Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Southern Tide

Location: Greenville, SC - Southern Tide Headquarters

Job Type: Full time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-18

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develops and executes compelling visual content strategies specifically for organic and paid social media platforms, driving brand engagement and storytelling.

• Creates and edits short-form video content, including Reels and Stories, ensuring alignment with platform-native best practices and brand guidelines.

• Manages the end-to-end creative asset lifecycle, from concept and design to production, organization, and archiving, ensuring timely delivery for marketing campaigns.

• Collaborates cross-functionally with eCommerce, Product, and Marketing teams to translate key business objectives and product narratives into impactful digital creative.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Social Designer with broader digital creative responsibilities, indicating a focus on the visual execution of marketing strategies, particularly within the social media and digital advertising realms. The emphasis on "brand-right content" and "platform-native" execution suggests a need for strategic creative thinking beyond just aesthetic design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce engaging visual content for organic social media channels, including static posts, carousels, Stories, Reels, and animations.

• Edit short-form video content for social platforms, focusing on pacing, transitions, music, text overlays, and graphics to enhance storytelling and engagement.

• Adapt and reimagine existing brand and campaign assets into fresh, platform-specific social media content, maintaining creative integrity.

• Partner with social media stakeholders to contribute to the development and execution of the organic social content strategy and calendar.

• Leverage social media performance insights to inform creative concepts and evolve the brand's organic social approach.

• Design and produce digital advertising assets, banners, line books, and other marketing collateral in line with brand standards.

• Maintain rigorous graphic design standards while operating efficiently within the fast-paced social media environment.

• Collaborate with eCommerce, Product, and Marketing teams to understand product stories, styles, and business-driving visual narratives.

• Ensure timely delivery of creative assets for social content calendar activation, including review and approval processes.

• Support broader Creative Team needs, including digital marketing assets, presentations, campaign extensions, retail marketing, and sales materials.

• Perform photo retouching (masking, color correction, shadow work) and image editing for print and digital platforms, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in post-production.

• Organize, manage, and archive digital assets, tracking workflow progress and maintaining strategic naming conventions.

• Provide general support to the marketing team for projects such as tradeshows, photoshoot preparation, retail marketing, and sales meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and strategic input, particularly in social media. The need to "repurpose and reimagine existing campaign and brand assets" suggests an expectation for creative problem-solving and resourcefulness. The inclusion of "social performance insights" in informing creative decisions points towards a data-informed design approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Digital Media, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a strong focus on digital content creation, social media design, and video editing.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects.

• Demonstrated experience in creating engaging visual content for organic social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.).

• Strong video editing skills for short-form social content, including dynamic text overlays and graphic integration.

• Solid understanding of graphic design principles, typography, color theory, and layout.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining brand consistency and standards.

• Experience with digital asset management (DAM) systems and organizational best practices. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with animation software (e.g., Adobe Animate, Cinema 4D) for motion graphics.

• Familiarity with paid social advertising creative best practices and ad platform specifications.

• Basic understanding of social media analytics and how to translate insights into creative improvements.

• Experience in the apparel or lifestyle retail industry.

• Proficiency in retouching and compositing digital images.

• Knowledge of current social media trends and emerging visual formats.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level (2-5 years) suggests a role that requires a solid foundation in design principles and software, but also offers opportunities for growth and learning within a specialized creative function. The emphasis on Adobe After Effects for video editing and potential animation skills indicates a need for advanced motion graphics capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of work demonstrating expertise in social media content creation across various platforms (static, Stories, Reels, video).

• Case studies showcasing how design solutions addressed specific marketing objectives or brand challenges, particularly for social campaigns.

• Examples of video editing for social media, highlighting pacing, storytelling, and integration of graphics/text.

• Visuals demonstrating a strong understanding and application of brand guidelines and design standards.

• Evidence of digital asset organization and management workflow. Process Documentation:

• Showcase of workflow for concept development to final asset delivery for social media campaigns.

• Examples of adapting existing assets for new creative outputs, illustrating creative problem-solving.

• Demonstrations of how design decisions were informed by performance data or strategic objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, as it will directly showcase the candidate's ability to create effective, on-brand visual content for social media. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating versatility across different formats and platforms, as well as the ability to translate marketing objectives into compelling visuals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Greenville, SC, the estimated annual salary range is approximately $55,000 - $75,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Greenville, SC, and typical compensation for creative roles within the retail and apparel sector.

Benefits:

• Generous vacation policy.

• Comprehensive health and wellness coverage.

• 401k with company match.

• Discounted stock purchasing opportunities.

• Options for education reimbursement.

• Significant employee product discounts.

Working Hours: Standard full-time position, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional overtime during peak campaign periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for the specified role and location. Actual compensation will be determined by the company based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and specific skill set. The listed benefits are directly from the job description, highlighting a strong employee support package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel & Lifestyle Retail. Southern Tide is known for its coastal-inspired clothing and accessories, emphasizing a lifestyle brand rather than just apparel.

Company Size: Part of Oxford Industries, a larger hospitality and retail group, suggesting a robust corporate structure with established processes while maintaining a distinct brand identity for Southern Tide.

Founded: Southern Tide was founded in 2006. Its mission is to share its love for the coastal lifestyle through premium products, experiences, and service.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be an integral member of the Creative Team.

• This team likely collaborates closely with Marketing, eCommerce, and Product Development departments.

• Reporting structure is expected to be to a Creative Director or Marketing Manager, overseeing digital and social creative output. Methodology:

• Data-driven creative iterations for social media based on performance insights.

• Emphasis on brand consistency and storytelling across all visual mediums.

• Collaborative approach to developing marketing assets and campaign extensions.

• Focus on efficiency and timely delivery within the dynamic social media landscape.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Southern Tide positions itself as a lifestyle brand, so cultural fit will likely involve an appreciation for the coastal aesthetic and a passion for the brand's values. Being part of Oxford Industries implies access to corporate resources and established operational frameworks.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an entry to mid-level position within the creative operations function, specifically focused on social media and digital design. It offers a chance to specialize in digital content creation and gain experience in a fast-paced consumer brand environment.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a manager within the Creative Team, likely a Creative Director or Senior Marketing Manager, who oversees brand creative execution.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts brand perception, engagement rates on social media, and the effectiveness of digital advertising campaigns. High-quality, on-brand visual content is crucial for driving traffic, conversions, and overall brand loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to deepen expertise in social media content creation, video editing, and motion graphics.

• Potential to grow into a Senior Graphic Designer or Social Media Art Director role.

• Exposure to broader digital marketing strategies and campaign development.

• Development of skills in asset management and creative workflow optimization.

• Potential for cross-functional learning within the larger Oxford Industries group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role provides a clear path for specialization in digital and social media creative. Growth opportunities will likely involve taking on more complex projects, leading creative for specific campaigns, and potentially mentoring junior designers as the team expands.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role located at Southern Tide's Headquarters in Greenville, SC. The environment is expected to be a professional office setting conducive to creative work and team collaboration.

Office Location(s): Greenville, SC, United States.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office environment where the Graphic Designer will work closely with other members of the Creative Team, marketing, and eCommerce professionals.

• Access to necessary design software and potentially a library of brand assets and product samples.

• Opportunities for team brainstorming sessions and creative feedback exchanges.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week. Flexibility may be offered, but the role requires on-site presence for team collaboration and project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration, spontaneous idea generation, and direct team interaction, which are often beneficial for creative roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of the resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and experience relevant to social media and graphic design.

• Portfolio Review & Creative Challenge: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing their creative process and problem-solving approach. A practical design challenge or a request to critique/improve existing social content may be part of this stage.

• Team/Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager and potentially other members of the Creative Team to assess cultural fit, communication skills, and alignment with brand aesthetics.

• Final Interview: May involve a higher-level manager or HR to discuss compensation, benefits, and final fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Social Expertise: Highlight your strongest work in social media content creation, including static graphics, Stories, and video edits.

• Demonstrate Brand Adaptability: Include examples that show how you can adapt creative to specific brand guidelines and target audiences.

• Explain Your Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process for key projects, explaining your strategic thinking, software choices, and problem-solving.

• Video Editing Skills: Ensure your video editing capabilities for social media are clearly represented with compelling examples.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically and be ready to present it efficiently, focusing on impact and relevance to the role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Analyze Social Content: Be ready to critically assess existing social media content (both Southern Tide's and competitors') and suggest creative improvements.

• Platform Awareness: Understand the nuances of different social media platforms and how content should be tailored for each.

• Brand Alignment: Practice developing creative concepts that align with Southern Tide's coastal lifestyle brand identity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most crucial element for this role. Candidates should curate it to specifically highlight their strengths in social media design and video editing, and be prepared to discuss their creative process in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects are essential.

• Video Editing Software: Proficiency in Premiere Pro or similar for social video editing.

• Motion Graphics Software: Experience with tools like Adobe Animate or similar for animation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with social media analytics dashboards (e.g., native platform insights, third-party tools) to inform creative strategy. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how creative assets are utilized in digital marketing campaigns and potentially within an e-commerce platform is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements revolve around the Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on After Effects for video and motion graphics. Familiarity with social media analytics will be key for understanding content performance and driving creative improvements.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Stewardship: A commitment to upholding and evolving the Southern Tide brand identity through high-quality, authentic visual storytelling.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging fresh ideas and exploring new visual approaches to engage the target audience on social media.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within the Creative Team and with cross-functional partners to achieve shared marketing objectives.

• Efficiency & Agility: The ability to produce high-quality work quickly and adapt to the dynamic nature of social media trends and campaign needs.

• Customer-Centricity: Designing content with the end consumer and their experience in mind.

Collaboration Style:

• Open communication and idea sharing within the Creative Team.

• Proactive engagement with Marketing, eCommerce, and Product teams to ensure visual assets align with business goals.

• Constructive feedback loops for creative review and iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission of sharing a love for the coastal lifestyle suggests a culture that values authenticity, passion, and a positive, aspirational outlook, which should be reflected in the creative output.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of Social Media: Keeping up with rapidly changing trends, platform updates, and the demand for constant content creation.

• Brand Consistency vs. Platform Nuance: Balancing strict brand guidelines with the need for platform-native, engaging content.

• Translating Data into Design: Effectively using social media performance metrics to inform creative decisions and demonstrate ROI.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Coordinating creative requests and feedback from various departments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen expertise in advanced video editing and motion graphics techniques for social media.

• Gain experience in art direction for photoshoots and video production.

• Develop a stronger understanding of digital marketing analytics and campaign performance.

• Explore opportunities to contribute to broader brand campaign creative development.

• Potential to mentor or guide junior designers as the team grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents an excellent opportunity to hone skills in a high-demand area of digital marketing, with clear avenues for professional development within the creative field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach creating content that is both on-brand and native to a specific social media platform like Instagram Reels or TikTok?"

• "Describe a time you had to adapt existing campaign assets into new social media content. What was your process and the outcome?"

• "How do you use social media performance data or insights to inform your design decisions?"

• "Walk us through your process for editing a short-form social video from raw footage to final delivery." Company & Culture Questions:

• "What appeals to you about the Southern Tide brand and the coastal lifestyle?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest social media design trends and visual formats?"

• "Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams (e.g., Marketing, eCommerce) on creative projects." Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight Social Impact: Focus on projects that demonstrate successful engagement, brand storytelling, or campaign objectives met through visual design.

• Showcase Video Skills: Dedicate a section to your video editing and motion graphics work for social media, explaining your creative choices.

• Explain Your Process: For each project, articulate your design thinking, problem-solving approach, and how you ensured brand alignment.

• Be Prepared for a Challenge: Anticipate a request to critique existing content or propose creative solutions for a hypothetical social media scenario.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their creative process in detail, demonstrating not only their technical skills but also their strategic thinking and understanding of social media dynamics within a brand context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the Southern Tide careers portal.

• Portfolio Curation: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your best work in social media content creation, video editing, and digital design, tailored to a lifestyle brand aesthetic.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight relevant skills such as Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, social media content strategy, video editing, and asset management, using keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, explain how your work has driven engagement, and discuss your understanding of the Southern Tide brand during interviews.

• Research the Brand: Familiarize yourself with Southern Tide's current social media presence, marketing campaigns, and brand voice to demonstrate your understanding and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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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