Graphic Designer

Cushman & Wakefield
Full-time•$68k-80k/year (USD)•Boston, United States

šŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Cushman & Wakefield

Location: Boston, MA, United States (On-site)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing / Creative / Design Operations

Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Experience Level: 3+ years (Mid-level)

Remote Status: On-site

šŸš€ Role Summary

  • Execute the strategic vision of the Property Marketing Center of Excellence (COE) through impactful graphic design solutions.

  • Develop and produce high-quality marketing collateral and presentations for fee-earners and marketing leadership.

  • Collaborate closely with marketing teams to ensure all creative materials align with comprehensive company brand standards.

  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously, adhering to strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

  • Support visual marketing needs by delivering timely and consistent design work.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the core function is graphic design, this role sits within a "Property Marketing Center of Excellence," indicating a strong operational component. The emphasis on "strategic vision," "collateral execution," and "adherence to brand standards" suggests a need for process-driven design thinking and efficient workflow management, aligning it with operations principles within a creative function. The "fee-earner" client base implies a focus on client-facing deliverables and understanding business objectives.

šŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with marketing leadership and fee-earners to understand creative requirements and strategic objectives for property marketing initiatives.

  • Develop concept and execute visually compelling marketing collateral, including property brochures, marketing boards, flyers, direct mail pieces, e-blasts, postcards, pop-up banners, and event invitations.

  • Design and format presentations, ensuring clarity, impact, and adherence to brand guidelines for internal and external client audiences.

  • Create custom maps, tables, charts, graphs, and other visuals to effectively communicate property information and key selling propositions.

  • Produce high-quality, polished creative assets that meet strict deadlines, reporting progress and any outstanding questions regularly to the Property Marketing Design Manager.

  • Coordinate the production of materials, including preparing artwork for print, liaising with printers, and ensuring final layouts are accurate and ready for distribution.

  • Maintain and enforce comprehensive company brand standards across all design outputs to ensure consistency and professional representation.

  • Attend strategy sessions with marketing and communications leadership to contribute creative insights and understand project goals.

  • Manage project timelines, expectations, and workloads effectively, prioritizing tasks in coordination with the marketing team and leadership.

  • Demonstrate a high level of creative development and production skill, ensuring efficient and effective output.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and project management. The emphasis on "coordinating production," "liaising with printers," and "managing expectations and deadlines" points to operational aspects of design delivery, requiring an organized and process-oriented approach to creative workflows.

šŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Communications, or a related discipline preferred.

Experience: 3+ years of professional graphic design experience, or a comparable combination of education and experience. Experience in a high-end graphics, marketing, or production environment, particularly within the real estate sector, is a significant plus.

Required Skills:

  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.

  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

  • Strong understanding of typography, layout design, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

  • Ability to create and use infographics and iconography for effective visual communication.

  • Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

  • Proven record of providing outstanding internal and external customer service.

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills for clear stakeholder interaction.

Preferred Skills:

  • Knowledge of HTML and digital marketing methods.

  • Experience with print production processes and vendor management.

  • Familiarity with real estate marketing materials and industry standards.

  • Experience with photography or video editing software.

  • Understanding of UX/UI principles for digital assets.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize technical design proficiency and project management capabilities. The preferred skills, particularly "knowledge of HTML and digital marketing methods," suggest an evolving role that may involve digital asset creation and understanding of online distribution channels. The "real estate background" preference is a strong indicator of industry-specific operational nuances.

šŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse projects demonstrating proficiency across print and digital design mediums.

  • Include examples of marketing collateral such as brochures, flyers, and event invitations, highlighting layout and branding expertise.

  • Feature case studies of presentation design, illustrating the ability to translate complex information into clear, visually engaging slides.

  • Demonstrate experience with infographic and iconography creation, showcasing visual communication skills.

Process Documentation:

  • Highlight projects where you managed the design process from concept to final delivery, including any client feedback loops or revisions.

  • Showcase examples of how you organized and managed project files and assets efficiently.

  • Include instances where you collaborated with printers or production teams, detailing your role in ensuring successful output.

  • If applicable, demonstrate how you've contributed to or maintained design templates for recurring marketing needs.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role with operational undertones, a portfolio should not only display creative output but also demonstrate process efficiency. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their workflow, project management approach, and how they ensure quality and adherence to standards, much like a Revenue Operations professional would articulate their process optimization strategies.

šŸ’µ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $68,000 - $80,000 per year.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance programs.

  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

  • Retirement savings plans, including potential company match.

  • Life and disability insurance programs.

  • Paid and unpaid time away from work (PTO, holidays, etc.).

  • Competitive pay structure taking into account geographic location, experience, and qualifications.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. While not explicitly stated as flexible, the role's demands in a fast-paced environment suggest the need for efficient time management within standard business hours.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided for the Boston, MA location. Cushman & Wakefield's compensation philosophy acknowledges geographic variations and candidate qualifications. The benefits package is standard for a large, established corporation, offering robust support for employees.

šŸŽÆ Team & Company Context

šŸ¢ Company Culture

Industry: Commercial Real Estate Services and Investment Management. Cushman & Wakefield operates globally, offering a wide range of services including leasing, property management, capital markets, and advisory. This industry context means design work often supports high-value transactions and client relationships.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (typically 10,000+ employees globally). This size implies structured processes, established brand guidelines, and a significant network of internal clients (fee-earners).

Founded: 1917. With over a century of history, Cushman & Wakefield has a deep-rooted reputation and a sophisticated operational framework.

Team Structure:

  • The Graphic Designer reports to the Property Marketing Design Manager, indicating a dedicated design team within a larger marketing function.

  • This team likely works closely with Property Marketing Managers, Marketing Coordinators, and directly with "fee-earners" (brokers, agents) who are the primary internal clients.

Methodology:

  • A strong emphasis on brand adherence and consistency across all marketing materials, suggesting a standardized approach to design execution.

  • Data-driven decision-making is implied through the need to communicate critical messages and key selling propositions effectively.

  • Workflow management is crucial, as evidenced by the need to handle multiple projects under strict deadlines and report progress regularly.

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

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company's scale and industry require a design function that is highly organized, brand-conscious, and responsive to business needs. The "Center of Excellence" designation suggests a focus on best practices and standardized processes within the marketing and design operations.

šŸ“ˆ 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 3+ years of experience, with the expectation of independent work on assigned projects. The role involves supporting strategic visions and producing client-ready materials, indicating a significant level of responsibility within the design workflow.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Property Marketing Design Manager. This provides a clear line of reporting for project assignments, feedback, and performance reviews. The role also requires close collaboration with marketing leadership and fee-earners.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the perception and effectiveness of Cushman & Wakefield's property marketing efforts. High-quality, consistent, and strategically aligned visuals are critical for attracting clients, facilitating transactions, and reinforcing the company's brand value. Efficient design processes contribute to faster deal cycles and improved marketing ROI.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas like digital marketing design, data visualization, or brand management within the real estate context.

  • Leadership: Advance to a Senior Graphic Designer role, potentially leading specific projects or mentoring junior designers.

  • Cross-functional Move: Transition into roles focused on marketing operations, project management within marketing, or even client-facing marketing strategy roles, leveraging the understanding of property marketing.

  • Skill Development: Opportunities to learn new design software, digital marketing tools, and gain exposure to broader marketing strategies through ongoing projects and training.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Graphic Designer in an operations-heavy environment like C&W often involves mastering the operational aspects of design delivery. This means becoming an expert in efficient workflow, template creation, and brand governance, which are valuable skills for broader operational roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "TELECOMMUTE" in the raw data but derived as "On-site" with specific office locations like "125 High Street, Boston, MA" and "New York, NY". This indicates a primary expectation of working from a physical Cushman & Wakefield office.

Office Location(s): Boston, MA (125 High Street) and New York, NY (potentially multiple locations). The mention of "CW Site - USA - MA - Boston - 125 High Street" suggests a specific, dedicated office space.

Workspace Context:

  • The environment is likely professional and corporate, typical of a large real estate services firm.

  • Expect a collaborative workspace where designers interact with marketing teams and potentially brokers.

  • Access to necessary hardware (PC platform) and software (Adobe CC, Microsoft Office) will be provided.

  • The pace is described as fast-paced, requiring energy and focus.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week. The fast-paced nature may occasionally require flexibility to meet project deadlines, but the core expectation is adherence to a consistent schedule.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "On-site" designation for a creative role emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration, access to office resources, and direct interaction with internal clients and design team members, which is common for roles supporting geographically dispersed teams through centralized production.

šŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: HR or hiring manager review of resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and creative fit.

  • Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deeper dive into the candidate's portfolio with the Property Marketing Design Manager and potentially other design team members. Expect questions about design choices, problem-solving, and workflow.

  • Skills Assessment: A practical design test or case study may be administered to evaluate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and ability to meet specific design challenges under timed conditions.

  • Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Interviews with marketing leadership or fee-earners to assess communication skills, customer service orientation, and ability to integrate into the team and company culture.

  • Final Interview: May involve a broader discussion on how the candidate's skills align with the company's strategic goals and operations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those that showcase marketing collateral, presentations, and data visualization.

  • Highlight Process: For each project, be prepared to discuss your thought process, creative decisions, challenges faced, and how you overcame them. Emphasize efficiency and adherence to briefs.

  • Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or anecdotal evidence of how your designs contributed to marketing success (e.g., improved engagement, successful event execution).

  • Brand Adherence: Showcase examples where you successfully worked within strict brand guidelines.

  • Technical Proficiency: Be ready to speak to your specific software skills and any tools used for project management or collaboration.

  • Real Estate Context: If you have relevant real estate design experience, make it prominent.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Design Brief Simulation: Practice responding to hypothetical design briefs that are common in real estate marketing (e.g., designing a brochure for a new office building, creating a pitch deck for a client).

  • Software Proficiency: Be ready for live software demonstrations or quick design tasks within InDesign, Photoshop, or Illustrator.

  • Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within strict time limits, simulating the fast-paced environment.

  • Communication: Prepare to articulate your design rationale clearly and concisely, explaining your choices to non-designers.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process for a creative role within a corporate operations structure will likely blend creative assessment with an evaluation of process adherence and client service skills, mirroring the demands of operations professionals. The portfolio is paramount, serving as tangible evidence of both creative talent and operational execution.

šŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator (Advanced proficiency required).

  • Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint (Advanced proficiency required).

  • PC Platform: Work is performed on a PC.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

  • HTML Knowledge (Bonus): Suggests potential involvement in creating or updating digital marketing assets that may integrate with web platforms or email marketing systems.

  • Digital Marketing Methods Understanding (Bonus): Implies an awareness of how design assets are used in digital campaigns.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The technology stack is standard for graphic design but the explicit mention of "PC platform" and "advanced proficiency" in specific Adobe and Microsoft applications highlights the operational necessity for tool mastery and consistency. The "bonus" knowledge in HTML and digital marketing indicates a forward-thinking approach to creative asset creation within the broader marketing operations ecosystem.

šŸ‘„ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished design work that upholds the Cushman & Wakefield brand.

  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively within the design team and cross-functionally with marketing leadership and fee-earners to achieve shared goals.

  • Client Focus: Understanding and responding to the needs of internal clients (fee-earners) to support their business objectives.

  • Efficiency & Timeliness: Delivering projects on schedule and managing workload effectively in a fast-paced environment.

  • Brand Integrity: Upholding and consistently applying comprehensive company brand standards across all creative outputs.

Collaboration Style:

  • Service-Oriented: The role is inherently supportive, requiring a proactive and helpful approach to client requests.

  • Process-Driven: Expect a culture that values clear workflows, communication protocols, and adherence to established procedures for project intake, execution, and delivery.

  • Feedback Loop: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from design managers, marketing leadership, and fee-earners to refine creative deliverables.

  • Team Synergy: Designers are expected to contribute to a cohesive team environment, sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues when needed.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The culture values operational excellence within a creative framework. Designers are expected to be both artistically skilled and operationally disciplined, understanding that their work is a critical component of broader business development and marketing strategies.

⚔ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Creativity with Brand Constraints: Consistently producing innovative designs while strictly adhering to comprehensive and detailed company brand standards.

  • Managing Competing Priorities: Juggling multiple project requests from various stakeholders with potentially conflicting deadlines and priorities.

  • Fast-Paced Environment: Maintaining high-quality output and attention to detail under pressure and tight turnarounds.

  • Translating Complex Information: Effectively visualizing intricate data, property details, and selling propositions into clear, digestible graphics for diverse audiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to refine expertise in specific Adobe applications or explore new design software and techniques.

  • Industry Knowledge: Gaining a deeper understanding of the commercial real estate market, property marketing strategies, and client needs.

  • Digital Design Expansion: Developing skills in HTML, digital marketing, and creating assets for online platforms.

  • Project Management Proficiency: Enhancing skills in managing projects, timelines, and stakeholder communication.

  • Mentorship: Learning from experienced design managers and senior team members.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a corporate design role but are amplified by the real estate industry's demands for precision and visual impact. Growth opportunities are geared towards becoming a more versatile and operationally adept designer, capable of handling complex marketing initiatives.

šŸ’” Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to deliver a complex design project under a tight deadline. How did you manage your time and ensure quality?" (Assesses project management and efficiency).

  • "How do you approach incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders, especially when it conflicts with your initial design vision?" (Evaluates collaboration and client management).

  • "Walk us through your process for designing a property brochure or marketing presentation from brief to final delivery." (Tests workflow understanding and execution).

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about Cushman & Wakefield and the commercial real estate industry?" (Assesses motivation and industry alignment).

  • "How do you handle working in a fast-paced, client-driven environment like property marketing?" (Evaluates adaptability and customer service).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Narrative Arc: For each project, tell a story: the challenge, your approach, the solution, and the outcome.

  • Focus on Process: Be ready to discuss the "how" and "why" behind your design choices, not just the final product.

  • Highlight Efficiency: Emphasize any aspects of your process that saved time, resources, or improved workflow.

  • Demonstrate Versatility: Showcase a range of skills across different types of collateral and mediums.

  • Brand Consistency: Prepare to speak to specific examples where you successfully applied brand guidelines.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also strong process management, client service, and an understanding of business objectives, which are critical for success in a corporate operations setting.

šŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the Cushman & Wakefield careers portal.

  • Tailor your resume: Highlight your 3+ years of graphic design experience, advanced Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office skills, and any experience with marketing collateral, presentations, or real estate. Quantify achievements where possible.

  • Curate your portfolio: Select your strongest work, focusing on relevance to marketing collateral and presentations. Be prepared to discuss your process, brand adherence, and efficiency.

  • Prepare for a design challenge: Anticipate a practical exercise to test your skills under timed conditions.

  • Research Cushman & Wakefield: Familiarize yourself with their brand, services, and market position to articulate your interest and understanding of their business needs.

āš ļø 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.


Application Requirements

Candidates should have at least 3 years of graphic design experience and advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office. A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or a related field is preferred, along with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects under strict deadlines.