Intermediate Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Intermediate Graphic Designer

Company: CDM Smith

Location: Nationwide, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: 2026-08-14

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute on-brand design solutions for a variety of marketing, communications, sales, and client deliverable materials, leveraging design principles to solve business challenges.

• Create and update existing materials, focusing on improving design elements and creating templated products to meet specific client needs and enhance brand consistency.

• Collaborate effectively with internal teams and external vendors (printers, photographers, technology suppliers) to ensure successful production, distribution, and adherence to budget, quality, schedule, and delivery requirements.

• Contribute to project planning processes, manage assigned tasks within project scopes, and provide peer reviews to uphold design quality and foster knowledge sharing within the creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into marketing and client-facing deliverables, suggesting a strong connection to Marketing Operations and GTM support. The emphasis on "on-brand design solutions" and "client deliverable materials" indicates a need for strategic thinking beyond pure aesthetics, focusing on how design supports business objectives. The "Nationwide" location suggests a distributed team, requiring strong remote collaboration skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce visually appealing and on-brand graphics for a wide range of materials, including advertisements, emails, web landing pages, social media content, and print collateral.

• Update and refine existing design assets, and develop standardized templates to ensure brand consistency and efficiency across all communications.

• Manage the production process from concept to completion, which may involve coordinating with external vendors, printers, photographers, and technology suppliers to ensure timely delivery, quality standards, and budget adherence.

• Participate in project planning sessions, taking ownership of assigned design tasks and contributing to project timelines and scope definition.

• Conduct peer reviews of designs produced by other creative staff, offering constructive feedback to maintain high standards and promote skill development within the team.

• Maintain and update graphic design software and related systems to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.

• Ensure timely and organized archiving of all project files according to company protocols.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand project requirements and deliver design solutions that align with marketing and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and project management, typical of roles supporting Go-To-Market (GTM) functions. The mention of "client deliverable materials" and vendor management points to a need for strong communication and organizational skills beyond pure design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, or a related field. Equivalent directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional graphic design experience, with a focus on marketing, communications, or client-facing deliverables.

Required Skills:

• Intermediate knowledge of fundamental graphic design principles, including typography, color theory, and layout, with the ability to apply these to marketing and business challenges.

• Intermediate proficiency in current graphic design software applications, with a strong understanding of their functionalities for creating and manipulating visual assets.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with other creative team members, contributing to a positive and productive team environment.

• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for document creation, data handling, and presentation development. Preferred Skills:

• Experience using AutoCAD for technical drawings or architectural visualizations.

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for vector graphics creation and manipulation.

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite beyond Illustrator, such as Photoshop and InDesign, for comprehensive design workflows.

• Experience with web design principles and UI/UX considerations for digital assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2 years of related experience" coupled with a Bachelor's degree suggests an "Intermediate" level role, not entry-level. The preferred skills in AutoCAD and Adobe Illustrator, alongside the required Microsoft Office, indicate a need for a versatile designer capable of handling both creative marketing collateral and potentially more technical or client-specific visual representations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse projects demonstrating proficiency in graphic design principles, including typography, layout, and color theory.

• Include examples of on-brand design solutions for marketing collateral, digital assets (web, social media), and print materials.

• Highlight projects where you collaborated with team members or managed vendor interactions to achieve project goals.

• Present case studies that illustrate your problem-solving approach to design challenges and how your designs met specific client or business needs. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal design workflow from brief to final delivery, including ideation, sketching, software application, and revision processes.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how design processes integrate with broader marketing campaigns and GTM strategies.

• Be ready to explain how you ensure brand consistency and quality control throughout your design process.

• Articulate your approach to managing feedback and incorporating revisions from stakeholders and peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role with marketing and client deliverable responsibilities, a portfolio is crucial. The emphasis should be on demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also the ability to translate business objectives into effective visual communication, manage projects, and collaborate.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD $60,674.00 - $100,090.00 per year.

Explanation of Range: This range is a good faith estimate based on industry benchmarks for Intermediate Graphic Designers in the United States, considering factors such as experience level (2-5 years), required skills, and the breadth of responsibilities. The lower end reflects entry into the intermediate bracket, while the higher end accounts for candidates with advanced skills, specific preferred qualifications, and a proven track record in similar environments. The "Nationwide" location implies that this range may apply broadly across the US, though local cost of living variations might influence actual offers.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

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

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and conferences.

• Potential for discretionary bonuses, though not guaranteed for all positions.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and well-being support.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. While a standard workweek, the hybrid nature of the role may offer some flexibility in scheduling, particularly for remote work days, allowing for efficient management of personal and professional tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific and appears to be a direct quote from the job posting. The explanation of the range is based on standard compensation practices for this experience level and role type in the US market. The benefits listed are typical for a company of CDM Smith's size and industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Consulting, Construction, and Operations (ECCO). CDM Smith is a global environmental and infrastructure firm that provides consulting, engineering, construction, and operations services. This industry context means the graphic designer will be supporting projects with significant societal impact, requiring clear, professional, and often technical communication.

Company Size: Large. CDM Smith is a significant global player, indicating a structured environment with established processes, a wide range of projects, and opportunities for diverse career paths.

Founded: 1947. The company's long history suggests stability, a deep understanding of its industry, and a culture that has evolved over decades, likely valuing experience and long-term relationships.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a broader marketing, communications, or business development department.

• Reporting structure is likely to a Marketing Manager, Communications Director, or a Creative Lead, with potential for direct interaction with project managers and client-facing teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving close work with engineers, project managers, proposal writers, and other business development professionals to translate technical information into compelling visual materials. Methodology:

• Data-driven design: Emphasizing how visuals support data interpretation and project communication.

• Project-centric approach: Designs are often tied to specific client projects, proposals, or marketing campaigns with defined goals.

• Collaborative problem-solving: Working with diverse teams to achieve project objectives.

• Brand stewardship: Ensuring all creative output adheres to CDM Smith's brand guidelines and professional standards.

Company Website: https://www.cdmsmith.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The industry and company size are critical for a graphic designer. They need to understand the context of engineering and infrastructure projects to create relevant and effective visuals, and the large company size implies a need for strong adherence to brand guidelines and established workflows.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Intermediate Graphic Designer. This role is positioned for individuals with foundational design skills and a few years of professional experience. It involves executing defined design tasks, contributing to project planning, and receiving peer reviews, indicating a stepping stone towards more senior or specialized design roles.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Marketing or Communications Manager, working within a team that supports various business units and project teams. This structure provides exposure to different project types and stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the company's external perception, proposal win rates, and client engagement. Effective visuals can clarify complex information, enhance brand credibility, and differentiate CDM Smith from competitors in proposals and marketing materials.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in specific design areas like proposal graphics, digital marketing design, or data visualization.

• Senior Designer/Lead Designer: Progress to leading design projects, mentoring junior designers, and taking on more strategic creative responsibilities.

• Marketing/Communications Roles: Transition into broader marketing or communications positions by leveraging design experience and understanding of GTM strategies.

• Project Management: Develop skills in managing creative projects, timelines, and client interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid foundation for a career in design within a large, established corporation. Growth opportunities are tied to developing specialized skills and demonstrating an ability to contribute strategically to marketing and business development efforts.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This implies a blend of remote work and in-office presence, offering flexibility while maintaining opportunities for in-person collaboration and team building.

Office Location(s): Nationwide, United States. While the job is listed as "Nationwide," the derived locations (Swindon, England, UK) might indicate a global presence or a specific division's headquarters. For a US-based role, candidates should confirm specific office locations or the extent of remote work flexibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative environment: Opportunities to work closely with marketing, communications, and project teams, fostering idea exchange and cross-functional understanding.

• Access to technology: Likely equipped with industry-standard design software and hardware.

• Professional setting: Working within a large engineering and consulting firm, the environment is expected to be professional and focused on delivering high-quality client solutions.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour workweek. The hybrid arrangement allows for some autonomy in structuring the workweek, balancing focused individual work (often best done remotely) with collaborative team activities (beneficial in-office).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Nationwide" location is vague. Candidates should clarify expectations regarding required office days, specific office locations, and the definition of "hybrid" in practice for this role. If the derived UK location is relevant, it implies a global company with potential for international collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application and resume for basic qualifications.

• Portfolio Review: A key step where candidates present their design portfolio, highlighting relevant projects and discussing their creative process, problem-solving approaches, and impact.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on specific design skills, experience with marketing/client deliverables, understanding of brand guidelines, and ability to collaborate.

• Team/Peer Interview: Interaction with other designers or marketing team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and technical proficiency.

• Potential Skills Test: May include a small design exercise or case study to evaluate practical application of skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly align with the job description (marketing, client deliverables, digital/print).

• Tell a story: For each project, explain the brief, your role, the challenges, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the outcomes or impact.

• Highlight collaboration: If possible, showcase projects where you worked with others or managed vendor input.

• Showcase versatility: Demonstrate your ability to adapt to different brand styles and project types.

• Prepare for questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, software proficiency, and how you handle feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss your approach to common design challenges, such as tight deadlines, conflicting stakeholder feedback, or translating complex technical information into accessible visuals.

• Prepare examples of how you've improved a design or process in previous roles.

• Understand CDM Smith's brand identity and be prepared to discuss how you would apply it to various marketing materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. The review process will likely scrutinize not just the visual appeal but also the strategic thinking behind the designs and the candidate's ability to execute within a corporate framework.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Graphic Design Software: Intermediate knowledge of current graphic design applications is required. This strongly implies Adobe Creative Suite, with specific mention of:

  • Adobe Illustrator: Preferred for vector graphics and illustrations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Essential for image editing and manipulation.
  • Adobe InDesign: Crucial for layout and print production of multi-page documents (brochures, proposals).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Intermediate knowledge required for creating documents, presentations, and basic data handling (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads, proposal readability) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic web analytics or marketing performance dashboards could be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are listed as direct requirements for the designer, but awareness of how design assets are used within marketing automation platforms or CRM systems (e.g., email templates) would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is proficiency in standard graphic design software, particularly Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, along with Microsoft Office. The "intermediate" level suggests a solid working knowledge rather than expert-level mastery of all features.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Professionalism and Quality: A strong emphasis on delivering high-quality, polished work that reflects well on CDM Smith's reputation.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse teams, including engineers, project managers, and marketing professionals, to achieve shared goals.

• Client Focus: Understanding and meeting the needs of internal and external clients through effective visual communication.

• Efficiency and Process: Adhering to established workflows, brand guidelines, and project timelines to ensure efficient delivery.

• Continuous Improvement: An openness to learning new design techniques, software, and adapting to evolving project requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional integration: Designers are expected to work closely with non-designers, requiring clear communication and the ability to translate technical concepts into visual language.

• Feedback-driven: A culture where constructive feedback is shared and incorporated to refine designs.

• Brand-aligned: Collaboration is guided by established brand standards to maintain a consistent company image.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry (engineering/consulting) suggests a culture that values technical accuracy, reliability, and professional presentation. The designer's role is to bridge the gap between technical expertise and clear, engaging communication.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Information: The primary challenge will be converting complex engineering and infrastructure concepts into visually understandable and engaging graphics for diverse audiences.

• Brand Consistency Across Diverse Projects: Maintaining a consistent brand identity across a wide array of project types, marketing materials, and client deliverables can be demanding.

• Balancing Creative Freedom with Corporate Standards: Navigating the need for creative expression while adhering strictly to CDM Smith's brand guidelines and corporate requirements.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Feedback: Effectively incorporating feedback from various team members and project stakeholders, some of whom may have differing opinions on design.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite or explore new design tools and technologies.

• Industry-Specific Design: Gaining specialized knowledge in designing for the engineering, construction, and infrastructure sectors, which can lead to niche expertise.

• Proposal Design Best Practices: Learning how to create compelling visuals for high-stakes proposals that contribute to win rates.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from senior designers or marketing professionals within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a designer in a large, technically focused corporation. Growth opportunities are linked to mastering industry-specific design needs and expanding technical proficiency.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate complex technical information into a visually appealing graphic. What was your process, and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you ensure your designs align with a company's brand guidelines, especially when working on diverse project types?"

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you received significant feedback. How did you incorporate it, and what was the final result?"

• "How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple design requests with competing deadlines?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about CDM Smith and our work in the engineering and infrastructure sector?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as engineers or project managers?"

• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you thrive in a hybrid setting."

• "How do you stay updated on current design trends and technologies?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (marketing, proposals, digital) or by showcasing your strongest work first.

• Narrative: For each selected project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the problem you solved, your design process, the tools used, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Visuals: Ensure your presentation is visually clean and professional, mirroring the quality of your design work. Use high-resolution images and clear typography.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a set timeframe (e.g., 15-20 minutes), allowing ample time for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also problem-solving abilities, communication clarity, and an understanding of how design supports business objectives within a corporate, technical environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Intermediate Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the CDM Smith careers portal, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "graphic design," "typography," "marketing collateral," "client deliverables," "Adobe Illustrator," "Microsoft Office," and "collaboration." Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed X marketing materials per month," "Contributed to Y proposals resulting in Z win rate").

• Curate your portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most relevant projects that showcase your ability to create on-brand designs for marketing, communications, and client needs. Prepare to discuss your process and outcomes for each.

• Prepare for portfolio presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio pieces, clearly explaining your design decisions, problem-solving approach, and impact.

• Research CDM Smith: Understand the company's mission, values, and the types of projects they undertake. This will help you articulate why you are a good fit and ask informed questions.

⚠️ 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.