Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Nalu Federal

Location: Bethesda, MD

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-11T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Serve as the primary visual storyteller for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, translating complex medical, military, and command information into compelling, high-impact visual communications.

• Manage the entire lifecycle of design projects, from conceptualization to final production, ensuring all visual materials advance the mission and maintain the prestigious brand of Walter Reed.

• Develop and produce a wide array of visual materials, including command-level publications, public health campaigns, patient education materials, environmental graphics, digital signage, and social media content.

• Act as the project lead for all graphic design requests, defining requirements, managing feedback, and ensuring timely delivery in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for enhancing the public perception and internal communication effectiveness of a premier military medical center. The emphasis on translating complex information into accessible visuals highlights the need for strong analytical and communication skills beyond pure design aesthetics. The requirement for HIPAA and PHI awareness indicates a highly regulated environment where accuracy and confidentiality are paramount.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Design & Brand Management: Lead the design and production of a wide array of visual materials, including command-level publications, public health campaigns, patient education materials, environmental graphics, digital signage, and social media content, ensuring strict adherence to brand standards.

• Project Management & Workflow Coordination: Act as the project lead for all graphic design requests, developing project timelines, managing a production calendar, and coordinating with stakeholders across the medical center to define requirements, manage feedback, and ensure timely delivery.

• Visual Storytelling: Translate complex medical and scientific concepts into clear, accessible, and engaging infographics and visual aids that resonate with diverse audiences, from patients and families to senior military leadership.

• Multimedia Integration: Create and edit photographic and video assets, integrating them into comprehensive visual communication products that enhance storytelling and engagement across all platforms.

• Leadership & Collaboration: Collaborate with the entire public affairs and communications team to brainstorm creative concepts and develop cohesive visual strategies for major hospital events, initiatives, and crisis communications scenarios.

• Reporting & Approvals: Manage the approval workflow for all visual materials, presenting concepts and final products to senior graphic designers and leadership for review and final sign-off.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a holistic approach to visual communication, extending beyond static design to include multimedia integration and strategic collaboration. The "Reporting & Approvals" responsibility suggests a need for strong presentation skills and the ability to articulate design decisions to leadership.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Communications, or a related field.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in graphic design.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Proven experience in branding, layout for print and digital, and data visualization (infographics).

• Thorough understanding of and ability to rigorously apply the principles of safeguarding the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Protected Health Information (PHI) in all visual products.

• Demonstrated project management skills, with the ability to manage a high volume of concurrent projects, set priorities, and meet firm deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Familiarity with pre-press and digital file preparation. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in healthcare communications, Military public affairs, or a similar regulated, high-visibility environment.

• Experience with video editing and motion graphics software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro/After Effects).

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills blend technical design proficiency with critical operational knowledge (HIPAA/PHI) and project management acumen. The preference for healthcare and military experience, along with video editing/motion graphics, indicates a desire for a candidate who can hit the ground running and handle diverse, complex projects.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling portfolio showcasing expertise in branding, layout for print and digital, and data visualization (infographics).

• Examples demonstrating the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible, and engaging visual content.

• Case studies or project examples that highlight project management skills, including managing timelines, stakeholder communication, and delivering under firm deadlines.

• Visuals that adhere to brand standards and demonstrate an understanding of creating cohesive visual strategies.

• If applicable, examples of multimedia integration (e.g., incorporating photographic or video assets into design projects). Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated, candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, workflow management, and how they handle feedback and revisions.

• Be ready to articulate your approach to ensuring HIPAA and PHI compliance within your design process.

• Demonstrate an understanding of pre-press and digital file preparation workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. It must not only showcase design talent but also demonstrate the ability to handle complex information, manage projects effectively, and adhere to strict regulatory requirements. Applicants should curate their portfolio to directly address these needs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $105,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Health insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Pet insurance

• Annual membership to Costco or Sam's

• 401K

• ...and much, much more!

Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a senior-level graphic design role in the Bethesda, MD area, especially considering the specialized environment. The comprehensive benefits package, including unique perks like Costco/Sam's membership and pet insurance, suggests a company culture that values employee well-being and offers attractive compensation beyond base salary. The standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare / Government & Public Sector / Non-profit (supporting Native Hawaiians via Kanaka Foundation).

Company Size: Nalu Federal is a subsidiary of the Kanaka Foundation. Specific size details for Nalu Federal are not provided, but Nalu Federal operates in support of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, implying a large, complex organizational structure.

Founded: The Kanaka Foundation's founding date is not specified, but its mission to support Native Hawaiians indicates a long-standing commitment. Nalu Federal's establishment is tied to supporting this mission.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the public affairs and communications team supporting Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

• This team likely includes other communications specialists, writers, potentially other designers, and public relations professionals.

• Collaboration will be essential with various departments within the medical center to gather information and understand project requirements. Methodology:

• Data-driven visual communication: Translating complex data and medical information into understandable visuals.

• Brand adherence: Maintaining strict brand standards for a prestigious institution.

• Project-based workflow: Managing multiple design projects with defined timelines and stakeholder input.

• Collaborative ideation: Brainstorming creative concepts with a team.

• Regulatory compliance: Ensuring all visual products meet HIPAA and PHI standards.

Company Website: https://nalufederal.applicantpro.com (Note: This appears to be an Applicant Tracking System URL, not a primary company website. A more direct company website for Nalu Federal or Kanaka Foundation would be ideal for deeper research.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission-driven nature, tied to supporting Native Hawaiians and serving a premier military medical center, suggests a culture that values dedication, precision, and a strong sense of purpose. The environment at Walter Reed will likely be highly professional, demanding, and focused on impactful communication.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level Graphic Designer role, requiring significant experience and independent project management capabilities. It's a key individual contributor position focused on executing high-visibility design projects.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to senior graphic designers or communications leadership within the public affairs department at Walter Reed. They will collaborate with various stakeholders across the medical center.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant, directly influencing how complex medical information is communicated to diverse audiences. Effective visual storytelling can improve patient understanding, enhance public health campaign reach, bolster command messaging, and maintain the strong brand reputation of Walter Reed.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like medical illustration, data visualization, or motion graphics.

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into senior designer, lead designer, or art director roles within the organization or similar government/healthcare institutions.

• Project Complexity: Take on larger, more complex, and higher-profile design projects.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain deeper understanding of healthcare communications, military public affairs, and regulatory compliance, making them a valuable asset in specialized fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a direct "operations" role in the typical RevOps/SalesOps sense, this position requires strong operational execution of design processes. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening design expertise and leadership within a specialized communication field, rather than broad operational management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. This implies a professional, potentially government-adjacent office environment.

Office Location(s): Bethesda, MD. This location offers access to a large metropolitan area with significant government and military presence.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be within a professional office setting, possibly shared with other members of the communications or public affairs team.

• Access to high-performance workstations equipped with the Adobe Creative Suite and other necessary design software is expected.

• Opportunities for collaboration with writers, communications specialists, and medical personnel will be readily available.

• The environment will demand professionalism, adherence to protocols, and a focus on accuracy due to the nature of the medical center.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week. While not explicitly stated, government-affiliated roles may have established core hours, with flexibility potentially available depending on project demands and team policies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working on-site at a major military medical center means operating within a structured, secure, and highly professional environment. Candidates should expect a formal atmosphere and a strong emphasis on mission objectives and regulatory adherence.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, focusing on resume and qualifications match.

• Portfolio Review: A critical step where candidates will present their portfolio. Be prepared to walk through specific projects, explaining your design choices, process, and the impact of your work.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or a discussion about specific design scenarios, particularly related to translating complex information or handling sensitive data.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions assessing project management skills, collaboration, problem-solving, and experience in regulated environments (e.g., how you've handled HIPAA considerations).

• Final Interview: Meeting with senior leadership to discuss fit, vision, and alignment with the organization's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those demonstrating branding, data visualization, print/digital layout, and ideally, healthcare or complex information translation.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the challenge, your creative process, the solutions you implemented, and the outcome or impact. Quantify results where possible.

• Showcase Process: Include sketches, wireframes, or early concepts to illustrate your thought process.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be ready to discuss your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and any experience with video/motion graphics.

• Address Compliance: Be prepared to discuss how you ensure accuracy and compliance (like HIPAA) in your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice translating a complex piece of text (e.g., a medical abstract or policy document) into a simple infographic or visual summary.

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing for a specific audience (e.g., patients, military personnel, general public).

• Prepare to articulate your understanding of brand guidelines and how you'd apply them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily relies on portfolio demonstration and the ability to articulate design strategy and process. Candidates must be prepared to prove not just their design skills but also their project management capabilities and understanding of the unique demands of working within a healthcare and military context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • InDesign: Essential for layout and publication design (command-level publications, patient education materials).
  • Illustrator: Critical for vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex infographics.
  • Photoshop: Necessary for image manipulation, retouching, and digital asset creation.

• Pre-press Software: For preparing files for professional printing.

• Digital File Preparation Tools: For optimizing graphics for web, social media, and digital signage.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary function, designers may use basic analytics to understand content performance on digital platforms (e.g., social media engagement). The role focuses more on creating content that will be measured.

CRM & Automation: Not typically direct tools for a graphic designer, but understanding how designs integrate into broader marketing or communication platforms (e.g., email campaigns, websites) is beneficial.

Preferred/Advantageous Tools:

• Adobe Premiere Pro: For video editing.

• Adobe After Effects: For motion graphics and animation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop forms the core technical requirement. Experience with video editing and motion graphics software is a significant advantage, indicating a need for versatile multimedia capabilities.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Precision: Upholding the high standards of a premier medical institution through meticulous design work.

• Mission-Oriented: Understanding and contributing to the mission of Walter Reed and the Kanaka Foundation through impactful visual communication.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within a team and with diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals.

• Integrity & Compliance: Adhering strictly to regulations like HIPAA and PHI, ensuring all communications are accurate and secure.

• Creativity & Innovation: Translating complex ideas into compelling and accessible visual narratives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with public affairs, communications staff, medical professionals, and potentially administrative leadership.

• Feedback Incorporation: A willingness to receive and implement constructive feedback from stakeholders and senior designers.

• Proactive Communication: Keeping project stakeholders informed about progress, timelines, and potential challenges.

• Team-Oriented Problem Solving: Contributing ideas and solutions to team challenges and creative brainstorming sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes professionalism, adherence to strict guidelines, and a collaborative spirit aimed at achieving the critical mission of a leading medical center. Candidates should demonstrate a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to integrate seamlessly into a professional team environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: Effectively simplifying intricate medical, scientific, and military information into easily digestible visuals for diverse audiences.

• High-Visibility Environment: Working on projects that are seen by senior leadership, the public, and potentially national media, requiring a high degree of accuracy and polish.

• Strict Regulatory Compliance: Navigating and consistently applying HIPAA and PHI guidelines in all design outputs.

• Managing Multiple Priorities: Juggling numerous projects with competing deadlines in a fast-paced setting.

• Adapting to Feedback: Incorporating feedback from various stakeholders, some of whom may have differing opinions on design direction.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Training: Opportunities to enhance skills in areas like medical illustration, data visualization, or advanced motion graphics.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining experience in healthcare communications and military public affairs, highly specialized fields.

• Project Leadership: Developing skills in managing larger, more complex design initiatives.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced communications professionals and senior designers within a leading institution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a high-stakes environment. The growth opportunities are focused on deepening expertise within specialized design niches and gaining valuable experience in critical sectors like healthcare and government communications.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate highly technical or complex information into a clear visual for a non-expert audience. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving approach and clarity of communication).

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various design projects and platforms, especially when working with different stakeholders?" (Highlight your understanding of brand management and stakeholder alignment).

• "Walk us through your process for managing a design project from initial brief to final delivery, especially when facing tight deadlines." (Emphasize your project management and workflow skills).

• "How would you approach designing patient education materials that must also comply with HIPAA regulations?" (Demonstrate awareness of regulatory constraints and ethical design practices). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Nalu Federal and supporting Walter Reed National Military Medical Center?" (Show genuine interest in the mission and the institution).

• "How do you approach collaboration with team members who may have different communication styles or levels of design understanding?" (Highlight your interpersonal and teamwork skills).

• "Describe your experience working in a regulated environment. How do you ensure accuracy and compliance in your work?" (Focus on your professionalism and attention to detail). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Introduction, Project 1 (Challenge, Process, Solution, Outcome), Project 2, etc., Conclusion.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups and clear visuals. Avoid cluttered slides.

• Narration: Speak clearly and confidently. Explain your rationale behind design decisions.

• Engagement: Be prepared to answer questions about your work and engage in a discussion about design strategy.

• Conciseness: Respect the allocated time. Focus on the most impactful projects and key takeaways.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design talent but also strategic thinking, project management capabilities, and an understanding of the unique context of working for a military medical center with strict compliance requirements.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Nalu Federal's ApplicantPro portal.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of graphic design experience, focusing on projects involving branding, layout, data visualization, and ideally, healthcare or government communications. Explicitly mention your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select and organize your best work that demonstrates the required skills. Ensure it includes examples of print, digital, and data visualization. Be ready to discuss your process and impact.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience, design process, and how you handle project management and compliance requirements. Be ready to discuss why you are a good fit for Nalu Federal and Walter Reed.

• Research: Familiarize yourself with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's mission and Nalu Federal's affiliation with the Kanaka Foundation to 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.