Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Auberge Collection

Location: Bethesda, Maryland, United States (Remote possible)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: April 1, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote Eligible

🚀 Role Summary

• Executes elevated and thoughtful design solutions for a global portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts.

• Develops visual identities, marketing collateral, and brand-wide creative assets that uphold Auberge Collection's sophisticated standards.

• Collaborates with the Brand Team to translate creative direction into compelling visual experiences across print and digital platforms.

• Supports property-level branding initiatives, ensuring each destination's unique sense of place is captured with intention and craft.

• Contributes to the continuous evolution of brand expression through meticulous attention to detail and aesthetic sensibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for maintaining the luxury brand image of Auberge Collection. The emphasis on "crafted approach to luxury," "captivating design," and "gracious yet unobtrusive service" indicates a need for a designer who understands sophisticated aesthetics and brand storytelling, particularly within the hospitality and lifestyle sectors. The mention of multiple locations (Bethesda, New York, Remote) suggests a flexible work environment capable of supporting a distributed team.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute thoughtful, elevated design solutions across a wide range of brand and property initiatives.

• Concept and produce branded collateral for guest experiences, food & beverage outlets, wellness programs, and various resort activities.

• Support the development and refinement of visual identities for new and existing properties within the Auberge Collection portfolio.

• Design and produce marketing materials, including pitch decks, presentations, and sales materials, to elevate brand expression with clarity and impact.

• Ensure all design work consistently reflects Auberge Collection's high standards of quality, craftsmanship, and visual consistency across all touchpoints.

• Partner closely with the Senior Director and Manager of Creative Services to manage projects from initial concept through final production, ensuring timely delivery.

• Prepare organized, production-ready files and provide support for print production and vendor coordination.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, maintaining strong attention to detail and meticulous file organization.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure design alignment with overall marketing and brand strategies.

• Stay abreast of design trends, particularly within the luxury hospitality and lifestyle sectors, to inform creative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative ideation and hands-on execution. The focus on "property-level identities" and "brand-wide projects" suggests the need for versatility. The requirement to support "print and vendor coordination" indicates a need for practical production knowledge beyond just digital design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for roles requiring 5+ years of experience.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional graphic design experience in an agency, brand, or studio environment.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio demonstrating a polished eye for brand design, typography, layout, and composition.

• Proven ability to translate creative direction and brand strategy into thoughtful, well-crafted design solutions.

• Experience working within and developing visual identity systems across both print and digital platforms.

• Solid working knowledge of print production processes and preparing mechanical files for vendors.

• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Familiarity with Canva for broader accessibility and quicker design tasks.

• Experience with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for collaboration and documentation.

• Proficiency in project management tools such as Asana for workflow management.

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

Preferred Skills:

• Interest or demonstrable experience in the hospitality, lifestyle, fashion, or luxury brand sectors.

• Illustration skills, particularly the ability to create custom visual elements that enhance brand storytelling.

• Experience with motion graphics, animation, or social media design, with an understanding of extending brand expression across digital channels.

• Familiarity with presentation software beyond Google Slides, such as Keynote or PowerPoint.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "polished eye" and "aesthetic sensibility" points to a need for a designer with a sophisticated visual taste, crucial for a luxury brand. The inclusion of Canva suggests a need for efficiency and potentially empowering non-designers with branded templates, while Adobe Creative Suite remains the core professional tool.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5 years of professional design work, with a strong emphasis on brand identity development and execution.

• Include case studies demonstrating the ability to translate creative direction into tangible design solutions for diverse initiatives (e.g., property identities, marketing collateral, presentations).

• Highlight projects that reflect a sophisticated understanding of typography, layout, and composition, especially within luxury contexts.

• Present examples of visual identity systems applied across both print (e.g., brochures, menus) and digital (e.g., social media graphics, website elements) platforms.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process, from initial concept development and research to final execution and file handoff.

• Provide examples of how you manage multiple projects simultaneously, your approach to file organization, and your methods for ensuring quality control.

• Demonstrate familiarity with collaborative workflows, including how you work with art directors, marketing teams, and external vendors.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role at this level, a portfolio is not just a collection of work but a demonstration of process, strategic thinking, and problem-solving. Candidates should be prepared to articulate the "why" behind their design choices and how they align with brand objectives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• 401k plan with employer match.

• Employer-paid life insurance.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential support services.

• Team member hotel stay program, providing exclusive benefits for employees at Auberge Collection properties.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project demands and work arrangement (remote/hybrid).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Graphic Designer with 5-10 years of experience in a major metropolitan area or for a remote role supporting such markets. The benefits package is robust, with a strong emphasis on health, retirement, and unique travel perks relevant to the hospitality industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hospitality, Luxury Resorts, Hotels, Residences, Private Clubs.

Company Size: Auberge Collection manages a portfolio of 30+ unique properties, indicating a significant and growing organization with a global reach. This size suggests a structured environment with established brand guidelines and operational processes, yet with the agility to cater to unique property identities.

Founded: The company's history is rooted in building a collection of distinctive luxury properties, suggesting a culture that values craftsmanship, exclusivity, and authentic experiences.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer is part of the Brand Team.

• Reports to the Senior Director of Creative Services.

• Collaborates closely with the Manager of Creative Services.

Methodology:

• Brand Strategy: Focus on translating brand strategy into visual systems that reflect the unique "sense of place" for each property while maintaining the overarching Auberge Collection luxury standard.

• Design Execution: Emphasis on thoughtful, elevated design solutions with meticulous attention to craft and detail across all collateral.

• Collaboration: Close partnership with senior creative leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and successful project delivery.

• Quality Assurance: Rigorous adherence to brand standards and a focus on producing production-ready files for vendors.

Company Website: https://aubergeresorts.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is deeply embedded in luxury, discovery, and exceptional service. For a graphic designer, this translates to a need for a sophisticated aesthetic, an understanding of storytelling, and the ability to create visually appealing assets that evoke a sense of place and exclusivity. The connection to Friedkin, a larger privately held group, suggests stability and further resources.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-level to senior individual contributor position within the Creative & Brand department. It requires significant design expertise and the ability to work independently on projects while also collaborating within a team structure.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Senior Director of Creative Services, with close collaboration with the Manager of Creative Services. This reporting line provides direct mentorship and oversight from experienced creative leaders.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in terms of process optimization or system management, this Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the brand's operational presentation and market perception. High-quality visuals are critical for sales enablement, guest engagement, and overall brand equity, indirectly supporting operational efficiency by clearly communicating value and experience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as luxury branding, hospitality design, illustration, or motion graphics.

• Creative Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role, taking on more strategic design direction and leading projects independently.

• Portfolio Expansion: Exposure to a diverse range of properties and brand challenges will significantly enhance a designer's professional portfolio and capabilities.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Opportunities to collaborate with marketing, sales, and property teams can broaden understanding of business objectives and how design supports them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path here is primarily within the creative discipline. Success in this role could lead to more senior design positions, art direction, or even specialized roles within brand management or marketing communications within the Auberge Collection or Friedkin Group.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role can be based in Bethesda, MD, New York, NY, or fully Remote. This indicates a modern, flexible work environment that leverages technology to connect distributed teams.

Office Location(s): Bethesda, MD and New York, NY offer vibrant urban settings with potential for in-person collaboration when needed. The remote option provides significant flexibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Designed for collaboration with senior creative leadership (Senior Director, Manager of Creative Services) and potentially other members of the Brand Team.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) and project management tools (Asana, Google Workspace) is expected to facilitate efficient workflow.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with creative leads for direction, feedback, and project alignment. Potential for cross-functional interaction with marketing and sales teams.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected. However, the flexible remote/hybrid options suggest a focus on output and results rather than strict adherence to a physical office schedule, allowing for some flexibility in managing personal time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid/remote eligibility is a significant factor, allowing candidates to choose a work arrangement that best suits their lifestyle. For those in Bethesda or New York, there may be opportunities for in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for brainstorming and team building.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, design aesthetic, and alignment with brand requirements.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session with the Senior Director and/or Manager of Creative Services to discuss the candidate's portfolio, design process, and rationale behind key projects. Be prepared to walk through specific examples and articulate your approach.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a small design challenge or case study to evaluate practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of brand principles. This might involve creating a concept for a specific Auberge property or a piece of collateral.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion focused on collaboration style, ability to manage multiple priorities, and understanding of the luxury hospitality market. This may involve questions related to your interest in Auberge Collection and its values.

• Final Interview: Potentially with higher-level management to discuss strategic fit and long-term contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best showcase your brand design, typography, layout, and composition skills, particularly those relevant to luxury hospitality or lifestyle brands.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your strategic approach, the challenges you faced, and how your design solution addressed them. Include mood boards, sketches, or initial concepts if appropriate.

• Highlight Impact: If possible, demonstrate how your designs contributed to business objectives (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign launch, enhanced brand perception). Quantify results where feasible.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples of both print and digital design, and if applicable, show your illustration or motion graphics capabilities.

• Production Readiness: Ensure your portfolio clearly indicates your understanding of print production and file preparation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with the Auberge Collection brand and its portfolio of properties. Understand their unique selling propositions and design aesthetics.

• Be ready to articulate your design philosophy and how it aligns with luxury branding and the hospitality industry.

• Practice explaining your design decisions concisely and persuasively, focusing on how your work supports brand strategy and guest experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates should select work that demonstrates not just technical skill but an understanding of brand narrative and luxury aesthetics. Being able to articulate the "why" behind design choices is as important as the final output.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for creating and refining visual assets.

• Canva: Familiarity and proficiency for broader design needs, template creation, and potentially empowering non-designers.

• Google Workspace: Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for collaborative document creation, data management, and presentations.

• Asana: Experience with this project management tool for task tracking, workflow management, and team coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, but awareness of how design assets are used within CRM systems or marketing automation platforms for campaigns would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the core Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The inclusion of Canva and Asana suggests a modern, collaborative workflow that values both professional-grade design and operational efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A deep commitment to producing work of the highest caliber, reflecting the luxury positioning of Auberge Collection.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulousness in design execution, file preparation, and brand consistency.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with senior creative leads and cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

• Brand Stewardship: Acting as a guardian of the Auberge Collection brand, ensuring all visual communications are on-point and aligned with its luxury positioning.

• Creativity & Innovation: Bringing fresh, thoughtful design solutions that enhance the guest experience and brand storytelling.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-driven: Working closely with the Senior Director and Manager of Creative Services, taking direction and contributing ideas.

• Cross-functional Integration: Collaborating with marketing, sales, and property teams to understand their needs and ensure design solutions are effective and aligned with broader business objectives.

• Feedback-oriented: Open to receiving and incorporating feedback to refine designs and achieve optimal results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a high standard of work and a collaborative spirit. Designers are expected to be both creative thinkers and diligent executors, understanding the nuances of luxury branding.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Property Uniqueness: Effectively designing for individual properties while maintaining the overarching Auberge Collection brand standards requires a nuanced approach.

• Managing Diverse Project Demands: Juggling multiple projects simultaneously, from identity development to collateral design and presentations, requires strong organizational and time management skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Design Trends: Staying current with design trends, especially in the luxury and hospitality sectors, while adhering to established brand guidelines.

• Remote Collaboration Effectiveness: Ensuring seamless communication and collaboration with creative leads and stakeholders when working remotely or in a hybrid capacity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Training: Opportunities for courses or workshops in luxury branding, hospitality design, illustration, or motion graphics.

• Industry Exposure: Working with a diverse portfolio of high-end properties provides invaluable experience and learning opportunities.

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced Senior Director and Manager of Creative Services.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The breadth of projects will significantly enrich a designer's professional portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in the creative tightrope walk between maintaining a cohesive luxury brand and celebrating the distinctiveness of each property. Growth will come from mastering this balance and expanding design expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a visual identity for a new luxury property. How do you balance brand standards with unique local elements?"

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to translate complex creative direction into a final design solution. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?"

• "How do you ensure your design work consistently reflects a high level of quality and craftsmanship, particularly within the luxury hospitality sector?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Auberge Collection specifically, and how do you see your design skills contributing to our brand?"

• "How do you stay updated on design trends in the luxury hospitality industry?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a concise story that includes the brief, your strategic approach, the challenges, your design process, and the final outcome.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is visually clean, well-designed, and free of errors. Let the work speak for itself.

• Focus on Relevance: Highlight projects that most closely align with the Auberge Collection brand and the requirements of this role.

• Articulate Decisions: Be prepared to explain the "why" behind your design choices—color palettes, typography, layout, imagery—and how they serve the brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews will heavily focus on your portfolio and your ability to articulate your design process and strategic thinking. Demonstrating an understanding of luxury branding and the hospitality industry is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest brand design, typography, and layout work, with a preference for luxury, hospitality, or lifestyle projects. Ensure it showcases your ability to create sophisticated visual identities and collateral across print and digital mediums.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of professional graphic design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, and any experience with visual identity systems, print production, or the luxury/hospitality sectors. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, articulating your design process, and explaining how your work aligns with luxury brand strategy and Auberge Collection's aesthetic. Be ready to discuss your experience with project management and collaborative workflows.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Auberge Collection, its portfolio of properties, and its brand positioning. Understand their commitment to "crafted approach to luxury" and "sense of place" to better articulate your alignment during interviews.

⚠️ 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.