Graphic Designer Sr- Creative Services Marketing

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer Sr - Creative Services Marketing Company: PNC Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Job Type: Full time Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services Date Posted: December 08, 2025 Experience Level: Senior Level (5+ years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drives the conceptualization, design, and execution of complex creative marketing materials to align with PNC's strategic business objectives and enhance brand visibility.
• Develops compelling visual solutions across diverse internal and external platforms, ensuring adherence to strict corporate brand guidelines and driving audience engagement.
• Collaborates extensively with cross-functional teams, including copywriters, marketing specialists, and account managers, to deliver integrated marketing campaigns and communication strategies.
• Acts as a subject matter expert and mentor, guiding less experienced designers while maintaining high-quality creative output and staying abreast of emerging design technologies and trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within PNC's Creative Services, Corporate Marketing department, indicating a focus on developing visual assets that support overarching business strategies rather than operational process management. The emphasis is on creative execution and brand consistency within a large corporate marketing framework rather than the analytical or system-focused aspects typical of revenue or sales operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce sophisticated creative marketing assets, from initial brief to final delivery, ensuring alignment with PNC's business goals and brand identity.
• Analyze marketing and communication challenges to devise effective visual strategies that resonate across digital channels, social media, and traditional platforms.
• Partner with copywriters, marketing specialists, and other internal stakeholders to produce comprehensive marketing materials that effectively communicate value propositions.
• Develop and deliver impactful presentations that clearly articulate creative concepts and strategic insights to internal partners and leadership.
• Maintain rigorous quality control over all creative outputs, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and adherence to brand standards across all projects.
• Proactively manage multiple design projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks, communicating progress, and identifying potential roadblocks to ensure timely and successful completion.
• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering skill development and promoting a collaborative team environment focused on creative excellence.
• Stay current with industry trends, design software advancements, and emerging technologies, integrating new knowledge into creative processes and sharing insights with the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution, strategic thinking, and team leadership. The emphasis on "complex creative marketing materials" and "engaging presentations" suggests a need for advanced design skills and the ability to translate business objectives into compelling visual narratives. The mentoring aspect indicates a senior-level contribution beyond individual design tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Marketing, Communications, or a related field. Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in graphic design, with a significant focus on marketing and corporate communications.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in industry-standard graphic design and communication applications, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) and MS Office Suite.
• Deep understanding of marketing fundamentals and their application in creating dynamic visual solutions for diverse audiences and channels.
• Strong knowledge of digital channels and social media platforms, with the ability to design for optimal engagement on each.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic and visually stunning designs that effectively communicate complex ideas.
• Experience with UX/UI design principles, ensuring user-friendly and intuitive visual interfaces.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts and rationale effectively.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines, demonstrating strong organizational and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience in maintaining high-quality standards and adhering to strict brand guidelines.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in brand management and developing cohesive visual identities.
• Familiarity with online advertising best practices and creative development for digital campaigns.
• Background in marketing communications (MarCom) and integrated campaign development.
• Ability to write or contribute to creative briefs and marketing copy.
• Skills in animation or motion graphics.
• Experience mentoring or coaching junior design staff.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills align with a seasoned graphic designer role focused on marketing. The inclusion of UX/UI principles and digital channel understanding points to a need for modern design practices. The "entrepreneurial minded" competency suggests a proactive approach to problem-solving and goal achievement, which is valuable in any creative role, especially within a large corporate structure.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of sophisticated marketing collateral, demonstrating expertise in conceptualization, design execution, and adherence to brand guidelines.
• Examples of integrated marketing campaigns across multiple channels (digital, print, social), highlighting strategic visual thinking and campaign effectiveness.
• Case studies or project examples that illustrate how design solutions addressed specific business objectives or communication challenges.
• Demonstrations of proficiency in key design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and an understanding of their application in professional workflows.
• Visualizations of presentations designed for stakeholders, showcasing clarity, impact, and persuasive communication through design.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly a "process operations" role, candidates are expected to articulate their design process, from brief interpretation and concept development to final asset delivery and revisions.
• The ability to document and explain design workflows, collaboration touchpoints with copywriters and marketing specialists, and quality assurance steps is implicitly expected.
• Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they manage project timelines and feedback cycles within a structured team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative role, the "portfolio" is the primary mechanism for demonstrating process and system proficiency. The emphasis is on showcasing the application of design tools and methodologies to achieve marketing objectives, rather than managing operational systems or processes. The expectation is to illustrate a structured approach to creative problem-solving.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $65,000.00 – $142,350.00 per year. Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, prescription drug (with HSA option), dental, and vision coverage.
• Employee and spouse/child life insurance, along with short-term and long-term disability protection.
• Retirement savings plans including a 401(k) with PNC match and a pension plan.
• Stock purchase plans and dependent care reimbursement accounts.
• Support for back-up child/elder care, adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement.
• Educational assistance, with some programs fully paid, and a robust wellness program offering financial incentives.
• Generous paid time off, including up to 11 paid holidays, 8 occasional absence days, and 15-25 vacation days depending on career level and years of service.
• Maternity and/or parental leave.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team collaboration schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided for the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania location. This range is competitive for a Senior Graphic Designer role in a major metropolitan area, reflecting the experience level and responsibilities. The extensive benefits package is typical for a large financial institution like PNC, offering strong support for employees' well-being and financial future.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services. PNC operates as a diversified financial services company, offering a wide range of banking, investment, and lending products and services. Company Size: Large Enterprise (PNC is a major financial institution with tens of thousands of employees, indicating a structured, corporate environment). Founded: 1852. PNC has a long-standing history, suggesting a stable organizational structure with established processes and a strong corporate identity.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer Sr will be part of the Creative Services team within PNC's Corporate Marketing community. This team likely comprises various marketing specialists, copywriters, and other designers.
• Reporting is expected to be to a Creative Director or Marketing Manager, with close collaboration across different lines of business and marketing functions.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, involving close work with marketing specialists, account managers, copywriters, and proofreaders to ensure cohesive campaign execution.

Methodology:

• Creative output is driven by strategic business objectives and adherence to strict brand guidelines, emphasizing consistency and brand integrity.
• Design processes involve analysis of marketing challenges to develop effective visual solutions across multiple channels.
• Emphasis on collaboration, problem-solving, and staying current with technologies and industry trends to deliver impactful marketing materials.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: As a large, established financial institution, PNC likely fosters a culture that balances innovation with stability and regulatory compliance. The corporate marketing team will operate within established brand frameworks, requiring designers to be adept at both creative expression and strict adherence to corporate identity standards.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Designer. This level signifies a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and the capacity to mentor others. The role demands not only creative talent but also strategic thinking and effective collaboration. Reporting Structure: The role reports into the Creative Services department, likely under a Creative Director or Marketing Manager. Collaboration will be extensive with various business units and marketing specialists. Operations Impact: While not a direct "operations" role, the Graphic Designer Sr's work significantly impacts the perception and effectiveness of PNC's marketing initiatives. High-quality, strategically aligned visuals are crucial for customer engagement, brand building, and driving business results across all lines of service.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Potential to advance into Lead Designer, Art Director, or Creative Manager roles, overseeing larger projects or teams.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like digital design, UX/UI, motion graphics, or brand strategy.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Development through collaboration with diverse marketing functions, gaining broader insights into campaign strategy and execution.
• Mentorship: Formalizing coaching and mentorship skills through guiding junior designers, a stepping stone to team leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Senior Graphic Designer at a large corporation like PNC often involves moving into leadership positions, specializing in niche design areas, or broadening their scope within marketing strategy. The emphasis on mentorship suggests a structured approach to talent development within the creative team.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. Office Location(s): Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is a major hub for PNC, suggesting a well-equipped corporate office with amenities conducive to creative work and collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, fostering interaction with copywriters, marketing specialists, and other creative professionals.
• Access to standard corporate technology, including design software, hardware, and internal communication tools, will be provided.
• Opportunities for regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and project reviews will be integral to the daily workflow.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with an expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines and business needs, particularly during campaign launches or critical periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in a corporate setting like PNC's Pittsburgh office typically offers a structured work environment with ample resources. The emphasis on collaboration suggests a dynamic team setting where designers work closely with colleagues.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application and resume, assessing basic qualifications and fit.
• Portfolio Review & Interview: A crucial stage where candidates present their portfolio to hiring managers and potentially senior creative team members. This will involve discussing design choices, process, and problem-solving approaches.
• Skills Assessment/Test: Potentially a design challenge or exercise to evaluate practical design skills, speed, and ability to work within brand constraints.
• Final Interview: Meeting with key stakeholders, potentially including department leadership, to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your skills in marketing design, brand consistency, and strategic visual problem-solving.
• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly outline the challenge, your role, the design process, your creative rationale, and the outcomes or impact. Visuals of early concepts or wireframes can be effective.
• Highlight Brand Adherence: Emphasize projects where you successfully worked within strict brand guidelines, demonstrating your ability to be creative while respecting corporate identity.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or results that demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, positive feedback).
• Tailor to PNC: Consider projects that align with financial services or large corporate marketing needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design exercise that may involve creating a visual concept for a marketing campaign or adapting existing materials.
• Focus on demonstrating your understanding of the brief, your creative process, and your ability to deliver a polished concept quickly.
• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to not only show their work but also to articulate the strategic thinking and problem-solving behind each piece, especially in the context of large corporate marketing.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator for creating a wide range of marketing collateral.
• MS Office Suite: Necessary for creating presentations (PowerPoint), reports, and general document creation.
• UX/UI Design Tools: Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD may be beneficial for designing digital interfaces.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics on digital platforms and social media is important. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards might be helpful.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but awareness of how marketing assets are deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite. Proficiency in presentation software is also key. Understanding UX/UI principles suggests a modern approach to digital design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focused: All design work must consider customer needs and satisfaction as primary drivers, creating solutions that resonate with target audiences.
• Managing Risk: Adherence to brand guidelines and regulatory considerations is critical in the financial services industry, ensuring all creative output aligns with PNC's Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
• Creativity: A core value that drives innovative visual solutions to marketing challenges.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve shared marketing goals.
• High-Quality Standards: Commitment to excellence and meticulous attention to detail in all creative work.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with copywriters, marketing specialists, and other internal partners on a regular basis.
• Emphasis on clear communication, feedback exchange, and joint problem-solving to ensure integrated and effective marketing campaigns.
• A culture of mentorship and knowledge sharing, particularly from senior designers to junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values of "Customer Focused" and "Managing Risk" are particularly important for a designer in the financial sector. Demonstrating an understanding of these values in creative problem-solving will be beneficial.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing creative innovation with strict corporate brand guidelines and regulatory requirements inherent in the financial services industry.
• Managing multiple complex projects simultaneously under tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality output and clear communication.
• Translating abstract business strategies and complex subject matter into clear, compelling visual narratives.
• Adapting to evolving digital marketing trends and technologies while ensuring brand consistency across all platforms.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized design areas through internal training or external workshops.
• Industry Trends: Staying current with emerging design software, digital marketing best practices, and visual communication trends.
• Mentorship: Developing leadership and communication skills through guiding junior designers and contributing to team development.
• Cross-Functional Learning: Gaining broader marketing knowledge by collaborating with various teams within Corporate Marketing and across different business lines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be navigating the balance between creative freedom and the constraints of a regulated industry and corporate brand. Growth opportunities are geared towards expanding creative expertise and moving into leadership roles within the marketing department.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance creative vision with strict brand guidelines. How did you approach it?" (Focus on problem-solving, negotiation, and maintaining brand integrity.)
• "Walk us through a complex marketing campaign you designed. What was the objective, your role, your process, and the outcome?" (Highlight strategic thinking, collaboration, and quantifiable results if possible.)
• "How do you stay current with design trends and new technologies, and how do you incorporate them into your work?" (Demonstrate proactivity and a commitment to continuous learning.)
• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating feedback on your designs, especially from stakeholders with differing opinions?" (Showcase adaptability, communication, and a focus on project goals.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about PNC's brand and its marketing efforts?" (Research PNC's recent campaigns, target audiences, and brand messaging.)
• "How do you see your design skills contributing to PNC's customer-centric approach and risk management principles?" (Connect your skills to the company's core values.)
• "Describe your experience mentoring or guiding junior designers." (Prepare examples of how you've helped others develop their skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative – problem, solution, outcome.
• Visuals First: Use high-quality images of your work. Keep text concise.
• Focus on Relevance: Emphasize projects that align with corporate marketing and financial services.
• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to explain why you made specific design choices, linking them to objectives and brand.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges, and technical skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of strong creative talent, strategic thinking, and the ability to operate effectively within a large, structured corporate environment. The portfolio presentation is a critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer Sr position:

• Submit your application through the official PNC Careers portal via the provided link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features marketing-focused design projects, ideally showcasing work within corporate branding guidelines or for large organizations. Highlight digital, social media, and presentation design examples.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of relevant experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, understanding of marketing principles, and any experience with mentoring or leading design initiatives. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, creative rationale, and problem-solving skills. Prepare to present your portfolio and discuss how your work aligns with PNC's customer-focused and risk-aware culture.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with PNC's brand, its current marketing campaigns, and its position in the financial services industry. Understand their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

⚠️ 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.

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