Graphic Designer (Print)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Print)

Company: The Avalon Consulting Group, LLC

Location: Annapolis, Maryland, United States (Off-site)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Consulting

Date Posted: May 06, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-Level to Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote (US-based)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design compelling print and digital visual assets to support fundraising campaigns, client presentations, and business development initiatives, translating complex ideas into engaging designs.

• Collaborate with mission-driven nonprofit clients and internal teams to develop creative concepts and execute designs that align with strategic goals and inspire action.

• Manage project timelines, coordinate with internal stakeholders and external partners, and contribute to the creation of polished proposals and presentation materials.

• Uphold high standards of quality, detail, and thoughtful execution in all design deliverables, contributing to the continuous elevation of the team's work.

• Leverage strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and a solid understanding of design principles to produce print-ready materials and sophisticated data visualizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified as a Graphic Designer with a specific emphasis on print deliverables, but also requires digital asset creation and presentation support. The "Off-site" location combined with the company's stated remote work policy indicates a fully remote position for candidates within the United States. The experience level is indicated as 0-2 years, suggesting an entry-level to junior designer role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute creative design concepts for a diverse range of client and internal projects, focusing on print collateral, digital assets, and presentation graphics.

• Design print-ready materials, including brochures, direct mail pieces, campaign collateral, and other fundraising-related print items, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and pre-press production standards.

• Create engaging presentation graphics, including charts, infographics, and visual aids, to support client pitches and internal strategy sessions, with a focus on translating data into clear and compelling visuals.

• Manage project timelines, prioritize tasks, and coordinate effectively with cross-functional teams (e.g., campaign strategists, account managers) and external vendors to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of design assets.

• Support business development efforts by contributing to the design of proposals, pitch decks, and other client-facing materials, ensuring a polished and professional presentation of Avalon's services.

• Maintain a keen attention to detail across all design work, from typography and layout to color selection and file preparation, ensuring a high level of quality and accuracy.

• Collaborate actively with fellow designers and team members to brainstorm ideas, provide constructive feedback, and collectively enhance the overall quality and impact of Avalon's design output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design, project management, and collaborative teamwork, with a strong emphasis on print deliverables and supporting fundraising initiatives for nonprofit organizations. The need to manage multiple projects and deadlines points to a dynamic, fast-paced environment typical of consulting or agency settings.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for design roles of this nature. Candidates with a strong portfolio and equivalent professional experience may be considered.

Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of professional experience creating print graphic design deliverables in a professional setting (e.g., agency, in-house design department, freelance).

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, with a particular emphasis on Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Solid understanding of fundamental design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Proven experience in creating print-ready materials and understanding pre-press production workflows and requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to design effective presentation graphics and data visualizations from raw data.

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Exceptional attention to detail and a strong commitment to producing high-quality, polished work.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within the nonprofit sector, fundraising environment, or a marketing/fundraising agency.

• Familiarity with data visualization tools and techniques beyond basic chart creation.

• Basic understanding of digital design principles and asset creation for digital platforms.

• Experience with project management software or tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "at least one (1) year of experience" suggests that candidates with internships or significant freelance work in print design will be considered, aligning with an entry-level to junior profile. The "plus" items for data visualization and agency/nonprofit experience are significant differentiators.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 strong print design projects, demonstrating proficiency in layout, typography, and color application.

• Specific examples of print-ready materials, such as brochures, direct mail collateral, or campaign guides, with explanations of design choices and intended impact.

• Visualizations of data presented in print or presentation formats, illustrating the ability to translate complex information into clear and engaging graphics.

• Examples of presentation design work, showcasing the creation of visually appealing and informative slides for client meetings or proposals.

Process Documentation:

• When discussing past projects, be prepared to articulate your design process, from initial concept development and client brief interpretation to asset finalization and pre-press preparation.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how design processes integrate with broader campaign or project strategies, particularly in a fundraising context.

• Be ready to discuss how you manage feedback and revisions throughout the design process, ensuring alignment with client objectives and quality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to clearly demonstrate core print design competencies and the ability to manage projects from concept to completion, with an emphasis on the practical application of design skills in a professional context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000 annually. This range is commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

• Employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance, providing comprehensive coverage for medical needs.

• Generous paid leave, offering flexibility and time for rest and personal pursuits.

• Remote work reimbursements, supporting a productive and comfortable home office setup.

• Employer-paid life insurance, providing financial security for beneficiaries.

• Employer-paid disability insurance, offering income protection in case of incapacitation.

• Safe harbor 401(k) plan, supporting long-term financial planning and retirement savings.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are assumed to be 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time position, with flexibility inherent in a remote work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is typical for an entry-level to junior graphic designer in the US, considering the remote work flexibility. The benefits package is robust, indicating a commitment to employee well-being and long-term support, which is attractive for operations-adjacent roles that often require significant dedication. The "40 hours" is an inference based on standard full-time employment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Nonprofit Consulting / Fundraising Strategy / Data Analytics. Avalon partners with nonprofit organizations focused on environmental conservation, social justice, and cultural arts. The recent merger with VeraData (a data analytics and fundraising intelligence firm) has expanded their capabilities into data-informed fundraising solutions.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the description suggests a mid-sized firm that has recently expanded through a merger. The hiring of a junior designer implies a growing, potentially dynamic team structure.

Founded: Avalon was founded in 1997. The merger with VeraData occurred in April 2026. This history indicates a stable company with a forward-looking approach, integrating new technologies and strategies.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a creative or marketing team, collaborating closely with campaign strategists, account managers, and potentially data analysts.

• Reporting structure is likely to a Creative Director or a Senior Designer, with opportunities for direct interaction with leadership given the company's collaborative culture.

Methodology:

• Data-informed fundraising: Leveraging data analytics to inform campaign strategies and design.

• Strategic partnership: Working closely with nonprofits to understand their missions and develop effective fundraising solutions.

• Collaborative execution: Emphasizing teamwork and shared creativity to achieve client goals.

• Quality and impact focus: Striving for thoughtful, polished design that drives measurable results.

Company Website: [Company URL not provided, but implied domain: avalonconsulting.net]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as mission-driven, collaborative, strategic, analytical, and innovative. The merger suggests a company that is evolving and investing in its capabilities, which is a positive sign for growth and development opportunities. The focus on nonprofits means the work has a direct social impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer role is positioned at the entry-level to junior stage of a creative career path within a specialized consulting firm. It offers an excellent foundation in print design, presentation graphics, and visual storytelling for the nonprofit sector.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Creative Lead or Marketing Manager, with opportunities to interact with senior members of the consulting and analytics teams. This provides exposure to various facets of the business.

Operations Impact: The graphic designer's work directly impacts Avalon's ability to secure and serve clients by creating compelling proposals, impactful presentations, and effective campaign materials. High-quality design enhances the firm's reputation and contributes to client success in fundraising, which is the core business metric.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop advanced skills in print design, data visualization, and presentation design, potentially specializing in areas like infographic design or brand identity for nonprofits.

• Cross-functional Learning: Gain exposure to fundraising strategy, data analytics, and campaign management through collaboration with other teams, broadening understanding of the nonprofit sector and consulting business.

• Leadership Potential: As experience grows, opportunities may arise to mentor junior designers, lead design aspects of smaller projects, or develop more strategic design thinking for client campaigns.

• Industry Exposure: Work with a diverse range of nonprofit clients, gaining insights into various causes and organizational needs, which can inform future career direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "operations" role, a graphic designer in this context supports the operational success of a consulting firm by enhancing client communications and brand representation. Growth pathways will likely involve deepening design expertise and potentially taking on more strategic client-facing responsibilities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company explicitly states it is a "fully remote workplace." While they value opportunities to come together for team and client meetings, the day-to-day work environment is remote.

Office Location(s): Annapolis, Maryland, USA is listed as the primary location, but due to the remote nature, candidates are hired "no matter where they live in the U.S." This implies a distributed team across the United States.

Workspace Context:

• A fully remote setup requires self-discipline, effective time management, and strong communication skills to stay connected with the team.

• Access to necessary design software and a reliable internet connection is essential. The company offers remote work reimbursements, which may cover some of these costs.

• The collaborative culture is maintained through virtual communication tools, regular team meetings, and potentially occasional in-person gatherings.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected. While remote work offers flexibility, maintaining consistent availability for team collaboration and client responsiveness during core business hours is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of the work environment is a significant aspect. Candidates should be comfortable with asynchronous communication and proactive engagement to succeed in this setting. The mention of occasional in-person meetings suggests that travel might be required periodically.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Resumes and cover letters will be screened for relevant experience, skills, and alignment with the company's mission-driven focus.

• Portfolio Submission & Review: Candidates will be required to submit a portfolio showcasing their print design work. This is a critical component, and reviewers will assess technical skills, creativity, and understanding of design principles.

• First Interview (Virtual): Typically with a hiring manager or senior team member, this interview will assess cultural fit, communication skills, and initial understanding of the role's responsibilities. Be prepared to discuss your design philosophy and career aspirations.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: A practical exercise may be given to evaluate design problem-solving abilities, speed, and proficiency with required software. This could involve creating a design based on a specific brief.

• Final Interview (Virtual): May involve meeting with additional team members or leadership to discuss strategic thinking, collaboration style, and long-term potential within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your best and most relevant print design work. Ensure variety but prioritize projects that align with the responsibilities outlined (fundraising collateral, presentations, data visualization).

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly explain the client's goal, your role, the challenges you faced, your design process, and the outcome or impact. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "contributed to a campaign that raised X% more").

• Highlight Print Expertise: Clearly demonstrate your understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and pre-press production. Include examples of print-ready files or discuss your process for ensuring print quality.

• Showcase Data Visualization: If you have examples of designing charts, graphs, or infographics from data, include them. Explain how you made complex data accessible and visually appealing.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually polished. Whether a PDF or a link to an online portfolio, it should reflect your design sensibility.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, thoroughly read and understand the objective, target audience, and any constraints. Ask clarifying questions if needed.

• Time Management: Practice designing within time limits, focusing on delivering a complete, well-reasoned solution rather than perfection.

• Justify Your Choices: Be prepared to articulate the strategic thinking behind your design decisions, explaining why you chose specific fonts, colors, layouts, and imagery. Connect your design choices back to the client's goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and potential design challenge underscores the practical, skill-based nature of this role. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their technical abilities and creative problem-solving skills thoroughly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Mandatory proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for creating and manipulating graphics, illustrations, and page layouts.

• Presentation Software: Likely PowerPoint or Google Slides for creating client presentations and internal materials.

• Data Visualization Tools (Preferred): While not strictly required, familiarity with tools or methods for creating charts and infographics from data (e.g., Excel charts, Tableau basics, or plugins within Adobe Suite) would be advantageous.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While the designer isn't directly performing analytics, understanding how to present data visually from reports generated by analytics teams (like VeraData) is crucial.

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are specified for this role, as it's primarily a creative function. However, understanding how design assets are used within marketing automation platforms or CRM campaigns could be a plus.

• Experience with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) might be beneficial for managing workflows, though not explicitly listed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is a strong command of the Adobe Creative Suite for print and presentation design. The mention of data visualization as a plus suggests an increasing integration of analytical insights into design deliverables.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A deep commitment to supporting the work of nonprofit organizations and making a positive impact on society.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and mutual support among team members.

• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished work that meets and exceeds client expectations.

• Innovation & Adaptability: A willingness to embrace new strategies, technologies (like data analytics), and approaches to fundraising.

• Professionalism & Respect: Maintaining high ethical standards, respectful interactions, and a client-focused attitude.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with strategists, account managers, and potentially data analysts to ensure that visual assets are aligned with campaign objectives and informed by insights.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is shared and received to continuously improve designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Team members are encouraged to share best practices, design trends, and insights to elevate the collective skill set of the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is clearly defined around impact, collaboration, and quality, which are essential for success in a mission-driven consulting environment. Candidates should demonstrate an alignment with these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Client Needs: Effectively translating diverse nonprofit missions and strategic goals into compelling visual designs that resonate with target audiences and fundraising objectives.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Managing multiple projects with tight deadlines, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication and creative synergy with a distributed team, ensuring seamless workflow and project alignment without constant in-person interaction.

• Evolving Landscape: Keeping up with design trends, new technologies (especially in data visualization and digital engagement), and the specific needs of the nonprofit sector.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Deepen expertise in print production, typography, layout, and advanced data visualization techniques.

• Nonprofit Sector Knowledge: Gain a deeper understanding of fundraising strategies, donor engagement, and the unique challenges and opportunities faced by nonprofit organizations.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Learn from colleagues in strategy, analytics, and account management to develop a more holistic view of client success and consulting services.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Continuously build a strong portfolio with high-impact projects that showcase significant contributions to client success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a junior role in a dynamic consulting firm, emphasizing adaptability and strong foundational skills. The growth opportunities are geared towards skill specialization and broadening industry knowledge.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a client's mission and translating it into visual design concepts for a print campaign." (Focus on your design thinking, research, and ideation process.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are both aesthetically pleasing and effectively communicate complex information or data?" (Highlight your approach to clarity, hierarchy, and visual storytelling.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with nonprofit organizations and supporting their fundraising efforts?" (Show genuine interest in the mission-driven aspect of Avalon's work.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with team members who may have different perspectives or priorities?" (Emphasize your communication, listening, and teamwork skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically. For each project, present the problem, your solution (design), and the results.

• Narrative: Be prepared to speak about each piece, explaining your role, design choices, and the impact of your work. Focus on how your design solved a problem or achieved a goal.

• Highlight Print Skills: Specifically point out projects that showcase your mastery of layout, typography, color, and print production knowledge.

• Showcase Data Visualization: If applicable, detail your process for turning data into clear, impactful visuals.

• Conciseness: Be articulate and concise. Respect the interviewer's time while providing sufficient detail to showcase your capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating creative problem-solving, strong design fundamentals, an understanding of the nonprofit sector, and excellent collaborative and communication skills. The portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing technical and creative proficiency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a cover letter through the provided application link on the Paylocity portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and cover letter highlight your print design experience and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite. Tailor your cover letter to express your enthusiasm for working with nonprofit clients and your understanding of Avalon's mission.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your experience with print design, presentation graphics, and data visualization. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "designed collateral for campaigns that increased donor engagement by X%").

• Portfolio Preparation: Have your digital portfolio ready to submit. Ensure it is well-organized, showcases your strongest print design examples, and includes a brief explanation for each project regarding goals, your role, and outcomes.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Avalon Consulting Group's mission, services, and recent merger with VeraData. Understand their client base (nonprofits) and the impact of their work. This will help you tailor your application and prepare for interview questions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with The Avalon Consulting Group, LLC before making application decisions.