Junior Graphic Designer (GSV)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer (GSV)

Company: Golden State

Location: San Francisco, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-06T23:21:53

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is integral to the Corporate Partnership Insights team, specifically focusing on the Golden State Valkyries, requiring a strong foundation in visual communication and design principles.

• Responsibilities involve the end-to-end creation of sales proposals, partner venue branding, and departmental collateral, demanding meticulous attention to detail and creative problem-solving within a fast-paced sports and entertainment environment.

• Candidates will collaborate closely with sales and development teams to conceptualize and execute go-to-market materials, ensuring brand consistency and impact.

• The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a developing sports franchise, gaining hands-on experience in generating GTM strategies and showcasing measurable results through case studies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Junior Graphic Designer," the description emphasizes its placement within a "Corporate Partnership Insights" team and "Commercial creative efforts." This suggests a role that bridges design with business objectives, focusing on sales enablement and partnership marketing. The responsibilities lean heavily into creating sales collateral and visually representing partnership value, rather than general brand design. This implies a need for understanding sales cycles and partner ROI.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop visually compelling Corporate Partnership proposals and go-to-market (GTM) materials in close collaboration with the Partnership Sales & Development teams for the Golden State Valkyries.

• Provide creative support for Valkyries partnership requests, including event signage, in-game activation visuals, event invitations, LED display mock-ups, and newsletter design.

• Assist in the development, implementation, and installation of partner signage at Chase Center for Valkyries home games, ensuring accurate execution and brand representation.

• Create detailed case studies for Valkyries partnerships, effectively articulating business challenges, activation objectives, and quantifiable results to demonstrate value.

• Work cross-functionally with internal Valkyries stakeholders to design and produce GTM materials for community impact programming, social content series, and various marketing platforms.

• Produce custom graphics, photographic elements, and render mock-ups that align with specific business objectives and client needs.

• Support the broader Commercial creative initiatives for the Golden State Warriors Partnership team and Premium Sales/Service team, contributing to overall revenue-generating efforts.

• Undertake additional duties as assigned by the Director, Partnership Insights, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to contribute across various creative projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a focus on sales enablement and partnership marketing. Developing "case studies that articulate the business challenge, activation objectives, and measurable results" is a key aspect that requires not just design skills but an understanding of business outcomes and data visualization for revenue operations. The collaboration with "Partnership Sales & Development teams" and "Premium Sales/Service team" further reinforces this GTM focus.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field, or equivalent practical work experience demonstrating a strong foundation in design principles.

Experience: Minimum of 1 year of professional experience in a graphic design role, preferably within a creative agency setting or a sports property/organization, with a proven track record of contributing to marketing and sales initiatives.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign, for creating high-quality visual assets.

• Strong command of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) for integration into proposals and presentations.

• Demonstrated ability to create impactful visual marketing materials and sales proposals that drive business objectives.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, essential for effective collaboration with internal teams and external partners.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment, meeting deadlines consistently.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within the sports and entertainment industry, understanding the unique demands of event branding and sponsorship activation.

• Familiarity with motion graphics or video editing software, to enhance visual storytelling capabilities.

• Basic understanding of user experience (UX) principles as they apply to digital GTM materials and presentations.

• Experience with creating dynamic infographics and data visualizations to represent performance metrics effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "creative portfolio" is paramount. For this role, the portfolio should ideally showcase examples of sales collateral, proposal design, event branding, and potentially data visualization or case study layouts, demonstrating an ability to translate business needs into compelling visual narratives that support revenue generation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects that highlight your ability to create comprehensive sales proposals and go-to-market (GTM) materials.

• Include examples of event branding and signage design, demonstrating an understanding of spatial design and brand application in physical spaces.

• Present at least one project that illustrates the development of a case study, clearly outlining a business challenge, the implemented solution, and measurable results.

• Demonstrate proficiency in creating custom graphics, photo manipulations, and render mock-ups for various marketing and partnership objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their design process, from initial brief interpretation to final asset delivery, emphasizing workflow efficiency and collaboration.

• Be prepared to discuss how you approach translating complex business objectives or data into clear, visually engaging designs.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how design assets are integrated into broader sales processes and GTM strategies.

• Highlight any experience with iterative design processes, feedback incorporation, and quality assurance checks to ensure final deliverables meet business requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on sales proposals and partnership marketing, the portfolio should strongly emphasize the business impact of the design work. Candidates should be ready to discuss how their designs contributed to closing deals, enhancing partner engagement, or achieving specific GTM objectives. This aligns with revenue operations principles of driving efficiency and effectiveness in sales and marketing efforts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $26.55 per hour, potentially supplemented by a bonus. Based on San Francisco's cost of living and the entry-level nature of this role within a professional sports organization, this hourly rate is competitive for junior creative positions. The bonus structure could provide additional compensation based on individual or team performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage for employees and their dependents, ensuring robust health support.

• Employer 401K match, providing a valuable retirement savings benefit.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) plan, including vacation days and summer half-day Fridays, promoting work-life balance.

• Extended paid leave for pregnancy and parental situations, supporting employees during significant life events.

• Exclusive perks such as Warriors home tickets, team store discounts, and other employee-exclusive benefits, enhancing the overall employee experience within a sports franchise.

Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per week, with potential for extended hours during peak periods, game days, or event activations, typical for the sports and entertainment industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate of $26.55 suggests an annualized salary of approximately $55,224 for a 40-hour work week, before any potential bonuses. This falls within the entry-level to junior range for graphic design roles in a high-cost-of-living area like San Francisco, especially within the sports industry. The inclusion of "Bonus" indicates performance-based incentives, common in sales-support roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports and Entertainment, specifically professional basketball with the formation of the Golden State Valkyries, a new WNBA team. This industry is characterized by high energy, fast-paced operations, and a strong focus on fan engagement and revenue generation through partnerships and ticket sales.

Company Size: The Golden State organization, including the Warriors and the new Valkyries team, is a large, established entity within professional sports. This implies a structured environment with dedicated departments for various functions, including marketing, sales, operations, and creative services.

Founded: The Golden State Warriors were founded in 1946, with a long history in the NBA. The Golden State Valkyries are a new expansion team, established in 2023, representing a period of growth and new initiatives within the organization.

Team Structure:

• The Junior Graphic Designer will be part of the Corporate Partnership Insights team, reporting to the Director, Partnership Insights. This team likely works closely with the Partnership Sales & Development teams.

• The role involves cross-functional collaboration with various internal Valkyries stakeholders and potentially with members of the Golden State Warriors' Commercial and Premium Sales/Service teams.

Methodology:

• The team likely employs a data-driven approach to partnership insights, using analytics to inform creative strategies and demonstrate ROI to corporate partners.

• Workflow planning and optimization are critical, especially in the initial phases of a new team, requiring efficient processes for proposal development and asset creation.

• Automation and efficiency practices may be leveraged where possible, but the core of this role is hands-on creative execution and strategic visual communication.

Company Website: www.warriors.com/employment

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of a new WNBA team (Golden State Valkyries) within an established NBA organization (Golden State Warriors) means this role is part of an exciting, high-growth phase. This often translates to a dynamic, sometimes less defined, but highly collaborative work environment where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful. Expect a culture that values creativity, initiative, and adaptability.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at the entry-level "Junior" stage, suitable for individuals with foundational graphic design skills and 1-2 years of professional experience. It serves as a stepping stone into the specialized field of sports marketing and partnership design.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer reports directly to the Director, Partnership Insights, who likely oversees the strategic output of the insights and creative support for partnerships. This provides a clear line of mentorship and guidance.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts the sales pipeline by creating compelling proposals and GTM materials that help secure corporate partnerships, a key revenue driver for the organization. They also enhance brand perception and fan engagement through event branding and community programming visuals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in sports branding, partnership marketing design, and visual storytelling within a specific sports league (WNBA).

• Advancement: Potential to progress to a Graphic Designer, Senior Graphic Designer, or even Art Director role within the organization, managing more complex projects and potentially a small team.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain valuable experience working across sales, marketing, community relations, and event management departments, broadening understanding of GTM strategies.

• Portfolio Development: Build a robust portfolio with high-profile sports clients and successful partnership campaigns, enhancing future career prospects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, understanding how this design role contributes to revenue is key. The "measurable results" in case studies and the direct link to "Corporate Partnership proposals" and "go-to-market materials" highlight its function in supporting the sales funnel and revenue generation. Growth here is about becoming a specialist in sports partnership creative, a valuable niche.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in San Francisco, CA, with travel to Oakland, CA. This indicates a hybrid work environment where the primary base is the main office, but site visits to venues like Chase Center (Oakland) are expected for on-site installations and event support.

Office Location(s): Primary office in San Francisco, CA. Travel to Oakland, CA, likely for game days and venue-specific activations at Chase Center.

Workspace Context:

• The San Francisco office will likely offer a collaborative workspace conducive to team meetings and individual design work, potentially with access to advanced creative technology.

• The environment is expected to be fast-paced and energetic, typical of professional sports organizations, requiring adaptability and quick turnaround times.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with sales teams, partnership managers, and other creative professionals will be frequent, fostering a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: The position is full-time, with a standard 40-hour work week. However, the nature of sports and events means flexibility is required, with potential for extended hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays, especially during the Valkyries' season and major events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "onsite in San Francisco with travel to Oakland" implies that a significant portion of the work will be in an office setting, but hands-on involvement at the venue is a core requirement. This blend of office-based creative work and on-site execution is common for roles supporting live events and partnerships.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and creative portfolio to assess foundational design skills, relevant experience, and overall fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Director, Partnership Insights, focusing on your design process, technical proficiency, and understanding of the role's responsibilities.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study Review: A dedicated session where you will present selected pieces from your portfolio, elaborating on your creative choices, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work, particularly any examples related to sales enablement or partnership marketing.

• Cross-functional Interview (Potential): You may meet with members of the Partnership Sales or Marketing teams to assess your collaborative skills and ability to understand and execute on business objectives.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss cultural fit and long-term potential within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, emphasizing sales proposals, GTM materials, and event branding.

• Showcase Process & Impact: For each project, be prepared to discuss your design process, the business challenge, your creative solutions, and any measurable outcomes or impact (e.g., how your design contributed to a successful pitch or partnership).

• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Be ready to explain your tool usage (Adobe Creative Suite) and any specific techniques or software you employed.

• Tailor to Sports/Partnerships: If possible, include projects that demonstrate an understanding of the sports industry, event aesthetics, or corporate partnership dynamics.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether digital or physical.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge that might involve creating a sample proposal element, a social media graphic, or a piece of event signage based on a hypothetical Valkyries partnership scenario.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, focusing on how your creative choices support business goals and partner objectives.

• Think about how you would translate data or key performance indicators into visually effective graphics for case studies or presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio review is critical. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about demonstrating how design serves as a tool for revenue generation and partnership success. Candidates should be prepared to speak to the "business challenge, activation objectives, and measurable results" for their case study examples, directly linking their design work to tangible outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for all graphic design tasks, from concept to final production.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Strong command of PowerPoint for proposal creation and presentation design, Word for document integration, and Excel for data handling if needed.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytical role, understanding how to visually represent data within case studies and proposals using tools like Excel or potentially Tableau/Power BI basics for data visualization will be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are listed as primary requirements, but an understanding of how design assets are utilized within sales and marketing workflows, potentially managed through a CRM or project management system, is advantageous.

• Awareness of digital asset management (DAM) systems could be beneficial for organizing and distributing creative assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is heavily on the Adobe Creative Suite. For a role supporting sales and partnerships, proficiency in PowerPoint for creating polished, visually rich proposals is equally critical. The ability to translate data into clear visuals within these tools is a key differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging fresh ideas and unique visual approaches to stand out in a competitive sports market.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where cross-functional teams work together seamlessly to achieve common goals.

• Results-Oriented: A focus on delivering design solutions that directly contribute to business objectives, such as securing partnerships and enhancing brand perception.

• Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy and quality in all visual assets, from proposal layouts to event signage, reflecting professionalism and brand integrity.

• Adaptability: Thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly, especially with a new team launch.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with sales, partnership development, and marketing teams, necessitating strong communication and an understanding of diverse stakeholder needs.

• Feedback & Iteration: An open approach to receiving and incorporating feedback is crucial for refining designs and ensuring they meet business requirements and partner expectations.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design insights and best practices with team members and to learn from others across different departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely to be high-energy, driven by the excitement of a new sports franchise. Success will depend on an individual's ability to integrate into a team that values both creative output and tangible business results. The emphasis on "measurable results" and "partnership success" indicates a culture that bridges creative passion with commercial acumen.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: The sports industry, particularly with a new team, operates at a high tempo, requiring quick turnarounds and the ability to manage multiple demanding projects simultaneously.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Business Needs: Effectively translating corporate partner objectives and sales targets into compelling visual designs that resonate with diverse audiences.

• Adapting to a New Brand: Contributing to the visual identity and brand narrative of a brand-new professional sports team (Golden State Valkyries) requires innovation and consistency.

• On-site Venue Demands: Working on-site for installations and activations can involve logistical challenges and working under pressure during live events.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Deepen expertise in sports branding, partnership marketing collateral, and event graphics.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience within the professional sports and entertainment sector, understanding its unique operational and marketing dynamics.

• Mentorship: Learn from experienced professionals in partnership insights, sales, and marketing within a well-established sports organization.

• Portfolio Building: Develop a strong portfolio with high-impact projects for a prominent sports franchise, enhancing future career opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be to quickly understand the business objectives driving partnership requests and translate them into effective visual solutions. Growth opportunities are significant for someone looking to specialize in sports marketing and sales enablement design, offering a clear path within a dynamic industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating a sales proposal from initial brief to final delivery. How do you ensure it meets both creative standards and business objectives?" (Focus on workflow, collaboration, and results.)

• "How would you approach designing a case study for a corporate partnership that highlights measurable results? What key elements would you include?" (Demonstrate understanding of data visualization and ROI communication.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the Golden State Valkyries and the sports industry specifically?" (Express enthusiasm for sports, new ventures, and the Valkyries.)

• "How do you handle tight deadlines and multiple competing projects in a fast-paced environment, like that of a professional sports team?" (Highlight time management, prioritization, and adaptability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each portfolio piece, present the "why" behind your design: the business problem, your creative process, the solution, and the outcome/impact.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs, especially for partnership materials.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be ready to discuss specific tools and techniques used in Adobe Creative Suite and how they contributed to the final product.

• Showcase Versatility: Present a range of work that demonstrates your ability to adapt your style and approach to different project types and client needs within the sports context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for not just design talent, but also an understanding of how design functions within a revenue-generating context. Being able to articulate the business value of your creative work, especially in relation to sales and partnerships, will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Carefully curate your digital portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to sales proposals, GTM materials, event branding, and case studies. Ensure it's easily accessible and showcases your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience in creative agencies or sports properties, your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience in visual marketing or sales collateral development. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, creative rationale, and the business impact of your work. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, deadline management, and problem-solving.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with the Golden State Warriors, the new Golden State Valkyries team, their brand identity, and their current marketing initiatives to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their operational context.

⚠️ 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.