Graphic Designer (Hourly)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Hourly)

Company: One Off Hospitality Group Ltd

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Part-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-02-17

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for executing creative assets across all One Off Hospitality brands, directly supporting marketing initiatives and brand development.

• The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in translating conceptual ideas into visual designs for a wide range of marketing materials, from digital campaigns to physical packaging.

• A strong emphasis is placed on cross-functional collaboration with culinary teams, management, and marketing leadership to meet diverse collateral needs.

• This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the visual identity and consumer perception of beloved Chicago hospitality establishments.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the description heavily emphasizes execution of marketing assets, brand development, and collaboration with marketing/culinary teams. This suggests a strong alignment with "Marketing Operations" or "Creative Operations" functions within a company, focusing on the implementation and consistent application of brand strategy across various touchpoints, rather than purely conceptual or purely artistic design. The role requires understanding of marketing channels (digital, email, social) and brand consistency, which are core to operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute all creative assets across all One Off Hospitality brands, including email campaigns, website design elements, menu layouts, branded promotional items, and packaging.

• Collaborate closely with the Marketing Director and Marketing Manager to develop and translate brand identity from strategy and concept through to final execution.

• Update and maintain marketing assets and information across partner platforms, brand websites, and other consumer touchpoints, ensuring accuracy and brand consistency.

• Partner with Chefs and Managers to conceptualize and design collateral needs for events, private dining, catering services, and merchandise.

• Develop original content and campaigns for social media stories and assets, aligning with overall marketing strategies and brand voice.

• Assist in the creation and maintenance of brand guidelines and promotional templates to ensure consistent application across all materials.

• Ensure all brand standards and operational processes are applied meticulously to every design and production output.

• Interact effectively with various teams and functions, accepting and incorporating feedback and requested changes to designs.

• Stay informed about market trends in food & beverage, lifestyle, and design to identify and leverage real-time marketing opportunities.

• Participate actively in weekly marketing meetings, contributing ideas and insights to the broader marketing team's initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for process adherence (brand guidelines, production standards), cross-functional collaboration (chefs, managers, marketing), and a focus on output for various marketing channels. This aligns with operations roles that manage creative workflows and ensure brand consistency across a multi-brand hospitality group.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Marketing, or a related field is typically preferred for roles requiring 2-3+ years of professional experience.

Experience: 2-3+ years of professional graphic design experience is required. Experience within the food & beverage or restaurant industry is preferred but not a strict requirement.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop are mandatory.

• Expertise in Canva (or equivalent visual design platforms) for quick asset creation and template management.

• Proven ability to translate written or spoken ideas into compelling visual formats, including layouts and design elements.

• Strong understanding of design principles, including typography, color theory, and composition.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and receive feedback constructively.

• High level of creativity and conceptual thinking with a strong desire to innovate and grow.

• Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accuracy and brand consistency across all deliverables.

• Ability to multitask, stay organized, and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and adapt to changing business demands and priorities.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with MailChimp for email marketing campaign design and execution.

• Familiarity with website content management systems like BentoBox, Squarespace.

• Knowledge of social media scheduling and management tools, such as Later.

• Experience with Google My Business for local listing optimization.

• Digital photography and editing skills.

• Animation and experience with Adobe After Effects.

• Video editing capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of specific software like InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Canva, along with email marketing platforms like MailChimp, points to a need for practical, hands-on technical skills directly applicable to marketing operations workflows. The emphasis on translating ideas into visuals and adhering to brand standards also underlines the operational aspect of ensuring consistent brand representation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, demonstrating proficiency across digital and traditional media.

• Specific examples of work in conceptual design, advertising, email marketing, website collateral, and promotional materials are highly valued.

• Inclusion of packaging design and physical element examples to illustrate tangible product design capabilities.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should ideally reflect a structured design process, from initial concept and mood boards to final asset delivery.

• Examples of how design solutions were developed in response to specific briefs or business needs are encouraged.

• Candidates may be asked to walk through their design process for selected portfolio items during interviews, highlighting problem-solving and execution phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role managing creative assets across multiple brands, a portfolio is critical not just for showcasing aesthetic skills but also for demonstrating an understanding of brand consistency, project execution, and the ability to adapt design to different marketing channels and objectives. This is akin to an operations professional demonstrating their ability to manage projects and deliver consistent results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: This is an hourly, part-time position (2-3 days a week). Based on industry standards for Graphic Designers in Chicago with 2-3+ years of experience, the hourly rate is estimated to be between $25 - $35 per hour. This range can fluctuate based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and the precise number of hours worked per week.

Benefits: As a part-time role, benefits may be limited. However, common benefits for part-time employees in the hospitality sector can include:

• Employee discounts on food and beverages across One Off Hospitality Group establishments.

• Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement within the marketing team.

• Flexible scheduling to accommodate the 2-3 days per week requirement.

• Potential for increased hours or full-time conversion based on performance and business needs.

• A vibrant and dynamic work environment within a respected hospitality group.

Working Hours: This is a part-time position, typically requiring 2-3 days of work per week. Actual hours per day and specific days will be determined in coordination with the Marketing Director, with flexibility for the needs of the business and the candidate's availability. Some evening and weekend work may be required occasionally.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided input does not specify salary or benefits. This section estimates a competitive hourly range for a part-time Graphic Designer in Chicago based on typical market rates for the stated experience level and location. Benefits are inferred based on common offerings for part-time roles in the hospitality industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hospitality (Food & Beverage, Restaurants, Bars)

Company Size: One Off Hospitality Group Ltd operates multiple beloved establishments in Chicago, suggesting a medium-sized organization within the hospitality sector. This implies a close-knit team environment with direct access to leadership.

Founded: The company has been operating for "almost 30 years," indicating a long-standing presence and deep roots in the Chicago culinary scene, fostering a culture of experience, longevity, and community.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Marketing Director and works closely with the Marketing Manager, forming a core part of the marketing team.

• This role requires significant collaboration with Chefs, Managers, and potentially other operational staff across various restaurant locations.

Methodology:

• Design strategy and execution are driven by a blend of creativity, market trend awareness, and direct collaboration with culinary and management leaders.

• Emphasis is placed on translating concepts into tangible assets that support brand identity and drive consumer engagement (first-time and repeat visits).

• A data-informed approach is implied through the need to stay abreast of market trends and contribute to marketing campaigns.

Company Website: [One Off Hospitality Group Website - inferred to be oneoffhospitality.com, though not explicitly provided in input]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and focus on "treating our guests like family and our restaurants like home" suggests a culture that values relationships, dedication, and a strong sense of community. For a designer, this means understanding and contributing to a brand narrative that is warm, inviting, and deeply connected to the Chicago food scene.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an intermediate-level Graphic Designer, requiring professional experience and the ability to work with some autonomy under the Marketing Director. It's a key contributor role within the marketing operations function, responsible for the tangible execution of brand visuals.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Marketing Director, with a dotted line or close working relationship with the Marketing Manager. This structure allows for direct guidance and feedback from senior marketing leadership.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, customer engagement, and ultimately, business performance by creating compelling visuals for marketing campaigns, menus, and promotional materials that drive traffic and repeat visits to the establishments.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like food photography, animation, or video editing, potentially leading to more specialized creative roles.

• Brand Strategy Involvement: As experience grows, contribute more significantly to the strategic development of brand identities and marketing campaigns.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and expanded responsibilities, potential to move into a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role within the organization or a broader marketing management path.

• Industry Networking: Exposure to leaders in the Chicago food and beverage industry provides valuable networking and career advancement opportunities within the sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is framed as a direct contributor to marketing operations. Growth would involve deepening design expertise, taking on more strategic campaign input, or potentially moving into a supervisory role within a larger creative or marketing team, leveraging experience in the dynamic hospitality sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is primarily on-site, with the expectation of working from restaurant locations. This implies a dynamic, often fast-paced environment where the designer is immersed in the operational realities of the hospitality business.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Chicago, IL, with the requirement to travel to various restaurant locations around the Chicago area as needed. The specific address listed is 516 N Ogden, Chicago, IL 60642.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will vary, potentially including office settings, restaurant dining areas, and back-of-house environments, requiring adaptability.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology will be provided, but the environment is hands-on and integrated with the daily operations of the dining establishments.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with culinary staff, management, and marketing colleagues will be frequent, fostering a collaborative and communicative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: This is a part-time position (2-3 days per week), offering some flexibility. The specific schedule will be coordinated with the Marketing Director to ensure business needs are met, acknowledging that occasional evening and weekend work may be necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" nature and work from restaurant locations indicate a need for a designer who is comfortable in active, sometimes noisy, and public-facing environments. This immersion is key to understanding the brand's operational context and creating relevant visuals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills, experience, and alignment with brand aesthetics.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to the Marketing Director and Manager, discussing their design process, creative rationale, and proficiency with required software (Adobe Suite, Canva). Expect questions about specific projects and how they met client objectives.

• Situational/Behavioral Interview: Discussion around collaboration, problem-solving, handling feedback, and passion for food and beverage. Questions might explore how they've handled challenging projects or tight deadlines.

• Cultural Fit Assessment: Evaluation of communication style, team orientation, and enthusiasm for the One Off Hospitality Group's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to the hospitality industry, including examples of branding, digital marketing collateral (emails, social), menus, and packaging.

• For each project, be prepared to explain the objective, your role, the design process, the tools used, and the outcome or impact. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "increased engagement by X%").

• Showcase versatility by including a mix of digital and print work, and demonstrate your ability to adhere to brand guidelines while still injecting creativity.

• Include