Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer Company: Associa Location: Richardson, Texas, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services Date Posted: 2026-02-13T20:23:49.341 Experience Level: 1-3+ years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is integral to the Marketing and Creative Services function, focusing on visual brand consistency and innovative customer experience design across a diverse portfolio of over 100 brands.
• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for the end-to-end creation of a wide array of marketing collateral, encompassing both digital and print mediums, to support Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies.
• This position requires a strong understanding of design principles, creative concept development, and the ability to translate business needs into compelling visual communications.
• The role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, including sales and product, to ensure design solutions effectively meet business objectives and enhance brand perception.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input specifies "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities and context strongly align with a role that supports marketing operations and GTM initiatives by providing essential creative assets. The mention of supporting sales pursuits and internal/external channels positions this as a critical operational support function within the marketing department.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Art Director and design team to maintain and enforce brand consistency across all marketing collateral for Associa’s 100+ brands.
• Develop innovative and engaging concepts for a variety of print and digital assets, including advertisements, brochures, emails, flyers, postcards, logos, social media graphics, outdoor signage, banners, and stationery.
• Design and produce diverse digital content, such as eBooks, videos, social media posts, and imagery for internal and external communication channels, including intranet, email, website, blog, and social media platforms.
• Provide design support for the creation and refinement of proposals and presentations utilized in new business development efforts, directly impacting sales pipeline growth.
• Contribute to the design and layout of articles for Associa's in-house, quarterly lifestyle magazine, ensuring high-quality visual appeal and brand alignment.
• Assist internal teams (sales, branches, product teams) by providing necessary design assets and creative solutions to support their initiatives.
• Proofread all designed materials to ensure accuracy, adherence to brand guidelines, and high-quality output before final delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a need for the Graphic Designer to not only execute creative tasks but also to understand the strategic purpose behind them, particularly in supporting new business pursuits and maintaining brand integrity across a large portfolio. This implies an operational understanding of how design directly impacts sales and brand perception.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.

Experience: 1-3+ years of professional graphic design experience, with a proven track record of creating compelling visual assets for various platforms.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Solid understanding of fundamental design principles, including layout, typography, and color theory.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret creative briefs and translate strategic goals into effective design solutions.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively within a team and with internal stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated and able to deliver polished, on-brand designs with minimal oversight.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• A portfolio showcasing a range of design projects and demonstrating creative problem-solving.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic understanding of email marketing platforms such as Pardot, Marketing Cloud, or Aptly.
• Experience designing for a multi-brand portfolio or within a large corporate structure.
• Familiarity with video editing software or motion graphics.
• Knowledge of emerging design trends and best practices in digital and print media.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud, understanding of design principles, and the ability to interpret creative briefs are critical for this role. The preferred understanding of email platforms suggests a connection to marketing operations workflows. The portfolio requirement is paramount for assessing practical design skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is required, showcasing a diverse range of design projects that demonstrate proficiency in both print and digital media.
• Highlight projects that illustrate effective application of brand guidelines and creative problem-solving for specific business objectives.
• Include examples of social media graphics, email collateral, brochures, and potentially proposal/presentation design to align with core responsibilities.
• Showcase projects that demonstrate an understanding of typography, color theory, and layout principles in practice.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a formal requirement, candidates are expected to demonstrate an understanding of design workflows from concept to final delivery.
• Ability to articulate the process of interpreting creative briefs and developing design concepts.
• Experience in proofreading and quality assurance processes for design assets.
• Implicitly, candidates should show an ability to adapt to new technologies and software for project efficiency, indicating a process-oriented approach to learning and implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio is the primary focus here. Candidates should curate their portfolio to reflect the diverse needs of Associa's brands and the specific responsibilities outlined, particularly showcasing multi-channel design capabilities and strategic thinking.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 1-3+ years of experience in Richardson, Texas, the estimated annual salary range is between $50,000 and $65,000. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the required skill set, including mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud and design principles.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefit plans are offered to employees.
• Opportunities for professional growth and skill development within the marketing and design functions.
• A collaborative and friendly work culture that provides autonomy.
• Rewarding opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically requiring 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional overtime to meet project deadlines or support critical business initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on Richardson, TX location and 1-3 years of experience for a Graphic Designer. Benefits are noted as "comprehensive" but specific details are not provided. The working hours are standard full-time.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Associa operates within the Property Management and Association Management industry, providing a wide range of services to community associations. This industry context means design collateral often needs to be professional, informative, and trustworthy, balancing brand aesthetic with clear communication of services and community value.

Company Size: Associa is an "ever-expanding network," suggesting a large, established organization with multiple subsidiaries and a significant employee base. This scale implies opportunities for broad exposure to different brands and projects, but also a need for adherence to established corporate processes and brand guidelines.

Founded: While the founding date is not provided, Associa is presented as a well-established entity with a mission to bring positive impact and value to communities. This long-standing presence suggests a stable work environment with established operational frameworks.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing team and reports directly to the Art Director.
• This role involves collaboration with other members of the design team.
• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with internal teams such as sales, branches, and product teams, indicating a matrixed reporting or project-based interaction structure.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes "Service, Innovation, Family, Integrity, Loyalty" as core values, suggesting a culture that values client relationships, forward-thinking solutions, teamwork, ethical practices, and employee commitment.
• The mission is "Bringing positive impact and meaningful value to every community," which likely drives the purpose behind marketing and design efforts.
• Company pillars include Employee Morale, Client Retention, Client Growth, and Profitability, indicating a focus on both internal well-being and business performance metrics.

Company Website: https://myjobs.adp.com/associacareers/cx/job-listing (Note: This links to the careers portal, not the main company site)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a strong mission, core values, and a focus on growth and employee morale. The industry requires a blend of professionalism and creativity in design. The team structure involves direct reporting to an Art Director and cross-functional work with sales and product teams.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry-to-mid-level Graphic Designer, typically falling within the 1-3+ year experience bracket. It serves as a foundational role within the creative services function, providing hands-on design execution.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Art Director. This hierarchical structure allows for mentorship, guidance on design strategy, and oversight of creative output to ensure alignment with brand and business objectives.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the company's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies by creating compelling visual assets that attract new clients, enhance brand perception, and support sales efforts. High-quality, on-brand collateral is crucial for client retention and growth, contributing directly to profitability. The role also supports internal communications, fostering employee morale and brand cohesion.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) and develop specialized skills in areas like digital content creation (video, eBooks) or email marketing design.
• Brand Portfolio Expansion: Gain experience designing for a wide array of brands, potentially leading to opportunities to manage design for specific brand portfolios.
• Creative Leadership: With proven performance and additional experience, potential to move into senior designer roles, Art Director positions, or specialized creative leadership within the marketing team.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Opportunities to collaborate with sales and product teams can open doors to understanding broader business operations and potentially transitioning into roles with more strategic marketing or GTM responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for skill development and specialization within graphic design. Growth opportunities are tied to mastering design execution, expanding brand portfolio management, and potentially moving into more strategic or leadership roles within the creative and marketing functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site at the Associa office in Richardson, Texas, suggesting a traditional office setting. This environment typically fosters in-person collaboration, direct communication, and access to company resources and IT support.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is 1225 Alma Drive, Suite 100, Richardson, Texas, 75081. This location is within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, offering accessibility via major roadways.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is described as "friendly" and "collaborative," encouraging teamwork and open communication.
• As a Graphic Designer, the workspace will likely be equipped with the necessary hardware (computers) and software (Adobe Creative Cloud) to perform design tasks efficiently.
• Opportunities for direct interaction with the Art Director and other members of the design and marketing teams are readily available, facilitating feedback and idea exchange.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is typically 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, aligning with typical business hours in the Richardson, Texas area. Flexibility may be available depending on project demands and company policy, but the primary mode is on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role is a key aspect, emphasizing in-person collaboration and adherence to a standard work schedule. The office environment is designed to be conducive to creative work and team interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output.
• Art Director/Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your design experience, creative process, understanding of brand strategy, and ability to collaborate. This stage will likely involve a deep dive into your portfolio.
• Team/Cross-functional Interview: Potentially an interview with other members of the marketing team, including peers or stakeholders from sales/product teams, to assess cultural fit and collaboration style.
• Design Challenge (Possible): You might be asked to complete a small design exercise or present a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates problem-solving skills relevant to Associa's needs.
• Final Interview: May involve a senior marketing leader or HR for final evaluation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize examples that showcase multi-channel design (print, web, social, email) and demonstrate brand consistency.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the creative process, the challenges faced, and the outcome or impact (if measurable). Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your portfolio prominently displays your mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud tools, understanding of design principles (layout, typography, color), and ability to adapt to different brand aesthetics.
• Showcase Business Acumen: If possible, include projects where your design contributed to business goals (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign launch, proposal win).
• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether digital or physical.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Associa's Brands: Research Associa and its family of brands. Familiarize yourself with their existing marketing materials and visual identity.
• Focus on Core Responsibilities: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing for a diverse portfolio, maintaining brand consistency, and creating digital assets for various channels.
• Practice Articulating Process: Be ready to explain your design process, from brief interpretation to final execution, and how you ensure quality and meet deadlines.
• Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready for the interviewer about the team, company culture, design challenges, and growth opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh your portfolio. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process and demonstrate how their skills align with Associa's diverse brand needs and business objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Mastery of InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop is a core requirement. Proficiency in other Adobe suite applications may be beneficial.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential for document creation, presentations, and general office productivity; specifically Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a requirement for the Graphic Designer, a basic understanding of how design impacts engagement metrics on digital platforms is valuable. Familiarity with analytics tools conceptually would be a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Email Platforms (Preferred): Basic understanding of platforms like Pardot, Marketing Cloud, or Aptly is preferred, indicating an awareness of how email campaigns are built and deployed, and how design fits into that workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary technical requirement is expertise in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. Preferred skills suggest an awareness of marketing automation tools, indicating a connection to marketing operations processes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Service: A commitment to providing excellent design support to internal teams and contributing to positive client experiences through visually appealing communications.
• Innovation: Encouraged to think creatively and develop new ideas and concepts for marketing collateral that capture attention and convey brand value effectively.
• Family: Fostering a friendly and collaborative culture where team members support each other and work together towards common goals.
• Integrity: Upholding high standards of quality, accuracy, and ethical practice in all design work and professional interactions.
• Loyalty: Demonstrating commitment to Associa and its mission, contributing to long-term client relationships and company growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: The role involves close collaboration with the Art Director and other designers, emphasizing shared creative effort and constructive feedback.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Expected to work effectively with various internal departments (sales, branches, product teams), requiring clear communication and the ability to understand and meet diverse stakeholder needs.
• Brand Stewardship: A shared responsibility for maintaining brand consistency across all touchpoints, requiring attention to detail and adherence to established guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is built around strong core values that translate into a collaborative, service-oriented, and innovative work environment. The design team's collaboration style emphasizes teamwork and cross-functional engagement to support broader business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing a Diverse Brand Portfolio: The primary challenge is maintaining visual consistency and creating unique, effective designs for over 100 distinct brands, each with its own identity and target audience.
• Balancing Creativity with Brand Guidelines: Successfully innovating while strictly adhering to established brand standards and strategic objectives requires a nuanced approach.
• Meeting Tight Deadlines: The fast-paced environment and need to support multiple teams and initiatives simultaneously will require excellent time management and prioritization skills.
• Adapting to Evolving Design Trends and Technologies: Staying current with design software updates, digital media trends, and emerging visual communication tools is crucial for ongoing effectiveness.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud and potentially explore new design software or tools.
• Brand Strategy Workshops: Learning more about how design contributes to specific brand strategies and GTM objectives within the property management industry.
• Cross-Departmental Learning: Gaining insights into sales processes, product development, and client relationship management through collaboration, which can inform design decisions and career growth.
• Portfolio Development: Continuous opportunities to build a strong portfolio with diverse projects that showcase a wide range of design skills and successes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working with a large portfolio and a fast-paced environment. Growth opportunities are focused on deepening technical design skills, understanding strategic marketing implications, and broadening cross-functional business knowledge.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing creative concepts for a new campaign or brand identity." (Focus on ideation, research, and concept development).
• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple channels and for a diverse range of clients or products?" (Emphasize brand guidelines, templates, and quality control).
• "Walk me through a project in your portfolio where you had to balance creative freedom with strict brand or client requirements." (Use the STAR method to explain the situation, your task, actions, and results).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Associa and our mission to bring positive impact to communities?" (Research Associa's mission and values beforehand).
• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as sales teams or product managers?" (Highlight communication skills, empathy, and ability to translate technical/business needs into design).
• "How do you stay updated on emerging design trends and incorporate them into your work while maintaining brand integrity?" (Showcase your passion for design and continuous learning).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each selected project, start with the client/brand, the objective, your role, and the timeline. Then, detail your creative process, challenges, solutions, and the final outcome.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups and visuals. Zoom in on key details like typography, color usage, and layout.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story. Explain why you made certain design choices and how they addressed the project's goals.
• Relevance: Tailor your presentation to highlight projects most relevant to Associa's needs (e.g., multi-brand experience, print collateral, digital assets).
• Engagement: Be prepared to answer questions about your work and discuss alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing design process, brand understanding, collaborative capabilities, and the ability to translate business needs into effective visual solutions, all supported by a strong, well-articulated portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Associa careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight experience relevant to multi-brand design, print collateral, digital content creation, and adherence to brand guidelines.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your 1-3+ years of graphic design experience, highlighting proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and key design principles. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, preparing case studies from your portfolio, and formulating thoughtful questions about Associa's culture, brands, and the design team's workflow.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Associa, its mission, core values, and the types of communities it serves to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ 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.