Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: CEDAR CREST COLLEGE

Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Education

Date Posted: June 03, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation of compelling visual assets for both print and digital platforms, directly supporting the college's strategic objectives in enrollment, advancement, and campus life.

• Act as a guardian of the Cedar Crest brand, ensuring consistent and impactful visual identity across all communication channels and touchpoints.

• Drive creative projects from initial concept through to final production, meticulously managing timelines and ensuring the highest standards of quality and accuracy.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams and campus partners to translate strategic goals into engaging and effective design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a blend of creative execution and strategic thinking, crucial for a Graphic Designer in an educational institution. The emphasis on supporting enrollment and advancement suggests a need for designs that not only are aesthetically pleasing but also drive specific, measurable outcomes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce high-quality, on-brand creative materials for a diverse range of print and digital applications, including publications, social media content, email campaigns, website elements, and advertising.

• Partner with campus stakeholders to conceptualize and develop creative solutions that effectively address strategic communication goals and marketing objectives.

• Maintain and consistently evolve the Cedar Crest College visual identity, ensuring its integrity and impact across all internal and external communications.

• Manage the end-to-end project lifecycle for design initiatives, from initial brief and concept development to final file preparation and delivery, ensuring adherence to project scope and deadlines.

• Prepare and optimize design files for accurate and high-quality print and digital distribution, demonstrating a keen attention to detail and technical proficiency.

• Contribute creatively to photo and video productions, offering art direction and performing light editing to align visuals with brand standards and project requirements.

• Effectively balance multiple design projects and competing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, ensuring all deliverables are met on time.

• Organize, maintain, and manage digital asset libraries and design files, ensuring efficient retrieval and version control.

• Proactively identify and propose innovative design trends, visual concepts, and strategic opportunities to enhance and strengthen the college's brand presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate independently on projects while also being a strong collaborator. The mention of "occasional nights and weekends" indicates a demanding schedule, typical for project-based work in creative roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Media, or a closely related field. Experience:

• A minimum of 2-4 years of relevant professional design experience, gained through agency, in-house, or freelance work. Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level command of InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop is essential for all design tasks.

• Visual Systems Execution: Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, develop, and execute cohesive visual systems and integrated campaigns that maintain brand consistency.

• Design Fundamentals: Strong command of typography, layout principles, and visual storytelling techniques to create engaging and effective designs.

• Project Management: Excellent organizational and time management skills to effectively manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet strict deadlines.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team, engaging productively with diverse stakeholders.

• Portfolio: A compelling portfolio showcasing creative thinking, polished execution, and a strong understanding of design principles across various media.

• Adaptability: Ability to successfully prioritize, multitask, and consistently meet project deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Flexible Availability: Willingness to work occasional nights and weekends as required by project demands.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing integrated marketing campaigns that span multiple channels.

• Familiarity and proficiency with Adobe Lightroom for photo editing and Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing.

• Demonstrated experience in motion graphics creation or video editing.

• Photography skills and experience, including shooting and editing.

• Previous experience in higher education, nonprofit organizations, or other mission-driven environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is critical. Candidates should prepare to showcase a range of work that demonstrates their ability to meet the diverse responsibilities outlined, particularly in areas like brand identity, print collateral, and digital assets. The preference for higher education experience suggests familiarity with academic marketing and communication needs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Creative Range: Showcase a diverse portfolio demonstrating proficiency across print materials (brochures, flyers, publications) and digital assets (social media graphics, web banners, email templates).

• Brand Consistency: Include examples that highlight your ability to maintain and evolve a brand's visual identity across different applications, reflecting an understanding of brand guidelines.

• Strategic Alignment: Present case studies or project examples where your design solutions directly supported specific strategic goals (e.g., enrollment increases, event attendance, advancement targets).

• Process Demonstration: Explain your design process for key projects, from initial brief and concept exploration to final execution, highlighting problem-solving and decision-making.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate an understanding of design workflows, including project intake, concept development, revisions, and final delivery processes.

• File Preparation: Highlight your systematic approach to preparing files for both print vendors (e.g., pre-press checks, color profiles) and digital platforms (e.g., optimizing for web, various resolutions).

• Asset Management: Showcase experience in organizing and maintaining design files and digital assets for easy access and future use, indicating a structured approach to file management.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should emphasize not just aesthetic quality but also the strategic impact of the design work. Candidates should be ready to articulate how their designs contributed to the objectives of the institution or previous clients.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 2-5 years of experience in the Allentown, PA area, a competitive salary range would typically fall between $55,000 - $75,000 annually. This estimate considers the required Bachelor's degree, 2-4 years of experience, and the specific responsibilities outlined. Benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage options.

• Retirement Benefits: Access to a retirement savings plan.

• Tuition Benefit: A unique tuition assistance program for employees and their families, offering opportunities for education at Cedar Crest College and partner institutions.

• Professional Development: Support and opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement through training and workshops.

• Purpose-Driven Work Environment: Be part of a community focused on education and student success.

• Unique Campus Setting: Work within a beautiful, historic arboretum campus.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are 40 hours per week. However, the role may require occasional work during evenings and weekends to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range is based on data for similar roles in the Lehigh Valley region, factoring in the non-profit educational sector which can sometimes offer slightly different compensation structures than for-profit industries. The tuition benefit is a significant perk that candidates should weigh heavily.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education

Company Size: Cedar Crest College is a private liberal arts college for women, typically employing several hundred faculty and staff members. This size suggests a close-knit community where individual contributions are visible and impactful.

Founded: 1867. With a long history, the college likely has established traditions and a strong sense of institutional identity, which the Graphic Designer will be instrumental in visually representing.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a Marketing and Communications department, working alongside writers, digital marketers, and other communication specialists.

• The role involves reporting to a Marketing Director or Creative Director, with a clear hierarchy for project approvals and strategic direction.

• Expect significant cross-functional collaboration with various campus departments, including Admissions, Advancement, Academic Affairs, Student Life, and faculty. Methodology:

• Data-Informed Creativity: While creativity is paramount, design decisions will likely be informed by enrollment goals, advancement targets, and audience engagement metrics, reflecting a data-aware approach to marketing.

• Collaborative Workflow: Design processes will emphasize collaboration, with regular check-ins and feedback sessions with campus partners to ensure alignment and effectiveness.

• Brand Stewardship: A core methodology will be the consistent application and evolution of the Cedar Crest brand identity, ensuring all visual communications are cohesive and on-message.

Company Website: cedarcrest.edu

📝 Enhancement Note: The educational sector often values a mission-driven approach. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how their design skills can contribute to the college's educational mission and community values.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer. It requires a solid foundation of technical skills and design principles, coupled with the ability to manage projects and collaborate effectively. It's a hands-on creative role with significant responsibility for brand execution.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer typically reports to a Marketing or Communications Director. This provides a clear line of management for strategic oversight, performance feedback, and career development discussions.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the college's external perception and internal engagement. Effective design supports student recruitment, donor engagement, alumni relations, and overall brand reputation, contributing significantly to the college's operational success and mission fulfillment.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, video editing, or integrated campaign design, which are listed as preferred skills.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success, there may be opportunities to lead design aspects of larger initiatives, manage freelance designers, or mentor junior staff.

• Skill Expansion: Gain experience in higher education marketing nuances, which can be valuable for future roles within educational institutions or non-profits.

• Professional Development: The college offers training opportunities, allowing for continuous skill enhancement and staying current with design trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are tied to excelling in the core responsibilities and demonstrating initiative in skill development. The preference for higher education experience suggests that building a strong portfolio within this sector can lead to further specialized roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site at Cedar Crest College, a dynamic academic campus. The work environment is likely a blend of collaborative office space within a Marketing and Communications department and potentially a dedicated design studio area.

Office Location(s): Allentown, Pennsylvania. The campus itself is a noted arboretum, suggesting a visually appealing and potentially inspiring work setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Atmosphere: The role requires close interaction with colleagues within the marketing department and across various campus offices, fostering a collaborative and communicative environment.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially other creative tools will be provided, enabling efficient execution of design tasks.

• Team Interaction: Regular meetings, brainstorming sessions, and project reviews will be common, offering ample opportunities to engage with team members and stakeholders.

Work Schedule: The primary work schedule is full-time, 40 hours per week. While standard business hours are expected, the need to work occasional evenings and weekends means flexibility is key. This schedule allows for dedicated time for deep work on design projects, balanced with collaborative activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the campus as a certified arboretum suggests a unique and potentially serene work environment, which might appeal to candidates who value aesthetic surroundings and a connection to nature.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of resumes, cover letters, and portfolios to assess qualifications and creative fit. Candidates will be evaluated on their alignment with the required skills and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation & Skills Assessment: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing their design process, strategic thinking, and problem-solving approaches for selected projects. This may involve a practical design exercise or a case study presentation.

• Interviews with Hiring Team: Interviews with the hiring manager and potentially other members of the Marketing and Communications team to gauge cultural fit, collaboration style, and understanding of the college's mission.

• Final Interview: Potentially an interview with a higher-level administrator or department head to confirm overall suitability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest projects that best represent the required skills, particularly those demonstrating brand consistency, print and digital execution, and strategic impact.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, your design process, the solutions you implemented, and the outcomes or impact achieved. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Brand Work: Emphasize projects where you successfully maintained or developed a brand identity, especially if you have experience in higher education or non-profit sectors.

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples of both print and digital design, as well as any motion graphics, video, or photography experience if applicable.

• Technical Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your technical skills, including your proficiency with the Adobe Creative Suite and your process for file preparation for print and digital.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Mission: Research Cedar Crest College's mission, values, target audience (prospective students, parents, alumni, donors), and recent marketing initiatives.

• Brand Analysis: Familiarize yourself with the college's current visual identity and marketing materials. Consider how you might contribute to or evolve it.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach design challenges for specific college departments (e.g., designing an admissions brochure, creating social media campaigns for student events).

• Collaboration Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you manage feedback, work with diverse stakeholders, and resolve creative differences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should ensure it is well-organized, visually appealing, and clearly demonstrates their ability to meet the core requirements, especially in brand consistency and diverse media execution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • InDesign: Essential for layout and publication design (brochures, magazines, reports).
  • Illustrator: Critical for vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Photoshop: Key for image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.

• Adobe Lightroom: Preferred for efficient photo editing and management.

• Adobe Premiere Pro: Preferred for video editing and motion graphics creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary tool for the designer, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., website analytics, social media performance) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards can help in understanding the effectiveness of design choices. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the Graphic Designer role, but awareness of how design assets are used within marketing automation platforms or CRM systems for email campaigns could be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with Lightroom and Premiere Pro, along with motion graphics or photography, will significantly strengthen an application. The college likely uses a project management system, but specific tools are not detailed.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose-Driven Community: A commitment to supporting the college's educational mission and fostering a positive environment for students and staff.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and diverse perspectives to achieve shared goals.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging new ideas, pushing creative boundaries, and embracing innovative approaches to design and communication.

• Excellence & Attention to Detail: Maintaining high standards in all work, from concept to final execution, ensuring accuracy and polish.

• Stewardship: Demonstrating care for the college's brand, campus environment, and community relationships.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with various departments to understand their needs and translate them into effective design solutions, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to constructive criticism and a collaborative approach to revisions, aiming to improve designs based on stakeholder input.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing design insights, best practices, and creative inspiration within the marketing team and across campus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should align their personal values with those of the college. Demonstrating an understanding of the unique mission of a women's liberal arts college and how design contributes to its success will be key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Institutional Needs: Effectively translating diverse departmental requirements and institutional brand guidelines into compelling and compliant designs.

• Managing Multiple Priorities: Juggling numerous projects with varying deadlines and stakeholder expectations in a fast-paced academic environment.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying current with design trends, software updates, and digital platform requirements while maintaining brand consistency.

• Working with Diverse Stakeholders: Collaborating with individuals across different departments who may have varying levels of design understanding and expectations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like motion graphics, video editing, or advanced digital design techniques.

• Higher Education Marketing: Gain specialized knowledge and experience in marketing and communications within the academic sector.

• Professional Workshops & Conferences: Opportunities to attend industry events for professional development and networking.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior marketing leadership within the college.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in creative roles within larger organizations. Highlighting how you've successfully navigated similar challenges in past roles will be beneficial. The growth opportunities are substantial for someone looking to build a career in higher education marketing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a visual identity for a new campaign or initiative, from initial concept to final delivery." (Focus on your methodology, research, and collaboration.)

• "How do you ensure your designs align with a client's strategic goals and brand guidelines, especially when working with diverse stakeholders?" (Highlight your problem-solving and communication skills.)

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio that demonstrates your ability to create engaging content for both print and digital platforms. What were the specific challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Prepare a case study with clear visuals and narrative.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working as a Graphic Designer at Cedar Crest College, specifically within a higher education environment?" (Research the college's mission, values, and recent achievements.)

• "How do you approach collaboration and feedback from team members and external departments?" (Provide examples of successful collaborative projects.)

• "How do you measure the success of your design work, beyond aesthetic appeal?" (Discuss metrics like engagement, conversion rates, or brand recall, if applicable.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Begin with an overview of your experience, then dive into 3-5 key projects. For each project, explain the objective, your role, your creative process, the final solution, and the impact.

• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your chosen projects clearly demonstrate your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, typography, layout, brand consistency, and your ability to work across print and digital media.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Prepare to discuss file preparation, color profiles, resolution, and software-specific functionalities.

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Emphasize how your design choices supported specific goals, rather than just presenting pretty pictures.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with higher education marketing and demonstrate an understanding of the unique communication needs of an academic institution. Your portfolio should be tailored to showcase relevant work for this specific context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Paycom.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible, and features a diverse range of your best work, with a particular emphasis on projects that align with the responsibilities and preferred skills outlined in this description (e.g., brand identity, print collateral, digital assets, higher education examples).

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight quantifiable achievements and specific skills relevant to graphic design, such as proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, project management experience, and any experience in higher education or non-profit sectors. Use keywords from the job description.

• Cover Letter Crafting: Write a compelling cover letter that specifically addresses your interest in Cedar Crest College, your understanding of its mission, and how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate for this Graphic Designer role.

• Reference Preparation: Have contact information for three professional references ready, including their relationship to you and their contact details.

⚠️ 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.