Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Transwestern

Location: Bethesda, MD, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing & Communications / Graphic Design

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the conceptualization, design, and production of high-end print, digital, and environmental marketing collateral for internal and external clients within the commercial real estate sector.

• Drive design strategy and elevate brand narratives through compelling visual communication, ensuring brand consistency and originality across diverse projects and client portfolios.

• Collaborate closely with the Regional Marketing Director and Creative Director to develop innovative design concepts, templates, and finished work that enhances team efficiency and showcases design excellence.

• Manage the end-to-end production process for design projects, including coordinating printing specifications and overseeing production, to ensure timely and high-quality delivery.

• Foster a creative and collaborative team environment, contributing fresh perspectives and out-of-the-box thinking to inspire clients and elevate project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a marketing and communications function, specifically supporting the commercial real estate industry. The emphasis on "high-end print, digital, and environmental collateral" suggests a need for sophisticated design capabilities beyond basic marketing materials, likely including proposals, presentations, and large-scale event graphics. The collaboration with executive leadership and internal/external clients indicates a need for strong communication and stakeholder management skills alongside design proficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive design strategies and conceptualize, plan, design, and produce a wide array of marketing materials, including brochures, email blast campaigns, large-scale graphics, comprehensive brand packages, and promotional materials for events and marketing initiatives.

• Craft compelling design narratives and concepts that effectively showcase varied clients’ goals and projects, translating complex information into clear and impactful visual stories.

• Work closely with the Creative Director to design elevated concepts, templates, and finished work that not only ensures design excellence but also creates efficiencies for the broader marketing team and region.

• Coordinate the production process for all design projects, including developing and coordinating printing specifications and overseeing both in-house and out-of-house production to ensure quality and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (e.g., marketing, sales, leasing) to deliver projects that exceed expectations, align with strategic objectives, and adhere to strict timelines.

• Propose creative solutions and employ out-of-the-box thinking to elevate projects, inspire clients, and differentiate Transwestern's offerings in the competitive commercial real estate market.

• Take initiative in project participation, contribute actively to ideation sessions, and engage in continuous learning to stay ahead of emerging design trends, software advancements, and industry best practices.

• Efficiently tackle and deliver on additional design opportunities assigned by regional marketing and creative directors, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach to workload management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and strategic thinking. The mention of "comprehensive brand packages" and "design systems" suggests a need for understanding brand architecture and maintaining visual identity across multiple touchpoints. The emphasis on "elevating the work of the entire team and region" points to a role that not only executes but also contributes to setting design standards and best practices within the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication Design, or a closely related field.

Experience: A minimum of 3+ years of progressive experience in a dedicated Graphic Design role, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects from concept to completion.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency and technical excellence with Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat is essential for creating high-quality marketing collateral.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for integration with business documents and presentations.

• Working knowledge of HTML5 and basic web design principles to contribute to digital marketing efforts and understand web-based design constraints.

• Deep understanding of typography, layout design, and color theory, with a keen eye for visual hierarchy and aesthetic appeal.

• Exceptional critical thinking, organizational, and time management skills to effectively prioritize tasks and meet demanding deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic setting, successfully juggling multiple projects with competing priorities and deadlines.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to give and receive honest, thoughtful feedback in a positive, collaborative, and solution-oriented manner.

• A passion for design thinking, brand building, and storytelling, coupled with a solid understanding of how to maintain and evolve design systems.

• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic, possessing excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills, and the ability to proactively propose innovative ideas.

• A meticulous eye for detail, a passion for pushing creative boundaries, and the ability to be an active, empathetic listener to interpret client goals and incorporate feedback effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics and/or photography to enhance multimedia project capabilities.

• Familiarity with project collaboration and management tools such as Miro and Monday.com for streamlined workflow and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "advanced proficiency/technical excellence" in Adobe Creative Suite and "working knowledge of HTML5 and basic web design" suggests the role involves more than just static print design, extending into digital assets and potentially basic web updates. The emphasis on "design systems" indicates a need for understanding scalable design frameworks. The "portfolio required" is a critical component, implying candidates must showcase their ability to manage projects and demonstrate a range of aesthetics and client-focused solutions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling portfolio showcasing a diverse range of print, digital, and environmental/large-scale design work.

• Demonstrated experience in leading both small and large-scale design projects, highlighting project management and execution capabilities.

• A portfolio that exhibits a variety of design aesthetics and problem-solving approaches, reflecting adaptability to different client needs and brand identities.

• Strong emphasis on client-focused solutions that effectively address marketing challenges and achieve business objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their design process, including ideation, concept development, client feedback integration, and final production stages.

• The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate workflow efficiency and the ability to manage projects through a structured process.

• For digital assets, understanding of responsive design principles and cross-platform compatibility should be evident.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit "Portfolio Required" section mandates a strong emphasis on practical demonstration of skills. This goes beyond listing tools and responsibilities; it requires candidates to present tangible evidence of their design capabilities, project management acumen, and ability to deliver impactful creative solutions within a commercial context. The portfolio needs to tell a story of problem-solving and successful execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $75,000 per year. This range is based on the stated requirements, experience level, and the Bethesda, MD location.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

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

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

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuing education in design trends and software.

• Potential for participation in company-wide events and team-building activities.

• Access to industry-specific software and technology for design work.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, aligning with standard business hours, though flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range of $60,000 to $75,000 for a Graphic Designer with 3+ years of experience in the Bethesda, MD area is within the typical market benchmark for this role and experience level. Benefits are assumed based on standard offerings for a full-time position at a company of Transwestern's size and industry. The mention of "In-office position" confirms the on-site work arrangement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Commercial Real Estate. Transwestern operates across institutional and opportunistic investment, development, hospitality, and brokerage and asset services, providing a broad spectrum of services within the real estate sector.

Company Size: Transwestern is a significant player in the commercial real estate market, operating through offices nationwide and alliance partners globally. While the exact employee count for the specific Bethesda office isn't detailed, the enterprise structure suggests a large, established organization with a substantial workforce. This implies access to resources, established processes, and potential for cross-departmental collaboration.

Founded: Transwestern was founded with a purpose of "Empowering Good People to do Extraordinary Things Together," emphasizing collaboration and individual contribution. The company's history and founding principles highlight a commitment to integrity, service excellence, and fostering a positive work environment.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Mid-Atlantic Marketing and Communications team, likely a specialized unit within the regional operations.

• Reporting lines suggest collaboration with a Regional Marketing Director and Creative Director, indicating a hierarchical structure within the marketing function.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not explicitly stated for design, marketing and communications functions in CRE typically rely on market data, property performance metrics, and client insights to inform design strategies and collateral effectiveness.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The role emphasizes creating efficiencies through templates and elevated designs, suggesting a focus on optimizing the design production workflow. Collaboration tools like Miro and Monday.com, if utilized, further support this.

• Automation & Efficiency: Developing reusable templates and design systems points to an effort to automate repetitive design tasks and improve overall efficiency in content creation.

Company Website: http://www.transwestern.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "Empowering Good People to do Extraordinary Things Together" and a "collaborative culture" suggests a team-oriented environment. The commercial real estate industry context means design work will likely be client-facing and focused on business objectives, such as property marketing, investment pitches, and brand positioning. The mention of "integrated companies" implies a complex organizational structure that may offer diverse project opportunities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an entry to mid-level position within the Graphic Design function, specifically tailored for the marketing and communications department within the commercial real estate sector. It requires foundational design education and a few years of practical experience to independently execute design projects and contribute to strategic visual solutions.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Regional Marketing Director and works closely with the Creative Director. This structure provides direct mentorship and oversight from experienced marketing and creative leadership, offering clear guidance and opportunities for learning established design best practices and industry-specific visual communication strategies.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts Transwestern's brand perception, client engagement, and marketing effectiveness. By creating high-quality, compelling visual assets for properties, marketing campaigns, and client presentations, the role contributes to securing new business, retaining existing clients, and strengthening the company's market position. The design output is crucial for communicating value propositions and differentiating Transwestern in the competitive commercial real estate landscape.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Specialization: Potential to specialize in specific design areas such as environmental graphics, digital marketing design, or brand identity development within the commercial real estate context.

• Creative Leadership: As experience grows, opportunities may arise to lead design projects, mentor junior designers, or take on more strategic creative roles within the marketing department.

• Industry Expertise: Deepening understanding of the commercial real estate market can lead to more specialized and impactful design work, becoming a go-to expert for CRE-specific visual communication needs.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to expand skill sets into areas like motion graphics, advanced web design, or even UX/UI design if applicable to future company needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is a solid stepping stone for a graphic designer looking to specialize in a specific industry like commercial real estate. The emphasis on collaboration with senior marketing and creative leads provides a strong foundation for understanding how design serves business objectives in a corporate setting. Growth paths can leverage the industry-specific knowledge gained.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an in-office position located in Bethesda, Maryland, indicating a traditional office setting where collaboration and in-person interaction are expected.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Bethesda, MD, a well-connected area with access to transportation and amenities. This suggests a professional, corporate office environment typical for established firms in metropolitan areas.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely designed to foster collaboration, with potential for shared creative spaces or team areas where designers can interact with marketing colleagues.

• Access to necessary design tools, software, and potentially large-format printers or visualization equipment relevant to creating environmental graphics will be provided.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with the marketing team, creative directors, and potentially other departments will be frequent, facilitating a dynamic and integrated work experience.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, likely aligning with typical business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM). However, the fast-paced nature of marketing and real estate projects may occasionally require flexibility to meet critical deadlines, such as event launches or proposal submissions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "In-office position in Bethesda, Maryland" clearly defines the work arrangement. This implies a structured work environment where face-to-face collaboration, adherence to office hours, and direct team interaction are integral to the role. This setting is conducive to mentorship and spontaneous creative problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of resumes and portfolios to assess basic qualifications, design style, and relevant experience. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their design process, challenges faced, and solutions implemented. This is a crucial step to gauge design thinking and communication skills.

• Skills Assessment: A potential practical exercise or skills test, possibly involving a design challenge or a review of technical proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.

• Team/Manager Interviews: Meetings with the Regional Marketing Director, Creative Director, and potentially other team members to evaluate cultural fit, collaboration style, and understanding of marketing objectives within the commercial real estate context.

• Final Interview: May involve higher-level management to discuss strategic alignment and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in print, digital, and potentially environmental design relevant to commercial real estate or similar client-focused industries.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the client's objective, your conceptual approach, the design process, challenges overcome, and the final outcome/impact. Use visuals to illustrate key stages.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates advanced proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. If applicable, include examples showcasing HTML5/web design knowledge.

• Emphasize Client Focus: Frame your projects around how they solved client problems, met marketing objectives, and delivered measurable results (if possible).

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation to tell a compelling narrative about your design journey and problem-solving abilities.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing marketing collateral for a commercial real estate property, considering target audiences (investors, tenants, etc.) and key selling points.

• Familiarize yourself with Transwestern's existing brand guidelines and recent marketing campaigns to demonstrate an understanding of their aesthetic and strategic direction.

• Practice articulating your design choices and defending your creative decisions based on strategy and client goals, not just personal preference.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Portfolio Required" and the statement "Applications without a portfolio will not be accepted" underscores its critical importance. The interview process will heavily weigh the candidate's ability to articulate their design process and demonstrate how their work aligns with client objectives and business goals, especially within the commercial real estate sector.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in Adobe InDesign (for layout and print production), Adobe Illustrator (for vector graphics and logos), and Adobe Photoshop (for image editing and digital assets). Adobe Acrobat is also essential for PDF creation and management.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is necessary for integration with business documents, data presentation, and proposal creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Experience with project management and collaboration tools such as Miro and Monday.com is listed as a plus, indicating a need for efficient workflow management and team coordination.

• Basic understanding of HTML5 and web design principles suggests familiarity with web content management systems or the ability to provide assets for them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack is heavily centered around the Adobe Creative Suite, which is standard for graphic design roles. The inclusion of MS Office Suite and basic web design knowledge indicates the need for integration with broader business functions and digital presence. The "plus" for project management tools points to an organizational emphasis on efficient workflow and collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on "Empowering Good People to do Extraordinary Things Together" highlights a culture that values teamwork, shared success, and mutual support.

• Service Excellence: The firm's reputation for "service excellence" suggests a commitment to high-quality work, client satisfaction, and professionalism in all interactions.

• Innovation & Creativity: The pursuit of "innovative solutions" and "creative" thinking implies an environment that encourages new ideas and pushing boundaries within