Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Dewberry

Location: Fairfax, Virginia, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: 2026-04-24

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop compelling visual assets and creative layouts to support business development and marketing initiatives within a professional services firm.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, proposal managers, and other designers, to ensure brand consistency and high-quality output.

• Conceptualize and execute designs for a variety of marketing materials, with a strong focus on qualifications statements, proposals, and presentations.

• Apply creative and critical thinking to translate strategic objectives into persuasive visual content, adhering to industry best practices and design standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the description heavily emphasizes its role within business development, marketing, and proposal support, positioning it firmly within the GTM (Go-To-Market) and marketing operations ecosystem, particularly for a professional services firm like Dewberry. The requirement for A/E/C industry experience further solidifies this context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with the Creative Services Director, Manager, and design team to conceptualize and execute creative solutions that align with Dewberry's brand standards and maintain rigorous quality control.

• Design and develop a wide range of marketing collateral, including complex internal and external marketing materials, primarily for qualifications statements, proposals, and presentations.

• Work closely with proposal managers and proposal teams to create engaging and persuasive layouts for proposal sections, incorporating resumes, project descriptions, narrative content, and presentation slides.

• Analyze strategic objectives and recommend innovative creative techniques to transform them into impactful visual content that supports business development goals.

• Consult with clients and internal colleagues, as needed, to understand content requirements and ensure appropriate visual tone and imagery are applied.

• Effectively manage multiple assignments simultaneously, including long-term projects involving various stakeholders, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to deadlines.

• Continuously research and apply best practices, emerging industry trends, and established design standards to elevate the quality and effectiveness of all visual materials.

• Maintain an organized awareness of existing company photography and graphic assets to leverage them efficiently in new projects.

• Undertake other assigned duties as necessary to support the communications and marketing departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strong project management and stakeholder communication skills, common in operations roles that bridge creative execution with business objectives. The emphasis on proposals and qualifications statements points to a role deeply integrated with the sales enablement function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, or Communications.

Experience: Two to three years of experience in a professional design setting; experience within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) industry is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud software suite, specifically InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint for document creation and presentation design.

• Demonstrated strength in digital illustration, infographic design, and technical design applications.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a keen eye for quality control and accuracy.

• Strong creative, artistic, and critical thinking abilities, with a meticulous attention to detail.

• Proven conceptual ability and experience in layout design, particularly with large documents and complex information.

• Exceptional time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet critical deadlines.

• Ability to work independently as a self-starter, demonstrating reliability, responsibility, and dependability.

• Adaptability and flexibility to navigate evolving project requirements and timelines.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro for video or motion graphics elements.

• Familiarity with A/E/C industry marketing and proposal processes.

• Experience in managing design projects from concept to completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of technical design proficiency and crucial soft skills like communication, collaboration, and project management. The preference for A/E/C experience and Premiere Pro suggests a desire for candidates who can quickly integrate into Dewberry's specific market and potentially expand their creative toolkit. The "2-5" experience level derived by AI aligns well with the "Two to three years" stated, indicating a mid-level designer role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in graphic design, with a focus on marketing materials, proposals, and presentations relevant to professional services.

• Include examples of complex layout design, particularly for large documents and proposals, highlighting your ability to organize and present information clearly and persuasively.

• Present evidence of proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) through high-quality visual output.

• Demonstrate strong digital illustration and infographic design capabilities, showing an ability to simplify complex data into understandable visuals.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process, from initial concept development and client consultation to final execution and quality assurance.

• Articulate how you manage multiple design projects simultaneously, including your methods for prioritization, time management, and meeting critical deadlines.

• Explain your approach to upholding brand standards and ensuring quality control across all visual materials.

• Describe how you collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., proposal managers, writers, marketing professionals) to achieve project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, the portfolio isn't just about aesthetics; it's about demonstrating the ability to translate business needs into effective visual communication. The emphasis on proposals and complex documents means candidates should curate examples that prove their capacity for detail-oriented, strategic design within a professional services context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 2-5 years of experience in the Fairfax, VA area, a competitive salary range would likely be between $60,000 and $80,000 annually. This estimate considers the required Bachelor's degree, specific software proficiencies, and the demand for design skills within the A/E/C industry.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401(k)).

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuing education.

• Potential for bonuses or performance-based incentives.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. While standard business hours apply, flexibility may be available depending on project deadlines and team needs, though the role is primarily on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for Graphic Designers in the Northern Virginia area with the specified experience and skill set, considering the professional services industry context. The benefits listed are standard for a company of Dewberry's size and industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction - A/E/C). Dewberry is a leading firm with a national presence, known for delivering high-quality services to clients. This industry context implies a culture that values technical expertise, client relationships, and project execution excellence.

Company Size: 2,500+ professionals across more than 60 locations nationwide. This indicates a large, established organization with structured departments and opportunities for diverse project involvement and career progression.

Founded: Over half a century ago. This long history suggests stability, a well-established reputation, and a deep understanding of its market.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Communications Department, working within a team of layout and multi-media designers, writers, and marketing professionals.

• Collaboration is key, with a direct reporting line likely to a Creative Services Manager or Director.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on upholding company brand standards and quality control in all visual outputs.

• A data-informed approach to design, where strategic objectives guide creative decisions.

• Collaborative ideation and execution, leveraging the diverse skills within the communications and marketing teams.

• Focus on efficiency and best practices in design processes, including project management and asset utilization.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Dewberry's established presence in the A/E/C sector suggests a professional, client-focused culture. The "Dewberry at Work" attributes mentioned in the description likely refer to core values such as integrity, collaboration, and commitment to excellence, which are essential for operations and GTM roles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is likely a mid-level Graphic Designer role. It requires a solid foundation of technical skills and 2-3 years of experience, with the capacity to manage multiple projects and contribute creatively to business development efforts. The role is more than just execution; it involves conceptualization and strategic application of design.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Creative Services Manager or Director within the Communications Department. This structure provides guidance and oversight while allowing for independent work on specific assignments.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts Dewberry's ability to win new business by creating compelling proposals, presentations, and marketing materials. High-quality visual communication enhances the firm's brand perception, strengthens client relationships, and supports overall Go-To-Market strategies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like proposal design, digital illustration, or advanced layout techniques within the A/E/C context.

• Leadership Potential: With experience, advancement to Senior Graphic Designer, Lead Designer, or even a role in creative direction or marketing management within the firm.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Potential to learn more about business development, marketing strategy, and project management through close collaboration with other departments.

• Industry Knowledge: Gaining specialized knowledge of the A/E/C industry's visual communication needs and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Graphic Designer in a firm like Dewberry is often tied to increasing complexity of projects, client-facing responsibilities, and potential leadership within the creative team. The operations aspect comes from how effectively their creative output supports sales and marketing goals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment at Dewberry's Fairfax, VA location.

Office Location(s): 8401 Arlington Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22031. This location in Fairfax County offers access to a professional business environment.

Workspace Context:

• The designer will work within the Communications Department, likely in a collaborative studio-like setting alongside other designers, writers, and marketing professionals.

• Access to industry-standard hardware and software (Adobe CC, MS Office) will be provided.

• The environment is expected to be professional, with a focus on meeting deadlines and producing high-quality work for business development pursuits.

• Opportunities for interaction with colleagues across various departments to gather project requirements and feedback.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week). While the role is on-site, there might be occasional needs to work beyond standard hours to meet critical proposal or project deadlines, a commonality in roles supporting Go-To-Market functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is crucial for this role, emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration, spontaneous brainstorming, and direct team synergy, which are often valued in creative and proposal-driven environments.

📄 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, discussing specific projects, design choices, and processes. This may include technical questions about Adobe CC software and design principles.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Candidates might be asked to complete a small design exercise or case study to evaluate their creative thinking, problem-solving abilities, and application of skills under a time constraint, potentially related to proposal elements.

• Behavioral/Team Fit Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager and potential team members to assess cultural fit, communication style, and ability to collaborate within the team and with other departments.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership, focusing on strategic thinking, understanding of the A/E/C industry, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in layout design, proposal graphics, digital illustration, and infographic creation.

• Showcase A/E/C or Professional Services Work: If you have experience in these sectors, prioritize those examples. If not, select projects that demonstrate your ability to translate complex information into clear, persuasive visuals for a professional audience.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, be prepared to walk through your design thinking, the problem you were solving, your creative approach, the tools you used, and the outcome.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, showcase projects where you collaborated with writers, proposal managers, or other stakeholders, explaining your role and how you integrated feedback.

• Emphasize Brand Compliance & Quality: Show examples where you successfully adhered to brand guidelines and maintained a high level of quality control.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Dewberry's brand guidelines and recent projects.

• Practice creating persuasive visual elements for typical proposal sections (e.g., project experience, resumes, executive summaries).

• Be ready to articulate how design supports business development objectives and enhances a firm's competitive edge.

• Prepare to discuss your workflow for managing tight deadlines and multiple projects, common in proposal environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a design role supporting GTM will heavily weigh the portfolio. Candidates should be ready to "sell" their design solutions and demonstrate how they contribute to business objectives, not just aesthetic appeal.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud:

  • InDesign: Essential for page layout, complex document design, and proposal creation. Proficiency in master pages, styles, and long-document features is key.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, creating graphics, and digital illustrations.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and detailed illustrations.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • MS Word: For text integration, document formatting, and collaboration with writers.
  • MS PowerPoint: Crucial for presentation design, visual storytelling, and pitch decks.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Other Potential Tools:

• Premiere Pro: A plus for potential video or motion graphics elements.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira might be used for task management within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is deep proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud. The ability to seamlessly integrate design work within MS Office applications, especially PowerPoint and Word, is critical for proposal and presentation development in a corporate environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished visual materials that reflect Dewberry's professional standards.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with a team of designers, writers, and marketing professionals to achieve common goals.

• Client Focus: Understanding that design work ultimately serves to support client relationships and win new business.

• Innovation & Creativity: Applying fresh ideas and artistic talent to solve design challenges and create compelling content.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding ethical standards and maintaining a professional demeanor in all interactions.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: The role emphasizes working within a team and with other departments, requiring strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to share ideas and provide/receive feedback.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers will work closely with proposal managers, technical staff, and marketing professionals, necessitating clear communication and understanding of diverse perspectives.

• Feedback & Iteration: A culture that encourages constructive feedback to refine designs and ensure they meet project objectives.

• Efficiency-Driven: While creativity is key, there's an implied need for efficient processes to meet tight deadlines common in proposal cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Dewberry's "Dewberry at Work" principles likely translate into values that promote strong teamwork, integrity, and a results-oriented approach, all crucial for successful operations and GTM functions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Brand Standards: Consistently producing innovative designs while strictly adhering to Dewberry's established brand guidelines.

• Managing Tight Deadlines: The fast-paced nature of proposal development often involves very short turnaround times, requiring efficient workflow and prioritization.

• Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating with and managing expectations of various internal clients (e.g., proposal managers, technical leads) who may have different visual preferences or requirements.

• Adapting to A/E/C Nuances: Quickly learning and applying the specific design conventions and visual language prevalent in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to learn and master new features within Adobe CC or explore emerging design software and methodologies.

• Industry Specialization: Deepening knowledge of the A/E/C sector's marketing and proposal needs, becoming a subject matter expert in visual communication for this field.

• Project Management Skills: Developing stronger skills in managing complex projects, timelines, and stakeholder communications.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced designers, creative directors, and marketing professionals within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dual nature of the role: creative execution combined with operational rigor and industry-specific demands. Growth is tied to mastering these challenges and expanding expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex proposal section and translating it into a clear, visually compelling layout." (Focus on structure, information hierarchy, and persuasive design).

• "How do you ensure your creative designs align with established brand standards, especially when working under tight deadlines?" (Highlight your approach to quality control and brand adherence).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Dewberry and the A/E/C industry? How do you see graphic design contributing to our success in this market?" (Show research and strategic thinking).

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as engineers or proposal managers?" (Emphasize communication and understanding of different perspectives).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a story about the challenge, your solution, and the impact. Don't just show the final image; explain the journey.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs contributed to winning a proposal or improving engagement, highlight that. Even qualitative feedback from clients or colleagues can be valuable.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss specific software features you used and why they were appropriate for the project.

• Showcase Process: Be prepared to discuss your initial sketches, mood boards, or iterative design stages. This demonstrates a thoughtful design process, not just random execution.

• Tailor to Dewberry: If possible, show a sample piece that demonstrates an understanding of the A/E/C industry or professional services marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent, but also an understanding of business objectives, effective communication, and the ability to integrate seamlessly into a professional services environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Dewberry careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features relevant work, especially in layout design, proposal graphics, and professional services marketing. Tailor your presentation to highlight skills most applicable to this role and Dewberry's industry.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, MS Office, and your years of professional design experience. Quantify achievements where possible and include keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review common interview questions for designers, focusing on portfolio walkthroughs, behavioral scenarios, and your understanding of Dewberry's business and brand. Practice articulating your design process and strategic thinking.

• Company Research: Investigate Dewberry's website, recent projects, and news to understand their services, client base, and overall company culture. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.