Senior Graphic Designer (Broadcast)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer (Broadcast)
Company: NBCUniversal
Location: New York, New York, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Broadcast Graphics & Design Operations
Date Posted: 2025-09-29
Experience Level: 5+ Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior Graphic Designer role is crucial for enhancing MSNBC's on-air visual identity through the creation of high-impact static and motion graphics for daily television programming.
• Requires a strong blend of creative design skills and technical proficiency in broadcast graphics workflows, with an emphasis on rapid adaptation for breaking news.
• Plays a key role in maintaining brand consistency across all visual elements while pushing creative boundaries to elevate storytelling.
• Involves collaboration with cross-functional teams including producers, editorial staff, and art directors to deliver compelling visual content under tight deadlines.
• Expected to mentor junior designers, contributing to the overall skill development and operational efficiency of the graphics team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is within the Broadcast Operations and Creative Services function, focusing on the visual delivery of news content. The "Senior" designation implies leadership potential and a significant level of autonomy in design execution and problem-solving.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deliver a wide range of static and motion graphics for MSNBC programs, encompassing lower-thirds, full-screen templates, data visualizations (charts), animated explainers, and other editorial visuals.
• Collaborate effectively with producers, editorial staff, and art directors to conceptualize and execute creative visual solutions that align with show narratives and maintain strict brand guidelines.
• Lead the creation and implementation of animated graphics packages for shows, including title sequences, transitions, and branding elements, ensuring seamless integration into live broadcasts.
• Demonstrate agility in adapting and creating graphics and animations rapidly in response to breaking news events and dynamic live programming requirements.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior graphic designers, sharing expertise on broadcast graphics workflows, design best practices, and tool utilization.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and ensuring timely delivery without compromising the quality or creative integrity of the work.
• Maintain a well-organized system for graphic assets, templates, and toolkits to facilitate efficient retrieval, reuse, and streamlined workflows for the entire team.
• Be prepared to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to support the demands of 24/7 news coverage and live broadcast schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a need for both creative excellence and operational efficiency. The emphasis on "adapting quickly" and "flexible hours" points to a high-pressure, news-driven environment where process and rapid execution are paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Motion Design, Visual Communication, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
Experience: 5+ years of professional design experience, specifically within broadcast television, news organizations, or similarly fast-paced, deadline-driven creative environments.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects for graphic creation and motion design.
• Broadcast Motion Graphics & Animation: Proven experience creating dynamic animated graphics, title sequences, transitions, and visual explainers tailored for television broadcast.
• Typography, Layout, and Composition: Strong understanding of design principles, visual hierarchy, and aesthetic balance to create visually appealing and easily digestible graphics.
• Visual Storytelling for Broadcast: Ability to translate complex information and narratives into clear, compelling visual content suitable for a news audience.
• Adaptability & Urgency: Demonstrated capacity to remain calm, creative, and resourceful when working under significant deadline pressure, especially during breaking news situations.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills for effective teamwork with producers, editors, and other stakeholders in a demanding newsroom setting.
• Brand Consistency Management: Ability to understand and meticulously apply brand guidelines across all visual assets to ensure a cohesive on-air presence.

Preferred Skills:

• Broadcast Graphics Systems: Knowledge of Vizrt, Cinema 4D, or other industry-standard broadcast graphics and 3D rendering software.
• Template Development: Experience creating and managing reusable graphic templates for efficient workflow.
• Mentorship Experience: Proven ability to guide and support junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for Vizrt or Cinema 4D suggests that while Adobe Suite is the primary tool, familiarity with real-time broadcast graphics engines is a significant advantage for this role, indicating a need for understanding how designs integrate into live production workflows.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of professional broadcast graphics work, with a strong emphasis on static and motion graphics for news or similar fast-turnaround environments.
• Demonstrate a clear progression of skills and project complexity, highlighting your ability to handle diverse design challenges.
• Include case studies or examples that illustrate your process for conceptualizing and executing graphics for specific editorial needs or programming segments.
• Showcase examples of how you've adapted designs for breaking news or live event coverage, demonstrating speed and accuracy.
• Highlight your proficiency with industry-standard design software, particularly Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow efficiency improvements you have implemented or contributed to within a design team.
• Demonstrations of how you have utilized templates or established design systems to maintain brand consistency and speed up production cycles.
• Case studies detailing your approach to collaborating with non-design stakeholders (e.g., producers) to achieve project goals.
• Evidence of your problem-solving skills in overcoming design or technical challenges within a broadcast context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the broadcast news environment, the portfolio should emphasize speed, accuracy, and the ability to translate editorial needs into visual assets under pressure. Demonstrating familiarity with template-based workflows and real-time system integration (even if just conceptually) will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55.00 - $75.00 per hour.
This hourly rate is based on the provided information and reflects the Senior level experience required for this role in the New York City metropolitan area, considering the demands of the broadcast news industry.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans designed to support employee and family well-being.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching contributions to help secure your financial future.
• Generous Paid Leave, including vacation, sick days, and holidays, promoting work-life balance.
• Tuition Reimbursement program to support continuous learning and professional development in relevant fields.
• A variety of additional company-specific perks and benefits, details available on the NBCUniversal Careers website.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position. While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the role requires flexibility, with potential for evening and weekend work to accommodate the demands of live news programming and breaking news events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly pay structure is common for creative roles in media, particularly in New York City. The benefits package is robust, typical of a large media conglomerate like NBCUniversal, and aligns with expectations for a senior-level position.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Entertainment, specifically News Broadcasting. NBCUniversal is a major player in television, film, theme parks, and streaming, with MSNBC focusing on in-depth news coverage.
Company Size: Large Enterprise (NBCUniversal is part of Comcast Corporation, a Fortune 500 company with tens of thousands of employees globally). This means established processes, extensive resources, and opportunities for broad impact.
Founded: NBCUniversal's history traces back to the early 20th century, with MSNBC launching in 1996. This long-standing presence indicates a stable, experienced organization with deep roots in media production.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer will be part of the MSNBC Graphics team, likely reporting to a Creative Director or Art Director within Broadcast Operations.
• This team collaborates extensively with various MSNBC show production units, editorial teams, and potentially other NBCUniversal creative departments.
• Expect a hierarchical structure common in broadcast, with clear reporting lines but also fluid collaboration for project needs.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Storytelling: Graphics are essential for explaining complex data, trends, and news events, requiring a focus on accuracy and clarity.
• Agile Design Adaptation: The news cycle demands rapid iteration and flexibility, with a methodology that prioritizes quick turnaround and adaptation to breaking news.
• Brand Governance: Maintaining a consistent and recognizable brand identity across all platforms is paramount, requiring adherence to established style guides and design protocols.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Working for a major news network like MSNBC means operating within a high-stakes, fast-paced environment. While creative freedom exists, it's framed by strict brand guidelines and the immediate demands of the news cycle, emphasizing efficiency and impact. The recent announcement regarding the potential spin-off of certain cable networks suggests a dynamic period for the company, though MSNBC's core news function is likely to remain central.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior individual contributor level. It signifies a high degree of technical expertise, creative judgment, and the ability to operate with significant autonomy. The "Senior" title also implies a potential for mentorship and leadership within the graphics team, influencing design direction and workflow efficiency.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to an Art Director or Creative Director within the MSNBC broadcast graphics department. This individual will work closely with producers and editorial teams on a day-to-day basis, translating their needs into visual assets.
Operations Impact: The graphics produced directly influence the clarity, engagement, and overall professional presentation of MSNBC's news programming. Effective visuals enhance viewer comprehension of complex topics, reinforce brand messaging, and contribute significantly to the network's credibility and storytelling impact. This role is integral to the operational delivery of compelling news content.

Growth Opportunities:

• Lead Designer Roles: Progression to Lead Designer or Art Director positions within MSNBC or other NBCUniversal properties, overseeing teams and creative strategy.
• Specialization: Developing deeper expertise in specific areas like 3D animation, data visualization, or real-time broadcast graphics systems.
• Cross-Departmental Mobility: Opportunities to move into design leadership roles in other NBCUniversal divisions (e.g., Universal Pictures, Peacock) or contribute to larger brand initiatives.
• Skill Development: Access to internal training, workshops, and potential for industry certifications to enhance proficiency in emerging design technologies and broadcast workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a Senior Designer, the growth path likely involves increased creative direction, project management, and potentially team leadership. The emphasis on broadcast systems and fast-paced news environments means specialized skills are highly valued and can open unique career avenues within the media industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, requiring the employee to work from the MSNBC office in New York, NY, for a designated number of days per week (likely 3 days, based on industry standards for hybrid roles).
Office Location(s): The primary work location is 229 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036, USA. This central Manhattan location provides access to a vibrant media hub.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be a collaborative, fast-paced newsroom environment where designers work closely with producers, editors, and other creative personnel.
• Access to high-performance workstations equipped with the latest design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially broadcast-specific graphics hardware/software.
• Opportunities for real-time feedback and iterative design processes due to the proximity of cross-functional teams.

Work Schedule: While the position is full-time (standard 40 hours/week), the nature of broadcast news requires flexibility. Employees must be willing to work evenings and weekends as dictated by breaking news coverage and programming schedules. This requires excellent time management and the ability to integrate personal life with professional demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature balances the need for in-person collaboration and access to on-site resources with the flexibility modern professionals expect. The emphasis on a "newsroom environment" suggests a dynamic, potentially high-stress, but also highly engaging and collaborative setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative fit.
• Creative Assessment/Test: Candidates may be asked to complete a design challenge or test, simulating a real-world broadcast graphics scenario (e.g., designing graphics for a breaking news story, creating an animated lower-third based on provided assets). This assesses technical skills, speed, and creative problem-solving under pressure.
• Interviews: Multiple rounds of interviews with hiring managers, art directors, and potentially producers or editorial staff. These will delve into your design philosophy, experience with broadcast workflows, collaboration style, and ability to handle deadline pressure.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will walk through your portfolio, explaining your design choices, process, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss specific projects in detail.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize broadcast news or similar fast-turnaround work.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the design process, the tools used, and the final outcome/impact.
• Highlight Speed & Adaptability: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to create effective graphics quickly, especially for live or breaking news scenarios.
• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Showcase your mastery of After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator. If you have Vizrt or C4D experience, highlight it with specific examples.
• Focus on Storytelling: Explain how your graphics enhanced the narrative or clarified complex information for the viewer.
• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about your workflow, file management, and experience with broadcast-specific software.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Medium: Familiarize yourself with MSNBC's on-air look and feel, common graphic elements, and news storytelling conventions.
• Practice Under Time Constraints: Simulate design challenges with strict time limits to hone your speed and efficiency.
• Focus on Clarity and Brand: Ensure any test work is clear, legible, and adheres to brand guidelines, even if done rapidly.
• Prepare to Articulate Decisions: Be ready to explain the rationale behind your design choices during the review of your test or portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior broadcast design role will heavily scrutinize both creative talent and operational readiness. The portfolio and any design tests are critical for demonstrating practical skills and ability to perform under the unique demands of a live news environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required in Photoshop (for static assets), Illustrator (for vector graphics and logos), and After Effects (for motion graphics, animation, and compositing). This is the foundational toolset for this role.
• Broadcast Graphics Systems (Preferred): Familiarity with Vizrt (a leading real-time 3D graphics system for broadcasters) or Cinema 4D (a powerful 3D modeling, animation, and rendering application often used in broadcast motion graphics) is highly advantageous. Experience with these systems indicates an understanding of integrating graphics into live production pipelines.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this design role, understanding how graphics perform might involve using basic analytics or feedback from producers regarding viewership engagement with visual elements.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities of this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite and the preference for Vizrt/Cinema 4D are key indicators of the required technical stack. Proficiency in After Effects for motion graphics is paramount, and any experience with real-time broadcast engines will significantly differentiate candidates.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accuracy & Integrity: A core value in news broadcasting, ensuring all visual information presented is correct and ethically represented.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Essential for working effectively within a fast-paced newsroom, fostering a supportive environment where ideas are shared and challenges are overcome collectively.
• Innovation & Creativity: While adhering to brand standards, there's an expectation to bring fresh ideas and creative solutions to enhance storytelling and viewer engagement.
• Efficiency & Responsiveness: The ability to deliver high-quality work quickly and adapt to changing news cycles is critical for operational success in a broadcast environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close working relationships with producers, writers, editors, and anchors are expected to ensure graphics effectively support editorial content.
• Feedback-Driven: An open-door policy for constructive feedback on designs, encouraging iterative improvements and alignment with communicative goals.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing of techniques, templates, and best practices among the design team to elevate overall output and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at a news organization like MSNBC emphasizes speed, accuracy, and collaborative problem-solving. Designers are expected to be team players who can translate editorial needs into visually compelling content while maintaining a high level of professionalism and efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Turnaround Demands: The constant pressure of breaking news and live television requires the ability to design and deliver high-quality graphics under extremely tight deadlines.
• Balancing Creativity with Brand Consistency: Striking a balance between innovative design and adherence to strict MSNBC brand guidelines can be challenging.
• Technical Integration: Ensuring graphics seamlessly integrate with live broadcast systems and workflows, which can sometimes present technical hurdles.
• Feedback Management: Navigating diverse feedback from multiple stakeholders (producers, editors, management) to reach a final, effective design solution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Motion Graphics Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in animation, compositing, and visual effects through internal training or industry workshops.
• Broadcast Graphics System Mastery: Potential to gain in-depth knowledge and certification in Vizrt or Cinema 4D, enhancing marketability within the broadcast industry.
• Specialized Design Areas: Developing expertise in areas like data visualization, augmented reality graphics, or real-time graphics integration.
• Mentorship and Leadership: Gaining experience mentoring junior designers, which can be a stepping stone to leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is operating effectively within the high-pressure, real-time environment of live news. Growth opportunities are strongly tied to mastering specialized broadcast graphics technologies and developing leadership skills within the creative operations of a major media network.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to create graphics for a breaking news story with minimal lead time. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses speed, adaptability, and problem-solving under pressure.)
• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different types of graphics (e.g., lower thirds, full-screens, social media assets) for a news program?" (Evaluates understanding of brand governance and application.)
• "Walk us through your process for creating an animated graphics package for a new show segment. What are the key considerations from concept to final delivery?" (Assesses workflow, collaboration, and creative execution.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What appeals to you about working for MSNBC and covering news content specifically?" (Gauges genuine interest and cultural fit.)
• "How do you handle constructive criticism or conflicting feedback from multiple stakeholders on a design project?" (Tests collaboration and conflict resolution skills.)
• "What role do you believe graphic design plays in effective news storytelling?" (Assesses understanding of the medium and impact.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically, starting with an overview of your experience and then diving into 3-4 key projects.
• Tell a Story for Each Project: For each piece, explain the challenge, your approach, your specific contributions, the tools used, and the impact or results.
• Focus on Process and Problem-Solving: Emphasize how you arrived at the solution, not just the final output. Highlight any challenges you overcame.
• Quantify Impact Where Possible: If you have metrics (e.g., improved viewer engagement, faster turnaround times), present them.
• Be Ready for Live Challenges: Be prepared for a potential live design test or a discussion about how you would approach a hypothetical scenario relevant to MSNBC's programming.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also operational efficiency, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the broadcast news environment. The ability to articulate design decisions and process under pressure is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer (Broadcast) position:

• Submit your application through the NBCUniversal careers portal via the provided link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of broadcast news graphics, motion graphics, and fast-turnaround projects that align with MSNBC's visual style. Highlight your proficiency in Adobe After Effects.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of experience in broadcast design, specific software proficiencies (Adobe Suite, Vizrt/C4D if applicable), and experience working in deadline-driven news environments. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, creative philosophy, and problem-solving skills, especially in the context of live news. Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and be ready for a potential design test.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with MSNBC's current on-air graphics, programming, and overall brand identity. Understand the fast-paced nature of news broadcasting and how graphic design contributes to its effectiveness.

⚠️ 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.

---