Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Southland Credit Union

Location: Los Alamitos, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing & Creative Operations

Date Posted: November 4, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the visual narrative of Southland Credit Union across all touchpoints, from digital campaigns to physical branch experiences, by conceptualizing and executing compelling graphic designs.

• Collaborate closely with the Marketing team and internal stakeholders to translate marketing objectives and creative briefs into impactful visual communications that resonate with members, associates, and the community.

• Ensure consistent application of brand identity and standards across a diverse range of collateral, including digital advertisements, social media graphics, brochures, direct mail, and financial center signage.

• Manage the end-to-end design process, from initial concept development and iteration through to final production, including coordination with external print and creative vendors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within the Marketing department but has significant operational implications for brand consistency, member communication efficiency, and the overall visual representation of the credit union. The focus on "People Helping People" suggests a need for designs that are approachable, trustworthy, and clearly communicate value.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design engaging visual assets for digital marketing campaigns, social media, email communications, and website content, ensuring alignment with marketing objectives and brand guidelines.

• Develop visually appealing and informative print collateral, including brochures, direct mail pieces, flyers, and financial center signage, adhering to brand standards and accessibility requirements.

• Translate complex financial products and services into easily understandable and visually appealing graphics and infographics for member education materials.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, present design concepts, and incorporate feedback, ensuring that final designs meet project goals and stakeholder expectations.

• Prepare production-ready files for both digital and print outputs, managing revisions, proofreading, and coordinating with external vendors to ensure high-quality execution and timely delivery.

• Maintain and organize a library of creative assets, including developing reusable templates to streamline future design projects and enhance operational efficiency.

• Apply and uphold Southland Credit Union's visual identity, typography, color palette, and overall brand standards across all design outputs.

• Stay informed about emerging design trends, tools, and techniques, and proactively explore opportunities to innovate and improve visual communication strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility for "developing reusable templates" and "coordinating with vendors on print production" highlights the operational aspects of this creative role, emphasizing efficiency and standardized processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Digital Media, Marketing, or a related field is preferred.

• An equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience will also be considered. Experience:

• Three or more years of professional graphic design experience, ideally within a marketing, advertising, agency, or in-house creative environment.

• Proven experience creating visual materials for both digital marketing channels and print media.

• Demonstrated ability to translate creative briefs and marketing objectives into effective, engaging designs.

• Experience preparing production-ready files for print and digital, managing revisions, and coordinating with external vendors.

• Track record of managing multiple design projects simultaneously, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and consistently meeting deadlines.

• Experience in the financial services or another regulated industry is considered a strong asset. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, with a strong emphasis on Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

• Exceptional eye for typography, composition, layout, color theory, and visual storytelling.

• Deep understanding of designing for various digital platforms and preparing high-quality, print-ready files.

• Ability to consistently apply brand standards while innovating and keeping designs fresh and engaging.

• Strong consideration for readability, accessibility, and overall audience experience in all design work.

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to present creative recommendations and incorporate feedback effectively.

• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, maintain organization, and take ownership of projects from inception to completion. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics and basic video editing.

• Familiarity with Figma or other modern digital design and prototyping tools.

• Understanding of financial services marketing principles and regulatory compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "advanced proficiency" in Adobe Creative Cloud and a strong portfolio is critical. The "preferred" skills like motion graphics and Figma indicate a forward-looking approach to design, suggesting opportunities for growth in digital content creation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio is mandatory, showcasing strong design fundamentals, creative versatility, and consistent brand application across multiple channels (digital and print).

• Demonstrate successful translation of creative briefs and marketing objectives into impactful visual solutions.

• Include case studies or examples that highlight your process in developing designs from concept to final production, including any challenges overcome or vendor coordination involved.

• Showcase a clear understanding of layout design, typography, color theory, and visual storytelling within your submitted work.

• Examples of designs that consider accessibility and user experience are highly valued. Process Documentation:

• While formal process documentation is not explicitly required for the portfolio, demonstrating a structured approach to your design process (e.g., concept sketches, wireframes, revision rounds, final file preparation) will be evident through your portfolio.

• Ability to articulate your design workflow, problem-solving methodologies, and collaboration process during interviews.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is paramount. Candidates should curate examples that explicitly demonstrate their ability to manage projects from concept to completion, work with brand guidelines, and produce high-quality assets for both digital and print, reflecting operational efficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $27.00 - $34.00 per hour.

• This range reflects the company's commitment to pay transparency and is based on qualifications, experience, skills, and business needs. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with employer match (e.g., 401(k) or similar).

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

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning, including access to training, workshops, and potential certifications.

• Employee assistance program (EAP) for personal and professional support.

• Potential for employee perks such as discounted financial services or credit union membership benefits. Working Hours:

• Approximately 40 hours per week.

• This is an on-site position, requiring regular attendance at the Los Alamitos, California office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly pay rate positions this role as an experienced individual contributor. The benefits listed are standard for full-time employees and are crucial for attracting and retaining talent in creative roles. The explicit mention of "People Helping People" may translate into a culture that values work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Credit Union)

Company Size: The number of employees is not specified, but typically credit unions can range from small community-based organizations to larger regional entities. Given the mention of multiple financial centers, it is likely a mid-sized to large organization.

Founded: Southland Credit Union has deep roots in Southern California, indicating a long-standing presence and commitment to the community.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing team, working closely with marketing managers, specialists, and potentially other creative professionals.

• Collaboration is expected across various departments within the Credit Union, including Member Services, Operations, and Product Development, to ensure design alignment with business objectives.

• The reporting structure will likely involve a Marketing Manager or Director overseeing creative functions. Methodology:

• The marketing team likely employs a data-informed approach to campaign development, requiring designers to create assets that support specific marketing goals and can be measured for effectiveness.

• Emphasis on clear, approachable communication to demystify financial products and services for members.

• A blend of creative exploration and adherence to established brand guidelines and regulatory compliance.

Company Website: https://southlandcu.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission "People Helping People" and its focus on community deeply influence its culture. For a Graphic Designer, this translates to creating visuals that are trustworthy, empathetic, and supportive, rather than purely transactional or overly aggressive. The financial services industry also implies a need for accuracy and compliance in all communications.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

This role is positioned as an experienced individual contributor, likely mid-level, requiring 3+ years of professional experience. The responsibilities involve end-to-end project management for design tasks, stakeholder collaboration, and vendor management, indicating a significant level of autonomy and responsibility beyond entry-level design work.

Reporting Structure:

The Graphic Designer will report to a manager within the Marketing department. This structure allows for guidance on marketing strategies and brand direction, while also providing opportunities to influence visual output across various initiatives. Collaboration with other departments is essential, meaning the designer will interact with a broad range of internal clients.

Operations Impact:

The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the credit union's brand perception, member engagement, and the clarity of its communications. Effective designs can improve member understanding of products and services, enhance campaign performance, strengthen brand loyalty, and contribute to the overall growth and success of Southland Credit Union by making financial information more accessible and appealing.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design areas such as motion graphics, UI/UX design for digital platforms, or advanced print production techniques.

• Leadership Development: Potentially move into a Senior Graphic Designer role, mentoring junior designers, leading design projects, or taking on more strategic creative responsibilities.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Gain broader marketing knowledge by collaborating on campaign strategy and execution, potentially leading to roles in marketing coordination or brand management.

• Industry Advancement: Leverage experience in financial services to transition into specialized design roles within other regulated industries or advanced marketing positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path suggests a move towards more strategic design leadership or broader marketing roles, emphasizing the operational importance of consistent and effective visual communication in achieving business goals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office environment within one of Southland Credit Union's facilities. The presence of "Financial Centers" implies a network of physical branches that may require signage and in-branch collateral.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Los Alamitos, California. The company operates multiple Financial Centers, suggesting a regional presence within Southern California.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is expected to be collaborative, with regular interaction with the Marketing team and other internal departments.

• Access to standard office technology and design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) will be provided.

• The on-site nature allows for face-to-face meetings, brainstorming sessions, and direct feedback, which can be beneficial for creative projects.

• The environment will likely foster a culture of professionalism, customer service, and adherence to industry standards, reflecting the credit union's mission. Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week).

• While a standard schedule is expected, the demands of project deadlines may occasionally require flexibility. The company's mission "People Helping People" may suggest an emphasis on work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key factor for candidates. The collaborative nature of the workspace suggests an environment where designers actively contribute to team projects and receive direct feedback, crucial for iterative design processes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative alignment.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to present a curated selection of their work, discussing their creative process, problem-solving approach, and how their designs achieved specific objectives. This is a critical step to evaluate design fundamentals, brand application, and communication skills.

• Skills Assessment: May include a practical design exercise or a hypothetical scenario to evaluate design thinking, software proficiency, and ability to work within brand constraints.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with members of the Marketing team and potentially other key stakeholders to assess collaboration style, cultural fit, and understanding of marketing objectives.

• Final Interview: Typically with the hiring manager or department head for a final assessment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest and most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates versatility across digital and print, brand consistency, and successful translation of briefs.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly outline the objective, your role, the creative brief, your design process (including any challenges), and the outcome or impact. Visuals of early concepts or iterations can be very effective.

• Highlight Brand Application: If possible, include examples of how you've applied or adapted brand guidelines.

• Quantify Impact: If you have data on the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates), include it.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and showcases high-resolution images.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve creating a social media graphic, a small print ad, or adapting an existing design. Focus on clear communication, adherence to brand, and efficiency.

• Conceptual Thinking: Practice articulating your design rationale. Be ready to explain why you made certain design choices, not just what you did.

• Problem-Solving: Think about how you would approach a brief for a specific financial product or service, considering the target audience and regulatory environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and a potential design challenge underscores the practical, skills-based nature of this role. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only creative talent but also a structured, efficient design process and strong communication skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Advanced proficiency required in:

  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, digital graphics, and web mockups.
  • InDesign: For layout design of brochures, flyers, direct mail, signage, and other print collateral.

• Figma (Preferred): For digital design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows.

• Motion Graphics/Video Editing Software (Preferred): Such as Adobe After Effects or Premiere Pro for creating dynamic visual content.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary design tool, understanding how design impacts analytics (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads) is beneficial. The designer may work with reports generated by marketing analytics tools. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly used by the designer, but understanding how designs integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven communications (e.g., email templates) is helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. The preferred tools like Figma and motion graphics software indicate an evolving digital marketing landscape where these skills are increasingly valuable for creating engaging, multi-channel content.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• People Helping People: This core value translates into designs that are empathetic, approachable, and focused on serving the needs of credit union members.

• Integrity & Trust: Designs must be accurate, transparent, and uphold the credit union's reputation for trustworthiness.

• Community Focus: Visuals should reflect a connection to and understanding of the Southern California communities Southland serves.

• Efficiency & Excellence: While creative, designs must also be practical, adhere to brand standards, and be produced efficiently to meet business objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The designer will work closely with marketing specialists, product teams, and potentially operations staff to ensure design alignment and effectiveness.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that encourages constructive feedback to refine designs and achieve optimal results.

• Proactive Communication: Openly sharing ideas, providing updates, and seeking clarification to ensure projects run smoothly and deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "People Helping People" ethos is central. Designers are expected to create visuals that foster trust and approachability, making financial services feel accessible. This requires a sensitive and member-centric approach to design.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Effectively merging creative vision with strict brand guidelines, accessibility standards, and regulatory requirements inherent in the financial services industry.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Navigating diverse opinions and requirements from various departments to deliver designs that satisfy multiple needs.

• Keeping Pace with Digital Trends: Adapting to evolving digital platforms and design tools while maintaining brand consistency across all channels.

• Translating Complex Information: Simplifying intricate financial products and services into clear, visually engaging content.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen skills in Adobe Creative Cloud or learn new tools like Figma, After Effects, or UI/UX design platforms.

• Financial Services Marketing Insights: Gaining specialized knowledge in marketing within a regulated industry, understanding compliance, and tailoring communication for financial audiences.

• Project Management Skills: Developing stronger project management capabilities through managing multiple design projects and stakeholder interactions.

• Brand Strategy Contribution: Potential to contribute more strategically to brand development and campaign conceptualization as experience grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a designer who is not only creative but also highly organized, adaptable, and business-minded. The growth opportunities point towards a role that can evolve into more strategic or specialized creative functions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• How do you approach translating a marketing objective or creative brief into a visual concept? Provide an example.

• Describe your process for ensuring brand consistency across a variety of marketing materials.

• How do you handle receiving critical feedback on your designs? Can you give an example?

• Walk us through a project where you had to balance creative freedom with strict brand guidelines or regulatory requirements.

• How do you prioritize tasks and manage deadlines when working on multiple design projects simultaneously? Company & Culture Questions:

• What interests you about Southland Credit Union and our "People Helping People" mission?

• How do you see design contributing to building trust and community in the financial services industry?

• Based on your understanding, how would you approach designing for our target member demographics?

• How do you stay updated on design trends and incorporate them into your work responsibly? Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, don't just show the final output. Explain the problem, your solution, your process, and the impact.

• Highlight Your Role: Be clear about your specific contributions, especially in collaborative projects.

• Showcase Versatility: Ensure your selected projects demonstrate your skills across different media (digital, print) and types of collateral.

• Address Brand Application: Point out how you applied or maintained brand standards.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Expect questions about your software proficiency and design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a clear, methodical design process, strong communication skills, and an understanding of how design serves business and brand objectives, especially within the context of a mission-driven financial institution.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit Your Resume and Portfolio: Ensure your resume highlights relevant experience and skills. Your portfolio is critical; include diverse examples showcasing your abilities in both digital and print design, brand consistency, and project management.

• Tailor Your Application: Clearly articulate why you are a good fit for Southland Credit Union, referencing their mission and values.

• Prepare for Portfolio Review: Select your strongest projects and be ready to discuss your design process, creative problem-solving, and how you translate briefs into impactful visuals.

• Research Southland Credit Union: Understand their brand, services, and community involvement to better align your responses during interviews.

• Practice Design Scenarios: Consider how you would approach common design tasks for a credit union, such as creating social media graphics, brochures, or signage.

⚠️ 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.