Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Utah's Promise

Location: Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Art & Design / Social Services

Date Posted: December 04, 2025

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is central to Utah's Promise's mission of removing barriers and improving outcomes for children and families by creating compelling visual communications that support their outreach and impact initiatives.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for translating complex social service concepts into accessible and engaging visual assets across various digital and print platforms.

• A key focus will be on maintaining and evolving the brand identity of Utah's Promise and its constituent organizations, ensuring consistency and professionalism in all outward-facing materials.

• The position demands a blend of creative artistry and technical proficiency, requiring the ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines within a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job title is "Graphic Designer," the company's mission and industry (nonprofit, social services) indicate a strong need for a designer who can translate complex social issues into understandable and impactful visual narratives. This role will likely involve more than just aesthetic design; it will require strategic communication through visuals.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and produce a wide range of marketing and communication materials, including social media graphics, web banners, email invitations, posters, flyers, brochures, and other collateral, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and campaign objectives.

• Update and maintain existing branded marketing materials, such as templates, booklets, brochures, maps, presentations, and proposals, applying creative solutions to refresh and enhance their visual appeal and effectiveness.

• Collaborate closely with content writers and program managers to refine copy layouts, integrate visual elements, and ensure that the final designs effectively convey the intended message and support organizational goals.

• Prepare publication-ready presentation slides, leveraging custom design elements and internal templates to create impactful visuals for internal and external stakeholders.

• Participate actively in team meetings to discuss project scopes, provide design input, and contribute to strategic planning for communication initiatives.

• Manage and prioritize multiple design projects concurrently, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality finished work that meets or exceeds expectations and adheres strictly to specified deadlines.

• Effectively communicate design intent, specifications (dimensions, materials, production methods), and rationale to internal teams and external vendors, ensuring smooth execution and print/digital readiness.

• Manage and organize design file management systems and maintain resource files, ensuring easy accessibility and version control for all creative assets.

• Perform event photography when necessary, process images, and integrate them effectively into existing or new marketing materials to enhance storytelling and engagement.

• Receive and manage inventory of print materials, ensuring adequate stock and coordinating reorders or reprints as needed to support ongoing operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility list has been expanded to include more specific tasks related to visual asset creation and management, common in graphic design roles within organizations. The emphasis on "publication-ready" and "pre-press" knowledge from the original description is integrated into the production and communication responsibilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design strongly preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 4 years of related experience and/or training in graphic and web design, layout, prepress, marketing, presentation, and production.

Required Skills:

• Proven graphic design skills with exceptional attention to detail and a strong collaborative mindset.

• Intermediate knowledge, skills, and experience with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat Professional).

• Intermediate experience creating images and graphics for print, web, and social media platforms.

• Excellent ability to comprehend and interpret instructions, communicate effectively with team members, and clarify details to ensure complete understanding of tasks.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially PowerPoint for presentation design.

• Knowledge of Mac operating systems.

• Familiarity with SharePoint for document management and collaboration.

• Experience with Canva for quick design tasks or user-generated content.

• Exposure to Asana or similar project management tools for workflow tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original "Requirements" section has been structured into "Required" and "Preferred" skills for clarity. Specific software mentioned (Canva, Asana, SharePoint) are categorized as preferred, reflecting their role as supplementary tools rather than core design software. The experience level has been inferred from the "5-10 years" AI assessment based on the 4-year minimum requirement and the nature of the responsibilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 4 years of design work, demonstrating proficiency across print, web, and social media platforms.

• The portfolio should highlight creative solutions and technical execution, with a focus on how design supported marketing objectives or communication goals.

• Include examples of template creation, presentation design, and updates to existing branded materials, illustrating the ability to work within established brand guidelines.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of managing multiple projects with competing deadlines, showcasing effective time management and prioritization strategies.

• Examples of collaboration with content creators or program teams, illustrating the ability to translate complex information into clear visual narratives.

• Documentation or case studies that detail the design process from concept to final delivery, including any problem-solving or adaptation required.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to the "Graphic Designer" role, focusing on the visual aspects of a portfolio. The original requirement for a portfolio is expanded to include specific types of projects and skills that would be relevant for a designer in a nonprofit, social services context, emphasizing process and collaboration.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $50,000 - $56,000 USD per year. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• 6% retirement match.

• Comprehensive life, accidental death, and long & short-term disability insurance.

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions.

• Free on-site gym and bike storage facilities.

• Paid parking or public transportation subsidy.

• Two weeks of paid office closure (typically during December and July).

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Health time accrual.

• Paid parental leave.

• Onsite coffee shop and café amenities.

• Paid time off for volunteering activities.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, indicating a standard full-time work schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits are directly extracted from the provided text. The "working_hours" field is interpreted as a standard full-time week. The benefits are detailed to provide a comprehensive overview for potential candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Social Services / Nonprofit. Utah's Promise operates within the vital sector of social services, focusing on removing barriers, improving education, and providing access to basic needs for children and families. This industry context implies a mission-driven environment where work directly contributes to community well-being.

Company Size: The listing originates from an organization that includes United Way of Salt Lake, 211 Utah (Salt Lake City team), and Promise Partnership Utah, suggesting a medium-to-large sized organization with multiple interconnected programs and teams. This size can offer both stability and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: While specific founding dates for the parent organization or its components are not provided, the inclusion of established entities like United Way and 211 suggests a long-standing presence and established operational frameworks within the community.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a marketing, communications, or development team, working alongside content creators, program staff, and potentially leadership.

• Reporting structure will likely be to a Marketing Director, Communications Manager, or a similar role overseeing brand and outreach efforts.

Methodology:

• The organization emphasizes a "fast-paced, friendly, adaptive" workplace culture grounded in core values: relationships, continuous improvement, results, and equity.

• Design work will likely be guided by data-driven insights from program outcomes and community needs, aiming for tangible "results" in outreach and engagement.

• A focus on "continuous improvement" suggests an openness to feedback and iterative design processes.

• "Equity" as a core value implies sensitivity in visual representation and a commitment to inclusive design practices.

Company Website: utahspromise.org

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context has been fleshed out by inferring typical characteristics of nonprofit organizations of this nature, focusing on mission, culture, and operational environment relevant to a creative role. The "Company Specialties" and "Company Description" from LinkedIn data would typically be analyzed here, but were not provided in the input.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level to senior individual contributor role within the creative function. It requires significant technical expertise and independent project management skills, with opportunities to influence visual direction and brand consistency.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing or Communications Manager, who oversees the overall outreach and branding strategy. This provides a clear line of communication for project direction and feedback.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the organization's ability to communicate its mission, attract support (donors, volunteers), and effectively reach its target beneficiaries. Strong visual communication is crucial for building trust, raising awareness, and demonstrating the impact of Utah's Promise's services.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized areas of graphic design, such as motion graphics, UI/UX design, or advanced digital illustration, through internal projects or external training.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and initiative, potential to move into a Senior Graphic Designer role, leading design projects, mentoring junior designers, or taking on more strategic branding responsibilities.

• Cross-Functional Development: Opportunities to learn about the nonprofit sector, program management, and stakeholder relations by working closely with different departments, potentially leading to roles in marketing strategy or program outreach coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers career progression and impact based on the common trajectory for graphic designers in established organizations, particularly within the nonprofit sector. The "Operations" context is adapted to "Creative Function" or "Marketing/Communications" for relevance.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job description mentions an "on-site" work arrangement and a Salt Lake City office location with amenities like paid parking or public transport subsidy, and an on-site gym. This suggests a traditional office environment designed for collaborative work.

Office Location(s): 257 E 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. This central location in Salt Lake City likely offers good accessibility for employees.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is described as "fast-paced, friendly, adaptive," suggesting a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere.

• As a designer, the workspace would ideally be equipped with the necessary hardware (e.g., powerful workstations) and software (Adobe Creative Suite), along with good lighting and ergonomic considerations.

• Opportunities for interaction with other team members, including content writers and program staff, will be frequent, fostering a collaborative design process.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, 40 hours per week. The mention of "flexible schedules" in the company summary suggests potential for some adaptability in daily working hours, provided project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section contextualizes the "on-site" work arrangement by detailing the likely office environment, amenities, and collaborative dynamics based on the company's description and industry norms.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of resumes and portfolios to assess qualifications, experience, and creative style. Candidates will be evaluated on their ability to meet the technical requirements and demonstrate relevant project experience.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: This stage will likely involve a more in-depth review of the candidate's portfolio. Be prepared to discuss specific projects, your design process, the rationale behind your creative choices, and how you've addressed client needs or project objectives. A practical design exercise or case study might also be included to assess problem-solving skills and technical proficiency.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers and potential team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and problem-solving abilities. Questions will likely focus on how you handle feedback, manage deadlines, and work within a team environment.

• Final Interview: A potential final round with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit with the organization's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this role (print, web, social media, presentations, template updates).

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly outline the brief, your role, your design process, challenges faced, and the final outcome or impact. Visuals of early concepts or sketches can be beneficial.

• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft PowerPoint, and your ability to create engaging graphics for various platforms.

• Tailor to Utah's Promise: If possible, include a project that demonstrates an understanding of nonprofit work or social impact. If not, articulate how your existing skills can translate to their mission.

• Digital Format: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible online (e.g., personal website, Behance, PDF) and is well-organized and visually appealing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that may involve creating a social media graphic, updating a flyer, or designing a presentation slide based on a given brief.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, focusing on how your design choices support the communication goals and brand identity.

• Understand the organization's mission and values, and be ready to explain how your design approach aligns with them.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, detailing the likely interview stages and offering specific tips for portfolio preparation and potential design challenges, tailored to a graphic design role in a nonprofit setting.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required in InDesign (for layout and print materials), Illustrator (for vector graphics, logos, icons), and Photoshop (for image editing, web graphics, and digital assets). Acrobat Professional is also listed for document management.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Specifically, strong skills in PowerPoint are required for presentation design, indicating its importance in internal and external communications. Word and Excel proficiency are typically assumed for general office tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• SharePoint: Mentioned as a potential plus, indicating its use for document sharing and collaboration within the organization.

• Canva: Listed as a potential plus, suggesting it might be used for quick design tasks or by non-designers, and familiarity with it could benefit collaborative workflows.

• Asana: Also listed as a potential plus, indicating its use for project management and task tracking. Proficiency here would aid in managing workloads and deadlines effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the essential and preferred software tools based on the job description, categorizing them by function (design, office, project management) and highlighting their importance for the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Relationships: The organization emphasizes building strong relationships, suggesting the designer should be adept at collaborative communication, seeking input, and fostering positive working dynamics with colleagues and stakeholders.

• Continuous Improvement: This value implies an openness to feedback, iteration, and learning. Designers should be willing to refine their work based on constructive criticism and stay updated on design trends and best practices.

• Results: The focus on results means designs should be effective in achieving communication objectives, whether it's increasing engagement, driving donations, or clearly conveying information. Designers will be expected to contribute to measurable outcomes.

• Equity: As a core value, equity means designs should be inclusive, accessible, and sensitive to diverse audiences. This requires thoughtful consideration of representation, language, and design choices to ensure no group is marginalized.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The designer will work closely with content writers, program managers, and potentially fundraising or outreach teams, requiring clear communication and the ability to translate diverse needs into visual concepts.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture of constructive feedback is implied by "continuous improvement." Designers should be comfortable giving and receiving feedback to enhance project outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: The "friendly" and "adaptive" environment suggests a willingness to share design knowledge and best practices, potentially mentoring others or contributing to team skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section synthesizes the explicitly stated company values into actionable insights for a designer, explaining how these values translate into daily work, collaboration, and decision-making within the team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Concepts: A primary challenge will be converting the nuanced and often complex issues addressed by Utah's Promise into visually simple, understandable, and impactful graphics.

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Creativity: Maintaining adherence to established brand guidelines while also producing fresh, creative, and engaging designs for diverse campaigns can be a delicate balance.

• Managing Competing Priorities: With multiple projects and deadlines, effectively prioritizing and managing workload will be an ongoing challenge, requiring strong organizational and time management skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Platforms: The need to create graphics for print, web, and social media means staying current with the technical specifications and best practices for each platform, which are constantly evolving.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Training: Opportunities to attend workshops or online courses to enhance skills in areas like motion graphics, advanced digital illustration, or UI/UX design.

• Nonprofit Sector Insights: Gaining a deeper understanding of the social services landscape, fundraising, and community outreach through close collaboration with program teams.

• Brand Strategy Exposure: Involvement in higher-level discussions about brand messaging and strategy, potentially leading to roles with more strategic input.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced marketing or communications professionals within the organization or through industry networks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section anticipates potential challenges specific to a graphic designer in a nonprofit setting and outlines development opportunities that align with common career paths in creative fields.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Describe your typical design process from receiving a brief to delivering final assets. How do you ensure your designs meet client objectives?" Be ready to walk through a project from your portfolio.

• Problem-Solving: "Imagine we need to create a campaign to increase awareness of our [specific program, e.g., youth education support]. What visual approaches would you consider, and why?" Focus on strategic thinking and how visuals support objectives.

• Collaboration & Feedback: "How do you handle receiving critical feedback on your designs? Can you give an example of a time you had to revise a design based on feedback, and what was the outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to working for Utah's Promise and our mission?" Research their programs and values.

• "How do you embody our core values of relationships, continuous improvement, results, and equity in your work?" Provide specific examples.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the problem, your solution, and the impact. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Clearly point out your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and your ability to produce print-ready and web-optimized assets.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Show examples of how you've worked within brand guidelines and adapted designs for different platforms or audiences.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have metrics or testimonials related to your designs, share them to demonstrate results.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides targeted interview preparation advice, including example questions and strategies for presenting a portfolio, tailored to the specific role and company context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on recruiting.paylocity.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Review your existing portfolio and select projects that best showcase your skills in print, web, and social media design, as well as presentation design and template updates. Tailor your selection to highlight experience relevant to nonprofit or social impact organizations if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 4+ years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, and any experience with preferred tools like Canva or Asana. Use keywords from the job description such as "graphic design," "marketing materials," "social media graphics," and "presentation design."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, creative rationale, and how your skills align with Utah's Promise's mission and values. Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and be ready for a potential design challenge.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Utah's Promise, United Way of Salt Lake, and 211 Utah to understand their mission, programs, and target audience. This will help you tailor your application and responses to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding compensation, benefits, and specific interview processes, should be verified directly with Utah's Promise before making application decisions.