Marketing Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Marketing Designer

Company: Community Financial System, Inc.

Location: Syracuse, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-07-28

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the end-to-end creation and execution of marketing collateral and programs, ensuring brand consistency and messaging across multiple business units.

• It involves managing marketing campaigns, developing sales support materials, and collaborating with internal teams and external vendors for effective content delivery.

• The position requires a blend of creative design skills and strategic marketing thinking to drive awareness and engagement.

• The role is critical in supporting both external marketing initiatives and internal sales enablement efforts within the financial services sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Marketing Designer," the responsibilities described, such as campaign management, optimization recommendations, and sales support material creation, indicate a role that bridges design with operational marketing execution. This suggests a need for understanding Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies from a creative and logistical perspective, aligning with operational efficiency in marketing.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, manage, and execute marketing campaigns and collateral development to generate awareness and drive desired actions.

• Analyze current marketing efforts, provide optimization recommendations, and leverage findings for future campaign planning.

• Determine collateral needs, manage design/layout processes, and ensure timely creation of marketing assets against deadlines.

• Design and repurpose pre-approved content into various formats for distribution and amplification across diverse media channels.

• Create essential marketing materials to support sales and marketing needs, responding to ad-hoc requests for local initiatives and corporate sponsorships, including customer appreciation events, local print ads, and direct mail campaigns.

• Develop materials for sales training and promotions, including designing sales support pieces for business development activities and creating PowerPoint presentations for sales staff.

• Liaise effectively with marketing partners and vendors, such as the purchasing department, printers, and mailhouses, to facilitate the production of marketing materials.

• Collaborate with external advertising agencies to ensure cohesive and impactful campaign execution.

• Provide additional support and administrative activities as required by the marketing department to ensure operational efficiency.

• Ensure all marketing materials undergo proper approval processes and maintain complete documentation, adhering strictly to all government, insurance, or banking laws, rules, regulations, and prescribed policies/practices/procedures to minimize risk and uphold ethical standards.

• Maintain proficient knowledge of all applicable laws and regulations, demonstrating ongoing compliance with policies, procedures, and internal controls, and completing all required training in a timely manner.

• Assist the Sales and Marketing Departments and the company in achieving annual goals as an integral member of the Marketing Department, potentially requiring some weekend hours during training, events, or acquisition conversions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Make optimization recommendations on current marketing and use findings in planning for future campaigns" is a key indicator of an operations-focused mindset. This implies a need for data analysis and performance tracking, even within a design role, to inform future strategies and improve operational efficiency of marketing efforts.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• B.A. degree in Graphic Design or a related field of study.

• All applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Experience:

• 3-5 years of professional experience in the marketing and graphic design field.

• Proven experience in developing and implementing marketing strategies and tactics.

• Experience with bank, insurance, and/or investment marketing is preferred but not required. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Exceptional organizational and communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Detail-oriented with superior writing and editing capabilities.

• Analytical and creative thinking abilities.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• Team player with a collaborative approach to work.

• Strong understanding of branding principles and maintaining brand consistency. Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, particularly advanced features.

• Experience with website design principles and content management systems.

• Familiarity with financial services marketing regulations and compliance requirements.

• Experience in campaign management and execution.

• Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects from inception to completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "3-5 years of professional experience" combined with "developing and implementing marketing strategies and tactics" suggests this role is not purely execution-focused but requires strategic input. This aligns with an operational perspective where design supports broader GTM strategies and requires an understanding of their impact.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of marketing collateral and campaign work, demonstrating creative execution and strategic thinking.

• Specific examples of collateral developed for diverse media (print, digital, direct mail) and for various business objectives (sales support, events, sponsorships).

• Visual case studies illustrating the process from concept to final product, highlighting design decisions and their rationale.

• Evidence of brand consistency across multiple pieces and campaigns, showing an understanding of brand guidelines. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have managed project timelines and deliverables for marketing collateral creation.

• Documentation or descriptions of processes used to gather input, iterate on designs, and obtain approvals for marketing materials.

• Demonstrations of how you have repurposed content across different formats and channels, optimizing for reach and impact.

• Any examples of contributing to marketing campaign planning or providing optimization recommendations based on previous campaign performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, a "Marketing Designer" in a role involving campaign management and optimization recommendations would benefit from showcasing experience with project management workflows, content repurposing strategies, and how design decisions were informed by or contributed to marketing campaign objectives. This highlights an operational efficiency aspect of design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $62,400 - $88,000 USD per year

Explanation: This range is based on the provided minimum and maximum salary figures and reflects standard compensation for a mid-level Marketing Designer with 3-5 years of experience in the Syracuse, NY area, considering the financial services industry.

Benefits:

• 11 Paid holidays

• Paid vacation

• Medical insurance

• Vision insurance

• Dental insurance

• 401K with generous match

• Pension plan

• Tuition reimbursement

• Banking discounts Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week.

• Potential for some weekend hours required during training, events, or acquisition conversions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided ($62,400 - $88,000 USD) is typical for a mid-level designer in a regional market like Syracuse. The inclusion of a pension plan is noteworthy and suggests a company with a long-standing commitment to employee benefits. The mention of potential weekend work highlights the operational demands that can arise in marketing support roles, especially during critical periods.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance, Risk Management, Benefit Plan Administration).

Company Size: Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI) operates over 200 customer facilities, indicating a large regional presence and a substantial employee base, likely in the thousands.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's multi-faceted financial services offerings suggest a well-established organization with a history of growth and diversification.

Team Structure:

• The Marketing Designer will be part of the Marketing Department.

• The role requires collaboration with various business units, internal sales teams, and external partners (vendors, agencies).

• Reporting lines are not specified but are likely to a Marketing Manager or Director. Methodology:

• Emphasis on providing high-quality, personalized financial services.

• Commitment to employee development, competitive compensation, and benefits.

• Celebrates and supports a diverse workplace, fostering an equal-opportunity environment.

• Focus on managing campaigns and collateral development from conception to execution, with an eye for optimization and brand consistency.

Company Website: https://careers.cbna.com

📝 Enhancement Note: As a large regional financial institution, CFSI likely has structured operational processes and a strong emphasis on compliance and risk management, which would extend to its marketing and design functions. The diverse service offerings mean the Marketing Designer may need to adapt messaging and visuals for different customer segments and product lines.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level individual contributor role, focusing on the execution and strategic design aspects of marketing collateral and programs. It requires a blend of creative talent and an understanding of marketing operations.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Marketing Manager or Director within the Marketing Department. Collaboration with internal sales teams and external vendors is a key aspect of the role's operational interaction.

Operations Impact: The Marketing Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, sales enablement, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. By creating consistent, high-quality materials and supporting campaign execution, the role contributes to lead generation, customer engagement, and ultimately, the financial performance of various business units.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to specialize in specific marketing channels (e.g., digital design, direct marketing) or product lines within financial services.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to deepen expertise in campaign management, marketing strategy, and potentially learn new design or marketing technologies.

• Leadership: Advancement to a Senior Marketing Designer role or a Marketing Manager position, overseeing campaigns or a design team, leveraging the operational understanding gained.

• Cross-Functional Moves: Potential to move into broader marketing operations or campaign management roles by demonstrating strategic thinking and project execution capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "professional development and advancement opportunities" suggests a structured approach to employee growth. For a designer, this often means enhancing technical skills, understanding broader marketing strategy, and potentially developing project management capabilities to handle more complex operational aspects of campaigns.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as Hybrid, indicating a mix of on-site work at the Syracuse, NY location and remote work. This suggests a need for flexibility and self-management.

Office Location(s): 333 Butternut Dr, Syracuse, New York, 13214.

Workspace Context:

• The role requires collaboration with internal teams and external partners, suggesting an environment that supports communication and teamwork.

• Access to design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially other marketing tools will be essential.

• The hybrid nature of the work environment will require strong self-discipline and effective remote collaboration tools.

• The financial services industry context implies a professional and compliance-focused workplace.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with the potential for weekend hours during peak periods, training, or events, reflecting the operational demands of marketing support.

📝 Enhancement Note: A hybrid work environment for a designer necessitates robust digital collaboration tools and clear communication protocols to ensure seamless project handoffs and feedback loops, crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and design quality.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Creative/Technical Interview: Discussion focused on design philosophy, proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, and understanding of marketing principles. Expect questions on campaign execution and collateral development.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing their process, design rationale, and the impact of their work. This is where operational considerations like project management and strategic input will be evaluated.

• Behavioral/Situational Interview: Questions assessing problem-solving, teamwork, communication skills, and how candidates handle pressure or ad-hoc requests, particularly those related to marketing operations and compliance.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior management to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Diversity: Include examples of various marketing collateral (print ads, direct mail, presentations, digital assets) and campaign work.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the creative process, design decisions, and any challenges overcome.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or outcomes related to the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, support for sales targets).

• Demonstrate Brand Consistency: Show how you maintain brand integrity across different materials and campaigns.

• Address Operational Aspects: Be prepared to discuss how you manage deadlines, collaborate with stakeholders, and incorporate feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You might be asked to create a piece of collateral based on a hypothetical brief or refine an existing piece. Focus on quick, strategic design thinking and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Campaign Concept: Be ready to brainstorm ideas for a marketing campaign or collateral for a specific business unit within financial services.

• Process Explanation: Prepare to explain your workflow for managing multiple design requests, ensuring timely delivery, and collaborating with non-designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "creation and implementation of marketing collateral and programs from conception and creative development through execution" means interviewers will look for a candidate who not only designs well but also understands the operational lifecycle of marketing materials, including planning, production, and distribution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design and layout. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is a must.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced features of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are required for documentation, data handling, and presentation creation.

• Design Software: Any additional design or prototyping tools that enhance workflow and output.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus, familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics for web assets) and reporting dashboards would be beneficial for understanding campaign performance and optimization. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, if used by sales teams) for understanding how marketing collateral supports sales efforts.

• Understanding of marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) could provide context for digital campaign asset creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is explicitly stated, indicating its centrality. The mention of "advanced features of Microsoft Office Suite" and "website design knowledge a plus" suggests that while design is primary, an understanding of digital platforms and general business productivity tools is highly valued for operational integration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: Dedication to providing friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services, meaning marketing collateral should reflect this ethos.

• Employee Commitment: CFSI values its employees, offering competitive compensation, benefits, and professional development, fostering a supportive work environment.

• Diversity & Inclusion: Celebrating and supporting a diverse workplace as an equal-opportunity employer.

• Efficiency & Quality: A focus on creating high-quality marketing materials and programs efficiently, ensuring brand consistency and compliance.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with Management, internal sales teams, marketing partners, and external vendors is essential for campaign execution and collateral development.

• Responsive Support: Ability to respond to ad-hoc requests and provide support for local initiatives, sponsorships, and sales needs.

• Team-Oriented: A "team player" mentality is required, contributing to the overall goals of the Sales and Marketing Departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values of customer-centricity, employee commitment, and diversity are foundational. For a designer, translating these values into visual assets and campaign concepts is key. The emphasis on "friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services" suggests a design aesthetic that is approachable, trustworthy, and professional.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative and Operational Demands: Juggling creative design needs with strict deadlines, compliance requirements, and ad-hoc requests from various business units.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring consistent branding and messaging across a wide range of collateral and media for diverse business units within a regulated industry.

• Adapting to Evolving Marketing Needs: Staying current with design trends and marketing technologies while supporting traditional channels like print and direct mail.

• Vendor Management: Effectively liaising with external agencies and printers to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery of marketing materials.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Financial Services Marketing: Gaining in-depth knowledge of marketing within a highly regulated industry.

• Campaign Strategy: Developing a deeper understanding of marketing campaign planning, execution, and performance analysis.

• Digital Design & Web: Enhancing skills in website design and digital marketing asset creation if these are areas of growth for the company.

• Project Management: Improving skills in managing multiple projects, timelines, and stakeholder expectations, which are critical for operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of "balancing creative and operational demands" is central to this role. A successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to be both an imaginative designer and an efficient executor who understands workflow and project management principles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a marketing campaign you managed from concept to execution. What was your role, what challenges did you face, and what were the results?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different marketing materials and for various business units?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and operational control.)

• "Imagine you receive an urgent request for sales collateral from a business unit with a tight deadline. How would you prioritize and manage this task while ensuring quality?" (Demonstrate your project management and prioritization skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Community Financial System, Inc. and its services? How would your design approach align with a financial services institution?" (Research the company's offerings and values; emphasize trust, professionalism, and customer focus.)

• "How do you collaborate with non-designers, such as sales teams or management, to gather input and ensure your designs meet their needs?" (Provide examples of effective communication and feedback integration.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and marketing best practices, especially within regulated industries?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning and operational relevance.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the objective, your role, the challenges, your creative process, the final solution, and any measurable outcomes.

• Emphasize Problem-Solving: Discuss how your design decisions addressed specific business needs or marketing objectives.

• Highlight Operational Efficiency: Be prepared to talk about how you managed timelines, collaborated with stakeholders, and incorporated feedback to ensure successful project completion.

• Showcase Versatility: Present a range of work that demonstrates your ability to design for different channels and purposes, from print ads to digital assets and presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be assessing not just design talent but also the candidate's ability to operate effectively within a structured corporate environment, manage projects, and contribute to broader marketing objectives. Your portfolio should reflect this operational capability.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Marketing Designer position:

• Submit your application through the careers portal at https://careers.cbna.com/communitybankna/jobs/10036.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in marketing campaign execution, collateral development, brand consistency, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office. Emphasize any experience within financial services or regulated industries.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest work that showcases a range of marketing collateral (print, digital, sales support, presentations) and demonstrates your ability to manage projects from concept to completion. Prepare to discuss your design process, rationale, and any quantifiable results.

• Prepare for Design & Behavioral Questions: Review common interview questions for designers, focusing on your approach to problem-solving, collaboration, deadline management, and how you ensure brand compliance and operational efficiency in your work.

• Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with Community Financial System, Inc.'s services, values, and market presence to articulate how your skills and design aesthetic align with their mission and target audience.

⚠️ 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.