Graphic Designer - Manufacturing Centres of Excellence

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Manufacturing Centres of Excellence

Company: TAFE NSW

Location: Statewide, Far West and North Central NSW, Gosford, Central Coast and Region, Goulburn & Southern Tablelands, Lake Macquarie, Lismore & Far North Coast, Newcastle, Hunter & Region, Port Macquarie & Mid-North Coast, Riverina & Murray, Southern Highlands, Sydney - East, Sydney - Greater West, Sydney - Inner West, Sydney - North/North West, Sydney - South, Sydney - West, Sydney City, Tamworth & North West NSW, Wollongong & The South Coast (Negotiable across NSW)

Job Type: Temporary Full-time

Category: Marketing & Communications Operations / Education Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-22

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

Remote Status: On-site (Negotiable across NSW campuses)

🚀 Role Summary

• Creative Content Development: Design and produce engaging, contemporary graphics and learning resources to support diploma, associate degree, microskill, and microcredential programs within the Manufacturing Centres of Excellence (MCoE) initiative.

• Learning Experience Enhancement: Transform concepts into high-quality, visually appealing, and user-friendly educational products that elevate the student learning experience.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with subject matter experts, learning designers, and various stakeholders to interpret briefs, develop concepts, and ensure final designs meet educational objectives and organizational standards.

• Project Lifecycle Management: Manage the design process from initial concept development through to final production, ensuring timely delivery of polished final products in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Graphic Designer," its context within the "Manufacturing Centres of Excellence" and the emphasis on "learning resources" and "educational products" strongly suggests a blend of creative design and educational content operations. This role requires not just aesthetic proficiency but also an understanding of instructional design principles and the ability to translate complex information into accessible learning materials, aligning closely with GTM (Go-To-Market) principles for educational offerings and internal communication needs. The "Operations" aspect is evident in the structured development, production, and delivery of learning content.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a wide range of visual assets, including graphics, illustrations, infographics, and layouts for digital and print learning materials.

• Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Learning Designers to conceptualize and develop compelling visual narratives for educational content across various program levels.

• Translate complex technical information and learning objectives into clear, engaging, and user-friendly graphic designs.

• Ensure all designed materials adhere to TAFE NSW brand guidelines, organizational standards, and accessibility requirements.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, from brief interpretation and concept generation to final asset delivery, meeting deadlines effectively.

• Liaise with internal stakeholders to gather feedback, iterate on designs, and ensure project requirements are met.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and standards within the MCoE team.

• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of design trends and technologies relevant to educational content and manufacturing sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strategic visual communication, crucial for "Go-To-Market" (GTM) strategies in education, where clear and engaging materials are key to attracting and retaining students. The emphasis on "learning resources" and "educational products" points to a role deeply embedded in the operational delivery of TAFE NSW's educational services.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Associate Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Multimedia Design, or a closely related field.

• OR Equivalent demonstrated skills, knowledge, and experience in graphic design. Experience:

• Minimum 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a strong portfolio showcasing a range of design projects.

• Demonstrated experience in developing educational materials, learning resources, or training content.

• Proven ability to manage the full design lifecycle, from concept to final production. Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Software Proficiency: Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is essential for creating high-quality visual assets.

• Visual Communication: Ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging, and aesthetically pleasing graphics.

• Concept Development: Skill in brainstorming, conceptualizing, and developing creative design ideas based on project briefs.

• Stakeholder Management: Effective communication and collaboration skills to work with SMEs, learning designers, and other stakeholders.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to standards.

• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

• Adaptability: Willingness to adjust designs based on feedback and evolving project requirements.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the specific development and design of educational or learning materials.

• Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) or e-learning design principles.

• Knowledge of user experience (UX) principles as applied to digital learning content.

• Understanding of manufacturing industry aesthetics or terminology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "highly regarded" experience in educational materials is critical. This implies the need for candidates to showcase an understanding of pedagogical principles and how design supports learning outcomes, a nuanced skill beyond standard graphic design. This points to a need for candidates to demonstrate how their design work facilitates effective knowledge transfer, a key operational goal in education.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Design Process: Showcase a clear, structured design process, including concept development, iteration, and final execution for at least 2-3 distinct projects.

• Educational Content Examples: Feature specific examples of graphic design work created for educational resources, learning modules, or training materials, highlighting their purpose and impact.

• Stakeholder Collaboration Evidence: If possible, include projects where collaboration with SMEs or clients was integral, demonstrating how feedback was incorporated to refine designs.

• Brand and Standard Adherence: Present work that clearly adheres to brand guidelines or specific project requirements, showing an understanding of client/organizational standards.

Process Documentation:

• Brief Interpretation & Concepting: Examples of how initial project briefs were analyzed and translated into initial design concepts.

• Iterative Design & Feedback Integration: Showcase how designs evolved through feedback loops, including examples of revisions and final approved versions.

• Final Production & Delivery: Demonstrate the final output and how it was prepared for delivery, ensuring technical specifications were met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement to upload a portfolio or link to work, coupled with a targeted question about developing learning resources, strongly indicates that the review process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to apply design skills within an educational operational context. The portfolio should not just be a collection of pretty pictures but a narrative demonstrating a strategic approach to design for learning.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $103,050 - $108,266 AUD per annum (inclusive of base salary $90,791 - $95,387, employer superannuation contribution, and annual leave loading).

Benefits:

• Employer Superannuation Contribution: Standard employer contributions to superannuation, a key retirement savings benefit.

• Annual Leave Loading: An additional payment made when employees take annual leave, typically a percentage of their base rate.

• Temporary Full-time Contract: Offers the stability of full-time employment for the duration of the contract (until June 2028).

• Negotiable Location: Flexibility to be based across various TAFE NSW campuses in NSW, subject to availability.

• Access to Professional Development: Implied through the nature of working within an educational institution focused on skills development.

Working Hours: Full-time (assumed 35-40 hours per week, typical for NSW public sector roles).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-level graphic design role in NSW, particularly within the public education sector. The inclusion of superannuation and annual leave loading are standard but valuable benefits in the Australian employment landscape. The "negotiable location" aspect is a significant operational flexibility for the candidate.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education and Training (Public Sector)

Company Size: Large (TAFE NSW is a major educational institution in Australia)

Founded: TAFE NSW has a long history, with its modern structure evolving over time. This implies a stable, established organizational culture with a focus on public service and community impact.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Manufacturing Centres of Excellence (MCoE) team. This team is likely structured to support the strategic initiative of addressing manufacturing skills challenges.

• The role involves close collaboration with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Learning Designers, and potentially other MCoE program managers and stakeholders from government and industry.

• The reporting structure would likely be to a Senior Manager or Program Lead within the MCoE, with direct reporting to the Senior Manager Curriculum (Mike Keppell) mentioned for role-specific enquiries. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Educational Strategy: The MCoE initiative is based on addressing identified skills gaps through targeted training, implying a data-informed approach to curriculum and resource development.

• Collaborative Development: The emphasis on partnering with industry, other CoEs, and educational institutions suggests a highly collaborative and networked approach to program design and delivery.

• Agile Resource Creation: The need to produce engaging, contemporary materials for diverse programs (short courses, microskills, higher apprenticeships) suggests an agile methodology for content creation and design.

Company Website: https://www.tafensw.edu.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: TAFE NSW, as a large public vocational education provider, likely fosters a culture centered on service delivery, community impact, and professional development. The MCoE initiative represents an innovative, forward-looking aspect of this culture, focusing on future industry needs. The operations within this team are geared towards effectively delivering specialized training solutions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Graphic Designer. This role is positioned to execute design strategies and produce core creative assets for specific educational programs. It offers a path to specialize in educational design or move into broader marketing/communications operations roles.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports into a management structure within the MCoE, likely working closely with Learning Designers and SMEs. This provides exposure to curriculum development and educational strategy.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the perceived quality and effectiveness of TAFE NSW's MCoE programs. High-quality visuals enhance student engagement, comprehension, and the overall brand perception of these specialized offerings, contributing to the MCoE's "Go-To-Market" success and operational efficiency in student acquisition and retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in Educational Design: Deepen expertise in designing for learning, potentially leading to roles like Senior Instructional Designer or E-learning Specialist.

• Broader Marketing & Communications: Transition into roles managing content creation across broader marketing campaigns for TAFE NSW or other educational institutions.

• Project Management: Develop skills in managing larger design or content development projects within the education sector.

• Leadership within MCoE: With demonstrated success, potential to lead design efforts or manage small creative teams within future initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a unique opportunity to build a portfolio in the specialized field of educational graphic design, a niche that is increasingly valuable. The temporary nature (until June 2028) provides a defined period to gain significant experience and explore further opportunities within TAFE NSW or the broader public sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is primarily on-site, with flexibility to be based at various TAFE NSW campuses across NSW. This implies a standard office environment within an educational institution.

Office Location(s): Negotiable across numerous TAFE NSW locations statewide, including major centres like Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Gosford, and regional areas. Successful candidates should consult campus availability.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expected to work closely with learning designers and SMEs, fostering a team-oriented atmosphere focused on educational product development.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard office technology, design software (Adobe Creative Suite), and potentially learning management systems or content authoring tools.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with colleagues on design projects, curriculum development, and MCoE initiatives.

Work Schedule: Full-time, standard business hours, with potential for some flexibility depending on campus policies and project demands. The temporary nature of the role means a focused, project-driven schedule is likely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "negotiable across NSW" aspect is a significant operational consideration. Candidates should research the specific TAFE NSW campuses they are interested in to understand the local work environment and available facilities. The role is embedded within an educational setting, which typically has a structured and supportive work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Screening of resumes, cover letters (if applicable), and most importantly, the portfolio and response to the targeted question.

• Targeted Question Assessment: Evaluation of the candidate's written response regarding their experience with educational resource development and stakeholder engagement. This assesses their understanding of the role's core operational function.

• Interview Stage: Likely involves a panel interview with key stakeholders (e.g., hiring manager, learning designer, SME). Expect questions on design process, problem-solving, collaboration, and experience with educational content.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present specific pieces from their portfolio, discussing their process, design choices, and the impact of their work, particularly concerning learning outcomes.

• Reference Checks: Standard procedure for public sector roles.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with educational design and content creation. Prioritize work that demonstrates your process and problem-solving abilities.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: For each project, include a brief description of the brief, your role, the design process followed, challenges faced, and the final outcome/impact. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "improved clarity," "enhanced engagement").

• Highlight Educational Experience: Ensure at least one project clearly showcases your ability to design for learning, demonstrating an understanding of how visuals support educational objectives.

• Technical Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss the software and tools used, and any technical considerations for asset delivery.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate (e.g., a dedicated website, PDF, or Behance/Dribbble profile).

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Design Scenarios: Be ready to discuss hypothetical design challenges related to creating learning materials for complex manufacturing topics.

• Process Articulation: Practice explaining your design process clearly and concisely, focusing on efficiency, collaboration, and meeting objectives.

• Stakeholder Empathy: Prepare to discuss how you would manage differing opinions or feedback from SMEs and learning designers to achieve a cohesive final product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The targeted question is a critical filter. Candidates must clearly articulate a systematic approach to developing learning resources, demonstrating an understanding of the entire lifecycle from concept to delivery, and how they integrate stakeholder input to achieve educational goals. This is a key indicator of operational competence in this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are essential.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word for text integration, PowerPoint for presentations and potentially some basic design/layout.

• Collaboration Platforms: Likely Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for team communication and file sharing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary function, understanding how visual assets are tracked or perform (e.g., engagement rates on digital learning platforms) could be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core graphic design function, but familiarity with how learning resources are deployed via an LMS or other student management systems would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools at an advanced level, particularly how they leverage them for efficiency and producing high-quality, scalable assets for educational purposes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Commitment to Education: A core value of delivering high-quality education that leads to life-changing impacts for students.

• Innovation: Embracing new models like the MCoEs to address industry skills challenges and future-proof the workforce.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams and with external partners to achieve shared goals.

• Excellence: Striving for high standards in all aspects of work, from curriculum design to visual communication.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: Creating a welcoming and accessible learning environment for all students and staff.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with learning designers, SMEs, and program managers, emphasizing a team-based approach to educational product development.

• Feedback-Driven Process: An open culture for providing and receiving constructive feedback on designs to ensure alignment with learning objectives and stakeholder expectations.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices in design and educational resource development within the MCoE team and potentially across TAFE NSW.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a mission-driven approach. Candidates should demonstrate how their design philosophy aligns with supporting educational outcomes and contributing to the broader societal impact of TAFE NSW, reflecting a strong operational ethos focused on purpose.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Concepts: Effectively visualizing complex manufacturing processes and advanced technologies (robotics, 3D printing, net-zero manufacturing) for a diverse learner audience.

• Balancing Creative and Operational Needs: Meeting tight deadlines and stakeholder demands while maintaining high creative quality and adhering to brand/educational standards.

• Navigating Multiple Campuses/Locations: Adapting to different work environments and potentially collaborating remotely with teams across various NSW locations.

• Rapid Content Development: Keeping pace with the evolving needs of the MCoE initiative, which may require quick turnaround times for new program materials.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Gaining in-depth experience in designing for vocational education and specific industry sectors like advanced manufacturing.

• Instructional Design Principles: Learning from experienced learning designers to better understand how to create effective learning experiences.

• Industry Exposure: Understanding the skills landscape and future needs within the manufacturing sector through close work with SMEs and industry partners.

• Professional Networking: Building connections within TAFE NSW and the broader educational and manufacturing sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for adaptability and a proactive approach to problem-solving, essential traits for success in operations roles where efficiency and effectiveness are paramount. The growth opportunities are directly tied to developing specialized skills highly relevant to the evolving education and training landscape.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience developing learning or educational resources. Outline the process you followed from initial brief to final product, including how you engaged with stakeholders to ensure the finished design met learning objectives and requirements." (Prepare a concise, structured answer using the STAR method if possible, focusing on a specific project.)

• How would you approach designing a visual aid for a complex topic like additive manufacturing for a learner with limited prior technical knowledge?

• How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive for a diverse range of learners?

• Describe a time you had to balance conflicting feedback from different stakeholders on a design project. How did you resolve it? Company & Culture Questions:

• What interests you about TAFE NSW and the Manufacturing Centres of Excellence initiative?

• How do you see your design skills contributing to the mission of life-changing impact through education?

• How do you stay updated on design trends and technologies relevant to vocational training?

• Describe your experience working in a team environment, particularly with individuals from different professional backgrounds (e.g., educators, technical experts). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each selected portfolio piece, clearly articulate the problem, your solution (design process), and the outcome.

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize how your design contributed to learning objectives, engagement, or clarity. Use metrics if available.

• Demonstrate Process: Walk through your conceptualization, ideation, and refinement stages. Show sketches or early concepts if relevant.

• Address the Targeted Question: Be prepared to elaborate on your written response with specific examples and insights during the interview.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will likely assess not just design skills but also the candidate's understanding of the educational context and their ability to operate effectively within an organizational structure. Candidates should prepare to articulate their thought process and how their design work serves a larger operational purpose.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the 'Apply Now' button on the careers page.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in graphic design, educational resource development, and any relevant software proficiency (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite). Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Curation: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Ensure they showcase your design process, educational design experience, and ability to meet project requirements.

• Targeted Question Response: Craft a clear, concise, and compelling answer (max. 300 words) to the provided question, focusing on your systematic approach to developing learning resources and stakeholder engagement.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with TAFE NSW, the Manufacturing Centres of Excellence initiative, and their mission. Understand their commitment to education and industry skills development.

• Prepare for Interview: Anticipate questions about your design process, educational design experience, collaboration skills, and how you align with TAFE NSW's values. Practice presenting your portfolio.

⚠️ 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.