On-Call Graphic Designer (Remote Role)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: On-Call Graphic Designer

Company: ICF

Location: Remote (United States)

Job Type: Part-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing Operations Support

Date Posted: 2026-06-22

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a part-time, on-call Graphic Designer role supporting ICF's Enterprise Growth Enablement & Proposals team, specifically the Enterprise Proposal Center (EPC).

• Responsibilities include creating brand-aligned print and digital deliverables for corporate proposal documents and special projects, with a focus on data visualization and presentation design.

• The role demands strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, with an emphasis on translating complex data into visually compelling graphics for diverse audiences.

• Candidates must be available to work on an as-needed basis, potentially including nights, weekends, and holidays, and must be able to communicate during ICF business hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST).

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the context of supporting "Enterprise Growth Enablement & Proposals" and "proposal development process" strongly suggests a role that bridges creative design with Go-To-Market (GTM) operational needs. This means the ideal candidate will not only possess strong design skills but also an understanding of how design contributes to winning business, particularly in the context of proposals and business development. The "on-call" nature implies a need for flexibility and rapid response, critical in fast-paced proposal environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a variety of visual assets, including data visualization graphics, digital illustrations, photo collages, page layouts, and presentations, to support corporate proposal documents and special projects.

• Collaborate closely with proposal managers, proposal coordinators, technical leads, and other stakeholders to understand project requirements and translate them into effective visual communications.

• Develop and execute design concepts that align with ICF's messaging strategy and solutions for business pursuits.

• Ensure all creative deliverables strictly adhere to ICF's corporate identity and brand standards.

• Prepare and revise graphics efficiently and accurately, ensuring compliance with specific solicitation requirements and deadlines.

• Demonstrate initiative in applying innovative design approaches and solutions within assigned timeframes.

• Prepare final graphics for both electronic distribution and print production.

• Manage the dissemination and archiving of finished graphic assets according to established protocols.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and operational support within a proposal context. This involves not just artistic skill but also a tactical understanding of proposal requirements, brand compliance, and efficient workflow management, common in GTM operations. The emphasis on "solicitation compliance requirements" and "meeting deadlines" points to the high-pressure, deadline-driven nature of proposal work, requiring strong process adherence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Design, Marketing Design, or a related creative field (preferred). Experience:

• 3+ years of corporate in-house or design agency graphic design experience.

• 3+ years of experience creating and designing decks in Microsoft PowerPoint.

• 2+ years of experience translating complex data into visually appealing graphics that support target audience-directed messaging. Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.

• Adobe Acrobat Pro: Proficiency in creating, editing, and managing PDF documents for print and digital distribution.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Advanced skills in designing visually engaging and informative presentations.

• Microsoft 365 Proficiency: Comprehensive understanding and application of the Microsoft 365 suite.

• Data Visualization: Proven ability to transform raw data into clear, impactful, and aesthetically pleasing charts, graphs, and infographics.

• Brand Identity Management: Strong understanding of corporate branding principles and the ability to consistently apply brand standards across various deliverables.

• Visual Communication: Excellent ability to convey messages and concepts effectively through visual means.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a hybrid or fully virtual environment using collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams.

• Experience working directly with proposal teams and understanding the proposal development lifecycle.

• Experience working with technical data and translating complex technical information into accessible visuals.

• Experience working on Federal, State, and Local government proposals.

• Experience working on projects across diverse industries.

• Experience leveraging AI-enabled features within Adobe and Microsoft tools to enhance design efficiency and output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are standard for a graphic designer, but the preferred skills, particularly "Experience working with proposal teams" and "Experience working on Federal and/or State and Local government proposals," elevate this role beyond general graphic design. It implies a need for understanding the specific demands, compliance, and rapid turnaround times associated with business development and proposal efforts, aligning closely with GTM operations support.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstration of Diverse Deliverables: Showcase a range of original graphic design work including, but not limited to, data visualizations (charts, graphs, infographics), presentation decks (PowerPoint), print collateral (brochures, flyers), and digital assets (web graphics, social media visuals).

• Brand Consistency Examples: Include case studies or examples that illustrate your ability to adhere to and effectively implement established brand guidelines across multiple projects.

• Process Optimization Showcase: Present examples where you improved a design process or workflow, leading to increased efficiency, better quality, or faster turnaround times. Highlight your role in streamlining the creation of visual assets.

• Impact and ROI Focus: Where possible, demonstrate the impact of your design work. This could include examples of successful proposals where your visuals played a key role, or metrics showing improved engagement or clarity due to your design solutions.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly a requirement for submission, be prepared to discuss your personal design process, including:
  • Workflow Design: How you approach a new design project from brief to final delivery, including stages for concept development, feedback, revisions, and final output.
  • Tool Integration: How you integrate various design tools (Adobe Suite, PowerPoint, etc.) and potentially AI tools into your workflow for maximum efficiency and quality.
  • Performance Analysis: How you measure the effectiveness of your designs, particularly in the context of conveying information accurately and persuasively for proposal outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role supporting proposals, a portfolio is critical. The emphasis should be on demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also the ability to support business objectives through design. This means showing how graphics contribute to clarity, persuasion, and compliance within a business context. The "Process Optimization Showcase" and "Impact and ROI Focus" are key areas for candidates to highlight their operational mindset.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on full-time employment, the pay range for this position is $67,355.00 - $114,503.00 USD annually.

• Note: As this is a part-time, on-call role, actual compensation will be based on hours worked and will be prorated accordingly. The provided range serves as a benchmark for the value of the role within its experience level and geographic context.

Benefits:

• As a part-time employee, specific benefits may vary, but ICF typically offers:
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): Accrued based on hours worked.
  • Retirement Savings Plan: Potential for 401(k) contributions.
  • Professional Development: Opportunities for training and development relevant to design and proposal support.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support services for personal and work-related challenges.
  • Access to AI Tools: Potential for access to advanced AI-enabled features in Adobe and Microsoft tools.

Working Hours:

• This is a part-time, on-call position with fluctuating weekly hours.

• Support is expected primarily for nights, weekends, holidays, and overflow work.

• Candidates must have reliable internet access and be available to communicate during ICF business hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST) for coordination and task assignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for full-time employment. For this part-time, on-call role, candidates should expect compensation to be calculated hourly, likely falling within the lower end of the band or adjusted based on the specific hours needed. Highlighting the "on-call" nature and the need for evening/weekend availability is crucial for setting expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Contracting, Technology, Advisory Services, Environmental Consulting, Public Health, Cybersecurity, Energy. ICF operates across a broad spectrum of critical sectors, providing solutions to complex societal and environmental challenges.

Company Size: ICF is a large, global organization with thousands of employees, indicating a structured environment with established processes and significant resources.

Founded: ICF was founded in 1969, signifying a long history of experience and stability in the consulting and technology services industry.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the Enterprise Growth Enablement & Proposals Team, specifically supporting the Enterprise Proposal Center (EPC) Design team.

• This team is dedicated to supporting ICF's business development (BD) activities, creating systems for effective BD, and delivering high-quality proposals.

• The Design team likely comprises full-time designers who this on-call role will supplement. Collaboration will be with design colleagues, proposal managers, and technical experts.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, as the role interacts with technical and sales professionals across various ICF divisions and teaming partners. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Growth: The team focuses on growing ICF through effective business development processes and data-informed strategies.

• Best-in-Class Proposals: Emphasis on delivering high-quality, winning proposals that showcase ICF's expertise and solutions.

• Collaborative Innovation: Fostering an environment that values diverse perspectives, new ideas, and continuous improvement in BD and proposal processes.

• Systemic Support: Creating and maintaining systems that enable efficient and effective business development activities.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding ICF's broad industry scope is important. The Enterprise Growth Enablement & Proposals team is a crucial GTM function, and this role directly supports their operational output. The culture emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and a mission-driven approach, which designers should be prepared to align with.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry to mid-level specialist within the graphic design function, specifically supporting operational GTM activities. It offers an opportunity to gain experience in a high-stakes proposal environment.

Reporting Structure: The On-Call Graphic Designer will report to colleagues within the Enterprise Proposal Center (EPC) Design team and collaborate closely with Proposal Managers and technical leads on specific projects. Direct reporting lines may be fluid given the on-call nature.

Operations Impact: The graphic design work directly impacts ICF's ability to win new business by enhancing the clarity, professionalism, and persuasiveness of proposals. High-quality visuals are critical for differentiating ICF's offerings and demonstrating technical capabilities effectively.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in proposal graphics, data visualization for complex technical subjects, and brand compliance within a large corporate structure.

• Industry Exposure: Gain exposure to diverse industries (climate, health, cybersecurity, energy) and government contracting processes, providing valuable GTM operational context.

• Network Building: Establish professional connections within ICF's business development and proposal management teams, potentially leading to future full-time opportunities or project collaborations.

• AI Tool Proficiency: Develop practical experience using AI-enabled features in design software, a growing area within operations and creative fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is an on-call role, it offers significant exposure to the operational side of business development. Growth here is less about traditional linear career progression and more about acquiring specialized skills and experience in a demanding GTM support function, which can be a stepping stone to full-time roles within ICF or other organizations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote role, allowing candidates to work from anywhere within the United States.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, ICF has a significant presence in Reston, VA, and other locations globally. The "Virginia Remote Office (VA99)" designation suggests a connection to the company's Virginia operations, but the role itself is location-agnostic within the US.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: The work environment is primarily virtual, requiring strong self-discipline and effective remote communication skills.

• Technology Integration: Candidates will utilize standard remote work tools, including Microsoft 365 applications and potentially collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams.

• Cross-functional Interaction: Opportunities to interact with a wide range of professionals, from technical experts to business development leaders, fostering a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment.

• Fast-Paced Demands: The on-call nature and proposal support context mean the work can be high-pressure and require quick adaptation to changing project needs.

Work Schedule:

• Flexible around the "on-call" requirement, with significant need for availability during evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet proposal deadlines.

• Core availability during ICF business hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST) is essential for receiving assignments and collaborating.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature is a key selling point. However, the "on-call" aspect and the need to support proposal deadlines mean candidates must be prepared for unpredictable workloads and the necessity of working outside standard business hours. This is a common characteristic of roles supporting critical GTM operations functions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potential for a design exercise or a portfolio review session where candidates are asked to discuss their work, design process, and problem-solving approaches. This may involve specific questions about data visualization or brand application.

• Behavioral Interview: Questions focused on teamwork, communication, adaptability, time management under pressure, and handling challenging situations relevant to a fast-paced, on-call role.

• Stakeholder Discussion: An opportunity to discuss how design supports business objectives and proposal success, potentially with members of the proposal management or business development teams.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong projects that best showcase your skills relevant to proposal graphics, data visualization, and corporate branding. Prioritize examples that demonstrate your ability to work within strict guidelines and tight deadlines.

• Showcase Data-to-Visual Transformation: Include specific examples where you translated complex data into clear, compelling infographics or charts. Be prepared to explain your design choices and how they enhance understanding.

• Highlight Proposal Experience (if any): If you have direct proposal design experience, feature those projects prominently. Explain your role, the challenges, and the outcome.

• Discuss Your Process: Be ready to walk through your design process for a chosen project, from brief interpretation to final delivery, emphasizing efficiency, collaboration, and adherence to brand standards.

• Address AI Usage: Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI-enabled design tools, how you use them responsibly, and your understanding of ICF's policy on AI usage during interviews.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: If a design exercise is provided, focus on understanding the prompt thoroughly, managing your time effectively, and delivering a polished output that meets the core requirements. Prioritize clarity and brand alignment.

• Case Study Discussion: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical proposal design challenge, considering audience, messaging, brand, and deadlines.

• Communication: Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, especially when explaining technical or data-heavy visual concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should tailor their portfolio to highlight experience relevant to business proposals and data visualization. Understanding ICF's policy on AI usage is also critical, as it's explicitly mentioned in the job description.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and complex illustrations.
  • InDesign: For page layout, document design, and creating print-ready materials.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, photo manipulation, and digital asset creation.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Essential for creating dynamic and informative presentation decks, a core deliverable for this role.

• Adobe Acrobat Pro: For PDF creation, editing, and management, crucial for proposal document finalization.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analytics role, the ability to interpret and visualize data from reports is key. Understanding how design impacts engagement metrics for digital deliverables might be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are specified for the designer, but familiarity with how design assets are integrated into broader marketing or proposal automation workflows could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the specified Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft PowerPoint is non-negotiable. The mention of "AI-enabled features of Adobe and Microsoft tools" suggests that candidates who are exploring or utilizing these newer functionalities may have an advantage in efficiency and innovation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Growth Focus: A strong emphasis on contributing to ICF's business growth through effective business development and proposal efforts.

• Mission-Driven: Alignment with ICF's overarching mission to create a more prosperous and resilient world, understanding how design supports these critical initiatives.

• Collaboration & Transparency: A culture that values diverse perspectives, open communication, and working side-by-side with colleagues.

• Innovation & Improvement: A commitment to constantly seeking better ways to improve processes, embrace new ideas, and implement industry best practices.

• Integrity & Ethics: Demonstrated commitment to sound business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential information.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expected to work seamlessly with technical experts, proposal managers, and business development professionals.

• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback throughout the design process to meet project objectives.

• Responsive & Agile: Ability to adapt quickly to changing project needs and deliver under pressure, a hallmark of effective GTM operations support.

• Team-Oriented Problem Solving: Willingness to contribute ideas and solutions to overcome design and proposal challenges collectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values strongly emphasize collaboration, innovation, and a mission-driven approach. For a designer, this means being a proactive, communicative team member who understands how their creative output contributes to ICF's larger goals and operational success in winning new business.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Effectively applying creative design principles within the rigid structure of proposal requirements, brand guidelines, and technical data.

• Managing Rapid Turnaround Times: Delivering high-quality work quickly, often under tight deadlines common in proposal development.

• Working Remotely and On-Call: Maintaining consistent productivity, communication, and availability across different time zones and on an unpredictable schedule.

• Translating Complex Technical Data: Visually representing intricate technical information in an accessible and persuasive manner for diverse audiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Proposal Design: Gaining in-depth experience in designing for government and corporate proposals, a niche but critical area of GTM operations.

• Data Visualization Mastery: Enhancing skills in transforming complex datasets into impactful visual narratives.

• Cross-Industry Exposure: Learning about diverse sectors like climate resilience, public health, and cybersecurity through the content of the proposals worked on.

• AI Tool Application: Practical application and exploration of AI-driven features in design software, staying current with technological advancements in the field.

• Networking: Building connections within ICF's extensive network of professionals in consulting, technology, and business development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the demanding nature of proposal work combined with the on-call, remote setup. Growth opportunities are centered on acquiring specialized skills highly relevant to GTM operations and business development support.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex dataset and turning it into a compelling visual representation for a proposal." (Focus on your step-by-step approach, tools used, and considerations for audience and messaging.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple design deliverables within a short timeframe?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and your methods for maintaining adherence.)

• "Walk us through a challenging design project where you had to balance creative input with strict client/solicitation requirements. What was your approach and the outcome?" (Prepare a specific case study, emphasizing problem-solving and compromise.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about supporting ICF's business growth and proposal efforts specifically?" (Connect your skills to ICF's mission and the importance of proposals.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with technical experts or proposal managers who may have different visions for a design?" (Emphasize communication, active listening, and finding common ground.)

• "How do you prioritize tasks when you have multiple urgent design requests coming in simultaneously?" (Demonstrate your organizational skills and ability to manage competing deadlines.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type or by impact. For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges, your solution, and the results (if measurable).

• Data Storytelling: For data visualization projects, clearly articulate the story the data tells and how your design choices enhance that narrative.

• Process Walkthrough: Be prepared to do a live screen share to walk through a specific project, explaining your design decisions, tool usage, and how you incorporated feedback.

• AI Tool Discussion: Be ready to discuss any AI tools you've used responsibly and effectively, aligning with ICF's stated policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating an understanding of the proposal lifecycle, the importance of visual communication in business development, and your ability to work effectively under pressure in a remote, on-call capacity.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations support position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the ICF career site.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio is tailored to highlight your strongest work in data visualization, presentation design, and corporate branding. Prioritize examples that demonstrate efficiency and adherence to guidelines.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly list your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft PowerPoint, and any experience with proposal development or government contracts. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, discussing your portfolio projects, and answering behavioral questions related to remote work, on-call availability, and collaboration under pressure. Be ready to discuss ICF's AI usage policy.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with ICF's mission, industries served, and recent projects to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their business 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.