Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: YMCA Brisbane

Location: Fortitude Valley, Queensland, Australia

Job Type: Fixed-Term, Part-Time (6-month contract, 3 days per week)

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Art & Design

Date Posted: December 23, 2025

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creative direction and design development for key marketing and communications campaigns across Y Queensland.

• Design and produce high-quality, brand-aligned creative assets for both digital and print channels to strengthen Y Queensland's profile and support key initiatives.

• Develop engaging digital and motion assets to enhance campaign storytelling and audience engagement across various platforms.

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to understand audience needs and translate them into impactful creative outputs that drive service participation.

• Ensure timely delivery of design projects by tracking progress, managing timelines, and reporting on deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on a Senior Graphic Designer position within a not-for-profit organization, emphasizing brand consistency and campaign effectiveness across diverse channels. The part-time, fixed-term nature suggests a project-driven need, likely supporting specific marketing initiatives or a period of increased workload.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the conceptualization and execution of visual design strategies for all Y Queensland marketing and communications efforts, ensuring a cohesive and compelling brand narrative.

• Produce a wide range of creative assets, including but not limited to campaign materials, digital advertisements, social media graphics, website banners, signage, brochures, annual reports, and event collateral.

• Craft compelling motion graphics and video assets to elevate digital storytelling, enhance user experience on web and social media platforms, and support multimedia campaign objectives.

• Act as a key liaison between the Marketing and Communications team and various internal departments, translating stakeholder requirements and business objectives into visually effective design solutions.

• Manage the end-to-end design project lifecycle, from initial brief and concept development through to final asset delivery, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and project deadlines.

• Oversee print production processes, including liaising with external suppliers, managing quotes, and ensuring quality control for all printed materials.

• Contribute to the development and evolution of brand systems, templates, and comprehensive brand guidelines to maintain visual consistency across all Y Queensland touchpoints.

• Integrate an understanding of web design principles, user experience (UX) basics, and accessibility standards into digital design outputs for optimal online performance and inclusivity.

• Proactively identify opportunities for design innovation and efficiency improvements within marketing and communications workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level role requiring not just execution but also strategic creative leadership and project oversight. The emphasis on motion graphics and digital channels indicates a need for modern design skills beyond traditional print.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in graphic design, with a strong preference for experience gained within an in-house marketing department or a creative agency environment.

Required Skills:

• Creative Direction & Leadership: Ability to lead design initiatives, guide creative vision, and mentor junior designers if applicable.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level command of InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere Pro, essential for producing high-quality digital and print assets.

• Multi-Channel Design: Demonstrated experience in creating effective design assets for diverse platforms including digital (web, social media, digital ads), print (brochures, reports, signage), and motion graphics.

• Brand System Development: Experience in creating, managing, and evolving brand systems, templates, and comprehensive brand guidelines to ensure visual consistency.

• Print Production Management: Solid understanding of print processes, materials, and managing relationships with external print vendors and suppliers.

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with internal teams and external partners, understand diverse needs, and translate them into creative briefs.

• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and report on progress effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Understanding of web design principles, user experience (UX) fundamentals, and digital accessibility standards.

• Experience in developing social media content calendars and strategies from a visual perspective.

• Basic understanding of SEO principles as they relate to visual content optimization for web.

• Experience with content management systems (CMS) for asset integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of technical design skills, creative leadership, and practical project management. The specific mention of After Effects and Premiere Pro points to a need for dynamic visual content creation, aligning with modern marketing demands.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects demonstrating expertise across digital, print, and motion graphics.

• Include case studies that highlight your role in leading creative projects from concept to execution, detailing problem-solving and strategic thinking.

• Present examples of brand system development, including style guides, template creation, and how you've maintained brand integrity across various applications.

• Demonstrate proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite through examples of complex design tasks, animation, and video editing.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have managed design project workflows, from briefing to final delivery, including any tools or methodologies used for tracking and organization.

• Documentation or case studies illustrating your process for collaborating with stakeholders, gathering feedback, and iterating on designs.

• Evidence of your process for managing print production, including vendor communication, quality checks, and problem-solving during the production phase.

• A clear explanation of your approach to developing and implementing brand guidelines to ensure consistency across an organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, as it serves as tangible proof of the candidate's creative capabilities, strategic approach, and ability to deliver on diverse design requirements. The focus should be on demonstrating leadership in design projects and effective brand stewardship.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the part-time nature (3 days/week) and the Senior Graphic Designer title in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, a pro-rata salary range is estimated between AUD $60,000 - $85,000 per annum (full-time equivalent).

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior graphic designers in metropolitan Australian locations, adjusted for a part-time capacity. Specific salary will depend on experience and the exact duration of the contract.

Benefits:

• Salary Packaging: Opportunity for tax-free salary packaging for everyday living expenses, up to AUD $15,900 per year, a significant benefit for not-for-profit employees.

• Free Gym Membership: Access to YMCA fitness facilities and classes.

• Employee Benefits Program: A comprehensive program offering various discounts and perks.

• Childcare Discounts: Discounts for Y Out-of-School-Hours Care (OSHC) and Day Care Facilities.

• Financial Benefits: Discounted banking and loan rates.

• Health Insurance: Discounted private health insurance with Medibank.

• Community Involvement: Opportunities to participate in and contribute to Y programs.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to confidential counselling and support services.

Working Hours:

• Part-time position, 3 days per week, totaling approximately 24 hours per week. The specific days may be negotiable but will be within standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary packaging benefit is a key financial advantage for employees of not-for-profit organizations in Australia. The comprehensive benefits package reflects the YMCA's commitment to employee well-being and community engagement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Social Services, Community Programs, Childcare, Fitness, Schools, Hospitality, Youth Recreation.

Company Size: Y Queensland is part of the larger YMCA movement, indicating a substantial organization with a broad reach and significant community impact. The specific team size for Marketing and Communications is not detailed but is implied to be a functional team supporting the diverse services.

Founded: The YMCA has a long history globally, with Y Queensland operating as a significant entity within Australia, dedicated to community well-being and development.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer will be part of the Y Queensland Marketing and Communications team.

• This team likely collaborates closely with various service delivery departments (e.g., childcare, fitness, community programs) to create promotional and informational materials.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While creative in nature, design decisions are expected to be informed by marketing objectives, audience insights, and campaign performance data to maximize impact.

• Brand Stewardship: A strong emphasis on maintaining and evolving a consistent, positive brand identity across all communications.

• Community Focus: All creative output should reflect the Y's mission of fostering healthy, happy, and connected individuals and communities.

• Collaborative Approach: Working across departments to ensure design solutions meet diverse organizational needs.

Company Website: https://ymcaqueensland.org.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: Y Queensland operates with a strong mission-driven ethos. The culture emphasizes community impact, inclusivity, and a collaborative environment where creative professionals can contribute to meaningful social outcomes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role within the Creative and Marketing function. It requires a high degree of autonomy, creative leadership, and experience in managing complex design projects.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Head of Communications. They will collaborate extensively with other marketing team members and various internal stakeholders across different service areas of Y Queensland.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the organization's public image, brand perception, and ability to attract participants to its diverse programs. Effective visual communication is crucial for driving engagement, service participation, and reinforcing the Y's community mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, digital campaign design, or brand strategy.

• Project Leadership: Potential to lead larger, more complex creative projects or campaigns, gaining broader strategic exposure.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Working with various departments provides insights into different service areas, potentially opening doors to broader marketing or communications roles within the organization.

• Mentorship: As a senior member, there may be opportunities to mentor junior designers or interns, developing leadership skills.

• Impactful Work: Contributing to a mission-driven organization offers a unique form of professional fulfillment, aligning creative skills with social impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a fixed-term contract, the senior nature of the role and the organization's size offer potential for further opportunities, either within Y Queensland or by leveraging the experience gained for future senior creative roles. Demonstrating leadership and strategic thinking will be key for career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily an on-site role based in Fortitude Valley, Queensland. The environment is expected to be professional and collaborative, typical of a marketing department within a large not-for-profit organization.

Office Location(s): Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland. This is a central urban location, likely with good access to public transport.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: Expect a dynamic workspace where interaction with marketing colleagues, communications specialists, and potentially other department representatives is frequent.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Suite), hardware, and potentially project management tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for brainstorming sessions, project reviews, and team meetings to foster creativity and ensure alignment.

• Mission-Oriented Atmosphere: A work environment focused on achieving organizational goals related to community service and well-being.

Work Schedule:

• Part-time, 3 days per week (approx. 24 hours). The specific days are likely negotiable but will fall within standard business hours (e.g., Monday-Friday, 9 am - 5 pm). Flexibility may be possible depending on project needs and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests an emphasis on team collaboration and direct communication, which is often beneficial for creative roles requiring brainstorming and feedback.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative fit.

• First Interview: Likely with the Hiring Manager (e.g., Marketing Manager) to discuss experience, creative approach, and understanding of the role's responsibilities. Portfolio presentation might be requested.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: A practical design task or case study may be assigned to evaluate design skills, problem-solving abilities, and response to a brief under time constraints.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or key stakeholders to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the organization's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your experience in leadership, multi-channel design (digital, print, motion), and brand development.

• Highlight Process: For each selected project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your creative process, the solutions implemented, and the impact or results achieved. Use storytelling to make your work engaging.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Ensure your portfolio includes examples of different design types (e.g., campaign assets, reports, social media graphics, motion graphics) to align with the role's diverse requirements.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Include examples that demonstrate mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere Pro.

• Brand Alignment: If possible, include a project where you developed or worked within strict brand guidelines, showcasing your ability to maintain brand integrity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully analyze any design challenge provided. Identify the target audience, key message, and desired outcome.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively, ensuring you can complete the core requirements of the task within the given timeframe. Prioritize concept development and execution over excessive detail if time is limited.

• Presentation Ready: Be prepared to present your solution, explaining your design choices, rationale, and how it addresses the brief. Practice your explanation to be clear and concise.

• Y Queensland Context: Research Y Queensland’s mission, current campaigns, and target audiences. Tailor your approach to align with their values and communication style.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and potentially a creative challenge indicates that practical design skills and the ability to translate briefs into effective visuals are paramount. Demonstrating strategic thinking behind the creative execution will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • InDesign: Essential for layout design, brochures, reports, and print collateral.
  • Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Photoshop: Vital for image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • After Effects: Required for motion graphics, animations, and video post-production.
  • Premiere Pro: Necessary for video editing and creating video assets for campaigns.

• Project Management Software: Likely utilized for task tracking, collaboration, and workflow management (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or internal systems).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but awareness of how marketing materials integrate with CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email campaigns) can be helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, especially After Effects and Premiere Pro, is a non-negotiable requirement given the role's responsibilities in creating digital and motion assets.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Community Impact: A core value driving all activities, ensuring work contributes positively to the well-being of individuals and communities.

• Inclusivity & Belonging: Commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and equitable environment for all employees, participants, and stakeholders.

• Health & Well-being: Promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting the holistic well-being of individuals through programs and services.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Encouraging a supportive and cooperative work environment where individuals work together to achieve common goals.

• Integrity & Respect: Upholding high ethical standards and treating everyone with respect.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design work is deeply integrated with marketing strategy and service delivery, requiring close collaboration with various teams to understand needs and deliver effective communication.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that values constructive feedback to refine creative outputs and ensure alignment with organizational objectives.

• Mission Alignment: Team members are united by a shared purpose and are motivated to contribute to the Y's social mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: The organizational values are central to the work culture. Candidates should demonstrate an alignment with these values, particularly community focus, inclusivity, and a collaborative spirit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Campaign Needs: Ensuring all creative outputs adhere to strict brand guidelines while also being innovative and effective for specific campaign objectives.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Requests: Effectively translating varied requests from different departments into cohesive design solutions that meet organizational goals.

• Time Constraints: Working within the demands of a fixed-term contract and part-time schedule, requiring efficient time management and prioritization.

• Adapting to Evolving Digital Trends: Staying current with the latest design trends, software updates, and digital platform best practices to keep Y Queensland's visual communication fresh and engaging.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Skills: Opportunity to hone skills in motion graphics and video editing tools like After Effects and Premiere Pro.

• Campaign Strategy Insight: Gaining experience in how design supports broader marketing and communication strategies for a large not-for-profit.

• Brand Management Experience: Deepening understanding of developing and maintaining a strong organizational brand across multiple service areas.

• Community Sector Exposure: Understanding the unique communication challenges and opportunities within the social services sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior creative roles, requiring strong problem-solving and adaptability. The growth opportunities highlight the role's potential for skill enhancement and strategic involvement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a creative project from concept to completion. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on your leadership, strategic thinking, and project management skills).

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across a wide range of marketing materials for different audiences?" (Demonstrate your understanding of brand stewardship and systematic approach).

• "Walk us through your process for creating motion graphics or a short promotional video. What software do you use, and how do you approach storytelling?" (Highlight your technical skills and creative narrative abilities).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Y Queensland, and how do your personal values align with our mission?" (Research the Y's mission, services, and values; connect your own motivations).

• "What are your thoughts on inclusive design and how would you apply it in your work here?" (Demonstrate understanding of accessibility and diverse audiences).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, your process, and the results. Use a narrative structure.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved click-through rates, successful campaign metrics).

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your role in leading projects, making strategic design decisions, and collaborating with teams.

• Showcase Technical Range: Ensure your presentation covers your proficiency in key software (Adobe Suite, especially AE/Premiere) and your versatility across digital, print, and motion.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you would approach specific Y Queensland projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill but also strategic thinking, leadership, and an understanding of how design contributes to broader organizational goals, particularly within a mission-driven context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the YMCA Brisbane careers page.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of graphic design experience, specifically mentioning leadership in creative projects, proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite (especially After Effects and Premiere Pro), and experience with multi-channel campaigns (digital, print, motion). Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest 5-7 projects that best demonstrate your senior-level capabilities, leadership, and diverse skill set. Ensure it includes examples of brand systems, digital assets, print collateral, and motion graphics. Be ready to discuss your process and the impact of your work.

• Prepare Your Cover Letter: Briefly explain your interest in Y Queensland and how your skills and experience align with this specific role and the organization's mission. Mention your understanding of working in a not-for-profit sector and your enthusiasm for community impact.

• Research Y Queensland: Familiarize yourself with their services, current campaigns, and brand identity to demonstrate genuine interest and suitability during the interview process.

⚠️ 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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