Junior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Company: Dean Dorton

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: August 21, 2026

Experience Level: Junior (1-3 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the firm's brand and marketing initiatives through the creation of engaging, high-quality visual content across digital and print platforms.

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Marketing Brand Manager and cross-functional teams to develop assets that align with Dean Dorton’s established visual identity.

• Design a variety of marketing collateral, including brochures, presentations, social media graphics, event signage, and advertisements, ensuring brand consistency.

• Create essential visual assets for digital platforms such as the website, email campaigns, and internal newsletters, enhancing user engagement and brand recognition.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Junior Graphic Designer," the scope of responsibilities, particularly in supporting internal communications and contributing to process improvements, suggests a role that bridges creative execution with foundational marketing operations support. The emphasis on brand consistency and asset organization points towards a need for someone who can maintain operational efficiency within the creative workflow.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a wide range of marketing collateral, including brochures, presentations, social media graphics, event signage, and advertisements, ensuring strict adherence to brand guidelines.

• Develop compelling visual assets for various digital platforms, such as the company website, email marketing campaigns, and internal employee newsletters, to enhance engagement and communication.

• Maintain and uphold the firm's visual identity across all created materials, acting as a guardian of brand consistency and aesthetic integrity.

• Assist in multimedia projects, including video editing and photography, to support broader marketing and communication objectives as required.

• Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and the Senior Marketing Brand Manager to understand creative briefs, gather requirements, and incorporate feedback into design iterations.

• Organize and manage design files, templates, and brand assets, ensuring easy accessibility and efficient retrieval for the entire marketing team.

• Proactively research and implement new design tools, industry trends, and techniques to elevate the quality and innovation of visual content.

• Support firmwide employee communications and internal initiatives by creating relevant and impactful visual assets.

• Participate actively in marketing team meetings, contribute to process improvement discussions, and engage in brainstorming sessions for new creative strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed go beyond basic design tasks. The emphasis on "supporting firmwide employee communications" and "participating in team meetings, process improvements, and brainstorming sessions" indicates a need for a candidate who can contribute to operational efficiency and strategic marketing initiatives, not just execute design requests.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 1–3 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a preference for experience within a marketing department, agency, or corporate environment.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level command of InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop for professional design output.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Demonstrated ability to consistently apply and maintain brand identity standards across all creative assets.

• Digital Asset Creation: Proven experience designing graphics for digital platforms including websites, social media, and email campaigns.

• Typography and Layout Expertise: Strong understanding and application of typography, layout principles, and color theory to create visually appealing and effective designs.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with team members and stakeholders.

• Organizational Skills: Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Video Editing & Motion Graphics: Familiarity with video editing software (e.g., Premiere Pro) and/or motion graphics tools (e.g., After Effects) for dynamic content creation.

• Lightweight Design Platforms: Experience with tools like Canva for quick design tasks or for empowering non-designers.

• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency: Competency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for creating presentations and integrating graphics into documents.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with project management software such as Asana or Monday.com for workflow tracking and task management.

• Digital Marketing Best Practices: Understanding of design principles relevant to digital marketing platforms and social media engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "1-3 years of experience" coupled with the requirement for proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and demonstrated attention to detail in typography and layout, positions this role for a recent graduate or someone early in their career. The preferred skills in video editing and project management tools suggest a growth trajectory towards more integrated marketing operations functions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of design projects showcasing versatility across digital and print mediums.

• Demonstrations of strong typography, layout, and color application in various contexts.

• Examples of marketing collateral (brochures, presentations, social media graphics) that align with brand guidelines.

• If applicable, examples of digital assets created for websites, email campaigns, or internal communications. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of organized file management and asset organization within past projects.

• Examples of how feedback was incorporated into design revisions, highlighting a collaborative design process.

• Case studies or project descriptions that outline the design process from brief to final execution, including any problem-solving steps.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Junior Graphic Designer, the portfolio is key. It should not only showcase creative talent but also demonstrate an understanding of how design supports business objectives and brand consistency. The inclusion of process documentation emphasizes the need for candidates who can work efficiently and collaboratively within established workflows, a critical aspect of operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Junior Graphic Designers in Cincinnati, Ohio, with 1-3 years of experience, a typical salary range would be $45,000 - $60,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Cincinnati and the firm's standing as a professional services organization.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Schedules & Environment: Adaptable work arrangements to support work-life balance.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous paid time off for rest and rejuvenation.

• Comprehensive Leave Programs: Paid family leave, medical leave, and maternity/paternity leave programs to support personal needs.

• Retirement Benefits: Robust retirement savings plan with a best-in-class employer match and automatic profit sharing, contributing to long-term financial security.

• Health & Wellness: Telemedicine services, mental health resources, and wellness program reimbursement to support overall well-being.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered in scheduling as part of the hybrid work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on typical market rates for a Junior Graphic Designer in the specified location and experience level. It is crucial for candidates to verify the exact compensation package directly with Dean Dorton. The benefits listed are extensive and reflect a company culture that prioritizes employee well-being and long-term financial planning, which can be a significant draw for operations-minded professionals seeking stability.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services (Certified Public Accounting, Business Advisory, Technology Solutions). This industry demands precision, reliability, and a client-centric approach, influencing the need for clear, professional, and impactful communications.

Company Size: Dean Dorton is a substantial professional services firm, suggesting a structured environment with established processes and a significant client base. This scale implies opportunities for diverse project exposure and potential for career advancement within a well-resourced organization.

Founded: Dean Dorton has a history that signifies stability and a proven track record in the professional services sector. This longevity suggests a culture that values tradition, expertise, and long-term client relationships, while also adapting to modern business needs.

Team Structure:

• Marketing Team: This team likely comprises specialists in brand management, digital marketing, content creation, and potentially operations support, working collaboratively to drive firm growth and visibility.

• Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer reports to the Senior Marketing Brand Manager, indicating a clear line of guidance and mentorship within a specialized function.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires interaction with various departments and stakeholders across the firm, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and brand consistency in internal and external messaging.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Strategies: Dean Dorton emphasizes data-driven strategies, suggesting that marketing efforts, including design, are informed by analytics and aimed at measurable impact.

• Integrated Solutions: The firm offers an integrated suite of services, implying a collaborative approach where different departments work together to provide comprehensive client solutions.

• Innovation and Adaptation: The company culture values "growth mindset" and staying "curious," indicating an openness to new ideas, technologies, and evolving market demands.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values (Integrity, Relationships, Collaboration, Growth) are highly relevant to operations roles. They suggest a workplace where process adherence, teamwork, and continuous improvement are valued. The emphasis on data-driven strategies is particularly important for anyone in a marketing or operations function, as it implies a focus on measurable results and ROI.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Junior Graphic Designer role is positioned at an entry-level to early-career stage within the marketing and creative function. It offers a foundational experience in applying design principles within a corporate setting and understanding how creative output supports broader business objectives.

Reporting Structure: Reporting directly to the Senior Marketing Brand Manager provides a clear path for mentorship, skill development, and direct feedback on creative projects and brand consistency. This structure is typical for junior roles, ensuring guidance and oversight.

Operations Impact: While not directly a "revenue operations" role, the Junior Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the firm's brand perception, client engagement, and internal communication effectiveness. High-quality visual assets can enhance marketing campaign performance, improve the clarity of internal communications, and contribute to a professional brand image, indirectly supporting sales and client retention efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design software (e.g., mastering After Effects for motion graphics) or digital marketing design best practices.

• Brand Management Acumen: Develop a strong understanding of brand strategy, guidelines, and their application across diverse marketing channels under the guidance of the Senior Brand Manager.

• Cross-functional Project Exposure: Gain experience working on projects for different firm departments, broadening understanding of various business functions and their communication needs.

• Potential for Senior Design Roles: With demonstrated growth in skills, project management, and strategic thinking, progression to Senior Graphic Designer or specialized creative roles is possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities highlight a pathway beyond pure design execution. The emphasis on brand management acumen and cross-functional exposure suggests that successful candidates can evolve into roles with more strategic input and operational oversight within the marketing function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as Hybrid, indicating a blend of remote work and in-office presence. This offers flexibility while ensuring opportunities for in-person collaboration, team building, and direct mentorship.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Cincinnati, Ohio. Occasional travel to other Dean Dorton offices or company events may be required, suggesting a need for adaptability and willingness to engage in person when necessary.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on collaboration suggest a workspace that balances individual focus time with team interaction, facilitating idea exchange and project alignment.

• Tools and Technology: Access to Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and potentially project management tools will be standard, supporting efficient design workflows and communication.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the Senior Marketing Brand Manager and other marketing team members, as well as ad-hoc collaboration with stakeholders across the firm, will be integral to the role.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement and emphasis on flexible work schedules suggest that while core hours may exist, there is an allowance for managing personal time and optimizing productivity based on individual needs and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role aligns with modern work expectations and offers a balance that can appeal to operations professionals who value structure but also require flexibility. The explicit mention of flexible work schedules and environments is a significant benefit.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Creative Assessment/Portfolio Review: A discussion focused on the candidate's portfolio, diving into specific projects, design choices, and problem-solving approaches. This may include a presentation of selected work.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions designed to assess collaboration, communication, adaptability, and alignment with Dean Dorton's core values (Integrity, Relationships, Collaboration, Growth).

• Technical Skills Evaluation: Potential for a brief design exercise or discussion about specific software functionalities to confirm proficiency.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with additional team members or leadership to ensure cultural fit and discuss overall contribution potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the requirements of this Junior Graphic Designer role, focusing on marketing collateral and digital assets.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, the tools used, and the outcome. Highlight how you incorporated feedback.

• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: Include at least one project that clearly shows your ability to adhere to and execute within established brand guidelines.

• Highlight Versatility: If possible, include examples across different mediums (digital, print) and formats (social media, presentations, brochures).

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether it's a digital link or a physical presentation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential small design task that might involve creating a social media graphic, a simple flyer, or adapting existing assets within a given timeframe.

• Brand Consistency: Practice applying brand guidelines to mock scenarios.

• Problem-Solving: Think about how you would approach a design request with limited information or challenging feedback.

• Value Alignment: Prepare examples of how you embody Dean Dorton's core values in your work and interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design exercises indicates that practical skills and the ability to translate concepts into tangible visual assets are paramount. Understanding how to integrate feedback and work within brand parameters is crucial for operational efficiency in a creative role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for professional graphic design. Proficiency in InDesign (for layout and print), Illustrator (for vector graphics and logos), and Photoshop (for image editing and digital graphics) is required.

• Video Editing & Motion Graphics: Familiarity with Premiere Pro and After Effects is considered a plus, indicating opportunities to expand into more dynamic content creation.

• Lightweight Design Platforms: Canva or similar tools are mentioned, suggesting their use for quicker tasks or for broader team access to design capabilities.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly responsible for analytics, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics on digital platforms (website, social media, email) is beneficial. Awareness of tools that track digital performance would be advantageous.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role, but understanding how marketing collateral is deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms could be a plus for broader context.

Productivity & Collaboration:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Including Word, PowerPoint (for presentations), and Excel.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with Asana or Monday.com is listed, indicating their use for task management, workflow tracking, and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of specific software like Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and project management tools (Asana, Monday.com) provides clear technical requirements. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency and experience with these tools, highlighting how they leverage them for efficient workflow and quality output.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding honesty and ethical standards in all design work and client interactions, ensuring truthful representation and reliable output.

• Relationships: Valuing interpersonal connections and effective communication with team members, stakeholders, and potentially clients, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.

• Collaboration: Actively participating in team efforts, sharing ideas, and working constructively with others to achieve common marketing and business goals.

• Growth: Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning, embracing new design techniques, software, and industry trends to enhance personal skills and contribute to the team's evolution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role necessitates working seamlessly with the Senior Marketing Brand Manager and other firm departments, requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of objectives.

• Feedback Exchange: An openness to receiving and incorporating constructive feedback is essential for design iteration and improvement, contributing to a culture of mutual learning.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing design insights, new techniques, or organizational tips with the team can foster a more efficient and innovative marketing function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values are deeply ingrained in its culture and directly inform how team members are expected to operate. For an operations-focused perspective, understanding how these values translate into daily tasks—such as meticulous file organization (Integrity), proactive communication (Relationships), team project execution (Collaboration), and skill development (Growth)—is key to demonstrating cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Managing diverse design requests from various stakeholders with competing deadlines requires strong prioritization and time management skills.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring that all visual output strictly adheres to evolving brand guidelines across a wide range of applications can be demanding.

• Incorporating Feedback: Effectively translating constructive criticism into design improvements while maintaining creative integrity and project scope.

• Adapting to New Technologies: Staying current with rapidly evolving design software, tools, and digital trends to ensure the firm's visual content remains modern and effective.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Proficiency: Opportunities to master more complex features within Adobe Creative Suite or become proficient in motion graphics and video editing tools.

• Brand Strategy Development: Gaining deeper insight into the strategic thinking behind brand positioning and marketing campaigns.

• Digital Marketing Integration: Understanding how design assets perform within digital marketing channels and how to optimize them for engagement and conversion.

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from the Senior Marketing Brand Manager on creative execution, project management, and career development within the firm.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in creative operations roles. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to navigate these challenges through structured processes, clear communication, and a proactive approach to skill enhancement, aligning with operations principles of efficiency and continuous improvement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating a social media graphic from brief to final delivery. How do you ensure brand consistency and engagement?" (Focus on workflow, tools, and brand adherence)

• "How do you handle receiving critical feedback on a design you are passionate about? Provide an example." (Focus on collaboration, adaptability, and professionalism)

• "Imagine you have three urgent design requests from different departments with conflicting deadlines. How would you prioritize and manage these tasks?" (Focus on organizational skills, time management, and stakeholder communication) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Dean Dorton's core values (Integrity, Relationships, Collaboration, Growth) align with your personal work ethic and approach to design?" (Prepare specific examples for each value)

• "What interests you most about working for a professional services firm like Dean Dorton, as opposed to another industry?" (Research the firm's services and client base)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies?" (Showcase your proactive learning and growth mindset) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a concise story about the challenge, your solution, and the impact.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your systematic approach to design, including how you organized files, incorporated feedback, and ensured brand compliance.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs led to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement on social media, higher click-through rates on emails), be prepared to share those metrics.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is visually clean, follows your own design principles, and is easy for the interviewer to follow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also an understanding of process, collaboration, and how design contributes to business objectives. Being able to articulate your workflow, handle feedback professionally, and align with company values will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight specific design software proficiencies (Adobe Creative Suite, etc.), relevant project experience (marketing collateral, digital assets), and any experience with project management tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, showcases your best work relevant to the role's responsibilities (especially marketing collateral and digital graphics), and is easily accessible. Be ready to discuss specific projects and your design process.

• Research Dean Dorton: Familiarize yourself with Dean Dorton's services, client base, and company culture. Pay attention to their current branding and marketing materials to understand their visual identity.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare answers for common interview questions, focusing on your design process, collaboration skills, ability to handle feedback, and alignment with the company's values. Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and effectively.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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