Graphic Designer - Tampa Bay

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Stengel Hill Architecture

Location: Clearwater, Florida; Louisville, KY; Lexington, KY; Nashville, TN

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Experience Level: 3-5 Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in supporting Stengel Hill Architecture's marketing and project teams by creating compelling visual assets that communicate design intent and brand identity.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for the production of high-quality graphics, layouts, and visual materials, ensuring consistency with firmwide brand standards.

• Key activities involve translating complex architectural and technical information into easily understandable visual formats for proposals (RFPs), presentations, and project documentation.

• The position requires a strong command of the Adobe Creative Suite, with a specific emphasis on Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, to execute a wide range of design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities and context strongly suggest a role supporting marketing operations and business development within an architectural firm. The emphasis on proposals, project documentation, and brand consistency aligns with GTM support functions. The mention of "Generative AI" indicates a forward-thinking approach to design tools within the operations context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and produce a variety of visual materials, including graphic schedules, diagrams, and conceptual graphics, to enhance architectural project understanding and communication.

• Create and refine colorized floor plans and detailed architectural graphics using Adobe Illustrator, ensuring accuracy and visual appeal.

• Manage and recreate client logos and corporate branding assets, ensuring all visual materials adhere to brand guidelines.

• Produce and meticulously format layout-heavy project documents, data sheets, and proposal components using Adobe InDesign, maintaining high standards for print and digital delivery.

• Strategically place and manage various assets, such as images, PDFs, and other graphic elements, within complex document layouts.

• Prepare and optimize interactive PDF documents for both internal stakeholders and external client use, enhancing usability and engagement.

• Perform essential photo editing tasks in Adobe Photoshop, including color correction, cropping, and resizing, to ensure visual assets meet project requirements.

• Maintain a highly organized digital filing system for all graphic assets, ensuring easy retrieval and strict adherence to brand standards across all deliverables.

• Collaborate effectively with internal teams, including architects, project managers, and marketing staff, to translate technical architectural information into clear, concise, and impactful visuals.

• Support the marketing team in developing materials for Requests for Proposals (RFPs), presentations, and other business development initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a role that bridges creative design with business operations, specifically supporting the go-to-market strategy through high-quality marketing collateral and project documentation. The explicit mention of RFPs and proposals highlights the critical link to sales enablement and revenue generation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Experience: 3–5 years of dedicated professional graphic design experience, with a proven track record in producing marketing and project-related collateral.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with expert-level skills in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop.

• Demonstrated experience in creating and managing complex layouts, particularly for multi-page documents and proposals.

• Proven ability to develop and utilize interactive PDF features and functionalities.

• Strong understanding and practical application of brand guidelines and visual consistency principles.

• Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in all design outputs and data representation.

• Excellent organizational and file management skills, essential for maintaining project assets and brand integrity.

• Ability to effectively manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience in translating technical or complex information into clear and engaging visual communications.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within the architecture, engineering, or construction (AEC) industry.

• Familiarity with architectural drawings, floor plans, and technical diagrams.

• Experience with generative AI tools as they apply to design workflows and content creation.

• Knowledge of print production processes and best practices for pre-press preparation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, combined with 3-5 years of professional graphic design, positions this role at an intermediate level within a specialized operations function. The emphasis on AEC industry experience and technical drawing familiarity suggests a need for domain-specific design understanding, crucial for effective GTM support in this sector.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of design projects demonstrating expertise in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, with a focus on layout-heavy documents.

• Case studies showcasing the creation of visual assets for marketing collateral, proposals (RFPs), and project documentation, highlighting the impact of design on communication clarity.

• Examples of interactive PDF creation and utilization, demonstrating advanced technical design capabilities.

• Projects that illustrate the ability to translate complex technical information (e.g., architectural concepts, data) into clear, visually engaging graphics and diagrams.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of established workflows for design project management, from brief to final delivery, emphasizing efficiency and organization.

• Present how design processes were adapted or optimized to meet specific project or marketing objectives, including collaboration with technical teams.

• Include evidence of how design assets were maintained and organized to ensure brand consistency and accessibility for team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on marketing and proposal support, a portfolio is critical. The emphasis should be on clear, organized presentations of past work that directly relate to the responsibilities outlined, particularly in document production and technical visualization. Demonstrating an understanding of process and efficiency in design delivery is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 3-5 years of experience in the Tampa Bay area and similar metropolitan regions (e.g., Louisville, Lexington, Nashville), a competitive salary range is estimated between $55,000 - $70,000 annually. This estimate considers the specialized nature of the AEC industry and the required software proficiency.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

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

• Professional development opportunities, including training and access to industry conferences.

• Potential for flexible work arrangements or hybrid options as the company culture evolves.

• Employee assistance program (EAP) for well-being support.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, some flexibility may be available depending on project demands and team needs, with potential for occasional overtime during peak proposal periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general U.S. market data for graphic designers with 3-5 years of experience in creative/marketing roles, adjusted for the specified locations and the specialized AEC industry. Actual compensation may vary based on candidate experience, specific office location, and Stengel Hill Architecture's internal compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Stengel Hill Architecture operates within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, a sector focused on the design, planning, and construction of built environments. This industry demands precision, reliability, and a strong understanding of technical requirements.

Company Size: Stengel Hill Architecture is a mid-sized firm with multiple offices. This suggests a structure that balances the resources and stability of a larger organization with the agility and collaborative spirit often found in smaller teams. For operations professionals, this often means opportunities for broader impact and cross-functional exposure.

Founded: Founded in 1977, Stengel Hill Architecture has a long-standing history and established reputation in the AEC field. This longevity indicates a stable business model, a deep understanding of client needs, and a commitment to sustained growth and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of the marketing department, which typically includes marketing managers, business development professionals, and potentially other creative staff.

• This role will report to a Marketing Manager or Director, with direct collaboration expected with architects, project managers, and principals.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis: While not a data analyst role, the Graphic Designer will interpret project data and client requirements to inform visual strategies.

• Workflow Planning: Efficiently managing design projects from inception to completion, adhering to project timelines and brand standards.

• Automation & Efficiency: Utilizing Adobe Creative Suite features and exploring generative AI to streamline design processes and enhance output quality.

Company Website: https://stengelhill.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's history and industry context are important for operations candidates. A firm with decades of experience in AEC likely has established processes but also values innovation. The multi-office structure suggests a need for strong remote collaboration skills and adaptability to different office environments.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer role is positioned at an intermediate level, requiring 3-5 years of professional experience. It offers a solid foundation in specialized design for the AEC sector, focusing on business development support and project visualization. The role is critical for maintaining brand consistency and enhancing the firm's competitive edge in client proposals.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer typically reports to a Marketing Manager or Director. This structure allows for direct guidance on marketing strategies and brand alignment while providing opportunities to collaborate closely with senior leadership and project teams.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to the quality of Stengel Hill's marketing collateral and client-facing documents. High-quality visuals and well-designed proposals can significantly influence client perception, proposal win rates, and overall brand reputation, thereby contributing to revenue generation and business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AEC-specific design, such as advanced architectural rendering visualization, interactive proposal design, or data visualization for complex projects.

• Skill Development: Pursue advanced training in new design technologies, including generative AI tools, motion graphics, or advanced UX/UI principles for digital marketing materials.

• Leadership Potential: With proven success and expanded responsibilities, potential to move into a Senior Graphic Designer role, lead design projects, or manage junior designers, contributing to the strategic direction of the marketing department.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, understanding career progression is key. This role offers a clear path for specialization within a niche industry, with opportunities to grow into more strategic or leadership positions within the marketing and operations functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is based on-site within Stengel Hill Architecture's offices, located in Clearwater, FL; Louisville, KY; Lexington, KY; or Nashville, TN. This provides a traditional office environment conducive to collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s):

• Clearwater, FL: Located in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, offering access to a vibrant business community.

• Louisville, KY: The firm's headquarters, likely offering comprehensive resources and a central point of operations.

• Lexington, KY: A secondary office location within Kentucky.

• Nashville, TN: A growing market with significant architectural and construction activity.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be a collaborative office setting with dedicated desk space.

• Access to necessary design hardware (computers, monitors) and software (Adobe Creative Suite, potentially specialized AEC software) will be provided.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with marketing team members, architects, and project managers will foster a dynamic and integrated work environment.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, approximately 40 hours per week. While on-site, the firm may offer some flexibility for personal appointments or specific project needs, subject to management approval and business requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The multi-office aspect is a key differentiator. Candidates should consider which location best suits their needs. The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration, which is often crucial for translating technical architectural concepts into effective visual communications.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Technical Assessment: Potential for a design test or a deeper dive into your portfolio, focusing on specific skills in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, and your approach to common AEC design challenges.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with the Marketing Manager, potential team members, and possibly architects or principals to evaluate your communication skills, collaboration style, and understanding of the AEC industry.

• Final Interview: A concluding discussion to assess cultural fit, long-term potential, and address any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly showcase your skills in layout design, technical illustration (floor plans, diagrams), proposal development, and brand consistency.

• Highlight AEC Relevance: If you have AEC industry experience, prominently feature those projects. If not, emphasize transferable skills like translating complex data into visuals or creating professional client-facing documents.

• Demonstrate Process: Be prepared to discuss your design process for each project: your initial approach, how you collaborated with stakeholders, any challenges you overcame, and the final outcome.

• Showcase Software Proficiency: Clearly indicate which Adobe Creative Suite tools were used for each project and highlight specific techniques or advanced features you employed.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If your design work contributed to measurable success (e.g., a successful proposal win, increased engagement), be ready to share those results.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Test: If a design test is administered, focus on clear communication, efficient use of tools, and adherence to any provided brand guidelines or technical specifications.

• Case Study Presentation: Practice articulating your design process and the rationale behind your creative decisions, especially when translating technical information.

• Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you would approach common challenges, such as tight deadlines, conflicting stakeholder feedback, or integrating new brand elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and specific software proficiency means candidates should prepare thoroughly. A strong portfolio that demonstrates AEC relevance or transferable skills will be crucial for advancing through the interview stages.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: This is the core requirement. Deep proficiency is expected in:

  • Adobe Illustrator: For creating vector graphics, diagrams, floor plans, and branding elements.
  • Adobe InDesign: For layout-heavy document production, including proposals, data sheets, and presentations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, retouching, and incorporating visuals into designs.

• Generative AI Tools: Familiarity with or willingness to learn and implement AI-powered design tools to enhance efficiency and creativity.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with how design assets are utilized within CRM or marketing automation platforms for proposals and client communications may be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite and Generative AI highlights the technical skill set required. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools in detail, including specific use cases and their impact on project outcomes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Design: A commitment to producing high-quality, visually appealing, and technically accurate design work that upholds the firm's reputation.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: A willingness to work closely with diverse teams (marketing, architectural, project management) to achieve collective goals and ensure cohesive project delivery.

• Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to design, ensuring accuracy in all outputs, from small graphic elements to complex document layouts.

• Efficiency and Adaptability: The ability to manage workloads effectively, adapt to changing project requirements, and leverage new technologies (like AI) to improve processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with architects and project managers to understand design requirements and technical details, and with the marketing team to align with business development strategies.

• Feedback Loop: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders to refine designs and ensure they meet project objectives.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a team environment where design best practices and insights are shared to elevate the overall quality of work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the company's values and collaboration style is crucial for operations roles, which often sit at the intersection of different departments. Emphasizing a collaborative and detail-oriented approach will resonate well.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: The primary challenge will be converting intricate architectural plans and technical data into clear, compelling visuals that resonate with diverse audiences.

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Project Needs: Ensuring all designs adhere to Stengel Hill's brand standards while also meeting the unique requirements of individual architectural projects and client pursuits.

• Managing Multiple Deadlines: Juggling numerous design requests from various teams simultaneously, often with competing priorities and tight turnaround times, particularly during proposal cycles.

• Staying Current with Design Trends and Technology: Continuously learning and adapting to new design software, tools, and techniques, including the evolving landscape of generative AI in the creative field.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities for specialized training in Adobe Creative Suite, focusing on advanced techniques relevant to AEC visualization and documentation.

• Industry-Specific Knowledge: Developing a deeper understanding of architectural design principles, AEC project lifecycles, and proposal processes through on-the-job experience and potential industry events.

• Generative AI Exploration: Dedicated time or resources to experiment with and integrate generative AI tools into design workflows for enhanced efficiency and creative output.

• Portfolio Expansion: Building a robust portfolio of high-impact design work within the AEC sector, which can lead to career advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Recognizing potential challenges and framing them as growth opportunities is a strong strategy for candidates. The AEC industry's technical nature presents unique design demands, and embracing new technologies like AI is key for future development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex architectural concept and translating it into a visually understandable graphic for a client proposal." (Focus on your step-by-step approach, tools used, and stakeholder collaboration.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple projects and deliverables, especially when working with different internal teams?" (Highlight your organizational skills, understanding of brand guidelines, and communication strategies.)

• "Walk us through a challenging design project where you had to balance tight deadlines with specific client requirements. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a specific case study from your portfolio.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Stengel Hill Architecture and the AEC industry specifically?" (Research the firm's projects, values, and recent news.)

• "How do you handle receiving critical feedback on your designs from project managers or principals?" (Demonstrate professionalism, openness to feedback, and a focus on project goals.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: For each portfolio piece, tell a story: the challenge, your solution, the process, and the results.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is clean, well-organized, and visually appealing, mirroring the quality of work you produce.

• Tool Demonstration: Be ready to briefly explain how you used specific tools (e.g., Illustrator's vector capabilities for floor plans, InDesign's master pages for consistency).

• Impact Focus: Wherever possible, link your design work to business objectives, such as improving proposal clarity or enhancing brand perception.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for operations roles often involves demonstrating problem-solving skills, process thinking, and the ability to translate technical information. For this design role, showcasing a blend of creative talent and business acumen will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Stengel Hill Architecture careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), layout design, and any experience in the AEC industry or with similar technical documentation. Emphasize projects that showcase your ability to translate complex information into clear visuals.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, specific software proficiencies, and key responsibilities, using keywords from the job description such as "graphic design," "layout," "proposals," "brand standards," and "technical information."

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your design process, your experience with interactive PDFs and AI tools, and your approach to collaboration and deadline management. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio to illustrate your skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Stengel Hill Architecture's portfolio of projects, their mission, and their company culture. Understanding their work will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine 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.

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