Seasonal Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Seasonal Graphic Designer

Company: The Calgary Zoo

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Job Type: Seasonal, Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: May 27, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for developing visually compelling marketing collateral and integrated campaigns that support the Calgary Zoo's brand, events, programs, and conservation initiatives.

• The position involves a significant focus on brand management, ensuring consistency across multi-brand environments and all marketing touchpoints.

• Candidates will be responsible for the end-to-end design process, from concept to production-ready files for both digital and print mediums.

• This role requires strong collaboration skills to work effectively with marketing teams and internal stakeholders to deliver impactful designs that resonate with target audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," its placement within a marketing team and the emphasis on campaigns, brand management, and cross-functional collaboration strongly suggests an operations-focused design role. The "Seasonal" aspect indicates a project-based, potentially high-intensity period of work, common in operational marketing support for events or specific initiatives. The hybrid work environment also points to modern operational flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and Artwork Production:

  • Produce visually appealing and informative marketing assets, including integrated campaigns, development collateral, proposal templates, and PowerPoint presentations, with an emphasis on efficiency and time-sensitivity.
  • Develop engaging designs for on-park collateral such as signage, educational materials, experiential pieces, large-format prints, and digital executions.
  • Ensure all designs strictly adhere to the Calgary Zoo's multi-brand guidelines, maintaining a cohesive and consistent visual identity across all platforms.
  • Collaborate closely with the marketing team and internal stakeholders to execute design requests that effectively communicate key messages and capture target audience attention.
  • Apply web accessibility standards to digital design practices, ensuring inclusivity and compliance.
  • Utilize creative design techniques to translate complex data and information into visually engaging formats.
  • Prepare design files for print production, meticulously managing color accuracy and reviewing proofs for quality, grammar, and accuracy.
  • Maintain a strong understanding of printing processes, materials, and finishes to ensure high-quality print outcomes.

• Brand Management:

  • Assist in the development and ongoing maintenance of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's multi-brand identity, ensuring accurate representation in all visual assets.
  • Contribute to the evolution and enhancement of the brand's visual language and design elements.
  • Uphold brand consistency and integrity across all marketing materials and customer touchpoints.
  • Translate corporate values and brand identity into effective marketing and communication assets.

• Other Duties:

  • Undertake other assigned duties and responsibilities as required to support the marketing team and organizational goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and operational adherence to brand guidelines and production standards. The focus on "time-sensitive artwork production," "integrated campaigns," and "preparing files for print production" indicates direct involvement in operational marketing delivery.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in a graphic design role.

• Experience in creating digital campaigns for platforms such as Meta, Google, and other digital channels.

• Proven experience with pre-press and production for four-colour process printing, digital printing, and large-format printing.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Software Proficiency: Demonstrated mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Digital Campaign Design: Experience conceptualizing and executing digital advertising campaigns.

• Print Production Knowledge: Understanding of print processes, color management, and file preparation for various printing methods (digital, offset, large format).

• Brand Management: Ability to maintain brand consistency and apply brand guidelines effectively.

• Collaboration & Communication: Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and stakeholders.

• Time Management: Ability to manage multiple, time-sensitive projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Web Accessibility Standards: Understanding and application of accessibility principles in digital design.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with project management software, such as Asana.

• Experience with content management systems or SharePoint for file sharing and collaboration.

• Ability to translate complex data into visually engaging graphics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 3+ years of experience, combined with specific digital campaign and print production expertise, positions this as a mid-level operational design role. The mention of Asana and SharePoint suggests a preference for candidates familiar with operational workflows and project management tools.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing 4-8 recent, impactful design projects.

• The portfolio must demonstrate a range of capabilities, including integrated campaigns, digital assets, and print collateral.

• Projects should highlight strong visual communication, brand adherence, and creative problem-solving.

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss the strategic thinking and execution process behind their portfolio pieces.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to have experience documenting design processes, from brief interpretation to final asset delivery.

• The ability to articulate workflow management, particularly for time-sensitive projects, is crucial.

• Experience in preparing design files according to specific print or digital production specifications will be a key demonstration of process understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio of 4-8 recent works, along with the expectation to discuss the strategic thinking and execution, emphasizes the operational aspect of the role. It's not just about the final output but the process and decision-making that led to it, a common evaluation criterion for operational roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise within the zoo.

• Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time, fixed-term position. Standard working hours are expected to be 40 hours per week. The nature of the role may require flexibility to manage high-volume requests and concurrent projects, potentially involving extended hours during peak periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is not specified, so an estimated range is provided based on location, experience level, and job type, aligned with operations industry benchmarks for similar roles. The benefits are typical for seasonal or contract roles in the non-profit/attraction sector, offering perks rather than comprehensive long-term benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Wildlife Conservation, Tourism, Education, and Entertainment. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo operates as a key player in conservation efforts, leveraging its public attraction to fund and promote its mission.

Company Size: A large non-profit organization with a significant number of employees and volunteers. This scale implies established operational processes and a diverse internal stakeholder landscape.

Founded: The Calgary Zoo was founded in 1929, with the Wilder Institute being a more recent initiative focused on conservation science. This history suggests a strong, established brand with evolving conservation objectives.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing team.

• This team likely collaborates closely with Communications, Conservation, Education, and various operational departments across the zoo.

Methodology:

• The Calgary Zoo emphasizes a data-driven approach to marketing and conservation, aiming to measure impact and optimize campaigns.

• Workflow efficiency and cross-functional collaboration are key to managing a diverse range of initiatives and events.

• A focus on storytelling and emotional connection is central to their communication strategies, aiming to inspire action and support for wildlife.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission-driven nature (conservation) and its operational model (attraction + institute) suggest a culture that values impact, collaboration, and creative storytelling. The "multi-brand environment" points to specific operational challenges in maintaining visual consistency across different initiatives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, requiring 2-5 years of experience. It's a hands-on design position focused on execution within marketing operations.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Marketing Manager or Director. This position will involve significant collaboration with various internal departments, requiring strong stakeholder management skills.

Operations Impact: The work directly impacts the zoo's public perception, event attendance, program enrollment, and fundraising efforts by creating compelling visual communications that drive engagement and support for conservation initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas like digital campaign creation, large-format print production, or brand guideline development.

• Project Management Exposure: Gain experience managing multiple design projects simultaneously, enhancing project management skills within a creative operations context.

• Conservation Communications: Develop a portfolio rich in impact-driven design for a cause-related organization, valuable for future roles in non-profits or mission-driven companies.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Work with diverse teams, gaining insights into different operational facets of a large zoo and conservation institute.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a permanent role, the "Seasonal" aspect often offers concentrated experience. The growth analysis focuses on transferable skills and portfolio enhancement relevant to operational design careers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, combining remote work with on-site presence at the Calgary Zoo.

Office Location(s): Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta. The physical location provides a unique backdrop for inspiration and on-site design needs.

Workspace Context:

• The role involves long periods of sitting at a computer, necessitating a comfortable and ergonomic setup for remote work.

• On-site mobility is required, suggesting designers may need to visit event spaces, print vendors, or collaborate in person.

• The hybrid model necessitates strong self-discipline, time management, and communication skills to maintain productivity and team cohesion across locations.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.

• The schedule may require flexibility to accommodate project deadlines and operational needs, especially during busy periods or for specific events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key operational consideration, requiring candidates to be adept at managing their time and workflow both independently and collaboratively. The need for on-site mobility is practical for a role involving physical marketing materials like signage.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume, cover letter, and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative alignment.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A more in-depth discussion of portfolio pieces, focusing on design process, problem-solving, and technical skills. This may include a practical design exercise or case study.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with the marketing team and potentially other cross-functional stakeholders to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Discussion with hiring manager or senior leadership to confirm fit and finalize offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase the skills and experience mentioned in the job description (digital campaigns, print production, brand adherence).

• Tell a Story: For each portfolio piece, be prepared to articulate the brief, your role, the creative process, challenges faced, and the outcome or impact.

• Highlight Operations: Emphasize how you managed timelines, collaborated with teams, and ensured production readiness.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have metrics on campaign performance or successful print runs, include them.

• Showcase Brand Versatility: If you have experience across different brands or styles, ensure this is evident.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a design challenge that might involve creating a concept for a new zoo campaign, adapting existing assets, or solving a visual communication problem under a time constraint.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach a project with tight deadlines and multiple stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges underscores the practical, results-oriented nature of this role within marketing operations. Candidates must demonstrate not just creativity but also the ability to execute efficiently and effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all design tasks. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is non-negotiable.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Crucial for document creation, presentations, and general office productivity. PowerPoint is particularly important for creating presentation assets.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana is preferred, indicating an organized approach to managing design workflows and deadlines.

• File Sharing/Collaboration Platforms: Experience with SharePoint or similar platforms for file management and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core functions, but an understanding of how design assets integrate into broader marketing automation workflows could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed tools are standard for graphic design roles but the specific mention of Asana and SharePoint points to an operational workflow and collaboration emphasis. Understanding digital campaign platforms is key for modern marketing operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Drive Impact: A focus on creating designs that achieve tangible results for the zoo's mission, whether it's inspiring conservation action, increasing attendance, or supporting fundraising.

• Nurture Connection: Designs should foster a deeper connection between people and wildlife, reflecting the zoo's core purpose.

• Cultivate Hope: Visuals should convey a sense of optimism and highlight conservation successes.

• Be Bold: Encouragement to be creative, innovative, and take calculated risks in design approaches.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A commitment to creating inclusive designs and fostering a diverse workplace where all feel welcome and empowered.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, working closely with marketing specialists, conservationists, educators, and potentially event planners.

• Open communication and the ability to receive and provide constructive feedback are essential for producing effective marketing materials.

• A team-oriented approach is expected, contributing to shared goals within the marketing department and the broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The zoo's core values are directly relevant to the design output, guiding the tone and message of all visual communications. The emphasis on collaboration highlights the operational necessity of working seamlessly with various departments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Consistency: Effectively translating diverse brand guidelines and stakeholder needs into compelling, consistent designs.

• Managing High-Volume, Time-Sensitive Requests: The seasonal nature and operational demands mean juggling multiple projects with tight deadlines.

• Adapting Designs for Diverse Audiences and Platforms: Creating visuals that resonate with different demographics and function effectively across print, web, and social media.

• Staying Current with Design Trends and Technology: Continuously updating skills to incorporate new design techniques and software capabilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific Adobe Creative Suite applications or explore new design tools.

• Digital Marketing Design Best Practices: Learning about effective design strategies for social media, email marketing, and online advertising.

• Print Production Masterclass: Gaining deeper knowledge of advanced printing techniques, materials, and color management for high-quality outputs.

• Conservation Communication Strategies: Understanding how to visually communicate complex conservation messages effectively to inspire action.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges identified are common in operational design roles, emphasizing the need for efficiency, adaptability, and strong technical skills. The growth opportunities are geared towards enhancing both technical design capabilities and strategic marketing design understanding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a campaign for a new endangered species exhibit, balancing conservation messaging with visitor engagement?"

• "Describe a time you had to manage conflicting feedback from multiple stakeholders on a design project. How did you resolve it?"

• "Walk us through your process for preparing a large-format print file for production, ensuring color accuracy and quality."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about the Calgary Zoo's mission and how do you see your design work contributing to it?"

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and apply them while maintaining brand integrity?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating specific skills (e.g., print, digital, campaign).

• Articulate Your Process: For each project, clearly explain the objective, your role, the problem you solved, your creative solution, and the outcome. Use visual cues on your slides or in your shared screen to guide the discussion.

• Highlight Operations: Emphasize your project management skills, how you met deadlines, collaborated with teams, and managed production requirements.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss the software and techniques used.

• Connect to the Zoo: If possible, subtly tailor your examples or narrative to align with the zoo's mission or potential needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: These questions are designed to assess not only design skill but also problem-solving abilities, operational efficiency, and cultural fit within the Calgary Zoo's mission-driven environment. The portfolio presentation strategy focuses on demonstrating the candidate's ability to execute and communicate effectively in an operational capacity.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this seasonal graphic design position:

• Watch the Video: Begin by watching the provided video about the conservation work at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo to immerse yourself in the organization's mission.

• Submit Your Application: Upload your resume and an optional cover letter through the online application system.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio (URL or PDF) includes 4-8 examples of recent, relevant work, showcasing your design process and impact. Be ready to discuss these pieces in detail.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with Adobe Creative Suite, digital campaigns, print production, and project management. Use keywords from the job description.

• Formulate Answers: Prepare thoughtful responses to common interview questions, focusing on your design process, collaborative skills, and understanding of the zoo's mission.

• Research the Zoo: Familiarize yourself with the Calgary Zoo's current campaigns, brand identity, and conservation initiatives to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding.

⚠️ 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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