Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: CESO, Inc.

Location: Dayton, OH

Job Type: Regular Full Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: 2026-09-14

Experience Level: 0-3 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Supports CESO's brand efforts by producing visually compelling marketing and communication materials.

• Responsible for formatting and designing presentations, digital content, and internal communications.

• Brings creative energy, attention to detail, and a collaborative mindset to a wide range of assignments within a nationally recognized architecture and engineering firm.

• Plays a key role in translating written content into clear and compelling visuals for internal and external stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into marketing operations support, specifically focusing on the creation and standardization of marketing collateral and internal communications. This role requires a blend of creative design skills and an understanding of brand consistency and operational efficiency in content production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and format proposals, qualifications, presentations, and marketing collateral, ensuring strict adherence to CESO's established brand standards and visual identity guidelines.

• Create engaging visual content for social media platforms, event materials, and internal communications, optimizing designs for both print and digital consumption to maximize reach and impact.

• Collaborate closely with marketing professionals and technical staff to effectively translate complex written content into clear, concise, and compelling visual narratives that resonate with target audiences.

• Support the ongoing development and meticulous maintenance of brand assets, including templates, icons, style guides, and other visual elements to ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints.

• Assist with the selection, resizing, and organization of imagery, contributing to the upkeep of a well-managed and accessible photo library for marketing and project use.

• Contribute to a variety of internal design requests, including signage for offices, promotional items, and other visual aids that enhance the company's internal and external presence.

• Actively participate in peer design reviews, providing constructive feedback and incorporating feedback from colleagues and stakeholders to continuously improve design quality, consistency, and effectiveness.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the marketing and communications objectives of the firm, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to contribute to team success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a structured approach to design, focusing on brand compliance and operational efficiency in content creation, which is typical for roles supporting GTM (Go-To-Market) or marketing operations functions. The mention of "peer reviews" and "incorporate feedback" suggests a collaborative team environment where iterative design processes are valued.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Associate’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field is required; a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field is preferred.

Experience: 0-3 years of professional experience in graphic design or a related creative role is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Working knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for creating and editing visual assets.

• Exceptional eye for detail, with a strong understanding of layout principles, content hierarchy, and effective typography.

• Proven ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment, contributing to shared goals and projects.

• Strong time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced setting.

• Demonstrated talent for creativity and a proactive approach to problem-solving in design challenges.

• Basic proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for document formatting and integration with design work.

• Ability to enter daily timesheet data accurately and utilize Microsoft Outlook for professional email correspondence. Preferred Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or a related field.

• Certifications such as Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) or other recognized industry credentials.

• Experience designing marketing collateral for architecture, engineering, or construction (AEC) industries.

• Familiarity with digital content creation best practices for social media and web platforms.

• Understanding of print production processes and requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 0-3 years, coupled with the preference for an Associate's or Bachelor's degree, positions this as an entry-level to junior role. The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite and detail orientation is standard for graphic design positions, while the mention of Microsoft Office and timesheet entry points to operational integration within a corporate structure.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects that demonstrate proficiency in layout, typography, and visual problem-solving.

• Include examples of marketing collateral, such as proposals, presentations, and social media graphics, highlighting your ability to adhere to brand guidelines.

• Present case studies that illustrate your process for translating complex information into visually engaging content, detailing the challenges and your creative solutions.

• Demonstrate experience with template creation and maintenance, if applicable, showing your understanding of design system consistency. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design workflow from brief to final delivery, including how you manage feedback and revisions.

• Articulate how you ensure brand consistency across various design outputs and platforms.

• Explain your approach to optimizing designs for different mediums (print vs. digital) and target audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an entry-level role, a portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical skills. The emphasis on brand standards and translating complex information aligns with the operational needs of a marketing department in a technical field like architecture and engineering.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $54,351 - $89,384 per year. The typical new hire pay range for this position in Dayton, OH is $57,370 - $66,771 per year.

Benefits:

• Flexible and Hybrid Work Schedule: Offers a blend of remote and in-office work, providing flexibility for personal and professional needs.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): PTO is credited 100% upfront, allowing immediate access to time off.

• 401K with Company Match: Provides financial planning support with a company contribution to retirement savings.

• Rewards and Recognition Program: Acknowledges and rewards employee contributions and achievements.

• Training and Development: Opportunities to foster professional growth and skill enhancement.

• Paid Holidays: Standard paid holidays are provided.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Welcome Box: A thoughtful onboarding gift for new employees.

• Casual Dress Code: Promotes a comfortable and relaxed work environment.

• Professional License Reimbursement: Supports employees in maintaining or obtaining professional licenses.

• Paid Time Off for Community Team Service Events: Encourages employee involvement in community service through paid time off.

• Voluntary or Supplemental Disability Insurance: Options for Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Provides confidential support services for employees facing personal or work-related challenges.

• Company Paid Bonding and Recovery: Support services for employees and their families.

• Employee Events: Regular events such as lunches and outings designed to foster a positive work environment and team cohesion.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work schedule that offers flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is broad, with a specific, narrower range for Dayton, OH, indicating that location is a key factor in compensation. The extensive list of benefits suggests a company that prioritizes employee well-being and professional development, which can be a significant draw for operations professionals seeking stability and support. The mention of hybrid work aligns with modern workplace expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architecture and Engineering (AEC). CESO is a nationally recognized firm within this sector, suggesting a competitive and professional environment focused on delivering high-quality design and engineering solutions.

Company Size: Not explicitly stated, but the presence of a formal HR structure, comprehensive benefits, and multiple locations implies a medium to large-sized organization. This size often means established processes and opportunities for structured career growth.

Founded: The company was founded in 1992. This long history indicates stability, established expertise, and a deep understanding of the AEC industry.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a Marketing or Communications team, potentially alongside other marketing specialists, content writers, or proposal managers.

• Reporting structure is likely to a Marketing Manager or Director, with close collaboration expected with technical staff and project managers across different departments.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, requiring the designer to work with engineers, architects, and business development teams to understand project needs and create relevant visuals. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not a primary focus for this design role, the ability to understand how visuals impact engagement and communication effectiveness is important. Designers may contribute to A/B testing of visual elements for digital content.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The role involves supporting established brand guidelines and creating templates, indicating a focus on standardized workflows to ensure efficiency and consistency in marketing material production.

• Automation & Efficiency: While direct automation may not be the designer's responsibility, they will work within systems that may incorporate automation for content distribution and will be expected to produce assets efficiently.

Company Website: https://www.cesoinc.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: CESO's positioning as a "nationally recognized architecture and engineering firm" with a long history (founded 1992) suggests a company with established processes and a strong professional reputation. The company's mission, "empowering our people to impact communities by bringing clients’ visions to life," points to a culture that values purpose-driven work and employee development, which is often appealing to operations professionals seeking meaningful contributions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry-level to junior Graphic Designer (0-3 years experience). It serves as a foundational role within the marketing and communications function, offering exposure to professional design practices within a corporate environment.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Director. This provides a direct line of mentorship and oversight, crucial for skill development in the early stages of a career.

Operations Impact: While not directly managing revenue operations or sales processes, the Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the company's external brand perception and internal communications clarity. High-quality, consistent visuals are critical for winning proposals, engaging clients on social media, and maintaining employee morale through effective internal messaging. This role supports the broader GTM strategy by ensuring marketing materials are professional and compelling.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, develop advanced skills in visual storytelling, and learn best practices for marketing collateral creation within the AEC industry.

• Industry Specialization: Gain specialized knowledge of design within the architecture and engineering sector, understanding unique client needs and project types.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Develop stronger collaboration skills by working with diverse teams, potentially leading to a broader understanding of business operations and GTM strategies.

• Potential for Advancement: With demonstrated success and growth, potential to move into senior designer roles, lead design projects, or specialize in areas like digital marketing design or proposal management support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Graphic Designer in a firm like CESO typically involves mastering design tools, understanding industry-specific communication needs, and potentially moving into more strategic design roles or project management within marketing. The emphasis on "training and development" and "professional growth" from the benefits section supports this.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a "Flexible and Hybrid Work Schedule," indicating a modern work environment that balances in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. This suggests a trust-based culture where employees manage their time effectively.

Office Location(s): Primarily based in Dayton, OH, with potential for interaction with other office locations given CESO's national recognition. The specific office environment in Dayton would likely be professional, potentially with collaborative workspaces designed for teams.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model suggests intentional in-office time for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and collaborative design critiques.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially project management or internal communication tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with marketing peers, technical staff, and potentially leadership during in-office days, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with the flexibility to manage work hours within the hybrid model. This allows for focused work time and personal time management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement is a significant factor for many professionals. For a design role, this means balancing focused individual work (often done remotely) with collaborative sessions and team building that happen in the office. This blend is typical for creative and marketing operations functions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio, likely conducted by HR or the hiring manager, to assess basic qualifications and design aesthetic.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A more in-depth discussion about your portfolio, focusing on specific projects, your design process, and your ability to meet CESO's brand standards. This may include a design exercise or case study presentation.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Questions designed to assess your teamwork, problem-solving skills, time management, and how well you align with CESO's values of service, integrity, and authenticity.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership, to discuss your overall fit and long-term potential within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills relevant to marketing collateral, presentations, and digital content.

• Highlight Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully applied or developed brand guidelines. For CESO, AEC industry relevance or similar corporate work is a plus.

• Showcase Process: Be ready to walk through your design process for at least one project, explaining your rationale, challenges, and how you incorporated feedback.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While difficult for design, if a design improved engagement, clarity, or proposal win rates, mention it.

• Digital Format: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible online (e.g., PDF, personal website) and loads quickly.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a short design task, potentially involving creating a social media graphic, formatting a slide, or adapting an existing design. Focus on speed, attention to detail, and brand consistency.

• Case Study Presentation: Practice articulating your design process and the outcomes of your projects concisely. Emphasize problem-solving and collaboration.

• Company Research: Understand CESO's services, target markets, and current branding. Be ready to discuss how your design approach aligns with their mission and values.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a creative role like this will heavily weigh the portfolio. Candidates should be ready to "sell" their work and demonstrate not just technical skill but also an understanding of how design serves business objectives. The mention of "service values, integrity, and authenticity" means candidates should be prepared to discuss how they embody these principles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design tasks. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is critical.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Basic to intermediate skills in Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook are required for document creation, presentation integration, and communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary tool for this role, understanding how visual content performs on social media or within digital campaigns can be beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards (e.g., social media analytics) may be helpful. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core responsibilities of a Graphic Designer, but familiarity with how marketing materials are used within CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email campaigns) can provide context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is clearly on design software. The mention of Microsoft Office and Outlook highlights the need for integration with standard business operations and communication workflows. Knowledge of how designs are deployed in broader marketing efforts (CRM, automation) is a plus but not a core requirement for this specific role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Service-Oriented: Aligns with CESO's mission to "impact communities by bringing clients’ visions to life." This means understanding client needs and contributing to projects that serve a purpose.

• Integrity & Authenticity: Emphasizes honesty, transparency, and genuine interactions in all aspects of work, from design execution to team collaboration.

• Excellence: A commitment to high-quality design and professional output, ensuring that all materials reflect CESO's standing as a nationally recognized firm.

• Collaboration: A strong belief in working together, sharing ideas, and supporting colleagues to achieve common goals.

• Continuous Improvement: Fostered through training, development, and a culture that encourages learning and adaptation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with marketing teams, technical staff (architects, engineers), and potentially business development to understand project requirements and deliver effective visual solutions.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that values constructive criticism and iterative design processes, where feedback from peers and stakeholders is actively sought and incorporated.

• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share design best practices, new techniques, and insights within the marketing team and potentially across other departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: CESO's stated values (service, integrity, authenticity) suggest a company culture that prioritizes ethical conduct, client focus, and genuine relationships. For a designer, this translates to creating visuals that are honest, professional, and aligned with the firm's mission. The emphasis on collaboration is key for success in a hybrid environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Effectively producing innovative designs while strictly adhering to established corporate brand guidelines and technical requirements.

• Translating Technical Concepts Visually: Simplifying complex architectural and engineering information into easily understandable and appealing graphics for diverse audiences.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Juggling design requests from various departments and individuals, each with unique priorities and aesthetic preferences.

• Adapting to Hybrid Workflows: Maintaining seamless collaboration and productivity while working across different locations and time zones (if applicable to team members).

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to master new features in Adobe Creative Suite or learn complementary design tools.

• Industry-Specific Design Trends: Staying updated on design trends relevant to the AEC industry, including visualization techniques for architecture and engineering projects.

• Portfolio Development: Continuous refinement of personal and professional portfolios with impactful projects that showcase growth and specialization.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced marketing professionals and technical experts within CESO, gaining insights into industry best practices and career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dual nature of the role: creative expression within a structured corporate framework. The growth opportunities are framed around skill enhancement and industry specialization, typical for junior roles in established firms.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your process for designing a [type of marketing collateral, e.g., proposal cover, social media graphic]. How do you approach understanding the brief and ensuring brand consistency?"

• Problem-Solving: "Describe a time you had to translate complex technical information into a visual. What was the challenge, and how did you overcome it?"

• Collaboration: "How do you handle receiving feedback on your designs, especially if you disagree with it? Describe a situation where you collaborated with a technical team."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CESO and our work in the architecture and engineering industry?"

• "How do your personal values align with CESO's values of service, integrity, and authenticity?"

• "How do you approach staying organized and managing your time, especially with a hybrid work schedule?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the challenges, your creative solution, and the outcome.

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize projects that demonstrate your ability to create marketing collateral, presentations, and digital content similar to what CESO produces.

• Showcase Brand Adherence: Be ready to discuss how you've worked with or can adhere to brand guidelines.

• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss the tools and techniques you used.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe both technical design skills and soft skills, emphasizing how the candidate can contribute to the company's mission and values. Portfolio presentations should be concise and business-oriented, demonstrating an understanding of design's impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on jobs.lever.co.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills such as Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, experience with marketing collateral, and any AEC industry exposure. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed X number of proposals resulting in Y").

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, easily navigable, and showcases projects relevant to the responsibilities listed. Be ready to present specific examples during an interview.

• Research CESO: Familiarize yourself with CESO's projects, services, company culture, and mission. Understand their brand identity and how your design skills can support their goals.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare answers to common graphic design interview questions, focusing on your process, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative approach. Be ready to discuss how you embody CESO's core values.

⚠️ 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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