Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer Company: The Tianjin Juilliard School (via Juilliard Career Site) Location: Tianjin, TJ, China Job Type: Full time Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations Date Posted: 2025-09-23T07:49:44 Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5+ years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the visual brand identity and communications for The Tianjin Juilliard School, ensuring a cohesive and impactful presence across all platforms.
• Drive the conceptualization and execution of creative campaigns, translating institutional goals into compelling visual narratives for marketing, recruitment, and brand awareness initiatives.
• Manage the end-to-end design process for a diverse range of print and digital collateral, from initial concept to final delivery, ensuring high quality and brand consistency.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams in both Tianjin and New York to align visual strategies and support broader institutional objectives.
• Oversee external design resources, including freelancers and vendors, to maintain brand integrity and quality standards in all produced materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is "Senior Graphic Designer," the responsibilities clearly indicate a strategic and leadership component within the marketing function, aligning it with aspects of Creative Operations or MarOps. The emphasis on brand consistency, campaign execution, and cross-campus collaboration suggests a need for strong operational understanding of creative workflows and stakeholder management within a global educational context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain and evolve The Tianjin Juilliard School's visual identity, including the development and strict adherence to usage guidelines for all design assets.
• Assist in the strategic development and execution of branding initiatives and comprehensive visual communication plans, encompassing marketing campaigns and departmental collateral.
• Lead and manage all design projects from ideation to completion, overseeing workflows, deliverables, and ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery.
• Develop high-caliber brand collateral, including but not limited to viewbooks, brochures, concert programs, posters, banners, digital assets, advertisements, and event materials, that effectively represent the school's mission and values.
• Oversee the design and production of visual assets for significant institutional events, artistic performances, and special occasions, ensuring alignment with brand standards.
• Provide ad hoc design support to the Marketing team, various school departments, and colleagues on the New York campus as required.
• Supervise and manage relationships with design freelancers and vendors, ensuring the quality and consistency of all printed and produced materials meet established standards.
• Manage and regularly update the internal design asset database and archives for all completed design projects.
• Stay abreast of current design industry trends, best practices, and advancements in design software and technology to ensure innovative and competitive visual outputs.
• Collaborate closely with the Marketing team to conceptualize and produce visual content for social media platforms and website updates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative leadership and operational management. The expectation to "lead and oversee all design projects from concept through completion" and "manage and regularly update the design database" highlights the need for strong project management and organizational skills, crucial for operations roles. The mention of "collaboration with internal teams" and "ad hoc support to the Marketing team, departments, and NY colleagues" underscores the importance of cross-functional communication and service delivery inherent in operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design, Artistic Design, Visual Communication, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in providing design services, preferably within a business, non-profit, or educational institution setting.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated creative thinking and the ability to conceptualize innovative creative campaigns through both print and digital design.
• Strong proficiency and deep expertise in the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Proven ability to manage multiple design projects concurrently, meet demanding deadlines, and maintain high standards of quality and consistency.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and project management skills to oversee design workflows efficiently.
• Fluency in both English and Chinese (Mandarin) is mandatory for effective communication and collaboration across campuses and with the local market.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to delivering outstanding quality in all visual outputs.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling open and collaborative working relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Working knowledge or practical experience with social media content creation and website content management systems (CMS).
• Familiarity with or experience in the classical music, performing arts, or higher education sectors, providing a nuanced understanding of the institution's context.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite for general business communication and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for fluency in both English and Chinese is a critical operational skill for this role, facilitating seamless communication in a bi-cultural environment. The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite proficiency is standard for design roles, but the "strong expertise" suggests a need for advanced technical command. The preference for experience in arts or education indicates a need for candidates who can quickly grasp and translate the unique brand voice of a prestigious institution like Juilliard.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a breadth and depth of successful design projects, demonstrating creative conceptualization and execution across various media (print and digital).
• Case studies within the portfolio that highlight the design process, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of design solutions on marketing or institutional goals.
• Examples of brand collateral development, including viewbooks, brochures, and event materials, that exemplify adherence to brand guidelines and strategic communication objectives.
• Visual evidence of digital design capabilities, such as web graphics, social media assets, or digital advertisements, demonstrating an understanding of online communication channels.
• Work samples that illustrate experience in managing design projects from brief to final delivery, showcasing project management and organizational skills.

Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly demonstrate the candidate's approach to process management, including project initiation, concept development, revisions, and final asset delivery.
• Candidates may be asked to discuss their personal workflow for managing design projects, including how they handle feedback, revisions, and vendor management.
• Evidence of understanding and applying brand guidelines consistently across different projects is crucial, indicating a systematic approach to brand stewardship.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative operations role like this, the portfolio is not just a showcase of aesthetic talent but a demonstration of process rigor. The "Enhancement Note" focuses on inferring the expectation that the portfolio should implicitly or explicitly reveal the candidate's systematic approach to design project management, brand guideline adherence, and problem-solving—key operational competencies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the "Senior" title, 5+ years of experience, required bilingual fluency (English/Chinese), and the specific location in Tianjin, China, a competitive salary range would typically fall between ¥250,000 - ¥450,000 CNY per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior creative professionals in international educational institutions in major Chinese cities, adjusted for the specialized nature of the role and the prestigious brand affiliation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans, tailored to international standards.
• Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays, commensurate with local regulations and international best practices.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training in new design software, attending industry conferences, and workshops focused on creative strategy and operations.
• Potential for relocation assistance or housing support, depending on the candidate's origin and the school's policies for international hires.
• Access to institutional resources and cultural events associated with The Tianjin Juilliard School and the broader Juilliard network.
• Retirement savings plan or pension contributions as per local employment law.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. However, flexibility may be required to accommodate project deadlines, key institutional events, and collaboration needs with colleagues in different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on the role's seniority, the critical bilingual requirement, and the cost of living and professional compensation standards in Tianjin for specialized roles within international organizations. The benefits are inferred based on typical offerings for senior roles in educational institutions, particularly those with an international presence.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Performing Arts Education / Higher Education Company Size: The Tianjin Juilliard School is a relatively new, specialized institution. While part of the larger Juilliard network (known globally), its direct employee count would be more aligned with a medium-sized organization focused on delivering a high-quality educational experience. This size suggests a dynamic, hands-on environment where individuals can have a significant impact. Founded: The Tianjin Juilliard School was established in 2019, representing a more recent expansion of Juilliard's global reach. This newness implies an evolving culture, open to new ideas and processes, with a strong emphasis on building foundational operational structures and brand identity.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to the Head of Marketing or Marketing Director.
• The role will be part of a broader Marketing and Communications team, which may include specialists in digital marketing, content creation, public relations, and event management.
• Close collaboration is expected with academic departments, admissions, alumni relations, and administrative staff across both the Tianjin and New York campuses.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making in marketing strategies, with visual communications designed to achieve measurable goals (e.g., recruitment numbers, brand engagement).
• Adoption of agile project management principles for creative workflows to ensure responsiveness and efficiency.
• A collaborative approach to content development, encouraging input from various stakeholders to ensure accuracy and alignment with institutional messaging.
• Focus on continuous improvement in design quality and marketing effectiveness through feedback loops and performance analysis.

Company Website: https://www.juilliard.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights Juilliard's prestigious brand and the unique nature of its Tianjin campus. The "methodology" section infers operational approaches like data-driven marketing and agile project management, which are critical for effective creative operations in a modern educational institution. The emphasis on collaboration across campuses is a key operational consideration for candidates.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior individual contributor position within the marketing and communications function, with significant responsibility for brand stewardship and visual strategy execution. It sits at a level where operational excellence in creative output is paramount. Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer reports to a marketing leadership role, likely the Head of Marketing or Marketing Director. This position will also have significant dotted-line reporting or collaborative relationships with marketing colleagues and potentially other department heads requiring design support. Operations Impact: The visual output of this role directly impacts brand perception, student recruitment, donor engagement, and overall institutional reputation. Effective visual communication is a critical operational lever for achieving the school's strategic objectives in a highly competitive global market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of design (e.g., motion graphics, UI/UX for web, advanced print production, animation) through project work and professional development.
• Creative Leadership: Potential to mentor junior designers or freelancers, taking on a more supervisory or art direction role on key projects.
• Strategic Input: Opportunity to contribute more significantly to marketing strategy development and brand positioning through insightful visual concepts and campaign ideas.
• Cross-functional Mobility: Potential to move into broader marketing roles or operations management positions within the institution as experience and understanding of institutional operations grow.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the "Senior Graphic Designer" role through an operations lens, emphasizing its impact on institutional goals and outlining clear growth paths that leverage operational skills and creative expertise. The growth opportunities are framed in terms of skill development and increased responsibility within the operational framework of the marketing department.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The Tianjin Juilliard School is a modern educational institution. The work environment is expected to be professional, collaborative, and equipped with contemporary office technology and design facilities. Office Location(s): The primary work location is in Tianjin, China. As part of a global institution, there will be a need for regular communication and potentially virtual collaboration with colleagues based at Juilliard's New York campus.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office setting designed to foster teamwork and idea exchange among marketing and communications staff.
• Access to industry-standard design software and hardware, potentially including high-performance workstations and necessary peripherals.
• Opportunities for direct interaction with students, faculty, and staff to gain insights into the school's artistic and academic life, which can inform design work.
• A dynamic environment that balances creative expression with the structured requirements of institutional branding and marketing operations.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, aligning with typical business hours. However, the nature of creative project deadlines and international collaboration may necessitate occasional flexibility, including early morning or late afternoon calls with New York-based teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description infers a professional and well-equipped workspace typical of a leading educational institution. The emphasis on collaboration and interaction with the school community is highlighted as a key aspect of the work environment that can inform design strategy and execution, a crucial element for operational success in creative roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV, cover letter, and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and fit with the role and institution.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, their design process, problem-solving approaches, and how their work aligns with the school's mission and brand. This stage heavily evaluates operational project management and strategic thinking.
• Technical/Skills Assessment: May include a design challenge or a discussion about specific software capabilities and design techniques relevant to the role's responsibilities.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from marketing, academic departments, or leadership to assess collaboration skills, communication effectiveness, and understanding of the educational environment.
• Final Interview: With senior leadership (e.g., Head of Marketing, Executive Director) to confirm cultural fit, strategic alignment, and overall suitability for the position.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your ability to meet the responsibilities outlined, focusing on brand consistency, campaign development, and diverse collateral creation.
• Demonstrate Process: For key projects, walk through your thought process, problem-solving steps, and how you managed challenges or feedback. Highlight your project management approach.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs in achieving marketing or recruitment goals.
• Highlight Bilingualism: Showcase work that demonstrates successful communication in both English and Chinese, or explain how you approach cross-cultural design nuances.
• Showcase Brand Stewardship: Include examples of how you've maintained or evolved brand guidelines in previous roles.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve creating a concept for a specific campaign (e.g., student recruitment, an upcoming performance season) or a critique and redesign of existing materials.
• Practice articulating your design choices, justifying them based on strategic objectives and brand principles.
• Be ready to discuss your workflow, time management strategies for design projects, and how you collaborate with stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a creative operations role, emphasizing the portfolio as a demonstration of process and impact, not just aesthetics. The interview preparation specifically calls out the need to discuss project management and strategic alignment, key operational competencies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for all aspects of graphic design, layout, and asset creation.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Competency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for general office tasks, document creation, and basic data handling.
• Design Asset Management: Familiarity with or ability to quickly learn systems for organizing, storing, and retrieving digital assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools (e.g., Google Analytics): Basic understanding of how website traffic and user engagement are tracked, which can inform digital design decisions.
• Social Media Analytics: Familiarity with insights provided by social media platforms to optimize visual content for engagement.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot): While not a primary tool for a designer, understanding how marketing campaigns and lead generation are managed within a CRM can provide valuable context for campaign collateral.
• Marketing Automation Platforms (e.g., Marketo, Pardot): Awareness of how email templates and digital assets are deployed through these platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for a graphic designer, but the inclusion of "Design Asset Management" and awareness of "CRM/Marketing Automation" platforms are crucial for understanding the operational context of design within a marketing department. This suggests a need for designers who think about how their work integrates into broader marketing automation and data management processes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Excellence: A deep commitment to producing work of the highest standard, reflecting Juilliard's global reputation for artistic and academic excellence. This translates to meticulous attention to detail in all visual outputs.
• Collaboration & Communication: An emphasis on open, proactive, and respectful communication and collaboration across departments and campuses to ensure cohesive branding and marketing efforts.
• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging fresh ideas and creative problem-solving to develop impactful visual communications that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Efficiency & Organization: A structured approach to work, prioritizing tasks effectively, managing time efficiently, and maintaining organized project files and assets to support smooth operations.
• Cultural Sensitivity: A commitment to understanding and respecting cultural nuances in visual communication, particularly in the context of an international institution operating in China.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: Working collaboratively within the Marketing team, sharing ideas, providing constructive feedback, and supporting colleagues to achieve team goals.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Building strong working relationships with academic departments, administrative staff, and international counterparts to understand their needs and deliver effective design solutions.
• Feedback Integration: A willingness to receive and incorporate feedback from various stakeholders to refine designs and ensure alignment with institutional objectives.
• Proactive Engagement: Actively seeking opportunities to contribute creative solutions and support departmental initiatives beyond immediate task assignments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers the operational values and collaboration styles that would thrive in a prestigious, international educational environment. The emphasis on "efficiency & organization" and "cultural sensitivity" are particularly relevant to the operational aspects of a design role in this specific context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Rigidity: Successfully translating creative ideas into visual assets that strictly adhere to established brand guidelines and institutional messaging.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Effectively gathering and synthesizing input from various departments and international colleagues, each with potentially different priorities and aesthetic preferences.
• Cross-Cultural Communication Nuances: Ensuring visual communications are culturally appropriate and effective for audiences in both China and international markets.
• Rapidly Evolving Digital Landscape: Keeping pace with new digital design trends, platforms, and technologies to maintain a modern and engaging online presence.
• Project Prioritization: Effectively managing multiple competing design requests with varying deadlines and levels of urgency.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to master new features or entirely new design applications relevant to motion graphics, 3D rendering, or interactive design.
• Brand Strategy Workshops: Engaging in sessions that deepen understanding of brand positioning, marketing strategy, and the role of visual communication in achieving institutional goals.
• Cross-Cultural Design Seminars: Participating in training focused on effective design communication across different cultures.
• Project Management Skills Enhancement: Developing formal project management methodologies for creative workflows.
• Exposure to Performing Arts: Gaining deeper insights into classical music and performing arts, enriching the ability to create authentic and resonant visual content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and opportunities are framed to highlight the operational complexities and growth potential inherent in the role. The emphasis on managing diverse needs, cross-cultural communication, and project prioritization positions these as operational hurdles that can be overcome with strategic thinking and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach translating an institution's mission and values into a cohesive visual identity?" (Focus on your process for understanding brand, identifying key messages, and developing a visual language.)
• "Describe a time you had to manage conflicting feedback on a design project. How did you resolve it and ensure a successful outcome?" (Highlight your project management, communication, and problem-solving skills.)
• "How do you stay current with design trends, and how do you decide which trends are appropriate to incorporate into a prestigious educational brand like Juilliard?" (Showcase your awareness of industry best practices and your judgment in applying them strategically.)
• "Given our dual-campus structure, how would you ensure brand consistency across all visual communications for both Tianjin and New York?" (Focus on your understanding of operational processes for brand management and cross-cultural collaboration.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about The Tianjin Juilliard School and its mission?" (Demonstrate genuine interest and research into the institution.)
• "How would you contribute to fostering a collaborative and creative environment within our marketing team?" (Discuss your teamwork and communication style.)
• "How do you prioritize your workload when faced with multiple urgent design requests from different departments?" (Illustrate your organizational and project management capabilities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each project, tell a story: the challenge, your approach (process, tools used), the solution, and the impact.
• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out how specific projects demonstrate your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, brand guideline adherence, print vs. digital execution, and project management.
• Showcase Bilingual Work: If applicable, present projects that clearly demonstrate your ability to design effectively for both English and Chinese audiences, explaining any cultural considerations.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your creative decisions, your process, and how you measure the success of your work. Be ready to discuss your organizational methods for managing design assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions and portfolio presentation strategy are designed to elicit responses that demonstrate not only creative talent but also strong operational acumen, including project management, strategic thinking, and cross-cultural communication skills, crucial for this role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application electronically via the provided link on the Juilliard Career Site.
• Tailor your Cover Letter: Clearly articulate your interest in The Tianjin Juilliard School, emphasizing your understanding of its mission and your ability to contribute to its global brand presence. Specifically mention your fluency in English and Chinese.
• Optimize your CV: Highlight your 5+ years of relevant design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, project management skills, and any experience with educational institutions or the performing arts. Use keywords found in the job description.
• Prepare your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, showcases a range of relevant work (print, digital, campaigns), and includes case studies that detail your design process and problem-solving approach. Be ready to discuss how you manage projects and ensure brand consistency.
• Research The Tianjin Juilliard School: Familiarize yourself with its curriculum, faculty, performances, and overall brand messaging to better understand the context for your design work and to answer interview questions effectively.

⚠️ 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.