Graphic Designer

Cushman & Wakefield
Full_timeAustin, United States

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer Company: Cushman & Wakefield Location: Dallas, Texas, USA (with potential for Austin, Houston, or Miami) Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services Date Posted: 2025-08-07 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • Execute the strategic vision of the Property Marketing Center of Excellence (COE) through high-quality graphic design and production.
  • Collaborate with design and marketing teams to create compelling property marketing collateral, presentations, and special projects for fee-earners.
  • Maintain and enforce comprehensive company brand standards across all visual marketing materials.
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to strict deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Graphic Designer," its proximity to a "Property Marketing Center of Excellence" and the emphasis on executing strategic visions and supporting fee-earners suggests a strong alignment with marketing operations functions, particularly in content creation and brand management. The role requires a blend of creative execution and process-oriented delivery within a marketing framework.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop and produce a wide range of marketing collateral, including property brochures, presentations, e-blasts, flyers, direct mail, event invitations, and pop-up banners, ensuring alignment with company brand positioning.
  • Create and update standardized templates for local business needs, maintaining consistency and efficiency in design output.
  • Design infographics, iconography, maps, tables, charts, and graphs to effectively communicate property information and key selling propositions.
  • Collaborate with marketing leadership and fee-earners, attending strategy sessions to understand creative requirements and translate them into impactful visual assets.
  • Manage the production lifecycle of creative materials, including preparing final layouts for print, liaising with printers, and coordinating with Marketing Coordinators to ensure successful distribution.
  • Report project progress, deadlines, and any outstanding questions regularly to the Property Marketing Design Manager and internal clients.
  • Ensure all creative materials adhere strictly to comprehensive and detailed company brand guidelines.
  • Perform quality control on all design work before final distribution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strong project management and client communication skills, typical of operations roles that bridge creative output with business needs. The emphasis on "strategic vision" and "key selling propositions" indicates the designer's work directly supports revenue-generating activities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Communications, or a related discipline is preferred.

Experience:

  • 3+ years of professional graphic design experience, or a comparable combination of education and experience in a similar role.
  • Experience in a high-end graphics, marketing, or production environment is a plus.
  • A background in the real estate industry is considered advantageous.

Required Skills:

  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) on a PC platform.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Demonstrated ability to understand, design, and implement infographics and iconography for effective visual communication.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines.
  • Detail-oriented approach to design production and quality control.
  • Proven track record of providing outstanding internal and external customer service.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate project status and requirements.

Preferred Skills:

  • Knowledge of HTML and digital marketing methods to support online collateral and e-blasts.
  • Experience in creating and managing visual assets for real estate marketing campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for advanced proficiency in specific Adobe and Microsoft suites, along with the ability to manage multiple projects and communicate effectively, points to a need for a designer who can operate within structured marketing processes, aligning with operations best practices.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of branding principles and visual identity application.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in creating various marketing collateral types, including brochures, presentations, digital assets, and event materials.
  • Include examples of infographic and data visualization design, illustrating the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging visuals.
  • Showcase projects that reflect adherence to brand guidelines and maintain a consistent visual standard.
  • Present examples of work completed under tight deadlines and in fast-paced environments.

Process Documentation:

  • Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for managing incoming design requests, from initial briefing to final delivery.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of workflow design for creative projects, including revision cycles and quality control checkpoints.
  • Be ready to explain how they ensure brand consistency and manage multiple project priorities efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio requirement," the detailed responsibilities and skills strongly imply that candidates will be expected to present a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to execute complex design tasks within a structured marketing workflow, reflecting operations-level efficiency and adherence to standards.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • The typical salary range for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Dallas, Texas, falls between $55,000 and $75,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in major metropolitan areas, considering the company's industry and the experience level required.

Benefits:

  • Cushman & Wakefield offers a comprehensive benefits package typically including:
    • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
    • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)
    • Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401(k) with company match)
    • Life Insurance and Disability Coverage
    • Professional Development opportunities focused on design skills and industry trends.
    • Potential for employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.

Working Hours:

  • This is a full-time position. Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, flexibility may be offered based on project needs and team discretion, though the core expectation is adherence to typical business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on industry data for the specified location and experience level. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications, experience, and the specific compensation structure at Cushman & Wakefield.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Commercial Real Estate Services & Investment Management. Cushman & Wakefield is a global leader in this sector, providing a wide array of services to property owners, tenants, and investors. Company Size: Cushman & Wakefield is a large, global organization with thousands of employees worldwide. This scale means opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and exposure to diverse projects, but also requires adherence to established corporate processes and brand guidelines. Founded: 1917. With over a century of history, Cushman & Wakefield has a strong legacy and established reputation in the real estate industry. This longevity suggests a stable work environment with mature operational structures.

Team Structure:

  • The Graphic Designer will be part of the Property Marketing Center of Excellence (COE).
  • The role reports directly to the Property Marketing Design Manager.
  • Close collaboration is expected with other designers, marketing coordinators, marketing leadership, and fee-earners across various business units.

Methodology:

  • The Property Marketing COE likely employs a structured approach to marketing collateral creation, emphasizing brand consistency and strategic alignment.
  • Data analysis may be used to inform design choices, particularly regarding the effectiveness of visual communication in property marketing.
  • Workflow optimization is crucial, given the need to manage requests from multiple stakeholders under strict deadlines.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's established nature and global presence suggest a professional, process-driven environment. The existence of a "Center of Excellence" for marketing indicates a commitment to specialized expertise and standardized best practices in marketing operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level, requiring specialized skills and a minimum of 3 years of experience. It is a key contributor role within the marketing operations function, focused on execution and quality. Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Property Marketing Design Manager, indicating a clear line of management and oversight within the marketing department. Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the perception and marketability of properties managed by Cushman & Wakefield. High-quality, on-brand marketing collateral is crucial for attracting clients and closing deals, thus directly contributing to revenue generation and client satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas of graphic design for real estate, such as data visualization, digital marketing assets, or branding for property portfolios.
  • Leadership Potential: Advancement to Senior Graphic Designer or Lead Designer roles, potentially managing junior designers or leading specific project streams within the COE.
  • Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into broader marketing roles, project management within marketing operations, or roles within specific service lines where design expertise is valuable.
  • Professional Development: Access to training and development programs, industry conferences, and potentially certifications related to design software and marketing best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized creative function that is integral to the company's go-to-market strategy, providing a strong foundation for a career in marketing operations or creative leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position, implying a traditional office setting within Cushman & Wakefield's facilities. The work environment is expected to be professional and collaborative. Office Location(s): While the primary posting is Dallas, Texas, the role also indicates potential for placement in Houston, Texas, Austin, Texas, or Miami, Florida. This suggests Cushman & Wakefield operates significant marketing support hubs in these locations.

Workspace Context:

  • The workspace will likely be equipped with standard office amenities and the necessary hardware (PC) and software (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office) to perform design tasks effectively.
  • Expect a collaborative environment where designers interact with marketing managers, other creative professionals, and potentially business development teams.
  • Opportunities will exist to contribute to a centralized "Center of Excellence," fostering shared learning and best practices among design professionals.

Work Schedule:

  • The role is full-time, with standard business hours expected. While the description doesn't explicitly mention flexibility, creative roles often have periods of intense work leading up to deadlines, which may require occasional extended hours, balanced by periods of more standard pace.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the need for in-person collaboration, which is often beneficial for creative roles requiring direct feedback and team synergy, a common characteristic in marketing operations environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative capabilities.
  • Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Property Marketing Design Manager to evaluate experience, fit with the team, and understanding of design principles and brand standards.
  • Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth review of your portfolio, potentially including a discussion about specific projects, your design process, and how you handle client requests and deadlines. You may be asked to discuss your experience with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.
  • Team/Cross-functional Interview: You might meet with other members of the marketing team or fee-earners to assess collaboration skills and how you communicate with stakeholders.
  • Final Interview: Potentially a final round with higher-level marketing leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to commercial real estate marketing, including brochures, presentations, and digital assets.
  • Showcase your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite by including examples that demonstrate advanced design techniques, infographic creation, and data visualization.
  • Be prepared to discuss your design process for each project: the brief, your creative approach, challenges faced, and the final outcome, emphasizing efficiency and adherence to brand guidelines.
  • Clearly articulate your experience in managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines.
  • Highlight any experience with brand enforcement and template application.

Challenge Preparation:

  • You may be given a small design challenge or asked to walk through a hypothetical scenario related to creating marketing collateral for a property.
  • Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving skills, understanding of marketing objectives, and ability to work within brand constraints.
  • Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenges indicates that demonstrating practical design skills and a systematic approach to creative work is paramount for success in this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. These are the core tools for creating marketing collateral, brochures, and visual assets.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. PowerPoint is critical for presentation design, while Word and Excel might be used for data integration or document formatting.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not explicitly mentioned for the designer role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates for e-blasts, views for digital assets) could be beneficial. Proficiency in analytics tools is not a stated requirement but awareness of their outputs is helpful.

CRM & Automation:

  • Knowledge of HTML is listed as a preferred skill, suggesting some familiarity with digital marketing platforms and their requirements for creating e-blasts or web content. Awareness of CRM systems (though not directly used by the designer) is useful for understanding client data context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office positions this role firmly within the operational execution of marketing strategies, utilizing industry-standard tools for content creation and brand management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Brand Stewardship: A commitment to upholding and consistently applying company brand standards across all creative output.
  • Efficiency & Timeliness: Delivering high-quality work within strict deadlines and managing workload effectively.
  • Collaboration: Working seamlessly with design managers, marketing teams, and fee-earners to achieve shared goals.
  • Customer Service: Providing excellent support to internal clients (fee-earners and marketing leadership).
  • Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy and polish in all design and production work.

Collaboration Style:

  • The role involves significant collaboration with various internal stakeholders, requiring clear communication, responsiveness, and the ability to receive and incorporate feedback.
  • Working within a "Center of Excellence" suggests a culture of shared learning, best practices, and potentially peer review to maintain high standards.
  • Expect a professional, deadline-driven environment where teamwork is essential for successful project completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on brand stewardship, efficiency, and customer service aligns with core values often found in marketing operations teams, where consistent execution and stakeholder satisfaction are key performance indicators.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Managing Multiple Stakeholder Requests: Balancing the diverse and often urgent demands from various fee-earners and marketing leaders.
  • Adhering to Strict Brand Guidelines: Consistently applying detailed brand standards across a wide array of collateral types while maintaining creative integrity.
  • Fast-Paced Environment: Meeting tight production deadlines for time-sensitive property marketing campaigns.
  • Translating Complex Information: Visually communicating intricate property details, market data, and selling propositions effectively and efficiently.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Design Software Skills: Opportunities to master new features and techniques within Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Real Estate Marketing Specialization: Deepening understanding of design specific to the commercial real estate sector.
  • Project Management Skills: Developing proficiency in managing multiple projects and client expectations.
  • Exposure to Strategic Marketing: Gaining insight into the strategic vision of the Property Marketing COE and how design supports business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented offer clear opportunities for skill development in areas crucial for operations roles, such as project management, stakeholder communication, and process adherence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • Brand Management: "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple design projects for different clients or properties?" Discuss your process for understanding and applying brand guidelines.
  • Project Prioritization: "Describe a time you had to manage multiple urgent design requests simultaneously. How did you prioritize and ensure all deadlines were met?"
  • Creative Problem-Solving: "Walk me through a challenging design project where you had to translate complex information (e.g., market data, property features) into a compelling visual. What was your approach?"
  • Stakeholder Communication: "How do you manage client expectations and communicate project progress, especially when facing delays or scope changes?"

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What do you know about Cushman & Wakefield and its position in the commercial real estate market?"
  • "How do you see your graphic design skills contributing to the success of the Property Marketing Center of Excellence?"
  • "Describe your ideal team environment and how you collaborate with colleagues and internal clients."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating your process.
  • Narrative: For each key piece, be ready to explain the objective, your role, the creative process, tools used, challenges, and the outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "designed brochure used for X campaign which resulted in Y leads").
  • Brand Focus: Explicitly mention how you adhered to brand guidelines or managed brand consistency.
  • Tool Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, perhaps referencing specific features you used.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent, but also operational efficiency, strong communication skills, and a clear understanding of how design supports business objectives within a corporate structure.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

  • Submit your application and resume through the provided link on the Cushman & Wakefield careers portal.
  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date and tailored to showcase relevant experience in marketing collateral, branding, and data visualization, ideally with examples that reflect a professional, corporate environment.
  • Resume Optimization: Highlight your advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, along with your experience in managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines. Use keywords from the job description.
  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, client management skills, and understanding of brand standards. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions.
  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Cushman & Wakefield's services, market position, and recent projects to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their business context.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design or related discipline is preferred, along with 3+ years of graphic design experience. Candidates should have advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, and be detail-oriented and organized.