Senior Graphic Designer at Rincon Consultants, Inc

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Rincon Consultants, Inc

Location: Ventura, CA

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Graphic Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-11T00:00:00

Experience Level: 8+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🎨 Role Summary

Lead the conceptualization, development, and execution of visually compelling design solutions that align with Rincon Consultants' brand identity and support strategic business goals in the environmental consulting sector.
Translate diverse project requirements from internal teams (marketing, communications, technical departments) into impactful visual designs for both print and digital media, including proposals, reports, presentations, and marketing collateral.
Elevate the firm's message and impact through strong visual storytelling, innovative design thinking, and creative problem-solving in a fast-paced business environment.
Serve as a key member of the award-winning Marketing and Communications team, fostering collaboration and clear communication across technical and administrative departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Inferred the primary focus on aligning design work with the company's brand identity and supporting business goals, as this is a core function of a Senior Graphic Designer within a corporate marketing team. Also highlighted the cross-functional nature of the role based on the description's emphasis on collaboration with various internal teams.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Design and produce a wide range of marketing and communications materials, including visually compelling proposals, infographics, technical reports, presentations, newsletters, conference assets, and other collateral for print and digital distribution.
Develop and maintain visual elements such as logos, layouts, illustrations, and multimedia content, ensuring strict adherence to established brand guidelines across all platforms and materials.
Create and implement branded templates and design assets to enhance efficiency and consistency in marketing and communications efforts across the firm.
Collaborate closely with marketing, communications, technical, and internal service teams to fully understand project requirements, objectives, and target audiences to inform design decisions.
Manage multiple simultaneous design projects from initial concept through final completion, effectively prioritizing tasks and adhering to established timelines and deadlines.
Utilize industry-standard design software, primarily Adobe Creative Suite, to create and edit high-quality visual content, staying current with the latest design tools, trends, and technologies, including advancements in AI.
Apply a strong understanding of typography, layout principles, and visual hierarchy to create aesthetically pleasing and highly effective design solutions.
Provide design support and guidance to internal teams, ensuring all outgoing materials are visually appealing, on-brand, and effectively communicate the intended message.

📝 Enhancement Note: Broke down the core responsibilities into more granular tasks, emphasizing the variety of design outputs (proposals, reports, etc.) common in the environmental consulting/AEC industry and the importance of brand consistency and template creation for efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field. This foundational education provides a strong understanding of design principles, theory, and history essential for a senior-level role.

Experience: A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in graphic design within a business environment, specifically supporting internal clients. Experience within the Architecture, Environmental, Engineering, or Construction (AEC) industry is strongly preferred, demonstrating familiarity with technical report design, proposal layout, and complex data visualization.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including the full Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) for creating and editing visual content.
Strong command of Microsoft 365 suite, particularly PowerPoint and Word, for creating presentations and formatted documents that require design integration.
Expert-level understanding and application of typography, layout principles, color theory, and visual hierarchy to produce effective and aesthetically pleasing designs.
Proven ability to manage multiple design projects concurrently, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet tight deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design concepts and collaborate effectively with non-design stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience in branding and applying brand guidelines consistently across a variety of materials.
A portfolio showcasing innovative design thinking, strong visual storytelling, and creative problem-solving abilities across diverse projects.

Preferred Skills:

Experience designing materials specifically for the AEC industry, including technical reports, environmental assessments, and large-scale proposals.
Familiarity with creating infographics and visualizing complex data for technical and non-technical audiences.
Knowledge of current graphic design trends and advancements in design technology, including the potential application of AI in design workflows.
Experience developing and maintaining design templates and asset libraries for internal use.

📝 Enhancement Note: Clarified the educational requirements' relevance to design principles. Expanded on the experience requirement to highlight the importance of the AEC industry context and internal client support. Detailed required and preferred skills with specific software and design principles relevant to the role and industry.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Your portfolio should prominently feature a diverse range of professional graphic design projects, demonstrating your ability to create compelling visuals for both print and digital media.
Include examples of marketing collateral, proposals, reports, presentations, and infographics, showcasing your experience with complex document layout and data visualization.
Highlight projects where you successfully applied and maintained established brand guidelines across various applications.
Demonstrate your creative problem-solving skills through case studies or project descriptions that outline the design challenge, your approach, and the final solution.

Process Documentation:

For selected projects, provide brief explanations of your design process, including how you approached understanding project requirements and collaborating with stakeholders.
Showcase your iterative design process, if applicable, illustrating initial concepts and how they evolved based on feedback.
Explain your rationale behind key design decisions, particularly concerning typography, layout, and visual hierarchy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Provided specific guidance on portfolio content, emphasizing the types of materials relevant to the AEC industry (proposals, reports) and the importance of demonstrating brand application and problem-solving. Added detail on process documentation expectations for a senior-level design role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000 per year. This range represents the base salary provided by Rincon Consultants, Inc. The actual offer will be determined based on the candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as internal equity considerations. The stated range is based on market median for similar roles according to third-party salary benchmark surveys.

Benefits:

Comprehensive Health Benefits: A range of options including HMO, PPO, HDHP plans, and Health Savings Account (HSA) choices to suit individual needs.
Employer-Paid Insurance: Life insurance and long-term disability insurance are provided by the employer for added financial security.
Additional Coverage: Dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage are included in the benefits package.
Paid Time Off: Three weeks of vacation accrual in the first year, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to support work-life balance and rejuvenation.
Retirement Planning: Access to a 401(k) plan with Profit Sharing opportunities to help employees save for retirement.
Bonus Opportunities: Potential for additional compensation through performance-based bonus programs.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While flexible work arrangements, including a mix of in-office and remote work, may be possible, business needs will ultimately determine the level of remote flexibility. In-person collaboration is prioritized, particularly for those residing within 50 miles of a Rincon office.

📝 Enhancement Note: Clearly stated the provided salary range and the factors influencing the final offer. Detailed the benefits package, highlighting key offerings relevant to employee well-being and financial planning. Included information on working hours and the hybrid work model with the key requirement for proximity to an office.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Environmental Services / Architecture/Environmental/Engineering/Construction (AEC). Rincon Consultants is a leader in providing environmental consulting services throughout California, partnering with clients in sectors such as transportation, energy and infrastructure, sustainability, climate change, oil and gas, water, commercial, private development, and government. This context means the design team supports a wide variety of technical projects requiring clear and impactful communication.

Company Size: Over 400 associates. With over 400 professionals across 13 offices, Rincon Consultants is a well-established firm. For the design team, this suggests the need for robust design systems, efficient workflows, and the ability to support a large and diverse internal client base.

Founded: 1994. Founded in 1994, Rincon Consultants has a history and established presence in the environmental consulting industry. This long-standing history likely contributes to a stable and experienced design team supporting established brand guidelines.

Team Structure:

The Senior Graphic Designer role is a key member of the award-winning Marketing and Communications team.
This role involves close collaboration with various cross-functional teams across the firm, including marketing, communications, internal service lines, and technical departments.
The design team likely operates within the marketing/communications structure, providing centralized design support to the broader organization.

Methodology:

The design methodology will involve translating technical and scientific information from various departments into visually clear and compelling materials.
Collaboration and iterative design processes will be crucial to ensure designs accurately reflect technical content and meet client needs.
Emphasis will be placed on adhering to established brand guidelines while developing innovative visual solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Expanded on company information to provide context relevant to a design role within the environmental consulting industry. Inferred aspects of the design team structure and methodology based on the description's emphasis on collaboration with technical teams and supporting a diverse client base.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Senior-level Graphic Designer. This role is positioned for a designer with significant experience (8+ years) who can independently conceptualize, develop, and execute complex design projects and potentially mentor more junior designers or take on project leadership responsibilities within the design function.

Reporting Structure: As a member of the Marketing and Communications team, the Senior Graphic Designer likely reports to a Marketing Manager, Communications Manager, or a Marketing Director. This structure suggests significant autonomy in design execution but alignment with broader marketing and communication strategies.

Design Impact: Design plays a critical role in Rincon Consultants' business by visually communicating complex technical information, enhancing brand perception, and supporting business development through compelling proposals and marketing materials. The Senior Graphic Designer will have a direct impact on the firm's external image and internal communication effectiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

Potential for growth into a Design Lead or Design Manager role as the team expands or organizational needs evolve, involving more direct team leadership and strategic design planning.
Opportunities to specialize in specific areas such as data visualization, technical illustration, or digital marketing design.
Development of project management skills by overseeing larger or more complex design initiatives.
Increased influence on the firm's brand strategy and visual identity standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: Analyzed the career level based on the experience requirement and role responsibilities. Inferred the reporting structure based on the team placement. Detailed potential growth opportunities relevant to a senior graphic designer within a corporate structure, including specialization and leadership paths.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Hybrid with a focus on in-office collaboration. While flexible work arrangements are possible, the company prioritizes in-person collaboration and client teaming, requiring residence within 50 miles of a Rincon office. This suggests a blend of remote work flexibility and dedicated time for in-office interaction and creative synergy.

Office Location(s): The primary location listed is Ventura, CA. However, candidates residing within 50 miles of any of Rincon's 13 California offices (Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura) may be considered, offering geographic flexibility within California.

Design Workspace Context:

The in-office environment likely provides dedicated workspace for design work, potentially with access to specialized equipment and resources.
Opportunities for spontaneous collaboration and creative brainstorming with marketing, communications, and potentially technical team members will be available during in-office days.
The hybrid model allows for focused work during remote days while benefiting from direct interaction and team building when in the office.

Work Schedule: Full-time schedule, typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature may allow for some flexibility in daily scheduling, but core working hours will likely be expected to facilitate collaboration with internal teams across multiple office locations and time zones within California.

📝 Enhancement Note: Elaborated on the hybrid work environment, clarifying the requirement for proximity to an office and its implications for in-person collaboration for a design role. Described the potential benefits and context of the physical workspace for designers.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

Initial screening: Review of resume, qualifications, and potentially an initial portfolio review to assess foundational skills and experience.
Interview(s) with the hiring manager and potentially members of the Marketing and Communications team to discuss experience, collaboration style, and fit within the team and company culture.
Portfolio presentation: A dedicated session to walk through selected portfolio pieces, explaining the design process, challenges, solutions, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role in each project and how you collaborated with stakeholders.
Technical assessment or design challenge: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or discuss your approach to a hypothetical design problem relevant to Rincon's work.
Interviews with cross-functional team members: Meetings with individuals from technical departments or other teams you would collaborate with to assess communication and collaboration skills.
Final interview(s): Discussions with senior leadership to evaluate overall fit and strategic thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate your portfolio to showcase projects most relevant to the requirements, particularly those demonstrating experience with corporate marketing materials, technical reports, and proposals.
Structure case studies to clearly articulate the problem you solved, your design process, your role, and the outcome or impact of your work.
Highlight your ability to work within brand guidelines and translate complex information into clear, visually appealing designs.
Be prepared to discuss your collaboration process and how you incorporate feedback into your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

If a design challenge is part of the process, pay close attention to the prompt and any provided constraints.
Approach the challenge with a clear process, even if time is limited. Be ready to explain your thinking and design decisions.
Focus on demonstrating your understanding of the target audience and the objectives of the design.
Be prepared to articulate your design rationale and how your solution addresses the problem effectively.

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Senior Graphic Designer, Branding, Visual Communications, Adobe Creative Suite, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft 365, Typography, Layout, Visual Hierarchy, Marketing Collateral, Proposals, Reports, Presentations, Infographics, Digital Media, Print Media, Creative Problem-solving, Visual Storytelling, Collaboration, Communication, Project Management, AEC Industry, Environmental Services, Technical Reports, Brand Guidelines, Design Templates, Data Visualization, AI in Design, Portfolio, Case Study, Cross-functional Teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Outlined a typical senior-level design interview process, including portfolio review and potential design challenge stages. Provided specific, actionable tips for portfolio curation and interview preparation, tailored to the role's requirements and the company's industry. Included a comprehensive list of ATS keywords relevant to the design role and industry.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency is required across key applications, likely including InDesign for layout and publications, Illustrator for vector graphics and illustrations, and Photoshop for image editing and manipulation. Expect to use these tools daily for creating a wide variety of print and digital assets.
Microsoft 365: Proficiency in PowerPoint and Word is necessary for designing presentations and formatted documents that may require integration with complex text and data.

Collaboration & Handoff:

Collaboration tools integrated with Microsoft 365 (e.g., Teams) are likely used for communication and project coordination with internal teams.
File sharing and document management systems will be used for sharing design files and receiving content from various departments.

Research & Testing:

While not explicitly mentioned, a Senior Graphic Designer may utilize online resources for design inspiration, stock photography, or font libraries.
Understanding of how design impacts user experience, particularly in digital materials, may involve considering basic accessibility principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Detailed the primary design tools required, emphasizing the specific Adobe Creative Suite applications most relevant to creating corporate marketing and technical documents. Included Microsoft 365 proficiency as a key requirement for this environment. Made reasonable inferences about collaboration and research tools commonly used in a corporate setting.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

Creative Excellence: A commitment to developing visually compelling and high-quality design solutions that effectively communicate complex information.
Brand Consistency: Upholding and applying established brand guidelines across all design materials to maintain a cohesive and professional company image.
Collaboration: Working effectively and positively with diverse internal teams, including technical experts and marketing professionals, to translate their needs into impactful designs.
Problem-Solving: Utilizing design thinking and creativity to address communication challenges and present information clearly and effectively.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Collaboration: Frequent interaction and partnership with teams across the organization to understand project requirements and deliver relevant design support.
Team-Oriented Environment: Working within a supportive Marketing and Communications team, sharing knowledge and contributing to collective goals.
Clear Communication: Emphasizing clear verbal and written communication to articulate design concepts, gather feedback, and manage project expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Inferred design values based on the company's description and the role's responsibilities, focusing on quality, brand, collaboration, and problem-solving. Described the likely collaboration style based on the emphasis on cross-functional teamwork and a supportive team environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

Translating highly technical and scientific information from environmental consulting projects into accessible and visually engaging designs for varied audiences.
Managing multiple design projects simultaneously with competing deadlines and priorities from different internal client groups.
Staying updated on evolving design trends, software capabilities, and advancements in technology like AI while maintaining adherence to established corporate brand standards.
Ensuring design consistency and brand integrity across a large volume of diverse materials produced for numerous internal stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Opportunity to deepen expertise in data visualization and information design to effectively communicate complex environmental data.
Potential to learn more about the environmental consulting industry and the specific technical areas Rincon Consultants focuses on, enhancing the ability to design relevant and accurate materials.
Participation in professional development related to design software advancements, project management for creative roles, or communication strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identified key design challenges inherent in a Senior Graphic Designer role within a technical consulting firm, focusing on translating complex information and managing diverse projects. Highlighted learning opportunities related to the specific industry and technical communication.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

Be prepared to walk through your typical design process from receiving a brief to final delivery, using examples from your portfolio.
Discuss how you approach understanding the target audience and objectives for a design project.
Explain how you incorporate feedback from stakeholders into your design iterations.

Company Culture Questions:

Research Rincon Consultants' projects and values. Be ready to discuss why you are interested in working specifically for an environmental consulting firm.
Prepare questions about the design team structure, collaboration with technical departments, and the typical workflow for design requests.
Reflect on your collaboration style and be ready to provide examples of successful cross-functional teamwork.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Select 3-5 strong portfolio pieces that best demonstrate the required skills, particularly experience with corporate marketing, reports, or proposals.
For each project, clearly articulate the design challenge, your process, your specific contributions, and the outcome. Focus on the impact of your design work.
Be ready to discuss your design decisions (typography, layout, color choices) and how they support the project objectives and brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Provided targeted interview preparation advice, focusing on questions related to design process, company culture (specifically within the AEC industry context), and strategies for presenting a design portfolio effectively for this type of role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link
Customize your resume to highlight your experience with graphic design in a business environment, specific design software proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft 365), and any relevant experience in the AEC industry.
Prepare a compelling design portfolio showcasing a diverse range of work, with particular emphasis on corporate marketing collateral, reports, proposals, and infographics. Ensure your portfolio demonstrates strong typography, layout, and branding skills. Consider including brief case studies outlining your design process and problem-solving approach for key projects.
Research Rincon Consultants' work and recent projects to understand their focus areas and tailor your application and portfolio discussion to demonstrate how your skills align with their needs.
Practice articulating your design process and the rationale behind your design decisions, preparing to discuss how you translate complex information into clear visuals and collaborate effectively with non-design stakeholders.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and design industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Senior Graphic Designer