Graphic Designer, Development

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer, Development

Company: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Development & Marketing Operations (with a focus on visual communications for fundraising)

Date Posted: May 13, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is integral to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's (PSO) Development department, focusing on creating compelling visual and written collateral to support fundraising initiatives and donor engagement.

• The Graphic Designer will translate complex fundraising priorities, including annual fund and capital campaign messaging, into accessible and impactful donor-facing materials.

• Responsibilities span the full design lifecycle, from conceptualization and execution to print and digital production, ensuring strict adherence to PSO brand guidelines.

• The position requires a blend of strong graphic design skills, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, and foundational copywriting and proofreading abilities.

• This is a hybrid role, requiring 3 days per week in-office at Heinz Hall, with occasional evening/weekend work for events.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer, Development," the core responsibilities and focus on donor communications place this role within the broader spectrum of operations, specifically supporting the critical revenue-generating functions of fundraising and development through effective visual storytelling and communication. It bridges creative design with strategic business objectives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce high-quality visual assets for both print and digital channels, with a specific emphasis on fundraising and donor communications. This includes proposals, case statements, stewardship reports, annual fund appeals, capital campaign materials, invitations, campaigns, and presentations.

• Collaborate closely with the Development team to effectively translate intricate fundraising priorities and campaign messaging into visually engaging and donor-friendly content.

• Manage the entire design project lifecycle from initial concept development through final production, ensuring all deliverables meet established deadlines, budgets, and quality standards.

• Work cross-functionally with colleagues in the Development, Marketing, and Communications departments to develop creative solutions that align with overarching organizational goals and enhance the PSO's brand presence.

• Diligently uphold and enforce PSO brand guidelines across all materials, ensuring a consistent and cohesive visual identity for all donor interactions and institutional communications.

• Contribute to the refinement of written content by developing and editing copy for select materials, such as annual fund appeals, campaign messaging, donor recognition pieces, and general donor communications.

• Perform thorough proofreading and editing of all materials to ensure accuracy, grammatical correctness, appropriate tone, and consistency in messaging.

• Prepare final files for both print and digital production, liaising with external vendors to guarantee high-quality output and timely delivery.

• Effectively manage multiple concurrent projects within a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.

• Continuously research and integrate current design trends, tools, and best practices to enhance the creative quality and effectiveness of all design output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "translating complex fundraising priorities" and "donor-friendly visual and written content" highlights a strategic operations function. This role isn't just about aesthetics; it's about using design to influence donor perception and drive financial support, a key GTM (Go-To-Market) operations aspect within the development function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Communications, Marketing, or a closely related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional graphic design experience, with a demonstrated track record of creating impactful visual communications.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to design and produce high-quality visual materials for both print and digital platforms.

• Strong portfolio showcasing excellence in graphic design, including examples of donor communications, marketing collateral, or similar projects.

• Comprehensive working knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) on a Mac operating system.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, for collaboration and content creation.

• Foundational copywriting and editing skills, with a keen eye for grammar, punctuation, and tone.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the capacity to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

• Adaptability and openness to receiving constructive feedback to refine designs and achieve project objectives.

• Solid understanding of production processes for both print and digital media, including file preparation and vendor coordination.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience supporting fundraising, nonprofit organizations, or donor communications, specifically with annual fund and/or capital campaigns.

• Familiarity with the operational landscape and communication nuances of arts and cultural organizations.

• Experience in presentation design using software such as PowerPoint, Keynote, or Canva.

• A genuine interest in or knowledge of classical music.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is critical for design roles. For this specific position, candidates should curate their portfolios to highlight work that demonstrates their ability to communicate complex ideas visually, particularly in a development or non-profit context. Examples of stewardship reports, campaign materials, or donor appeals would be highly relevant.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a range of design projects that demonstrate proficiency in both print and digital mediums.

• The portfolio must include examples that highlight the ability to translate complex information (e.g., fundraising goals, campaign narratives) into clear, compelling visual narratives.

• Specific focus on projects that reflect an understanding of donor communications, marketing collateral, or campaign materials is highly valued.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, including how they approach project briefs, concept development, iteration based on feedback, and final file preparation for production.

• Understanding of workflow management for design projects, including time estimation, resource allocation (e.g., vendor management), and quality control checkpoints.

• Familiarity with how design assets support broader organizational processes, such as marketing campaigns, development outreach, and event promotion.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on development communications, the portfolio should ideally showcase projects that demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also an understanding of how design can influence audience perception and drive specific actions (e.g., donations, event attendance). Metrics or results, if available, from past campaigns would be a significant plus.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $52,000 - $58,000 USD per year, commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well-being and financial security.

• Paid Holidays: Recognized public holidays are provided with paid time off.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous PTO accrual for work-life balance.

• Employer Paid Health Benefits: Health insurance coverage with employer contributions.

• Retirement Savings Options: Access to a retirement savings plan with an employer match, promoting long-term financial planning.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, exempt position typically requiring 40 hours per week. The role operates on a hybrid model, with an expectation of 3 days per week in the office. Occasional work on evenings and weekends may be required to support PSO concerts, events, and critical development deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-level Graphic Designer role in Pittsburgh, particularly within the non-profit arts sector. The benefits package is robust, indicating a commitment to employee welfare and retention, which is a positive sign for operations professionals seeking stability. The hybrid nature with specific in-office days is a key operational detail for planning.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Performing Arts / Non-Profit Arts Organization. The PSO operates within a highly competitive and culturally significant sector, requiring a blend of artistic excellence, community engagement, and robust operational management to sustain its mission.

Company Size: The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is a large, established non-profit organization with a significant operational footprint, likely employing several hundred individuals across artistic, administrative, marketing, development, and technical departments.

Founded: The PSO has a rich history, founded over 120 years ago, and is now entering its 130th season. This longevity signifies stability, a deep-rooted connection to its community, and a mature operational structure.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer reports to the Senior Manager of Publications, indicating a clear reporting line within a department focused on content creation and dissemination.

• This role will collaborate closely with the Development team, suggesting a matrixed working relationship where design support directly serves fundraising goals.

Methodology:

• The PSO emphasizes artistic excellence and community engagement, suggesting an operational approach that balances creative output with strategic outreach and impact measurement.

• Data-driven decision-making is likely employed, particularly within Development and Marketing, to track campaign performance, donor engagement, and audience reach.

• Workflow optimization is crucial for a large arts organization, involving efficient project management, resource allocation, and cross-departmental coordination to meet performance objectives.

Company Website: https://www.pittsburghsymphony.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: Working for a prestigious symphony orchestra involves a unique culture that values artistic integrity, community impact, and professional operational support. Candidates should understand the dual nature of working for a mission-driven non-profit that also operates like a sophisticated business, requiring strong collaboration and efficient processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Graphic Designer, primarily focused on execution and supporting specific departmental objectives (Development). It offers a foundation in specialized design for fundraising and institutional advancement.

Reporting Structure: The direct report to the Senior Manager of Publications places this role within a content and communications framework. However, the close partnership with the Development team means influence and collaboration will extend across functional areas.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the PSO's ability to attract and retain donors by creating compelling materials that communicate the organization's value, impact, and needs. This role is crucial for the operational success of fundraising campaigns and donor stewardship efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in design for fundraising, capital campaigns, and donor relations, becoming a go-to resource for the Development team.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Exposure to Marketing and Communications strategies, offering potential pathways into broader marketing design or campaign management roles.

• Presentation Design Mastery: Developing advanced skills in PowerPoint, Keynote, and Canva can lead to roles focused on executive presentations or internal communications.

• Industry Acumen: Gaining experience within the non-profit arts sector can open doors to similar roles in other cultural institutions or related non-profits.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a design role, its placement within the Development function means growth can also be lateral into areas like Donor Relations Associate or Communications Specialist with a development focus, leveraging design skills alongside communication strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is primarily based at Heinz Hall, the PSO's historic downtown Pittsburgh venue. This suggests a professional, arts-centric environment that can be both inspiring and demanding, especially during performance seasons.

Office Location(s): Heinz Hall, downtown Pittsburgh, PA 15222. This central location is accessible via public transportation and offers proximity to other cultural and business amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is hybrid, blending in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. This requires strong self-management and communication skills.

• The office setting at Heinz Hall likely provides a visually stimulating environment, surrounded by the arts and culture the PSO champions.

• Opportunities for interaction with diverse teams—from musicians and artistic staff to administrative and development professionals—foster a rich collaborative atmosphere.

• Access to standard office technology and potentially specialized design software and hardware within the PSO's infrastructure.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, with a hybrid model requiring 3 days per week in the office. The need for occasional evening and weekend work during PSO events or critical development deadlines necessitates flexibility and proactive time management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with specific in-office days is a critical operational constraint. Candidates must be comfortable with this structure and capable of managing their time effectively to ensure both in-office collaboration and remote productivity. The occasional evening/weekend requirement is common in arts organizations and must be factored into work-life balance planning.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and crucially, your portfolio link to assess fundamental design skills and relevant experience.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A deeper dive into your portfolio, likely with a hiring manager or Senior Manager of Publications. This may include a discussion about your design process, how you approach specific project types (e.g., donor communications), and your understanding of brand guidelines. Expect questions about your experience with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.

• Skills Challenge (Potential): You might be asked to complete a small design exercise or critique existing materials to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and design thinking in relation to PSO's needs.

• Team/Departmental Interview: An opportunity to meet with members of the Development team and potentially Marketing/Communications colleagues. This assesses your collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit within the organization. Questions will likely focus on how you'd support their initiatives.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader, to discuss your overall fit, career aspirations, and understanding of the PSO's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your ability to create compelling donor-facing materials, annual fund appeals, or campaign collateral. If you lack direct non-profit experience, highlight projects with similar communication challenges or target audiences.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, your design process, the tools used, and the outcome or impact. Visuals are key, but context is crucial.

• Highlight Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully worked within strict brand guidelines, demonstrating your ability to maintain consistency.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include a mix of print and digital examples if possible, reflecting the breadth of the role's requirements.

• Ensure Accessibility: Double-check that your portfolio link is active and easy to navigate.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the PSO's Mission: Research the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's current season, recent achievements, key initiatives (like capital campaigns), and their overall brand voice.

• Analyze Donor Communications: Familiarize yourself with how other major non-profits (especially arts organizations) communicate with donors. Look at their annual reports, appeals, and campaign materials.

• Prepare for "Why Development?": Be ready to articulate why you are interested in supporting a Development function, not just creating general graphic design work. Connect your passion for design with the PSO's mission and fundraising goals.

• Practice Pitching Designs: Think about how you would present a design concept to a stakeholder who may not have a design background, focusing on how it meets their objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will heavily weigh the portfolio. Candidates should anticipate detailed questions about their design choices and their understanding of how design supports fundraising objectives. The "Development" aspect of the title is key – demonstrating an understanding of this function is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Essential):

  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex illustrations.
  • Adobe InDesign: For layout and page design of print materials like proposals, reports, and invitations.

• Microsoft Office Suite (Proficient):

  • Microsoft Word: For copywriting, editing, and creating text-heavy documents.
  • Microsoft PowerPoint: For presentation design, crucial for donor proposals and internal updates.
  • Microsoft Excel: For data organization and potentially creating simple charts/graphs for reports.
  • Microsoft Outlook/Teams: For communication and collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Presentation Software:

• PowerPoint: Required for presentation design.

• Keynote/Canva (Preferred): Familiarity with these alternative presentation tools can be beneficial for creative flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills in InDesign for print collateral and Photoshop/Illustrator for digital assets. Experience with presentation software is also a key requirement for supporting the Development team's outreach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Artistic Excellence: A deep appreciation for the quality and impact of orchestral music, reflected in all communications.

• Community Engagement: A commitment to serving and connecting with the Pittsburgh community through accessible programming and outreach.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork and cross-departmental cooperation to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Utilizing insights from fundraising, marketing, and audience data to guide strategy and creative output.

• Efficiency & Impact: Striving for operational excellence and maximizing the impact of every initiative, including creative assets.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration between Development, Marketing, and Communications, ensuring integrated messaging and brand consistency.

• Feedback-Driven Process: A culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and used to refine creative work, leading to stronger outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: An environment where team members share insights, best practices, and creative inspiration to elevate the collective output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values of an arts organization like the PSO often blend artistic passion with professional operational discipline. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of how creative work supports a larger mission and how collaboration is essential in a complex non-profit structure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Artistic vs. Commercial Needs: Harmonizing the artistic integrity of the PSO with the strategic, often performance-driven, needs of the Development department.

• Translating Complex Concepts: Effectively visualizing and articulating the abstract value of arts patronage and the intricate details of capital campaigns to diverse donor audiences.

• Meeting Tight Deadlines: The fast-paced nature of event-driven organizations and campaign cycles can create pressure for rapid design turnaround.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all visual output adheres to established guidelines while still producing fresh and engaging creative work.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Deepen expertise in graphic design principles tailored for fundraising, non-profit marketing, and donor stewardship.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience within the renowned performing arts sector, understanding its unique operational and creative demands.

• Cross-Departmental Insights: Develop a broader understanding of non-profit operations by working closely with Development, Marketing, and Communications teams.

• Presentation Design: Enhance skills in creating impactful presentations that effectively convey strategic messages and drive stakeholder buy-in.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of translating complex concepts is central to this role. Candidates who can demonstrate a structured approach to understanding and visually communicating intricate ideas will be highly valued. Growth opportunities are strong for those looking to specialize within the non-profit arts sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a compelling case statement for a capital campaign, considering the target audience and the PSO's specific artistic mission?" (Focus on process, audience, and storytelling.)

• "Describe a time you had to work within strict brand guidelines for a client or organization. How did you ensure consistency while still delivering a creative solution?" (Tests adherence and creative problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and its mission?" (Shows research and genuine interest.)

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to the success of the PSO's fundraising efforts?" (Connects your skills to the organizational objectives.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Focus: For each selected project, tell a story: the challenge, your solution, and the impact.

• Highlight Development Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate your ability to communicate value, inspire action, or work with complex information.

• Discuss Your Process: Be ready to walk through your steps, from brief to final asset, explaining your rationale at each stage.

• Address Brand Guidelines: Be prepared to discuss how you've incorporated or adapted to existing brand standards in your work.

• Quantify Impact (If Possible): If any of your past designs led to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, successful fundraising), be ready to share those metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect questions that probe your understanding of how design serves business objectives, particularly in a fundraising context. Your portfolio presentation should be less about just showing pretty pictures and more about demonstrating strategic design thinking applied to specific challenges.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned design position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the provided application portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 3-5 of your strongest projects that align with the requirements of this role, particularly those demonstrating experience in donor communications, non-profit work, or complex information design.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Graphic Design," "Development," "Donor Communications," "Adobe Creative Suite," "Print & Digital Design," and "Project Management." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your understanding of the PSO's mission, and how your skills can directly support the Development team's fundraising goals. Be ready to discuss specific portfolio pieces in detail.

• Research the PSO: Thoroughly review the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's website, recent news, current season programming, and any visible capital campaign information to demonstrate informed 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.