Graphic Designer (Broadcast)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Broadcast) Company: NBCUniversal Location: New York, New York, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design Date Posted: 2025-09-29T15:00:05.888 Experience Level: 2-5 Years Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and produce high-quality static graphics for daily broadcast television shows, ensuring adherence to MSNBC's on-air brand identity and visual standards.
• Collaborate directly with producers, editorial staff, and art directors to conceptualize and deliver compelling visual content under demanding news cycles.
• Adapt graphic elements rapidly and effectively in response to breaking news, live programming changes, and urgent editorial requests.
• Manage a dynamic workload of multiple concurrent design projects, prioritizing tasks to meet strict deadlines without compromising visual integrity or accuracy.
• Maintain meticulous organization of graphic assets, templates, and toolkits to optimize workflow efficiency and facilitate team-wide access and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for broadcast graphic design within a news environment, requiring a blend of creative expertise and rapid execution. The emphasis on "static graphics" suggests a focus on visual elements like lower-thirds, full-screen graphics, and charts, rather than animated sequences, though familiarity with animation software is beneficial. The hybrid model indicates a need for on-site presence for real-time collaboration and access to broadcast infrastructure.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a consistent stream of static graphics for MSNBC programs, including but not limited to:
  • Lower-thirds (name supers, titles)
  • Full-screen templates (title cards, segment intros)
  • Informational charts and data visualizations
  • Editorial illustrations and supporting visuals
• Actively participate in daily editorial and production meetings to understand show needs, story angles, and visual requirements.
• Interpret producer and editorial feedback to refine and iterate on graphic designs, ensuring alignment with narrative objectives.
• Swiftly adjust graphic content to accommodate breaking news events, re-sequencing of show segments, and on-air talent adjustments.
• Proactively manage project timelines, ensuring all assigned graphics are delivered accurately and on schedule for broadcast.
• Maintain and update a comprehensive library of graphic templates, brand assets, and style guides for consistent application across all shows.
• Troubleshoot minor technical issues related to graphic creation and delivery pipelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a highly reactive and collaborative role within a news production environment. The "static graphics" focus implies mastery of raster and vector-based design tools for static output, with an emphasis on clarity, readability, and brand adherence under pressure. The need to adapt to breaking news is a critical aspect of this role, demanding flexibility and quick thinking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Digital Media, or a closely related field is preferred.
• Equivalent professional experience will be considered in lieu of a degree, demonstrating a strong portfolio and relevant industry tenure.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of professional graphic design experience, with a significant portion ideally within broadcast television, news production, or a similarly fast-paced, deadline-driven creative environment.
• Demonstrated experience in creating graphics for television or digital media platforms.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite: Exceptional proficiency in Photoshop and Illustrator for creating high-resolution static assets.
• Proficiency in After Effects: Ability to create dynamic motion graphics for broadcast, even if the primary focus is static.
• Typography and Layout Expertise: Deep understanding of typographic principles, composition, and visual hierarchy for broadcast readability.
• Visual Storytelling: Ability to translate complex information and narratives into clear, compelling visual graphics.
• Collaboration and Communication: Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively within a team and take direction from producers and art directors.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Proven ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and respond to urgent requests in a fast-paced newsroom setting.
• Organizational Skills: Strong file management, version control, and template organization abilities.

Preferred Skills:

• Broadcast Graphics Systems: Familiarity or experience with Vizrt, Chyron, or similar real-time broadcast graphics platforms.
• Motion Graphics: Experience with 2D animation and motion graphics principles beyond basic After Effects.
• Data Visualization: Ability to design clear and effective charts, graphs, and infographics.
• Newsroom Acumen: Understanding of news cycles, journalistic principles, and the demands of live television production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a strong foundation in core design software and principles, with a clear preference for candidates with direct broadcast or news experience. The inclusion of After Effects, even for a "static graphics" role, suggests that some level of motion or animation capability is highly valued, likely for templated animations or transitions. The emphasis on adaptability and communication underscores the demanding nature of a live news environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of professional design work showcasing versatility in creating broadcast-ready static graphics.
• Specific examples of lower-thirds, full-screen graphics, charts, and editorial visuals relevant to news or current affairs.
• Case studies or examples demonstrating the ability to adapt designs under tight deadlines or in response to breaking news scenarios.
• Evidence of strong typographic and layout skills, clearly communicating information visually.
• Examples of work that highlight brand consistency and adherence to established style guides.

Process Documentation:

• While formal process documentation might not be required in the portfolio, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal workflow for:
  • Receiving and interpreting design briefs from producers/editorial.
  • Iterative design processes and incorporating feedback.
  • Managing multiple projects and prioritizing tasks within a news cycle.
  • Utilizing templates and maintaining asset organization.
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams (producers, editors, directors).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative role like this, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only showcase aesthetic quality but also functional design for broadcast and the ability to perform under pressure. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design process and how they handle the unique demands of a news production environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $35 - $55 per hour

• This hourly rate translates to an approximate annual salary range of $72,800 - $114,400, assuming a standard 40-hour work week.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement program, supporting continued professional development.
• A variety of other company-specific perks and benefits, details available on the NBCUniversal Careers website.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (likely 40 hours per week).
• Flexibility is required, with potential for evenings and weekends as dictated by news coverage and programming schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate is explicitly provided, which is common for broadcast and production roles. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical for a large media organization like NBCUniversal. The requirement for flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, is a critical aspect of working in a live news environment and should be a key consideration for applicants.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Entertainment, News Broadcasting Company Size: NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, a major global media and technology conglomerate. The company employs a vast number of individuals across its diverse divisions, indicating a large-scale, corporate operational environment with significant resources. Founded: NBCUniversal traces its roots back to various predecessor companies, with modern NBCUniversal formed in 2004 and acquired by Comcast in 2011. This history suggests a company with established operational frameworks and a long-standing presence in the media landscape.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of the MSNBC Creative Services or Broadcast Design team.
• This team operates within the broader MSNBC news division, collaborating closely with producers, executive producers, art directors, and other creative professionals.
• Reporting structure typically involves a Senior Designer, Art Director, or a Creative Director overseeing broadcast design functions.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving constant interaction with editorial teams, show producers, and technical directors to ensure graphics are integrated seamlessly into live broadcasts.

Methodology:

• MSNBC operates with a fast-paced, reactive methodology driven by the news cycle.
• Emphasis is placed on accuracy, speed, and maintaining brand integrity under pressure.
• Design processes are often iterative, requiring quick revisions based on editorial input and breaking news developments.
• Data analysis might be used to understand audience engagement with visuals, but the primary driver for graphic design in a news context is storytelling and clarity.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: NBCUniversal and MSNBC are established players in the media industry, implying a structured yet dynamic work environment. The culture is likely fast-paced, results-oriented, and highly collaborative, especially within the MSNBC newsroom. The pending spin-off of some NBCUniversal assets into "Versant" might introduce transitional dynamics, but the core operations and culture within MSNBC are expected to remain focused on delivering timely news content.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer

• This role is positioned as a mid-level contributor, requiring demonstrated professional experience (3+ years) and the ability to work independently on daily assignments while also collaborating within a team. It signifies a step beyond entry-level design positions, expecting a certain level of technical proficiency and creative judgment.

Reporting Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will report to a Senior Designer, Art Director, or Creative Director within the MSNBC broadcast design department. This structure provides guidance, feedback, and oversight, ensuring alignment with broader creative strategies and brand standards.

Operations Impact:

• The graphics created by this role directly impact the viewer's perception of MSNBC's brand, the clarity of information presented, and the overall visual appeal of the broadcast. Effective graphics enhance storytelling, make complex data digestible, and contribute to the network's credibility and professional image. In a news context, timely and accurate visuals are crucial for informing the public.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in broadcast motion graphics, data visualization, or specific design software.
• Senior Designer/Art Director Path: With continued high performance and development, progression to more senior design roles, team leadership, or art direction is possible.
• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Potential to gain exposure to other creative areas within NBCUniversal, such as digital design or branding initiatives.
• Industry Recognition: Contributing to prominent news broadcasts offers opportunities for industry recognition and portfolio building.
• Learning & Development: Access to NBCUniversal's benefits, including tuition reimbursement, can support formal learning and skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid foundation for a career in broadcast graphics, particularly within the high-stakes news environment. Growth typically involves deepening technical skills, taking on more complex projects, and potentially moving into leadership or specialized design roles within the organization or the broader media industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid

• This position is designated as hybrid, requiring the employee to work from the MSNBC office in New York, NY, approximately 3 days per week. This model balances in-person collaboration and access to on-site resources with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s):

• 229 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036, USA. This is a central Manhattan location, accessible via various public transportation options, typical for major media organizations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setting facilitates direct interaction with producers, editorial teams, and fellow designers, crucial for the fast-paced news production cycle.
• Tools and Technology: Access to high-performance workstations, reliable internet connectivity, and potentially specialized broadcast graphics hardware and software.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for spontaneous brainstorming, real-time feedback sessions, and building strong working relationships with colleagues in the newsroom and creative departments.

Work Schedule:

• While the standard work week likely involves 40 hours, the role demands flexibility. Designers must be prepared to work evenings and weekends as necessitated by the 24/7 nature of news coverage. This adaptability is a key requirement of the position.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role is significant. While remote work is possible, the expectation of 3 days in the New York office highlights the importance of in-person collaboration, immediate access to production resources, and being present for critical news cycles. Applicants should be prepared for the demands of working within a live broadcast environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: Application review and potential brief phone screen with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and interest.
2. Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: Candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio. A subset of candidates will likely undergo a skills test or a take-home design challenge relevant to broadcast graphics under a tight deadline.
3. In-Person Interview(s): This will likely involve meeting with the hiring manager (e.g., Art Director, Creative Director) and potentially other members of the design or production team. Discussions will focus on creative approach, technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.
4. Final Interview/Confirmation: May involve meeting with a more senior leader or HR for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Broadcast Relevance: Prioritize work that directly demonstrates your ability to create graphics for television, especially news. Include examples of lower-thirds, full-screen graphics, and charts.
• Highlight Speed and Adaptability: If possible, include examples that show how you've adapted designs under pressure or for breaking news. Annotate these with brief explanations of the challenge and your solution.
• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: Show examples where you've successfully worked within or adapted to a specific brand's visual identity.
• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your work is technically sound, with clean layouts, correct typography, and appropriate resolution for broadcast.
• Explain Your Process: Be ready to articulate your design process, from brief to final delivery, and how you collaborate with stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Expect a timed design task that simulates a real-world assignment. This could involve creating graphics for a specific news segment or adapting existing assets to a new story.
• Technical Skills: Be prepared to demonstrate proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects during the challenge or in a separate technical assessment.
• Problem-Solving: Think about how you approach design challenges, how you prioritize tasks, and how you ensure accuracy and brand consistency under pressure.
• Communication: Practice articulating your design choices and process clearly and concisely, as you may need to present your work or explain your approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a creative role like this will heavily weigh the portfolio and practical skills. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just creative talent but also the ability to execute under the unique pressures of a live news environment. The "in-person interview" note suggests that physical attendance at the New York office will be a requirement at some stage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Photoshop: Essential for raster image creation, photo manipulation, and detailed static graphic design.
  • Illustrator: Crucial for vector-based graphics, logos, icons, and scalable assets like lower-thirds and charts.
  • After Effects: Required for creating motion graphics, animations, and transitions, even if the primary output is static.
• Vizrt (or similar broadcast graphics systems): While listed as a "plus," familiarity with Vizrt, Chyron, Ross Video, or similar real-time broadcast graphics engines is highly advantageous. This software allows for the integration of graphics into live video feeds.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly used for graphic creation, understanding how graphics are perceived and used might involve familiarity with broadcast analytics or performance metrics, though this is less common for a pure design role.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Familiarity with broadcast-specific graphics systems like Vizrt is a significant differentiator and indicates a deeper understanding of the broadcast pipeline. Applicants should highlight any experience with these systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accuracy and Integrity: Upholding the highest standards of accuracy in all visual information presented, reflecting MSNBC's commitment to credible journalism.
• Speed and Responsiveness: Excelling in a fast-paced environment where quick turnarounds are essential to cover breaking news effectively.
• Creativity and Innovation: While adhering to brand standards, there's an expectation to bring fresh creative ideas and visual solutions to storytelling.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Working seamlessly with producers, editors, and other team members to achieve common goals under tight deadlines.
• Brand Consistency: Meticulously maintaining MSNBC's visual identity across all broadcast graphics.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct and Efficient: Communication is likely direct, with clear briefs and feedback exchanged rapidly between designers and editorial/production staff.
• Iterative Process: Design feedback loops are common, requiring designers to be receptive to revisions and able to implement changes quickly.
• Shared Goal Orientation: The team is united by the common objective of producing a high-quality, informative, and visually engaging news broadcast.
• Proactive Communication: Designers are expected to communicate potential issues, ask clarifying questions, and proactively manage their workload to avoid delays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values are intrinsically linked to the nature of news broadcasting: accuracy, speed, and collaboration. Designers are expected to be team players who can contribute creatively while respecting the rigorous demands of live news production.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Constant Deadlines: The relentless pace of news means designers are perpetually working against tight deadlines, requiring exceptional time management and stress resilience.
• Breaking News Demands: The need to pivot instantly and create graphics for unforeseen events can be demanding and requires quick thinking and adaptability.
• Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Finding creative solutions within strict brand guidelines and technical limitations is an ongoing challenge.
• Feedback and Revisions: Navigating multiple stakeholders and incorporating potentially conflicting feedback requires strong communication and diplomacy.
• Technical Evolution: Staying current with evolving broadcast graphics technology and software updates.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen skills in After Effects for more complex motion graphics or explore 3D design software.
• Broadcast Graphics Systems Expertise: Gaining hands-on experience and potentially certifications with industry-standard broadcast graphics engines (e.g., Vizrt).
• Data Visualization Skills: Developing expertise in creating compelling and clear data graphics for news reporting.
• Mentorship: Learning from experienced art directors and senior designers within a renowned media organization.
• Industry Conferences: Potential to attend media and design conferences to stay abreast of industry trends and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges common to the broadcast news industry, primarily centered around speed, pressure, and adaptability. However, these challenges also present substantial opportunities for professional growth and skill development in specialized areas of broadcast design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to create graphics for a breaking news story under extreme time pressure. What was your process, and what was the outcome?"
  • Preparation: Prepare a concise STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) story focusing on your workflow, decision-making, and ability to deliver under duress.
• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple shows or segments when designing graphics?"
  • Preparation: Discuss your understanding of brand guidelines, your methods for template creation and management, and how you maintain visual unity.
• "Walk us through your process for designing a full-screen graphic or a lower-third for a complex news story."
  • Preparation: Be ready to explain your approach from receiving the brief to final delivery, including research, conceptualization, design execution, and revision stages.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for MSNBC specifically, and how do you see your design skills contributing to our news coverage?"
  • Preparation: Research MSNBC's current programming, recent major stories, and overall brand identity. Articulate how your design aesthetic and skills align with their mission.
• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs from producers or art directors?"
  • Preparation: Emphasize your openness to feedback, your ability to interpret and implement revisions, and your focus on the project's goals over personal preference.
• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment like a newsroom."
  • Preparation: Provide specific examples of how you manage your time, prioritize tasks, and maintain composure and productivity under pressure.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Curate for Relevance: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant pieces. Prioritize broadcast news examples.
• Tell a Story: For each piece, explain the brief, your creative process, the tools used, the challenges faced, and the final outcome/impact.
• Highlight Speed & Adaptability: If you have examples of urgent projects, explicitly point them out and discuss your approach.
• Technical Detail: Be prepared to discuss the technical specifications and software used for each project.
• Engage and Discuss: Be interactive. Ask questions about their needs and how your work might fit, rather than just presenting a slideshow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design talent but also a deep understanding of the news cycle, rapid execution, and collaborative problem-solving. The portfolio is your primary tool; be ready to discuss every aspect of it.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer (Broadcast) position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the SmartRecruiters platform.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest broadcast graphics, especially those relevant to news and current events. Ensure it's easily navigable and showcases your technical proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and any broadcast graphics systems.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight your years of experience, specific software proficiencies (Adobe Suite, Vizrt if applicable), and key achievements in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice answering common interview questions related to broadcast design, newsroom environments, and your creative process. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research MSNBC's programming, on-air branding, and recent news coverage to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the network. Understand their visual style and how you can contribute to it.

⚠️ 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.