Sr. Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Graphic Designer

Company: Etherio

Location: Atlanta, GA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end creative execution for events, conferences, and association clients, ensuring brand consistency and high-quality visual output.

• Drive the design and production of a high volume of event collateral, including signage, print materials, and digital assets, from concept to final delivery.

• Independently manage multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines, translating strategic goals into effective design solutions.

• Develop production-ready, scalable files with meticulous attention to structure and efficiency for team collaboration.

• Stay current with industry design trends and digital best practices within event marketing and association management.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core function is graphic design, the emphasis on "event branding and visual systems," "event collateral," and "association management marketing space" indicates a specialized focus within the broader design field. This role requires an operations mindset for efficient file management and production, and a strong understanding of client-facing deliverables in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the creative development and execution of event branding and visual systems, ensuring alignment with client objectives and brand guidelines.

• Design and produce a high-volume of event collateral, including but not limited to: signage, print materials (brochures, banners, invitations), digital assets (social media graphics, web banners, email templates), and presentations.

• Take full ownership of projects from initial brief to final delivery, managing timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations.

• Translate project goals and strategic direction into clear, compelling, and effective design solutions that resonate with target audiences.

• Manage multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines, prioritizing tasks effectively to ensure timely delivery without compromising quality.

• Build production-ready, scalable files with strong attention to structure, efficiency, and adherence to print and digital specifications.

• Ensure consistency across all deliverables, adapting designs seamlessly across various formats and environments.

• Proactively identify and resolve design and production challenges, seeking innovative solutions.

• Collaborate effectively with internal teams (e.g., account managers, event planners) and confidently articulate and defend design decisions.

• Stay current with evolving design trends, digital best practices, and emerging technologies in the event marketing and association management sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for robust project management and operational efficiency, particularly in "building production-ready, scalable files" and "managing multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines." The emphasis on "event branding and visual systems" and "association management marketing space" implies a need for strategic design thinking beyond just aesthetic execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific educational requirements are not listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a senior-level role. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Experience: 8+ years of professional graphic design experience, preferably within an agency, events, or high-output production environment. Proven track record of end-to-end project ownership and execution.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Strong expertise in print production, including file setup, pre-press requirements, and large-format design considerations.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects independently in a deadline-driven environment, demonstrating strong organizational skills.

• Ability to work effectively with general direction and project goals, translating them into actionable design tasks.

• Exceptional typography, layout, and visual hierarchy skills.

• Experience creating clean, organized, and scalable working files suitable for team environments.

• High attention to detail and a commitment to producing error-free work.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working on conference creative or multi-deliverable campaigns.

• Direct experience with live events, conferences, or trade shows.

• Environmental or large-format signage design experience.

• Familiarity with motion graphics or video editing software (e.g., After Effects, Premiere Pro).

• Basic understanding of digital platforms or event technology interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Preferred Qualifications" suggest a strong preference for candidates with direct experience in event-related design, indicating that this is a key differentiator. The emphasis on "production-ready, scalable files" and "team environments" points to a need for collaborative workflow skills and an understanding of how design assets will be used downstream.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 8+ years of professional graphic design work, with a strong emphasis on end-to-end project ownership.

• Demonstrations of successful event branding and the development of cohesive visual systems for events, conferences, or large campaigns.

• Examples of high-volume output, including diverse collateral such as signage, print materials, and digital assets.

• Case studies highlighting the process of translating project goals into tangible design solutions and managing complex deliverables.

• Evidence of creating production-ready, scalable files with clear organization and efficient structure.

Process Documentation:

• Within portfolio projects, demonstrate the workflow from brief to final delivery, including concept development, iteration, and final file preparation.

• Illustrate how production challenges were identified and resolved, showcasing problem-solving skills and efficiency in file management.

• Show examples of maintaining brand consistency across multiple deliverables and adapting designs for different formats and environments.

• Any documentation or explanation of collaboration processes with internal teams or external stakeholders would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of "end-to-end project ownership and execution." Candidates should curate examples that specifically highlight their experience with event-related design, high-volume production, and the operational aspects of file management and brand consistency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the Sr. Graphic Designer title, 8+ years of experience, and the Atlanta, GA location, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between $75,000 and $95,000 annually. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skill set, and demonstrated portfolio.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy.

• Flexible and Hybrid Work Schedules, allowing for a blend of remote and in-office work.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the company.

Working Hours: The standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week. However, this role requires flexibility in scheduling, including the potential to work evenings and weekends to meet client, event, or company needs, especially during peak production periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior Graphic Designers in major metropolitan areas like Atlanta, accounting for the specified experience level and the hybrid work arrangement. The "flexibility in scheduling" is a key operational aspect requiring proactive time management from the candidate.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Event Management, Association Management, Marketing Services. Etherio operates at the intersection of corporate and association client needs, delivering custom solutions for meetings, events, and membership experiences. This context means a focus on client success, high-stakes deliverables, and a dynamic, project-based workflow.

Company Size: Etherio is a well-established company with a history of industry recognition (30+ years, CMI 25 award), suggesting a stable yet growing organization. The exact employee count isn't specified, but the mention of "internal teams" and "team environments" implies a collaborative structure with sufficient personnel to support diverse client needs.

Founded: Over 30 years ago. This long history indicates stability, experience, and a deep understanding of their client industries. It suggests a company culture that values long-term relationships and proven methodologies.

Team Structure:

• The Sr. Graphic Designer reports directly to the Creative Director, indicating a clear reporting line within a creative department.

• Collaboration is expected with internal teams, likely including account management, event planning, and potentially marketing or sales departments, emphasizing cross-functional teamwork.

Methodology:

• Etherio's purpose is to "create meaningful partnerships, experiences, and connections that fuel growth and accelerate success." This client-centric approach means design solutions must be strategically aligned with client goals.

• They deliver "creative, customer-focused solutions," implying a design process that prioritizes understanding and meeting client and audience needs.

• The company values "purpose," "growth," "partnerships," "experiences," and "connections," suggesting a culture that encourages meaningful work, continuous learning, and strong interpersonal relationships.

Company Website: [Etherio.com] (Implied from domain_derived: etherio.com)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "partnerships, experiences, and connections" suggests a culture that values collaboration and client-centricity. For a designer, this means understanding the "why" behind the design and how it contributes to the client's overall success and attendee experience.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level role within the Graphic Design function. It signifies a transition from purely executing tasks to leading creative initiatives, taking ownership of projects, and contributing to the strategic visual direction of client engagements. It requires a higher degree of autonomy, problem-solving, and decision-making compared to a junior or mid-level designer.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Graphic Designer reports to the Creative Director. This structure provides a clear path for mentorship, feedback, and strategic alignment. It also implies that the Creative Director will set overall creative direction, while the Sr. Graphic Designer is responsible for the detailed execution and project management within that framework.

Operations Impact: The Sr. Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the client's brand perception, attendee engagement, and overall event success. High-quality, strategically aligned design is crucial for creating memorable experiences, conveying key messages effectively, and ultimately contributing to the client's business objectives. Efficient production and file management also impact project timelines and budgets.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in event branding, large-format design, or specific client industries (associations, corporate events).

• Leadership: Potential to mentor junior designers, lead creative projects, or even move into a Creative Lead or Art Director role as experience grows.

• Skill Expansion: Develop skills in areas like motion graphics, video editing, or digital platform design, as suggested by preferred qualifications.

• Client Relationship Management: Gain experience in presenting design concepts directly to clients and managing client feedback, enhancing strategic communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr." title and reporting to the Creative Director suggest that this role is a stepping stone for further career advancement within a creative leadership track, particularly in the specialized field of event and experiential design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Etherio operates a Hybrid work environment. This means the position involves a combination of remote work and in-office presence at their Atlanta office. It also includes the possibility of being onsite at client and/or event locations, requiring adaptability.

Office Location(s): Based in their Atlanta office. Specific details about the office environment (e.g., collaborative spaces, individual workstations) are not provided but can be inferred to support hybrid work and client-facing activities.

Workspace Context:

• Hybrid Model: Requires self-discipline, effective remote communication tools, and the ability to transition between home and office environments.

• Collaborative Environment: The need to build "scalable files for team environments" and collaborate with internal teams suggests an office setup that facilitates teamwork, brainstorming, and knowledge sharing.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) is a given, with potential for other project management or collaboration tools. The potential for onsite client work means adaptability to different work settings.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour week is implied, the role demands "flexibility in scheduling, such as the ability to work evenings and weekends to meet client, event, or company needs." This is particularly true during "peak event production periods" and requires proactive time management and prioritization from the employee.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature, combined with client-site presence and flexible scheduling, indicates a dynamic work environment that demands strong organizational skills and adaptability from the employee.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Review: A key stage where candidates present their work, demonstrating end-to-end project ownership, design process, and technical proficiency. Be prepared to discuss specific projects in detail.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or exercise to evaluate practical skills in areas like layout, typography, or adapting designs to specific briefs.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions assessing problem-solving abilities, collaboration skills, ability to work under pressure, and cultural fit with Etherio's values.

• Meet with Creative Director: Final interview to discuss strategic vision, role expectations, and team integration.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select projects that best showcase experience in event branding, large-format design, print production, and digital assets. Prioritize examples demonstrating end-to-end ownership.

• Tell the Story: For each project, explain the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Showcase Production Skills: Highlight examples of well-organized, scalable files and discuss your process for preparing assets for print and digital use.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include a diverse range of work that showcases your command of typography, color, layout, and visual hierarchy across different project types.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or anecdotes about how your designs contributed to event success or client objectives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, carefully read and understand all requirements, target audience, and objectives. Ask clarifying questions.

• Time Management: Allocate your time wisely across concepting, execution, and presentation.

• Presentation: Be prepared to present your solution clearly and concisely, explaining your rationale and design decisions. Focus on how your solution meets the stated objectives.

• Operations Focus: For this role, a challenge might involve adapting a brand to multiple event collateral pieces or demonstrating efficient file organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes the portfolio. Candidates must be prepared to not only show their work but also articulate the strategic thinking, operational execution, and impact behind their designs.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe InDesign: Essential for layout, print production, and creating multi-page documents like event guides or brochures. Proficiency in master pages, styles, and interactive elements is key.

• Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for logo design, vector graphics, icons, signage artwork, and complex illustrations. Understanding vector manipulation and scalability is vital.

• Adobe Photoshop: Used for image editing, retouching, creating digital assets, and compositing. Experience with layer management and optimization for web/digital is important.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly a design tool, familiarity with how design assets are tracked or perform digitally (e.g., click-through rates on banners, engagement on social graphics) can be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Direct use is unlikely, but understanding how design assets are requested, managed, and deployed within client workflows (potentially aided by CRM or project management tools) is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, along with "advanced proficiency," indicates these are non-negotiable technical requirements. Experience with "print production, file setup, and large-format design" further specifies the operational application of these tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, error-free design work that meets client expectations and deadlines.

• Client-Centricity: Designing with the client's goals and target audience in mind, ensuring solutions are strategic and impactful.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively with internal teams, valuing diverse perspectives, and contributing to a supportive team environment.

• Efficiency & Scalability: A focus on creating organized, production-ready files that streamline workflows and can be easily adapted.

• Continuous Improvement: Staying current with design trends and seeking opportunities to enhance skills and processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with account managers, event planners, and potentially other creative team members. Open communication and a willingness to share information are key.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on designs and processes, leading to better outcomes.

• Proactive Communication: Keeping stakeholders informed about project status, potential challenges, and design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Etherio's stated purpose ("meaningful partnerships, experiences, and connections") and values suggest a culture that emphasizes teamwork, client success, and a shared drive for excellence. For a designer, this means being both a creative contributor and a reliable team player.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Volume Production: Managing a consistent output of diverse design assets while maintaining quality and adhering to tight deadlines.

• Client Demands & Revisions: Balancing client feedback, which can sometimes be subjective or conflicting, with design best practices and project scope.

• Adapting to Diverse Brands: Quickly understanding and effectively applying various client brand guidelines across different event contexts.

• Hybrid Work Integration: Effectively collaborating and maintaining productivity within a hybrid work model, ensuring seamless communication and file sharing.

• Onsite Event Demands: The need for occasional travel and onsite presence means adapting to potentially demanding, fast-paced, and sometimes unpredictable event environments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like large-format graphics, environmental design, or motion graphics.

• Event Industry Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the event planning lifecycle and how design contributes to its success.

• Client Interaction: Developing stronger client-facing communication and presentation skills.

• Process Optimization: Learning and implementing best practices for workflow management, file organization, and team collaboration in a design context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are largely operational and project-management focused, requiring strong organizational skills and resilience. Growth opportunities are geared towards both deepening design expertise and developing stronger client and project management capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a project from initial brief to final deliverable in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment." (Focus on workflow, organization, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple deliverables for a single event or campaign?" (Highlight your understanding of visual systems and attention to detail.)

• "Walk us through a challenging project where you had to manage competing priorities or tight deadlines. How did you handle it?" (Showcase project management and resilience.)

• "Describe your experience with print production and preparing files for large-format printing." (Demonstrate technical expertise in a key area.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Etherio and our focus on creating meaningful experiences?" (Connect your passion to their mission.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends, particularly in the event and association space?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Group projects thematically (e.g., by client type, by project scope) or chronologically.

• Focus on the "Why": For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the challenges, your design rationale, and the outcome.

• Highlight Operational Excellence: Point out examples of well-organized files, efficient production workflows, and successful problem-solving.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Expect questions about software proficiency, print specifications, and file formats.

• Engage and Converse: Treat it as a collaborative discussion, not just a presentation. Be ready to answer follow-up questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent, but also the operational discipline, project management skills, and collaborative attitude required for a senior role in a client-facing, project-driven organization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on recruitingbypaycor.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your online or PDF portfolio to prominently feature relevant work showcasing event branding, large-format design, print production, and end-to-end project ownership. Highlight at least 2-3 strong examples that align with Etherio's focus on events and associations.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 8+ years of professional experience, emphasizing achievements in high-output environments, project leadership, and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite. Use keywords from the job description such as "event branding," "print production," "large-format design," and "project ownership."

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and how you manage multiple projects effectively. Be ready to discuss specific portfolio pieces in detail during an interview.

• Research Etherio: Familiarize yourself with Etherio's mission, values, and the types of clients they serve. Understand their approach to creating "meaningful partnerships, experiences, and connections" to tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.