Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer
Company: ODYSEA AQUARIUM LLC (Arizona Boardwalk)
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Marketing & Creative Operations
Date Posted: 2026-01-24
Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive attendance and guest satisfaction for Arizona Boardwalk attractions through compelling visual design across print, digital, and exhibit mediums.
• Manage the end-to-end design lifecycle for a variety of marketing collateral, operational signage, and digital assets, ensuring brand consistency and aesthetic excellence.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional marketing and attraction teams to interpret creative briefs and translate them into effective design solutions.
• Maintain and evolve brand/style guidelines for multiple attractions, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality guest experience throughout the destination.
• Leverage a strong understanding of design principles, production processes, and a keen eye for detail to deliver visually stunning and impactful creative work.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is for a Graphic Designer, the emphasis on driving attendance, guest satisfaction, and working with marketing teams positions this as a crucial function within the broader GTM (Go-To-Market) and Marketing Operations ecosystem. The requirement to manage multiple projects and collaborate with various stakeholders highlights the operational aspects of managing creative workflows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce a diverse range of marketing materials, including print advertisements, digital banners, out-of-home advertising, brochures, event collateral, website elements, and email campaign visuals.
• Develop and implement interior and exterior exhibit and operational signage, ensuring clarity, brand alignment, and a seamless guest experience across the Arizona Boardwalk destination.
• Manage print production processes, including working with outside vendors, understanding prepress requirements, file setup, color modes, bleeds, trims, and preparing press-ready files.
• Maintain and update brand/style guidelines for all Arizona Boardwalk attractions, ensuring consistency in visual identity and messaging across all touchpoints.
• Interpret creative requests from marketing and attraction teams, present design concepts effectively, and iterate based on feedback to achieve optimal results.
• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance the visual appeal and effectiveness of marketing materials and guest-facing communications.
• Adapt to a fast-paced, evolving environment, requiring flexibility in working hours, including some evenings and weekends, to meet deadlines and support events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a need for project management and workflow optimization within the creative process. The emphasis on "interpreting creative requests" and "presenting concepts" points to strong communication and stakeholder management skills, which are vital in operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication, Design, or a related field from an accredited art school or university with significant coursework in graphic design.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of proven experience as a professional graphic designer, gained through in-house or agency roles.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Expert-level skills in creating compelling visual designs for print, digital, and exhibit applications.
• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite: Fluent and efficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Adobe XD.
• Print Production Expertise: Strong understanding of production skills, printing techniques, prepress production, file setup, color modes, bleeds, trims, and preparing press-ready files.
• Design Principles: Deep knowledge of layout, typography, color theory, balance, composition, and visual hierarchy with exceptional attention to detail.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to present design concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholders.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple design projects from conceptualization to completion efficiently and thoroughly in a deadline-driven environment.
• Brand Stewardship: Experience in developing and maintaining brand/style guidelines for multiple entities.

Preferred Skills:

• Video Editing & Motion Design: Experience with video editing software and motion graphics creation is a plus.
• Web Design Principles: Familiarity with UI/UX principles for web and digital assets.
• Presentation Software: Working knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint/Keynote for building presentations.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Competency in Word and Excel.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 6+ years of experience, a Bachelor's degree, and specific software proficiency indicates a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on "proven experience" and a "strong portfolio" suggests that candidates will need to demonstrate their capabilities beyond just listing skills. The mention of "Entrepreneurial spirit with 'get it done' mentality" points towards a need for self-sufficiency and proactive problem-solving, common in operations environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 6 years of diverse graphic design work, demonstrating expertise across print, digital, and exhibit design.
• Projects that highlight strong conceptual thinking, aesthetic execution, and problem-solving capabilities relevant to driving attendance and enhancing guest experience.
• Examples of work that adhere to or establish brand/style guidelines for multiple entities.
• Case studies or project descriptions that detail the design process, challenges encountered, and the impact of the design solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of managing the full design lifecycle, from initial brief interpretation and concept development through to final production and implementation.
• Examples demonstrating experience in collaborating with marketing teams and stakeholders to achieve project objectives.
• Documentation or examples of work involving print production management, including interactions with vendors and understanding of prepress requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Graphic Designer role, particularly in a fast-paced environment like Arizona Boardwalk, a portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of a candidate's ability to execute complex projects, manage workflows, and deliver tangible results, mirroring the importance of process documentation and case studies in operations roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The anticipated salary range for this Senior Graphic Designer position in Scottsdale, Arizona, is between $70,000 and $95,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level graphic design roles in the Phoenix metropolitan area, considering the required experience level (6+ years), educational background, and the specialized nature of the work within the entertainment and attractions industry. Factors such as candidate experience, specific skill sets (e.g., motion graphics), and the overall scope of responsibilities will influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance package (medical, dental, vision).
• Paid time off (PTO) including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with potential company match.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education in design trends and technology.
• Access to entertainment and attractions within Arizona Boardwalk.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses or recognition.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility is required to meet deadlines, cover events, and support operational needs, which may include extended hours, evenings, and weekends.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Senior Graphic Designer in Scottsdale, AZ. Benefits are inferred based on typical offerings for full-time roles in similar companies. The requirement for flexible working hours is a key aspect of operational roles that often demand adaptability.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Entertainment, Attractions, Tourism, and Hospitality. Arizona Boardwalk is a unique entertainment destination featuring multiple attractions, dining, and shopping venues, creating a dynamic and vibrant environment. Company Size: While specific employee counts for ODYSEA AQUARIUM LLC aren't provided, Arizona Boardwalk as a destination hosts multiple marquee attractions and businesses, suggesting a significant operational footprint and a collaborative ecosystem of teams. Founded: The Arizona Boardwalk was built as a destination, implying a relatively recent establishment focused on creating a modern entertainment hub. Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer will report to the VP of Marketing, indicating a clear hierarchy within the marketing department.
• Close collaboration is expected with the broader Marketing Team and individual Attraction Teams, highlighting a cross-functional and integrated working model.
• The role requires interaction with various stakeholders across different attractions, emphasizing partnership and communication.

Methodology:

• Design solutions are expected to be visually stunning, effective, and enhance the guest experience, indicating a focus on user-centric design.
• A data-driven approach is implied through the goal of driving attendance, suggesting that design effectiveness may be measured by key performance indicators (KPIs).
• The fast-paced and evolving environment necessitates agile workflows and adaptability in design processes.

Company Website: [ODYSEA AQUARIUM LLC website or Arizona Boardwalk website - Not provided in input, but would be listed here]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context points to a dynamic, customer-focused environment where creative output directly impacts business success. The collaborative structure and reporting lines are essential for understanding operational workflows and communication channels.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy beyond an entry-level or mid-level position. It requires a strong portfolio and significant experience (6+ years), suggesting leadership in creative execution and the ability to manage complex projects independently. Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer reports directly to the VP of Marketing. This provides visibility to senior leadership and an opportunity to understand strategic marketing objectives. The role also involves significant collaboration with various Attraction Teams, fostering cross-functional relationships. Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on driving attendance and enhancing guest satisfaction through effective visual communication. This directly translates to revenue generation and brand perception for Arizona Boardwalk and its constituent attractions. Strong design operations ensure consistent brand messaging and a cohesive guest journey, which are critical for customer acquisition and retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., exhibit design, digital marketing visuals, motion graphics) based on project needs and personal interest.
• Leadership in Creative Projects: Potential to lead design initiatives for major campaigns, events, or new attraction launches, showcasing project management and strategic design thinking.
• Mentorship: As a senior member, there may be opportunities to mentor junior designers or provide creative guidance to marketing team members.
• Broader Marketing Involvement: Close collaboration with the VP of Marketing offers insights into broader marketing strategy and operations, potentially opening doors to related roles within marketing or GTM functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Senior Graphic Designer in this context can extend beyond pure design into project management, creative direction, and strategic marketing support, aligning with the operational and GTM focus of this enhancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site at the Arizona Boardwalk in Scottsdale, AZ. This implies a dynamic, potentially high-traffic environment that is a destination in itself. The workspace is likely within a professional office setting that supports creative work. Office Location(s): The primary work location is 9500 E Via De Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256, within the Arizona Boardwalk entertainment destination. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with Marketing and Attraction Teams, suggesting an open or team-oriented workspace that facilitates communication and brainstorming.
• Tools and Technology: Access to necessary hardware and software, including the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, is implied for effective design execution.
• Creative Atmosphere: Working within an entertainment destination likely fosters a visually stimulating and creative atmosphere, aligning with the nature of design work.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is supplemented by the necessity for flexibility. This includes working extended hours, evenings, and weekends to meet project deadlines, support events, and respond to the operational demands of a live entertainment venue. This adaptability is a key characteristic of roles supporting ongoing GTM and operational activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature and the requirement for flexible hours underscore the operational demands of supporting a live entertainment venue, where creative output must align with real-time events and guest experiences.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.
• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design process, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of their work. This is a critical stage for evaluating design thinking and communication skills.
• Skills Assessment: A practical design exercise or a case study may be part of the process to evaluate technical proficiency, creative problem-solving, and ability to work under time constraints.
• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions will assess teamwork, communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and cultural fit, particularly regarding the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Interviews may involve the VP of Marketing and other key stakeholders.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to confirm fit and discuss role expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your experience in print, digital, and exhibit design, highlighting your ability to drive attendance and enhance guest experience. Include work showcasing brand guideline development and implementation.
• Showcase Process: For each project, be prepared to discuss your design process, from understanding the brief to concept development, iteration, and final execution. Explain your rationale behind design decisions.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or describe the qualitative outcomes of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved clarity, positive feedback). For this role, focus on how your designs contributed to attendance or guest satisfaction.
• Highlight Collaboration: Include examples where you successfully collaborated with marketing teams or other stakeholders, demonstrating your communication and teamwork skills.
• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud applications and your understanding of print production.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Research Arizona Boardwalk, its attractions, and its target audience. Familiarize yourself with their existing visual identity and marketing efforts.
• Prepare for a Design Task: If a design exercise is expected, anticipate a brief that requires you to create a piece of collateral for a specific attraction or event, testing your ability to work within brand constraints and meet a defined objective.
• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and any potential design exercises, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and articulating your strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process for a senior creative role emphasizes not just technical skill but also strategic thinking, communication, and the ability to translate creative work into business outcomes, mirroring the operational focus on results and stakeholder management.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud:
  • Photoshop: Essential for image manipulation, correction, compositing, and digital asset creation. Strong skills in clipping masks and photo manipulation are specifically called out.
  • Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and complex layouts.
  • InDesign: The primary tool for layout and production of print materials like brochures, advertisements, and signage.
  • Adobe XD: A key tool for website design, user interface (UI) design, and prototyping digital experiences.
• Microsoft Office Suite:
  • PowerPoint/Keynote: Required for building presentations to communicate design concepts to business leaders and marketing departments.
  • Word: For general document creation and communication.
  • Excel: For basic data handling, potentially related to project tracking or asset management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as primary tools for the designer, understanding how designs perform is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) or A/B testing results related to digital assets could be a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer's core toolset, but understanding how marketing automation platforms or CRMs are used to deploy digital assets (like email campaigns) can provide valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Cloud applications, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and XD, along with presentation software, defines the core technical requirements for this role. Proficiency in these tools is fundamental for executing design operations effectively.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Guest Experience Focus: A commitment to creating visually engaging and effective designs that directly contribute to a positive and memorable guest experience across the entire destination.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working harmoniously with diverse teams (Marketing, Attraction Teams), valuing open communication and shared goals.
• Excellence & Quality: Upholding high design standards, paying meticulous attention to detail, and ensuring aesthetic appeal and functional effectiveness in all creative output.
• Adaptability & Agility: Embracing a fast-paced, evolving environment, being flexible with work schedules, and quickly adapting to new projects and challenges.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: Demonstrating an "entrepreneurial spirit" and a "get it done" mentality, taking initiative to figure things out and drive projects forward with minimal handholding.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively working with different departments and attraction teams to understand their needs and translate them into design solutions.
• Feedback-Driven Iteration: Willingness to interpret creative requests, present concepts, and iterate based on feedback from stakeholders to achieve optimal results.
• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the development and maintenance of brand guidelines, ensuring consistent visual communication across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The described values and collaboration style highlight a culture that is results-oriented, customer-centric, and emphasizes teamwork and adaptability – key traits for success in operations and GTM functions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Diverse Brand Identities: Juggling the design needs and brand guidelines for multiple distinct attractions within Arizona Boardwalk, requiring versatility and attention to detail.
• Fast-Paced, Deadline-Driven Environment: Consistently meeting tight deadlines for a wide array of projects, requiring efficient workflow management and prioritization skills.
• Balancing Creative Vision with Operational Needs: Ensuring designs are not only aesthetically strong but also effectively serve marketing objectives, operational requirements, and enhance the overall guest experience.
• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying current with design trends, digital technologies, and guest expectations in the dynamic entertainment industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like motion graphics, video editing, or advanced digital UI/UX design, based on project needs and personal development goals.
• Strategic Design Thinking: Gaining exposure to higher-level marketing strategy through direct collaboration with the VP of Marketing, enhancing understanding of how design contributes to business objectives.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Working closely with various attraction teams provides insights into different business units and operational nuances within the entertainment sector.
• Industry Best Practices: Continuous learning about design trends, production techniques, and effective communication strategies within the attractions and entertainment industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: Recognizing these challenges and growth opportunities allows candidates to prepare for the role's demands and articulate their development aspirations, aligning with the career-focused insights provided in GTM and operations roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to manage design projects for multiple brands simultaneously. How did you ensure brand consistency and meet diverse stakeholder needs?" (Assesses project management, brand stewardship, collaboration)
• "Walk us through your process for designing a key marketing campaign asset, from initial brief to final delivery. What metrics do you consider important for evaluating its success?" (Assesses design process, strategic thinking, results orientation)
• "How would you approach designing signage for a high-traffic, multi-attraction destination like Arizona Boardwalk to ensure clarity and enhance the guest experience?" (Assesses problem-solving, user-centric design, understanding of operational context)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working for Arizona Boardwalk and its diverse attractions?" (Assesses cultural fit, enthusiasm)
• "How do you approach receiving and implementing creative feedback from stakeholders with varying perspectives?" (Assesses communication, adaptability, teamwork)
• "Describe a situation where you had to adapt to a rapidly changing project scope or deadline. How did you handle it?" (Assesses resilience, problem-solving, adaptability)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, your design process, the challenges faced, the solution implemented, and the outcome/impact.
• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your presentation explicitly demonstrates your proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, your understanding of print production, and your ability to create effective designs for print, digital, and exhibits.
• Focus on Impact: Emphasize how your designs contributed to business objectives, such as driving attendance, enhancing guest satisfaction, or reinforcing brand identity. Use metrics where available.
• Showcase Collaboration: Be prepared to discuss how you collaborated with marketing teams and other stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to be clear, engaging, and within a reasonable timeframe, allowing for discussion and questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions and strategies will help candidates articulate their value proposition effectively, demonstrating not just design talent but also the operational mindset required for a senior role in a dynamic environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Paylocity recruiting portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating print design, digital assets, and exhibit signage. Select case studies that highlight your ability to manage multiple projects, adhere to brand guidelines, and contribute to driving attendance or guest satisfaction.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 6+ years of experience, highlighting achievements in graphic design, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, and any experience in print production management or working with diverse brands. Use keywords such as "print design," "digital design," "exhibit design," "brand guidelines," and "project management."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving abilities, and how your creative work has achieved measurable results. Prepare to discuss your experience with print production and your ability to collaborate effectively with marketing and attraction teams.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Arizona Boardwalk, its various attractions, and its overall brand presence. Understand their mission, target audience, and current marketing initiatives to better tailor your responses and showcase your genuine interest.

⚠️ 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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