-paced, results-oriented, and collaborative, driven by the demands of political campaigns.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Pressure Environment: The 2026 election season will be intense, requiring the ability to perform under significant time constraints and public scrutiny.

• Diverse Client Needs: Adapting design style and messaging for a wide range of candidates with different platforms and target audiences.

• Balancing Creativity and Strategy: Ensuring that design solutions are not only aesthetically pleasing but also strategically effective in achieving campaign objectives.

• Extended Work Hours: The necessity of working nights and weekends during peak periods can be demanding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Political Design Expertise: Deepen understanding of campaign strategy, voter psychology, and effective visual communication in political contexts.

• Production Workflow Mastery: Gain hands-on experience with direct mail production cycles and digital asset creation for political advertising.

• Agency Operations: Learn how a leading political communications firm manages client projects, teams, and deadlines.

• Networking: Build valuable professional relationships within the political consulting and communications industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges stem from the high-stakes, time-sensitive nature of political campaigns. Growth opportunities are heavily focused on gaining specialized experience and building a strong portfolio in this niche.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex or abstract message into a clear visual design. What was your process?" (Focus on translating abstract concepts, problem-solving)

• "How do you prioritize your workload when managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines?" (Highlight time management, organization, prioritization skills)

• "Walk us through a political campaign design project in your portfolio. What were the objectives, your role, and the outcome?" (Prepare a detailed case study, emphasizing strategic thinking and impact)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs from Art Directors or clients?" (Demonstrate adaptability, professionalism, and a collaborative approach) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working on political campaigns for the Democratic party?" (Show genuine interest in the political landscape and the firm's mission)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends, especially those relevant to political communications?" (Demonstrate proactivity and industry awareness)

• "Describe your ideal work environment. How do you thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting?" (Align with the described hybrid/intense work culture) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Wisely: Choose 3-5 projects that best showcase your print design, direct mail, and campaign collateral experience.

• Context is Key: For each project, clearly explain the client/campaign, the objective, your specific contribution, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them.

• Showcase Process: Briefly touch upon your design process, from initial concept to final execution, highlighting how you incorporated strategy and feedback.

• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your tools and techniques, especially your comfort with InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator for campaign materials.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within any time limits.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should heavily focus on showcasing relevant design work, articulating strategic thinking, and demonstrating an understanding of the political campaign environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the greenhouse.io platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio prominently features your strongest print design, direct mail, and political campaign collateral examples. Tailor your presentation to highlight your ability to translate strategic messaging into impactful visuals.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your 3-5 years of agency experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), and any direct political campaign design work. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, discussing your portfolio projects in detail, and preparing answers for common interview questions focused on strategy, collaboration, and handling pressure.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Orchestra, BerlinRosen, and the BerlinRosen Campaigns team's work, particularly their approach to political strategy and design. Understand their client base and recent campaigns.

⚠️ 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.