Graphic Designer, Football

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer, Football

Company: Penn State University

Location: University Park, Pennsylvania, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Sports & Recreation / Education

Date Posted: April 23, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in shaping the visual identity of a high-profile NCAA Division I Football program, requiring a blend of artistic talent and strategic brand communication.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for conceptualizing and executing visually compelling designs across a multitude of digital and print platforms to enhance program branding and student-athlete profiles.

• A key aspect of the role involves developing both broad-reaching creative assets and highly personalized recruiting materials, demanding versatility and attention to detail.

• This position offers the opportunity to collaborate within a dynamic athletics department, contributing to the overall success and narrative of the football team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Graphic Designer, Football" and the context of Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics strongly indicate this role falls under the Creative & Media or Art & Design categories, with a specific focus within Sports & Recreation and Education sectors. The description emphasizes brand elevation and student-athlete profiling, common in collegiate athletics marketing and communications.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-caliber graphic designs that elevate the brand identity of the Penn State Football program across all digital and print platforms.

• Create innovative and forward-thinking design concepts for motion graphics, video content, social media posts, posters, signage, facility graphics, recruiting materials, website elements, and promotional items.

• Manage the production of both broad-distribution creative assets and personalized, targeted recruiting graphics to support program objectives.

• Collaborate with the football coaching staff and creative team to conceptualize and direct photo shoots, potentially contributing photography skills.

• Maintain brand consistency and visual integrity across all creative outputs, ensuring alignment with university and athletic department guidelines.

• Assist in the development and execution of creative strategies for recruiting events and campaigns.

• Stay abreast of current design trends and emerging technologies in sports graphics and digital media to ensure the program remains at the forefront of visual communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core responsibilities are outlined, the emphasis on "elevate the program's brand identity" and "amplify the profiles of its student-athletes" suggests a strategic function beyond just design execution. The mention of "recruiting graphics" and "facility graphics" points to a significant focus on both external communication and internal branding/atmosphere enhancement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Associate Degree with 2+ years of relevant experience, OR

• Bachelor's Degree with 3+ years of relevant experience, OR

Experience:

• Minimum of 2-3 years of professional graphic design experience, with a strong preference for experience within collegiate athletics, professional sports, or a related creative agency environment.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is essential for creating a wide range of visual assets.

• Strong conceptualization skills and the ability to translate ideas into compelling visual designs for both digital and print mediums.

• Experience in designing for social media platforms, understanding their unique requirements and best practices for engagement.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with coaches, staff, and student-athletes.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics software (e.g., Adobe After Effects) and video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro) for creating dynamic content.

• Familiarity with 3D design software or rendering engines.

• Photography and/or videography skills, including experience with professional camera equipment and lighting techniques.

• Understanding of the NCAA Division I and Big Ten Conference landscape, including recruiting regulations and branding standards.

• Experience with large-format printing and installation processes for signage and facility graphics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The distinction between Associate and Bachelor's degrees with corresponding experience levels suggests a tiered hiring approach, potentially allowing for candidates with strong practical experience but a non-traditional educational background. The "preferred skills" highlight areas that would make a candidate exceptionally strong, particularly motion graphics and video, which are increasingly critical in sports marketing.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio demonstrating a strong understanding of visual branding and its application within a sports context.

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects, including digital graphics (social media, web), print collateral (posters, brochures), and ideally motion graphics or video examples.

• Highlight specific examples of recruiting graphics and their potential impact on prospect engagement.

• Include case studies or explanations of design choices, demonstrating strategic thinking and problem-solving processes.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design workflow from concept to final delivery, including client feedback integration.

• Demonstrate familiarity with project management tools or systems used to track design requests and production timelines.

• Be ready to explain how they ensure brand consistency across multiple design projects and platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative role like this, a portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is not just on the final output but also on the process behind it, especially in relation to sports branding and recruiting, which often have unique constraints and objectives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $51,000.00 - $81,500.00 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage to support employee health and well-being.

• Robust retirement plans offering financial security for the future.

• Generous paid time off, including holidays, vacation, and sick time, promoting work-life balance.

• A significant 75% tuition discount for employees, eligible spouses, and children, fostering continuous learning and professional development.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring 40 hours per week.

• Due to the nature of collegiate athletics, especially football, there may be a need for evening, weekend, and holiday work, particularly during peak seasons, recruiting periods, and game days. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests a blend of on-site and remote work, though specific on-site requirements will likely be dictated by team needs and events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is broad, likely accommodating the different levels (Intermediate vs. Advanced Professional) mentioned in the qualifications. The benefits are standard for a large university but the tuition discount is a significant perk. The working hours note is crucial for candidates to understand the demands of a role in high-level collegiate sports.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education / NCAA Division I Athletics / Sports Management. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics is a prominent organization within the Big Ten Conference, known for its competitive sports programs and extensive athletic facilities.

Company Size: Penn State is a large, multi-campus public research university with a vast network of staff and faculty. Intercollegiate Athletics is a significant department within the university.

Founded: Penn State was founded in 1855. The athletic department has a long-standing history of excellence.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a larger Creative Content or Athletic Communications team within Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.

• This team likely includes other designers, videographers, content creators, and communication specialists who support various sports programs.

• The reporting structure will place the Graphic Designer under a Director or Associate Director of Football Creative Content, who in turn reports to higher leadership within the athletic department's marketing or communications division.

Methodology:

• Data-driven approaches are likely employed to understand audience engagement and the effectiveness of creative assets, particularly for social media and recruiting.

• Workflow planning and optimization are crucial for managing the high volume of design requests and tight deadlines inherent in a major college football program.

• Automation may be utilized for repetitive design tasks or asset management, though the core role emphasizes creative execution.

Company Website: https://gopsusports.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the scale and prestige of Penn State Athletics is key. The culture is likely results-oriented, fast-paced, and highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on brand representation and competitive success. The "Methodology" section infers a blend of creative strategy and operational efficiency.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Advanced Professional" or "Intermediate Professional" Graphic Designer. It implies a mid-level career stage, requiring significant technical skill and creative autonomy, but likely not yet at a senior management or directorial level for the entire department.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Director or Associate Director of Football Creative Content. This structure allows for direct mentorship and guidance from experienced creative leaders within the football program.

Operations Impact: The work of the Graphic Designer directly impacts the perceived professionalism, brand strength, and attractiveness of the Penn State Football program to prospective student-athletes, current players, alumni, and fans. High-quality visuals are critical for recruiting success and maintaining program reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in motion graphics, video editing, or specific areas of digital/print design through advanced training or project involvement.

• Career Advancement: Potential to progress to a Senior Graphic Designer, Art Director, or Director of Creative Content role within Penn State Athletics or in similar organizations.

• Leadership Potential: Demonstrating strong creative leadership and project management skills could lead to opportunities to mentor junior designers or manage specific creative initiatives.

• Networking: Working within a prominent athletic department provides valuable networking opportunities with professionals across the sports industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" focuses on how design contributes to the broader goals of the football program, aligning with the "revenue operations" mindset of driving outcomes through functional excellence. Growth paths are typical for creative professionals in specialized fields.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "Hybrid," indicating a combination of on-site work within the Penn State campus facilities and remote work. Specific days and expectations for on-site presence will be determined by the department.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Penn State University Park. This includes access to athletic facilities, creative studios, and collaborative workspaces within the athletic department.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be a blend of individual creative work and collaborative sessions with the football creative team, coaches, and other department staff.

• Access to state-of-the-art design software and potentially photography/videography equipment will be provided.

• The environment is expected to be dynamic, fast-paced, and deadline-driven, reflecting the demands of a major college football program.

Work Schedule: While the core hours may be standard (e.g., 40 hours/week), the nature of collegiate football means the schedule will be demanding, often requiring work during evenings, weekends, and holidays, especially during the season, recruiting periods, and major events. Flexibility and commitment are essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" nature is a key detail. Candidates should clarify expectations regarding on-site vs. remote days and how this might fluctuate based on team needs and events. The environment is described as high-energy and demanding.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess technical skills, creative style, and relevant experience.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing their design process, creative rationale, and problem-solving approaches for specific projects. This may include a technical assessment of software proficiency.

• Creative Challenge/Assignment: A practical design task may be assigned to evaluate the candidate's ability to interpret a brief, execute a design within constraints, and meet deadlines.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions will focus on teamwork, communication, ability to handle pressure, and fit with the athletic department's culture. Interviews may involve key members of the football creative team and coaching staff.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership within Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase your best work, focusing on projects that align with the requirements of a collegiate football graphic designer role (e.g., sports branding, recruiting materials, social media graphics).

• Tell a Story: For each piece, explain the objective, your creative process, the tools used, and the impact or outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., engagement metrics for social graphics).

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include a range of styles and mediums (digital, print, motion graphics if applicable).

• Highlight Football/Sports Relevance: If you have specific work for sports teams, emphasize it. If not, explain how your general design principles apply to this context.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate tasks that might involve designing a social media graphic, a recruiting poster, or a quick visual for a game promotion.

• Be ready to articulate your design choices under pressure and incorporate feedback quickly.

• Practice presenting your work concisely and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process strongly emphasizes the portfolio. Candidates must be prepared to not only show their work but also to articulate the strategic thinking and process behind it, especially in the context of sports branding and recruiting.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all graphic design tasks. Proficiency is expected in:

  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, digital asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout and print design (posters, brochures, signage).

• Adobe After Effects: Highly preferred for motion graphics and animation.

• Adobe Premiere Pro: Preferred for video editing and content creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how designs are requested and managed might involve familiarity with project management software or internal request systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack is heavily centered around Adobe Creative Suite. Proficiency in After Effects and Premiere Pro is a significant differentiator, indicating a move towards more dynamic digital content.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality, professional creative work that reflects the prestige of Penn State Football.

• Innovation: Encouraging forward-thinking design solutions that keep the program visually current and engaging.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with coaches, staff, and fellow creative team members to achieve shared goals.

• Efficiency: Managing time and resources effectively to meet deadlines and deliver on project requirements, especially during peak seasons.

• Brand Stewardship: Acting as a guardian of the Penn State Football brand, ensuring all visual communications are consistent and impactful.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a highly collaborative environment with frequent interaction with the football coaching staff, recruiting team, and other members of the athletic department's creative and communications units.

• Communication must be clear, concise, and professional, with an ability to receive and implement feedback constructively.

• Cross-functional integration is key, as designs will support marketing campaigns, recruiting efforts, and overall program branding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of creative quality, strategic thinking, and operational efficiency, which are critical for success in a high-stakes environment like major college athletics.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: The demands of a major college football program mean constant deadlines, rapid iterations, and the need to adapt quickly to changing needs.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Program Needs: Ensuring designs are both artistically compelling and strategically aligned with the program's goals, brand guidelines, and recruiting objectives.

• Managing Stakeholder Feedback: Effectively navigating feedback from multiple stakeholders, including coaches who may have specific visual preferences.

• Staying Current: Continuously evolving design skills and knowledge to keep pace with the latest trends in sports graphics and digital media.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to attend workshops, webinars, or conferences focused on sports graphics, motion design, or digital marketing.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced creative directors and professionals within the Penn State Athletic department.

• Portfolio Building: The role offers a unique opportunity to build a strong portfolio with high-profile collegiate sports work.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining valuable experience within a top-tier NCAA Division I athletic program.

📝 Enhancement Note: Acknowledging the challenges prepares candidates for the realities of the role, while highlighting growth opportunities demonstrates the potential for career development within this specialized field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a visual concept for a new recruiting campaign." (Focus on strategy, ideation, and execution.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various digital and print platforms for a sports program?" (Emphasize process, guidelines, and attention to detail.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about the opportunity to design for Penn State Football specifically?" (Show genuine interest and research.)

• "How do you handle feedback from coaches or stakeholders who may have different creative visions?" (Demonstrate professionalism, communication skills, and adaptability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by your strongest work first.

• Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges, your creative process, and the outcome. Use visuals effectively to support your story.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; present key pieces and be ready for deeper dives into specific projects.

• Technical Details: Be prepared to discuss the software and techniques you used.

• Relevance: Tailor your presentation to highlight work most relevant to sports and recruiting graphics.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just technical skill but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a cultural fit with a high-performance athletic department.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this graphic design position:

• Click the "Apply" button and complete the application process for external applicants through Workday.

• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible, and showcases your most relevant work. Include examples of sports-related graphics, social media assets, and any motion graphics or video pieces.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in graphic design, brand identity, digital media, and any experience within sports or collegiate environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your design process, present your portfolio confidently, and answer behavioral questions related to teamwork, creativity, and handling pressure. Practice articulating your creative rationale for selected portfolio pieces.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Penn State Athletics, the football program's recent performance, and their current visual branding. Understand the university's mission and values to demonstrate cultural alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Penn State University's hiring team or through their official application portal before making application decisions. Pay close attention to the specific application instructions for external applicants provided in the original job posting.