Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: AECOM

Location: Tampa, FL; Raleigh, NC; and other East Region locations (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-03-03

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is central to AECOM's business development efforts, focusing on creating high-impact visual assets for client pursuits and proposals.

• The Senior Graphic Designer will bridge creative design with strategic business objectives, translating complex technical information into compelling visual narratives.

• This position requires a strong command of design software and a deep understanding of proposal best practices within the infrastructure consulting industry.

• The role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including proposal managers, capture managers, and subject matter experts, to ensure cohesive and effective client-facing materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Graphic Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into "Proposal Design" and "Marketing Operations" within the infrastructure consulting sector. The hybrid nature and multiple location options suggest a need for strong remote collaboration and self-management skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Proposal and Pursuit Design: Design advanced graphics, layouts, and multimedia elements for large, complex, and critical client solicitations, including RFQs, RFPs, and pre-qualification documents.

• Visual Storytelling: Collaborate with proposal managers and capture managers to develop creative, custom presentations, leading storyboarding sessions and content planning to effectively communicate key messages and discriminators.

• Content Creation & Adaptation: Produce branded and custom graphics, templates, and illustrations for both print and digital formats, ensuring adherence to AECOM's brand guidelines and project-specific requirements.

• Technical Illustration: Work closely with subject matter experts and authors to create custom illustrations for technical information, such as processes, tables, charts, and diagrams, translating complex data into easily digestible visuals.

• Presentation Support: Provide technical and logistical support for presentations, including video conferencing, storyboarding sessions, key review meetings (e.g., Pink and Red reviews), and final document preparation.

• Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) standards on all proposal and marketing materials, maintaining consistency, accuracy, and attention to detail.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Actively participate in marketing best practices and graphics roundtables, providing, receiving, and applying feedback constructively to enhance team performance and design output.

• Process Improvement: Identify and recommend new tools or technologies to enhance efficiency, creativity, and collaboration within the design and proposal process.

• Finalization and Production: Oversee and support the finalization of documents for production, including packaging and shipping requirements.

• Client Engagement: Handle challenging situations diplomatically with peers and internal clients, exercising discretion with confidential or sensitive information related to pursuits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: executing high-quality design work and actively participating in the strategic proposal development process. The emphasis on "must-win" pursuits and "alternative delivery projects" indicates a high-stakes environment where design directly influences business outcomes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Digital Arts, Communications, Marketing, or a related field is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant graphic design experience, with a preference for 6+ years.

• Experience supporting proposal development, marketing materials, and client-facing presentations is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, for high-impact layout and graphic creation.

• Presentation Software: Proven experience in developing compelling presentations using PowerPoint or similar tools.

• Document Design: Skilled in creating interactive PDFs using Adobe Acrobat.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Working knowledge of Word, Excel, and Outlook for document integration and communication.

• Design Principles: Strong understanding of graphic design and marketing best practices, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with collaborative tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint for effective remote and hybrid teamwork.

• Visual Communication: Ability to visually convey messages, themes, discriminators, and responses to evaluation criteria clearly and effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• A/E Industry Knowledge: Understanding of AECOM's business lines, clients, projects, and competitors.

• Technical Illustration: Experience creating custom illustrations for complex technical information.

• Video Editing/Multimedia: Basic knowledge of video editing or multimedia software could be beneficial.

• Project Management Basics: Familiarity with proposal lifecycle and project management principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite and PowerPoint is critical. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency through a portfolio, showcasing their ability to create professional, on-brand materials under tight deadlines, a common characteristic of proposal work.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Design Excellence: A robust portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design projects, with a strong emphasis on proposals, presentations, and marketing collateral relevant to professional services.

• Software Proficiency Evidence: Work samples that clearly highlight expertise in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, and PowerPoint.

• Proposal-Specific Examples: Include case studies or examples of how you've translated complex information (e.g., technical data, project plans) into clear, compelling visual narratives for proposals or client pitches.

• Branding Consistency: Examples demonstrating ability to adhere to and effectively apply brand guidelines while also creating custom, impactful designs.

• Process Workflow: Be prepared to discuss your design process, from initial concept and client brief to final output, including how you manage feedback and revisions.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Ability to document and optimize design workflows for proposal development, including stages for concept, design, review, revision, and finalization.

• Template Implementation: Experience in creating, utilizing, and maintaining design templates to ensure brand consistency and efficiency across multiple projects.

• Performance Measurement: Understanding how design directly impacts proposal effectiveness and client perception, and being able to articulate this impact through project examples.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should curate their submissions to directly address the responsibilities, showcasing their ability to design for business development and proposal pursuits, not just general creative projects. Quantifiable achievements where possible (e.g., "contributed to winning X proposals") are highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $75,000 - $100,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health: Medical, Dental, Vision insurance plans.

• Life & Disability: Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Disability benefits.

• Time Off & Leave: Paid Time Off (PTO), various Leaves of Absences.

• Additional Perks: Voluntary benefits, employee perks, well-being resources, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Professional Development: Service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).

• Flexibility: Flexible work options and hybrid work model.

• Travel Support: Business travel insurance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. However, due to the nature of proposal deadlines, occasional overtime may be required during critical pursuit phases. The hybrid model offers flexibility in structuring the work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range ($75,000 - $100,000 USD yearly) is a strong indicator for a Senior Graphic Designer role in a major US market with a hybrid work arrangement. Benefits are extensive, reflecting AECOM's status as a large, established corporation. Salary expectations should align with this range and the candidate's specific experience and location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Infrastructure Consulting (Architecture, Engineering, Construction - AEC)

Company Size: Large (Fortune 500, 50,000+ employees globally)

Founded: AECOM has a long history, with its roots tracing back to 1910, though the modern AECOM was formed through various mergers and acquisitions over the decades.

Team Structure:

• Design Studio Team: This role is part of the East Design Studio Team, suggesting a specialized group focused on design services for business development and client engagement.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires significant interaction with business development, operations teams, proposal managers, capture managers, and subject matter experts across various departments and projects.

• Reporting: Likely reports to a Design Manager or Marketing Manager within the East Region's business development or operations structure.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on translating data and technical information into visually persuasive content.

• Client-Centric Approach: Focus on understanding client needs and evaluation criteria to inform design strategy for proposals.

• Collaborative Workflow: Encourages teamwork and knowledge sharing through regular meetings, roundtables, and feedback sessions.

• Brand Stewardship: Commitment to maintaining brand consistency while producing innovative and impactful designs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: AECOM operates in a highly competitive, global industry. The company culture likely values professionalism, technical expertise, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering high-quality solutions that impact communities. As a Fortune 500 company, expect structured processes and a focus on operational excellence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor with potential for leadership in specialized design areas.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Marketing Manager, working closely with Proposal Managers and Capture Managers on project-specific pursuits. This structure emphasizes project-based collaboration rather than a rigid hierarchy within the design function itself.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is direct and significant on the company's ability to win new business. High-quality, persuasive visual materials are critical for differentiating AECOM in competitive bids and securing lucrative infrastructure projects. The designer's work directly supports revenue generation by enhancing the perceived value and professionalism of AECOM's proposals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific design areas, such as technical illustration, interactive multimedia, or advanced presentation design for complex infrastructure projects.

• Leadership: Progress into a Lead Graphic Designer role, mentoring junior designers, overseeing larger design initiatives, or managing specific design functions within a region or business line.

• Process Improvement: Take on responsibilities for developing and implementing new design processes, tools, and best practices for the marketing and business development teams.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the AEC industry, enabling more strategic and impactful design contributions to proposals and client engagements.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Potential to move into roles focused on broader marketing strategy, business development support, or client relations, leveraging design expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior role, growth is often about deepening specialization and taking on more strategic project involvement. The emphasis on "must-win" pursuits suggests opportunities to work on high-profile projects, which can be valuable for career development and visibility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, combining remote work with in-office presence. AECOM likely has modern office spaces designed for collaboration.

Office Location(s): The role is flexible across multiple East Region locations: Miami, FL; Tampa, FL; Orlando, FL; Arlington, VA; Atlanta, GA; Philadelphia, PA; New York City, NY; Raleigh, NC; Boston, MA. This offers significant geographical flexibility for candidates.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are expected to have meeting rooms, project spaces, and potentially design labs equipped for team collaboration and client presentations.

• Technology: Access to AECOM's standard technology stack, including high-performance computers, design software licenses, and robust network infrastructure for both in-office and remote work.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for in-person collaboration with colleagues on specific projects, reviews, and team meetings, balanced with remote communication tools for daily interactions.

Work Schedule:

• The hybrid model allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, balancing remote productivity with in-office collaboration. Standard business hours are expected, with potential for extended hours during critical proposal deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature requires strong self-discipline and communication skills. Candidates should be comfortable managing their time effectively across remote and in-office settings and leveraging digital tools for seamless collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application, resume, and portfolio link/samples.

• Technical Interview: Discussion with hiring manager or senior design team members focusing on design skills, software proficiency, and past project experience. This may involve a portfolio review and questions about design choices.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise or case study relevant to proposal graphics or presentation design, potentially with a time limit.

• Cross-functional Interview: Meeting with proposal managers, capture managers, or operations leads to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of the proposal process.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss cultural fit, career aspirations, and overall suitability for the role and AECOM.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that directly align with the job description, emphasizing proposal design, presentation development, and technical illustration.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the challenge, your role, the process you followed, the tools used, and the outcome. Highlight how your design solved a specific problem or achieved a business objective.

• Highlight Software Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates expertise in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, and PowerPoint.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or specific achievements related to the projects (e.g., "contributed to winning X proposals," "improved clarity of technical data by Y%").

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate (whether a PDF or a digital link).

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Design Tasks: Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve creating graphics for a hypothetical proposal section, refining an existing presentation, or designing a visual representation of a technical process.

• Focus on Clarity and Brand: Demonstrate your ability to create clear, concise, and on-brand visuals that effectively communicate complex information.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a set timeframe, simulating the pressure of proposal deadlines.

• Explain Your Rationale: Be ready to articulate your design decisions, explaining why you chose specific layouts, colors, typography, and imagery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, given the senior nature of the role and its critical impact on business development. A strong portfolio is non-negotiable, and candidates should be prepared to discuss their work in detail, focusing on its strategic contribution to winning new business.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • InDesign: Essential for layout, page design, and creating multi-page documents like proposals and Statements of Qualifications (SOQs).
  • Illustrator: Crucial for creating vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex illustrations.
  • Photoshop: Used for image editing, manipulation, and creating raster-based graphics.

• Adobe Acrobat: For creating, editing, and managing interactive PDFs, including form creation and security features.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: The primary tool for developing custom presentations, storyboarding, and supporting interview teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word (for document integration), Excel (for data visualization, tables), Outlook (for communication).

• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams and SharePoint are critical for file sharing, communication, and team collaboration in a hybrid environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign) and PowerPoint is paramount. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with these tools in the context of proposal and presentation design. Knowledge of Microsoft Office is also a baseline requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished work, especially under tight deadlines.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Valuing open communication, constructive feedback, and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.

• Client Focus: Understanding that the ultimate goal is to support AECOM's success in winning and delivering client projects.

• Innovation and Creativity: Encouraging creative solutions that enhance the clarity and impact of AECOM's message.

• Professionalism and Integrity: Maintaining a high standard of professional conduct, discretion, and ethical behavior.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Communication: Engaging early and often with proposal managers, authors, and subject matter experts to gather requirements and provide updates.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders, balancing creative vision with client/proposal requirements.

• Cross-functional Partnership: Working as an integral part of the pursuit team, contributing to strategy and problem-solving beyond just design execution.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in team discussions, sharing best practices, and learning from colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: AECOM's culture likely emphasizes a results-oriented approach, especially within its business development and operations functions. Designers are expected to be team players who can contribute strategically to the pursuit process, not just execute tasks in isolation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Tight Deadlines: The proposal process is often characterized by demanding and rapidly changing deadlines, requiring efficient time management and the ability to perform under pressure.

• Translating Complex Technical Information: Simplifying and visualizing intricate technical data, processes, and concepts into easily understandable graphics for a diverse audience.

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Creativity: Adhering to AECOM's brand guidelines while also developing unique and compelling visual solutions for each pursuit.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Effectively collaborating with and incorporating feedback from various individuals (proposal managers, technical experts, senior leadership) who may have different priorities.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining seamless communication and workflow with team members across different locations and time zones in a hybrid environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to learn and apply new design software features, animation, or multimedia techniques.

• Industry Knowledge: Deepening understanding of infrastructure projects, client needs, and the competitive landscape within the AEC sector.

• Proposal Strategy: Gaining insights into the broader business development and proposal management processes.

• Leadership Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior designers or marketing leaders, guiding career progression.

• Workshops and Training: Access to AECOM's internal training programs and potentially external professional development opportunities related to design or marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity to specialize in a high-impact area of design within a major global corporation. The challenges are typical of proposal-centric design roles and present clear avenues for skill development and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex technical concept you had to visualize for a proposal. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on 1) problem definition, 2) design process, 3) tools used, 4) impact/result).

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple proposals while still creating unique and compelling visuals for each?" (Highlight understanding of brand guidelines vs. creative adaptation).

• "Walk us through your process for creating a presentation for a high-stakes client interview. How do you collaborate with the presentation team?" (Emphasize storyboarding, content planning, and collaboration).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about AECOM's work in the infrastructure sector?" (Demonstrate research into the company's projects and market position).

• "How do you see graphic design contributing to AECOM's success in winning major infrastructure projects?" (Connect your role to business objectives).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, don't just show the final output. Explain the "why" – the client's need, the challenge, your strategic approach, and the measurable impact of your design.

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize projects that directly mirror the responsibilities outlined in the job description (proposals, presentations, technical graphics).

• Highlight Software Skills: Be ready to discuss specific techniques or features you used within Adobe Creative Suite and PowerPoint.

• Demonstrate Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process, from brief to final delivery, including how you managed revisions and feedback.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Present your portfolio clearly and efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time while showcasing your best work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who is not only technically skilled but also understands the business context of proposal design. Demonstrating a strategic mindset, strong communication, and collaborative abilities will be key to success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the AECOM careers portal, ensuring your resume and portfolio link are up-to-date.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating expertise in proposal graphics, presentation design, technical illustration, and adherence to brand guidelines. Prioritize examples relevant to the infrastructure or professional services industry.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Adobe Creative Suite," "InDesign," "PowerPoint," "proposal development," "client solicitations," "technical illustration," and "hybrid work environment." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your portfolio projects, and answering strategy-based questions related to proposal design and collaboration. Be ready to discuss your approach to tight deadlines and complex information.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with AECOM's recent projects, service offerings, and company values. Understanding their market position and the types of infrastructure they work on will be beneficial for demonstrating your interest and fit.

⚠️ 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.