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: October 6, 2025 Experience Level: 2-5 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and produce high-quality static graphics for daily television shows, ensuring MSNBC's on-air look remains sharp, consistent, and brand-aligned.
• Collaborate closely with producers, editorial staff, and art directors to meet show needs and maintain brand consistency across all visual assets.
• Adapt graphics quickly and efficiently in response to breaking news and live programming demands, demonstrating agility in a fast-paced news environment.
• Manage multiple graphic design projects simultaneously, meticulously meeting tight deadlines without compromising on quality or brand standards.
• Maintain organized files, templates, and toolkits to ensure efficient workflows and facilitate future asset retrieval and reuse.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on static broadcast graphics for daily news programming, emphasizing speed, accuracy, and brand adherence within a live television context. The "mid-level" designation implies a need for independent work alongside collaborative input.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and deliver daily static graphics for MSNBC programs, including but not limited to lower-thirds, full-screen templates, charts, and editorial visuals.
• Collaborate closely with producers, editorial staff, and art directors to understand show needs and ensure all graphics align with MSNBC's brand guidelines and editorial intent.
• Adapt and create graphics rapidly to accommodate breaking news situations, live program adjustments, and urgent editorial requests, maintaining composure under pressure.
• Manage a fluctuating workload of multiple graphic design projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet all established deadlines.
• Maintain a well-organized digital asset management system, including templates, toolkits, and final graphics, to ensure efficient workflow and easy retrieval.
• Work flexible hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays, as dictated by news coverage schedules and programming requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "daily television shows" and "breaking news" indicates a high-volume, reactive design environment. The responsibility to "adapt graphics quickly" is a critical component, requiring not just design skill but also rapid problem-solving and execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Experience: 3+ years of professional design experience, with a strong preference for experience in broadcast television, news production, or a similarly fast-turnaround environment.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, for creating and manipulating visual assets.
• Solid understanding of typography, layout principles, and visual storytelling techniques as applied to television broadcast.
• Proven ability to work effectively under deadline pressure, maintaining accuracy and quality in a high-stakes environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams in a newsroom or production setting.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, resourceful, and adaptable when faced with unexpected changes or urgent requests.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Vizrt or similar broadcast graphics systems is a significant advantage.
• Familiarity with live news production workflows and the specific demands of daily broadcast.
• A portfolio showcasing a strong aesthetic sense and a proven track record of delivering high-quality static graphics for broadcast.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "equivalent professional experience" suggests that a formal degree is not an absolute barrier if a candidate can demonstrate a strong portfolio and relevant work history. Proficiency in After Effects, even for static graphics, suggests an expectation for dynamic template creation or understanding of motion graphic principles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of static graphics designed for broadcast television or similar fast-paced media environments.
• Examples should demonstrate proficiency in creating lower-thirds, full-screen graphics, charts, and other editorial visuals relevant to news programming.
• Visuals should highlight strong typography, layout, and an understanding of visual storytelling tailored for on-air consumption.
• The portfolio should implicitly convey the candidate's ability to work efficiently and deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly required for submission, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design process for creating broadcast graphics from brief to final delivery.
• This includes their approach to understanding editorial needs, conceptualizing visual solutions, iterating based on feedback, and managing files.
• Candidates should be ready to articulate how they ensure brand consistency and accuracy within their design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on daily broadcast graphics, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of the candidate's ability to meet the core demands of the job – speed, quality, and brand adherence. The emphasis is less on formal process documentation and more on demonstrating the output of an efficient and effective design process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $35 - $55 per hour.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Paid leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• A variety of other benefits and perks offered by NBCUniversal.

Working Hours: Full-time, with an expectation of 40 hours per week. Some evenings and weekends may be required due to the nature of news production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate is provided, which is common for creative roles in broadcast. The hybrid designation suggests a structured approach to work-life balance, though the note about flexible hours acknowledges the demands of live news. The inclusion of tuition reimbursement is a valuable benefit for continuous learning in design.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Entertainment, specifically News Broadcasting. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation and operates a vast portfolio of media assets including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, and Peacock.

Company Size: NBCUniversal is a large, multinational media conglomerate, employing a significant workforce globally. This scale offers stability, extensive resources, and opportunities for diverse project involvement.

Founded: NBCUniversal's history traces back to the early days of television broadcasting, with NBC being one of the oldest major broadcast networks. This long-standing presence signifies deep industry expertise and a robust infrastructure.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Design team likely operates within the broader creative department of MSNBC.
• Reporting structure would typically involve a lead designer or art director, with designers collaborating closely with show producers, assignment editors, and other editorial staff.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, requiring seamless integration with live production, editorial, and management teams to meet the dynamic needs of daily news programming.

Methodology:

• The core methodology will revolve around rapid, iterative design cycles driven by editorial needs and breaking news.
• Data analysis is less about complex metrics and more about understanding audience engagement with on-air visuals and optimizing for clarity and impact.
• Workflow planning focuses on efficiency, template utilization, and rapid asset deployment under strict time constraints.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's significant presence in news broadcasting means the culture is likely fast-paced, deadline-driven, and focused on delivering accurate, timely information. The recent announcement of a potential spin-off of some cable networks into a new entity ("Versant") highlights a period of strategic transition, which could offer unique opportunities for employees to influence shaping new structures.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer. It requires independent execution of design tasks with minimal supervision but also involves significant collaboration and responsiveness to direction from senior creative staff and editorial teams.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Lead Graphic Designer or Art Director within the MSNBC creative department. They will work closely with producers and editorial staff on a day-to-day basis to fulfill specific show requirements.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in the sense of process optimization or system management, the Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the perceived quality, professionalism, and brand identity of MSNBC's broadcasts. Effective visual design is crucial for viewer engagement, information clarity, and overall brand perception in the competitive news landscape.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in broadcast graphics, motion graphics, or specific design software.
• Leadership Potential: Potential progression to Senior Graphic Designer, Lead Designer, or Art Director roles, overseeing projects and teams.
• Cross-Departmental Experience: Possibility to contribute to graphics for other NBCUniversal properties or special projects, broadening experience.
• Industry Exposure: Working within a major news organization provides invaluable experience in high-pressure, live broadcast environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "growth opportunities" are framed within the context of a creative career path rather than a typical operations management track. The impact is measured by the effectiveness of visual communication and brand representation.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This role is designated as hybrid, requiring the employee to work from the MSNBC office in New York, NY, for a set number of days per week (likely 3 days, based on common hybrid models).

Office Location(s): 229 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036, USA. This central Manhattan location provides access to a vibrant urban environment and is well-served by public transportation.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, within a dynamic newsroom environment where quick communication and iteration are key.
• Access to industry-standard design software and hardware will be provided.
• Opportunities for frequent interaction with producers, editors, and fellow designers will be integral to the daily workflow.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with standard working hours likely falling within a typical business day. However, the role requires flexibility, with the potential need for evening, weekend, and holiday work to support live news coverage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model balances in-office collaboration with remote flexibility, a common arrangement for creative roles. The emphasis on the New York office location highlights the importance of physical presence for live production needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review to assess qualifications and portfolio relevance.
• Design Test/Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a timed design exercise simulating a real-world broadcast scenario (e.g., creating graphics for a breaking news story or a specific segment).
• Portfolio Review & Interview: Discussion of the candidate's portfolio, design process, and ability to meet the role's demands. This stage will likely involve meeting with the hiring manager, art director, and potentially key producers.
• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of collaboration skills, ability to work under pressure, and alignment with the newsroom culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant pieces. Prioritize broadcast or fast-turnaround examples.
• Showcase Versatility: Include a range of graphic types (lower-thirds, full screens, charts) and demonstrate an understanding of different show tones or topics if possible.
• Highlight Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process for 1-2 key projects, explaining your rationale, challenges, and solutions.
• Focus on Impact: Briefly explain how your graphics contributed to clarity, branding, or storytelling for the specific project.
• Technical Proficiency: Ensure files are well-organized, easily navigable, and high-resolution.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the News Cycle: Familiarize yourself with MSNBC's current on-air look, common graphic styles, and the types of stories they cover.
• Practice Under Pressure: Simulate timed design tasks to improve speed and decision-making.
• Focus on Clarity & Brand: For any test, prioritize clear communication and adherence to brand guidelines over excessive embellishment.
• Be Ready to Explain: Clearly articulate your design choices during the review of your test work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is expected to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on a practical design challenge and thorough portfolio review to assess real-world capabilities for a broadcast environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects is mandatory for creating and manipulating all visual assets.
• Broadcast Graphics Systems: Experience with Vizrt or comparable systems (e.g., Chyron, Ross Video) is highly desirable for integrating graphics into live broadcast workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not direct tools for graphic design, understanding how graphics perform (e.g., readability on screen, engagement) can inform design choices. This might involve informal feedback from producers or editors.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, with broadcast-specific graphics system knowledge being a significant plus. This indicates the role is hands-on with design software, with an understanding of how those designs are deployed in a live production environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accuracy & Precision: Ensuring all graphics are factually correct and visually polished.
• Speed & Responsiveness: Adapting quickly to the dynamic needs of a news environment.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve shared goals.
• Brand Integrity: Upholding and enhancing the MSNBC brand through consistent, high-quality visual design.
• Creativity within Constraints: Delivering innovative designs that fit within established brand and technical parameters.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, requiring constant interaction with producers, editors, and other creative team members.
• A feedback-driven environment where constructive criticism is used to refine designs.
• Emphasis on clear communication and proactive problem-solving to ensure seamless integration of graphics into live broadcasts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is defined by the demands of live news – urgency, accuracy, and teamwork. The values emphasize delivering high-impact visual content efficiently and professionally within a structured framework.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Pressure Environment: Working under tight deadlines and responding to breaking news requires resilience and efficient workflow management.
• Balancing Creativity and Constraints: Delivering visually compelling graphics while adhering to strict brand guidelines and technical limitations.
• Rapid Adaptation: Quickly understanding and fulfilling diverse editorial requests for various shows and segments.
• Maintaining Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive on-air look across multiple programs and producers.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering Broadcast Tools: Gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard broadcast graphics systems.
• Deepening News Design Expertise: Developing a nuanced understanding of visual storytelling in the context of live news.
• Networking: Building relationships within a major media organization with opportunities to learn from experienced professionals across different departments.
• Career Advancement: Potential to move into senior design roles or specialize in motion graphics or other visual media within NBCUniversal.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to the fast-paced, high-stakes nature of live news broadcasting. The growth opportunities lie in honing specialized skills within this demanding environment and leveraging the resources of a large media company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating a lower-third graphic for a breaking news story from start to finish." (Focus on speed, accuracy, and information hierarchy).
• "How do you ensure brand consistency across graphics for different shows with varying tones or target audiences?" (Highlight understanding of brand guidelines and adaptability).
• "Walk me through a challenging project where you had to adapt graphics quickly due to a sudden change in editorial direction or breaking news. What was your approach and the outcome?" (Demonstrate problem-solving, resourcefulness, and composure).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about MSNBC and its on-air presence? How would your design style complement it?" (Show research and strategic thinking).
• "How do you handle feedback or criticism on your designs, especially from non-designers like producers?" (Assess collaboration and communication skills).
• "Describe a time you had to manage multiple urgent design requests simultaneously. How did you prioritize and ensure all deadlines were met?" (Evaluate project management and organizational skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Storytelling: For each portfolio piece, briefly explain the objective, your role, the tools used, and the final outcome.
• Highlight Speed & Adaptability: Emphasize projects that demonstrate your ability to work efficiently and respond to quick turnarounds.
• Showcase Technical Skill: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, and how you leveraged them.
• Engage with Questions: Be prepared to answer specific questions about your design choices and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating practical design skills, speed, adaptability, and effective collaboration within a news context. A strong portfolio and the ability to articulate design decisions are critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on smartrecruiters.com.
• Customize Your Resume: Highlight your experience with broadcast graphics, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), and any experience in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed an average of X graphics per day").
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible online and showcases your strongest, most relevant broadcast graphic design work. Be ready to present and discuss specific pieces.
• Research MSNBC: Familiarize yourself with MSNBC's current on-air graphics, programming, and brand aesthetic. Understand their news coverage style.
• Practice Design Scenarios: Be prepared for a potential design test or to discuss hypothetical design challenges related to news broadcasting.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with NBCUniversal before making application decisions. The information about the potential "Versant" spin-off is noted as a significant company transition.