Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: COLLETTE TRAVEL SERVICE INC

Location: Pawtucket, RI, US

Job Type: Full time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: March 26, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-level to Senior (3-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads the creation of compelling visual content to support Collette's brand and business objectives within the travel industry.

• Balances hands-on design execution with mentorship and leadership responsibilities, driving design excellence and brand stewardship across all visual outputs.

• Collaborates closely with internal creative and cross-functional teams to deliver strategic and effective creative solutions across various channels.

• Focuses on developing and executing digital assets, including emails and landing pages, with a strong understanding of marketing platforms.

• Ensures brand consistency and researches design trends to bring innovative ideas to the marketing and creative teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role title is "Senior Graphic Designer," the responsibilities indicate a strong leaning towards Marketing Operations and Creative Operations due to the emphasis on digital asset creation, platform integration (HubSpot, Marketo), and contributing to strategy and resource planning. This hybrid nature means candidates should highlight both creative design skills and operational efficiency in digital marketing execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the end-to-end design process for a variety of projects, encompassing both print and digital media, from initial concept through final delivery.

• Partner with the Art Director and Associate Creative Director to strategically define project scope, creative direction, and overarching campaign objectives.

• Provide informal mentorship and constructive feedback to junior designers during the early stages of concept development, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.

• Conduct preliminary reviews and provide approvals for early-stage design concepts before they are formally routed for broader feedback or production.

• Uphold and enforce strict brand consistency guidelines across all visual materials to ensure a cohesive and recognizable brand identity for Collette.

• Proactively research emerging design trends, technologies, and best practices to inject innovation and fresh perspectives into the team's creative output.

• Assist in resource planning and workload distribution within the creative team to optimize efficiency and ensure timely project completion.

• Actively participate in brainstorming sessions, contributing strategic and creative ideas that enhance the overall quality and impact of Collette's marketing communications.

• Support the onboarding and training of new designers, sharing knowledge and best practices to accelerate their integration into the team.

• Serve as a reliable backup to the Art Director, capable of addressing escalated design questions, issues, or client feedback effectively.

• Design and execute select digital assets hands-on, including emails, landing pages, and templates, to support rapid deployment, scalability, and consistent quality.

• Apply working knowledge of HTML/CSS and marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) for customization, troubleshooting, and optimization of digital marketing assets.

• Collaborate closely with marketing stakeholders and digital partners to ensure digital designs are technically feasible, responsive, and optimized for performance and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of senior design leadership and hands-on digital production, particularly with marketing automation tools. This indicates that candidates who can demonstrate not only creative talent but also an understanding of how design integrates with marketing operations and technology will be highly valued. Tasks like resource planning and training new designers suggest a growing need for operational management within the creative function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) within a Mac operating environment.

• Strong understanding and practical application of print production processes and best practices.

• Proven experience in digital design for web and email, including the creation of landing pages and responsive assets that balance brand aesthetics with user experience and performance metrics.

• Hands-on experience building and coding emails and templates directly within marketing automation platforms such as HubSpot, Marketo, or similar systems (not solely design handoff).

• Demonstrated ability to translate creative concepts into production-ready digital executions across web, email, and campaign environments.

• Experience collaborating effectively with marketing, digital, and development teams to deliver scalable, performance-driven designs.

• Solid understanding of responsive design principles and accessible design best practices, recognizing their impact on user engagement and conversion rates.

• Strategic thinking capabilities coupled with strong creative execution skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with digital work management systems (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) for project tracking and workflow management.

• Working knowledge of HTML/CSS for direct customization, troubleshooting, and optimization of digital assets within Content Management Systems (CMS) and marketing automation tools.

• Familiarity with A/B testing principles and how design elements influence campaign performance.

• Experience in the travel or hospitality industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on hands-on coding and platform integration (HubSpot, Marketo) for digital assets is a critical differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to showcase examples of their direct work within these systems, not just static design mockups. The "nice to have" HTML/CSS skill is practically a requirement for optimizing digital assets, so candidates with this capability should highlight it prominently.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects, including both print and digital executions, demonstrating versatility.

• Include case studies or specific examples of digital asset creation (emails, landing pages, web banners) that highlight direct implementation within marketing platforms like HubSpot or Marketo.

• Present examples of how design strategy was applied to achieve specific business or marketing objectives, such as increased engagement, conversion rates, or brand recall.

• Demonstrate proficiency in maintaining brand consistency across various campaigns and channels, providing examples of brand guidelines or style guides you've worked with or helped develop.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process from brief to final asset delivery, including concept development, feedback loops, and production stages.

• Articulate your approach to ensuring brand consistency and adherence to design standards across all projects.

• Detail your methods for collaborating with developers and marketing operations specialists to ensure digital assets are technically sound and performant.

• Explain how you manage feedback and revisions, ensuring efficient iteration cycles and timely project completion.

• Describe your experience in creating and utilizing design templates to streamline workflow and ensure brand uniformity.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's hybrid nature, a portfolio that goes beyond purely aesthetic design to showcase operational execution and system integration will be crucial. Candidates should prepare to discuss specific workflows and how their design contributions impacted marketing operations and campaign success.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $100,000 USD per year

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage. Access to a Peloton One Membership for physical well-being.

• Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and a special paid day off for your birthday.

• Community Impact: Paid hours dedicated to volunteer work for causes you care about.

• Financial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with a company match to support long-term financial goals.

• Family Support: Paid parental leave, paid bereavement leave, and access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.

• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement to encourage continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Perks: Exclusive travel discounts and incentives, aligning with the company's core business.

Working Hours:

• Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature allows for a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is broad, suggesting that the final offer will depend heavily on the candidate's specific experience, particularly in areas like direct digital asset coding and marketing platform integration. The benefits package is robust, emphasizing holistic employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel & Tourism (Tour Operator)

Company Size: Collette is a well-established, family-owned business and a long-running tour operator in North America, indicating a significant operational footprint and a substantial employee base. While exact numbers aren't provided, their longevity and market position suggest a medium to large enterprise.

Founded: Collette is North America's longest-running tour operator, pointing to a rich history and deep expertise in the travel industry. This legacy likely influences a culture that values experience, tradition, and long-term relationships, while also embracing innovation to stay competitive.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing Team, reporting to an Art Director or Associate Creative Director.

• This role involves close collaboration with other members of the Creative Team (designers, copywriters, content creators).

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: The role requires balancing artistic vision with business goals, suggesting a data-informed approach to design, particularly for digital assets where performance metrics are key.

• Process Optimization: Emphasis on creating templates, using work management systems, and direct coding for digital assets points to a focus on efficient workflows and scalable creative production.

• Brand Stewardship: A core function is ensuring brand consistency, indicating structured processes for brand guideline adherence and quality control.

• Collaborative Innovation: Brainstorming sessions and mentorship suggest a culture that values shared ideas and continuous improvement.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: As a long-standing family-owned business in the travel sector, Collette likely fosters a culture that values loyalty, expertise, and a passion for travel. The hybrid model and emphasis on teamwork suggest a balance between individual contribution and collaborative synergy, with operations playing a key role in enabling efficient and consistent delivery of marketing materials.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor with potential for team leadership. This role sits at a senior individual contributor level, requiring a high degree of autonomy and expertise. The responsibilities of mentorship, reviewing work, and acting as a backup to management suggest a pathway towards formal leadership roles like Art Director or Creative Manager within the operations and marketing functions.

Reporting Structure:

• Typically reports to an Art Director or Associate Creative Director within the Marketing department.

• Works closely with other designers, content creators, and marketing specialists.

Operations Impact:

• The Senior Graphic Designer's work directly influences the perception and effectiveness of Collette's brand across all marketing touchpoints.

• High-quality, on-brand visual content is critical for driving customer engagement, lead generation, and ultimately, tour bookings—directly impacting revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in digital design, UX/UI principles, motion graphics, or advanced coding for marketing assets.

• Leadership Development: Transition into roles with direct team management, such as Art Director, Creative Lead, or Design Manager, overseeing projects and mentoring junior staff.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain broader experience in marketing strategy, campaign management, and operational workflows by working closely with other departments.

• Industry Engagement: Leverage travel industry experience and design skills for specialized roles within travel marketing or brand management.

• Continuous Learning: Utilize tuition reimbursement and company-provided training to stay current with design software, digital marketing trends, and emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-minded candidates, this role offers a tangible way to impact revenue through efficient, high-quality visual content creation and deployment. The blend of creative and operational responsibilities provides a strong foundation for career advancement into roles that bridge creative strategy with marketing operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, combining in-office presence with remote work flexibility. This suggests a modern approach to workplace structure, aiming to balance collaboration with individual focus.

Office Location(s): Headquarters in Pawtucket, RI. This is the primary hub for in-office work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Pawtucket headquarters likely serves as the central point for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and in-person collaboration with the broader marketing and creative teams.

• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially internal project management and collaboration tools. The emphasis on HubSpot/Marketo integration indicates these platforms are readily available and utilized.

• Team Interaction: In-office days are crucial for fostering team cohesion, mentorship, and dynamic problem-solving. The hybrid model allows for flexibility while maintaining essential face-to-face interactions for creative synergy.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week).

• The hybrid arrangement typically allows for some flexibility in scheduling, with designated days for in-office work to facilitate collaboration and team connection.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature requires candidates to be self-motivated and organized while also possessing strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration during in-office days. Understanding how to maximize productivity in both remote and in-office settings will be key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, relevant experience, and alignment with the role's requirements, especially digital execution skills.

• Technical/Creative Assessment: Candidates may be asked to complete a design challenge or present a portfolio review focusing on specific project types relevant to Collette's marketing needs (e.g., campaign development, email design).

• Interviews: Multiple rounds, potentially including interviews with the hiring manager (Art Director/Associate Creative Director), HR, and key stakeholders from marketing or digital teams. These interviews will assess creative vision, technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.

• Final Round: May involve a presentation of portfolio work, discussion of design strategy, and evaluation of mentorship capabilities.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that best represent the requirements of this role, emphasizing digital execution, platform integration (HubSpot/Marketo), and campaign success.

• Showcase Process: For key projects, walk through your thought process: the brief, your strategy, design exploration, problem-solving, execution (including coding if applicable), and the final outcome/impact.

• Quantify Results: If possible, include metrics or results demonstrating the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, engagement metrics, successful campaign performance).

• Highlight Collaboration: Be ready to discuss how you worked with other teams, managed feedback, and contributed to cross-functional projects.

• Address the Hybrid Aspect: Prepare to discuss your experience working in hybrid environments and how you maintain productivity and collaboration.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: If provided, analyze the brief thoroughly. Focus on strategic thinking, brand alignment, and efficient execution within any specified constraints. Consider how your solution would integrate into marketing platforms.

• Case Study Presentation: Prepare a concise narrative for 1-2 key portfolio pieces. Structure it with a clear problem, your solution (design and operational execution), and the results.

• Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your experience with HTML/CSS for email/web, and specific functionalities within HubSpot or Marketo related to design implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely scrutinize candidates' ability to not only design but also to execute and optimize digital assets within specific marketing technology stacks. Demonstrating a blend of creative talent and operational efficiency will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator for print and digital design.

• Mac Environment: The standard operating system for design work at Collette.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• HubSpot / Marketo (or similar): Hands-on experience is critical for building and coding emails, landing pages, and templates directly. This includes understanding how design elements function within these platforms for campaign execution and automation.

• HTML/CSS: Working knowledge is essential for direct customization, troubleshooting, and optimization of digital assets within these marketing platforms and CMS environments.

Work Management:

• Experience with digital work management systems (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) is preferred for project tracking and workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with marketing automation platforms like HubSpot and Marketo, including direct coding of assets, is a defining requirement for this role. Candidates must be able to demonstrate practical skills in these areas, not just theoretical knowledge.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, on-brand creative assets that meet business objectives and deadlines.

• Innovation & Adaptability: A willingness to explore new design trends and technologies, and to adapt strategies to evolving marketing landscapes and business needs.

• Collaboration & Communication: A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and constructive feedback, both within the creative team and with cross-functional partners.

• Brand Integrity: A deep respect for and dedication to maintaining the integrity and consistency of the Collette brand across all visual touchpoints.

• Efficiency & Scalability: A focus on developing processes and assets that are not only effective but also efficient to produce and scale across various campaigns and channels.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively partners with marketing, digital, and development teams to ensure creative solutions are aligned with overall business strategies and technical capabilities.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: Engages in a culture of constructive critique and feedback to refine designs and processes, fostering continuous improvement.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Senior designers are expected to guide and support junior team members, sharing expertise and contributing to a learning environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history as a family-owned business in the travel sector likely cultivates a culture that values dedication, customer focus, and a passion for travel. For operations professionals, this translates to a need for reliability, meticulous attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving within a supportive team environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Operational Demands: Effectively translating strategic marketing objectives and brand guidelines into visually compelling designs while meeting tight deadlines and technical specifications.

• Direct Digital Asset Production: The requirement for hands-on coding and implementation within marketing platforms (HubSpot/Marketo) goes beyond traditional graphic design and demands proficiency in both creative and technical execution.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Channels: Ensuring a unified brand experience across numerous print and digital touchpoints, requiring meticulous attention to detail and robust templating strategies.

• Adapting to Evolving Digital Trends: Staying current with rapid changes in digital design, user experience, and marketing technology to ensure Collette's visual communications remain effective and modern.

• Hybrid Work Integration: Effectively collaborating and maintaining productivity in a hybrid work model, ensuring seamless communication and project flow between remote and in-office team members.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Digital Design & Development: Opportunities to deepen skills in HTML/CSS, UI/UX design, and specialized marketing platform integrations.

• Creative Strategy & Leadership: Potential to grow into roles with greater strategic input, campaign ownership, and team leadership responsibilities.

• Industry Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the travel industry and how to effectively market travel experiences through design.

• Professional Certifications: Utilizing tuition reimbursement for courses or certifications in design software, digital marketing, or project management.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced Art Directors and collaborating with cross-functional experts to broaden understanding of marketing operations and business strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should view the challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities for significant professional growth, particularly in the intersection of creative design and marketing operations technology.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a design project from concept to completion. What was your process, and what were the key challenges you overcame?" (Focus on project management, problem-solving, and execution.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple platforms and campaigns, especially when working with different teams or external vendors?" (Highlight your understanding of brand stewardship and process.)

• "Walk us through your experience using HubSpot/Marketo (or similar platforms) to build and deploy digital assets like emails or landing pages. What was your role in the coding/implementation?" (Be ready to demonstrate hands-on technical proficiency.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Collette and the travel industry?" (Research Collette's history, values, and current marketing efforts.)

• "How do you approach collaboration in a hybrid work environment? How do you ensure effective communication and teamwork?" (Demonstrate your adaptability and interpersonal skills.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and new technologies, and how do you integrate them into your work?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project presented, tell a story focusing on the "why" (the business problem/objective), the "how" (your creative and operational approach), and the "what" (the outcome/impact).

• Showcase Technical Skills: Clearly articulate your role in the hands-on execution, especially for digital assets. Use examples that demonstrate your understanding of HTML/CSS and marketing platform capabilities.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data and metrics to illustrate the success of your designs. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how the design supported specific goals.

• Be Prepared for Live Critiques: Some interviews may involve discussing a hypothetical problem or providing feedback on existing company materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with marketing automation tools in detail, as this is a key differentiator. Demonstrating an understanding of how design contributes to marketing operations and ROI will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating direct digital asset creation and coding experience within marketing automation platforms (HubSpot/Marketo). Include examples of campaign development, responsive design, and any print collateral that showcases brand consistency.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your 3-5 years of experience, specifically mentioning expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, print processes, digital design for web/email, and proficiency with marketing platforms. Use keywords from the job description, such as "brand stewardship," "digital asset creation," "HTML/CSS," and "responsive design."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to collaboration in a hybrid setting, and your technical skills related to digital asset implementation. Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects with a focus on strategy, execution, and impact.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Collette's brand, its history, its target audience, and its current marketing initiatives. Understand their position as a leading tour operator and how design contributes to their success.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description provides comprehensive insights tailored for operations professionals. All information, especially regarding salary ranges and specific technical requirements, should be verified directly with COLLETTE TRAVEL SERVICE INC. during the application and interview process.