Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: CESO, Inc.

Location: Dayton, OH

Job Type: Regular Full Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-11

Experience Level: 3-5 Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the visual execution of high-impact marketing and communication materials, including proposals, campaigns, and presentations, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic objectives.

• Develop compelling infographics, diagrams, and layouts that visually articulate complex ideas and enhance client messaging, driving clarity and engagement.

• Provide informal mentoring and guidance to junior designers, fostering skill development and ensuring adherence to brand and quality standards across the design team.

• Collaborate closely with Marketing Coordinators and technical leaders to translate intricate concepts into clear, creative visual assets that support business development and client relations.

• Contribute to the evolution and advancement of CESO's visual identity by refining templates, icons, and brand resources in partnership with Marketing leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer, implying a need for strong technical design skills, independent project leadership, and the ability to mentor junior staff. The focus on "marketing and communication materials" and "visual expression of complex ideas" suggests a need for understanding how design serves business objectives, particularly in the architecture and engineering sector. The hybrid work schedule indicates a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, typical for roles requiring both creative autonomy and team synergy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the visual design and execution of critical marketing deliverables such as proposals, marketing campaigns, and client-facing presentations, ensuring brand consistency and strategic alignment.

• Create visually engaging infographics, technical diagrams, and sophisticated layouts that effectively communicate complex information, enhance storytelling, and strengthen client messaging.

• Conduct thorough reviews and provide constructive feedback to junior designers on their work, ensuring all graphics meet CESO's established brand guidelines and uphold a high standard of quality.

• Partner with marketing coordinators, technical subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to guarantee that graphic design outputs are strategically aligned with project goals, target audiences, and delivery deadlines.

• Actively participate in the evolution of CESO's visual identity by collaborating with Marketing leadership to update and refine design templates, iconography, and other brand assets.

• Engage in rigorous quality assurance processes and contribute to continuous improvement discussions related to design workflows, tools, and best practices.

• Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to supporting team and company objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual contribution (design execution) and leadership (mentoring, evolving brand identity). Emphasis on "visual execution," "infographics," and "diagrams" points to a need for strong technical design skills in translating complex, technical information into accessible visuals. The collaboration aspect with "technical leaders" and "Marketing Coordinators" underscores the importance of understanding client needs and business context within an architecture and engineering firm.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Associate’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field is required. A Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or a related discipline is strongly preferred.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of progressive professional experience in graphic design, with a demonstrated track record of creating impactful marketing and communication materials.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Mastery of design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy, with an exceptional eye for detail.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for creating and manipulating digital graphics and layouts.

• Marketing Collateral Development: Proven ability to design a range of marketing materials, including proposals, presentations, infographics, and campaign assets.

• Visual Storytelling: Skill in translating complex technical or abstract concepts into clear, compelling visual narratives.

• Brand Identity Management: Understanding of brand guidelines and the ability to consistently apply them across various design outputs.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively within a team environment, contributing positively to group projects and cross-functional initiatives.

• Time Management & Organization: Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks efficiently.

• Problem-Solving: Creative and analytical approach to design challenges, finding innovative solutions that meet project objectives.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Basic to intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) for document integration and basic communication tasks.

Preferred Skills:

• Bachelor's Degree: A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or a related field.

• Adobe Certified Professional: Certification demonstrating expertise in Adobe design software.

• Template Development: Experience in creating and standardizing design templates for consistent brand application.

• Infographic & Data Visualization: Specialized skills in designing informative and engaging infographics and data visualizations.

• Mentoring Experience: Prior experience or aptitude for guiding and mentoring junior design staff.

• Architecture/Engineering Industry Exposure: Familiarity with the design and communication needs of architecture, engineering, or construction (AEC) firms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical design skills and experience within marketing contexts. The mention of "intermediate knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite" and "basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite" sets clear technical expectations. The distinction between required and preferred qualifications helps candidates self-assess their fit. The preference for a Bachelor's degree and industry exposure suggests a desire for candidates with a solid educational foundation and relevant sector experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual Design Excellence: A curated collection showcasing a range of high-quality design projects that demonstrate mastery of layout, typography, color, and visual hierarchy.

• Marketing & Communication Focus: Examples of work specifically related to marketing collateral, proposals, presentations, infographics, and campaign assets that highlight problem-solving through design.

• Brand Consistency: Demonstrations of how you've applied and maintained brand guidelines across various projects, illustrating an understanding of brand integrity.

• Technical Acumen: Projects that implicitly or explicitly showcase proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite tools, and potentially examples of translating complex information visually.

• Impact & Clarity: Case studies or project descriptions that explain the objective of the design, the process undertaken, and the intended or achieved impact on the audience or business goals.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Examples of how you approach design projects from brief to final delivery, including any personal workflow strategies for efficiency and quality control.

• Collaboration in Practice: Descriptions or examples of how you've collaborated with clients, marketing teams, or technical experts to achieve design outcomes.

• Brand Evolution Contribution: Any projects where you've contributed to updating or evolving design systems, templates, or brand assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Graphic Designer role, a robust portfolio is critical. The emphasis should be on showcasing not just aesthetic talent but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to translate complex information into effective visual communication, particularly within a business context. The portfolio should reflect experience with the types of deliverables mentioned in the responsibilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The provided salary range is $68,415 - $122,252 annually. However, the company specifies that for Dayton, OH, the typical new hire pay range is $72,216 - $87,573. This suggests the broader range may encompass more senior roles or higher cost-of-living locations within CESO's operations.

Benefits:

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible and Hybrid Work Schedule, generous Paid Time Off (credited upfront), and Paid Holidays.

• Financial Security: 401K with a Company Match for retirement savings.

• Professional Development: Training and Development programs to foster continuous learning and career growth, Reimbursement for Professional Licenses.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage.

• Employee Well-being: Employee Assistance Program, Company Paid Bonding and Recovery services, Voluntary or Supplemental Short-Term/Long-Term Disability.

• Perks & Culture: Welcome Box, Casual Dress Code, Paid Time Off for Community Team Service Events, Employee Events (lunches, outings) to foster a positive work environment.

• Recognition: Rewards and Recognition Program to acknowledge outstanding contributions.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically requiring 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through a hybrid work schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation section clearly delineates a broader company-wide range versus a specific range for the Dayton, OH location. This is a positive transparency practice. The benefits package is extensive, covering health, financial, professional, and personal well-being, which is a strong draw for candidates. The hybrid work schedule is also a significant benefit for work-life integration. The listed salary for Dayton appears to be for this specific Senior Graphic Designer role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: CESO operates within the Architecture and Engineering (AEC) industry, a sector that demands precision, technical accuracy, and strong client communication. The firm is nationally recognized, indicating a significant market presence and a reputation for quality and service. This industry context means that design work often involves translating complex technical data and project visions into clear, accessible visual formats for diverse stakeholders, from internal teams to clients and regulatory bodies.

Company Size: CESO is a medium-sized firm, likely employing between 50 to 250 individuals, based on typical industry structures for nationally recognized firms. This size often allows for a balance: large enough to offer robust career development and resources, yet small enough to maintain a close-knit culture where individual contributions are highly visible and valued.

Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly provided, the description of CESO as "nationally recognized" suggests a well-established company with a history of successful projects and client relationships, likely built over several years or decades. This implies a stable work environment with proven methodologies and a commitment to long-term growth.

Team Structure:

• Marketing & Design Hub: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely be part of a dedicated Marketing or Communications department. This team would typically include Marketing Coordinators, potentially other designers, content creators, and marketing specialists.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: A key aspect of this role involves close collaboration with technical leaders and project managers from the architecture and engineering departments. This ensures design outputs accurately reflect technical specifications and project goals.

• Reporting Lines: The Senior Graphic Designer likely reports to a Marketing Manager, Director of Marketing, or a similar leadership role within the marketing function, with direct reporting lines to a manager focused on visual communication and brand strategy.

Methodology:

• Client-Centric Design: CESO's mission, "empowering our people to impact communities by bringing clients’ visions to life," suggests a client-focused approach where design directly supports client objectives and project success.

• Service-Oriented Culture: The emphasis on "service – to our coworkers, clients, and communities" indicates a culture that values teamwork, mutual support, and a commitment to excellence in all interactions.

• Data-Informed Creativity: While not explicitly stated, effective marketing and design in the AEC sector often rely on understanding project data, market trends, and client needs to inform creative decisions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the AEC industry is crucial for this role, as it dictates the nature of the projects and the complexity of information to be visualized. The company size and established reputation suggest a professional environment with structured processes. The team structure implies a collaborative role that bridges creative marketing functions with technical project delivery.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as "Senior Graphic Designer," indicating a position beyond entry-level or intermediate. It signifies a professional who possesses a strong command of design principles and software, has a minimum of 3 years of experience, and is capable of leading design initiatives, mentoring junior colleagues, and contributing to strategic brand development. This level typically involves greater autonomy, responsibility for project outcomes, and involvement in more complex or high-stakes design projects.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Director of Marketing, who oversees the overall marketing strategy and execution. This structure places the designer within the marketing function but requires significant interaction with technical departments (architecture, engineering) and project leaders, ensuring designs align with the company's core business offerings.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's impact is primarily through enhancing CESO's brand perception, improving the clarity and persuasiveness of marketing and proposal materials, and contributing to successful client acquisition and retention. By visually communicating complex engineering and architectural concepts effectively, the designer directly supports business development efforts, client understanding, and the overall professional image of the firm. This role plays a vital part in translating technical expertise into client-ready assets, influencing decision-making and project wins.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to formally or informally lead design projects, mentor junior designers, and potentially transition into a Lead Designer or Design Manager role within the marketing department.

• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas such as data visualization, proposal design for large-scale projects, or brand strategy development within the AEC sector.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining deeper insights into architecture and engineering project lifecycles, which can inform more effective design solutions and open doors to roles that bridge design and technical project management.

• Strategic Contribution: As a senior member, contributing to marketing strategy discussions, visual identity evolution, and the selection/implementation of design tools and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a trajectory beyond execution, into leadership and strategic contribution. Growth opportunities should reflect this progression, moving from individual contributor to team lead or specialist. The impact on "business development" and "client acquisition" is a key metric for operations and marketing roles in professional services firms.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: CESO offers a hybrid work schedule, indicating a flexible office environment. Employees are expected to work some days in the office and some days remotely. This model aims to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and spontaneous idea generation with the flexibility and focus that remote work can provide.

Office Location(s): The primary office location for this role is Dayton, OH. While specific details about the office layout (e.g., open-plan, private offices) are not provided, a hybrid model suggests a professional office setting designed to accommodate collaborative work, individual focus time, and client interactions when needed.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features meeting rooms, common areas, and possibly open-plan workstations designed to facilitate team discussions, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional meetings with technical teams.

• Technology Integration: Access to necessary design hardware (computers, monitors) and software, along with reliable internet connectivity and IT support, is expected. The hybrid nature means employees should also have a suitable remote workspace.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with marketing colleagues, technical leaders, and potentially clients during in-office days, fostering a strong sense of team and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid arrangement. This typically means a set number of days per week in the office (e.g., 2-3 days) and the remainder from a remote location. This structure allows for focused design work at home while ensuring in-person collaboration and team building during office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work environment is a key aspect. Candidates should consider their comfort with balancing remote and in-office work. The environment is expected to be professional and conducive to creative work, with emphasis on both individual productivity and team collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: The interview process for a Senior Graphic Designer at CESO likely involves several stages designed to assess creative skills, technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to ensure basic qualifications and a strong visual aesthetic are met.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focusing on your experience, design philosophy, approach to problem-solving, and understanding of marketing objectives. This is where your portfolio will be a central discussion point.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth review of your portfolio, potentially with a specific design challenge or case study presentation. This stage assesses your ability to articulate your design process, justify your creative decisions, and demonstrate impact. You may be asked to walk through 2-3 key projects in detail.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interview: Meetings with marketing team members and potentially technical leads to evaluate collaboration skills, communication style, and how well you'd integrate into the team and work with technical subject matter experts.

• Final Interview/Offer: A concluding discussion, potentially with senior leadership, to finalize the decision and extend an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your skills in marketing collateral, proposals, infographics, and presentations. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role, your design process, the tools you used, and the outcome or impact of your work. Quantify results where possible (e.g., increased engagement, improved proposal win rates).

• Highlight Seniority: Showcase projects that demonstrate leadership, independent problem-solving, and your ability to mentor or guide others.

• Brand Alignment: If you have experience working with established brands or evolving brand identities, highlight this.

• Technical Clarity: Be prepared to discuss your technical approach and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite.

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

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a design challenge is given, ensure you fully understand the brief, the target audience, and the objective. Research CESO and the AEC industry to inform your approach.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a clear and logical design process, even if time is limited. Show how you would break down the problem, brainstorm solutions, and arrive at a final design.

• Justify Decisions: Be ready to explain why you made specific design choices – color, typography, layout, imagery. Connect these decisions back to the project objectives and audience.

• Time Management: Practice managing your time effectively during the challenge to deliver a polished, albeit potentially conceptual, solution within the allotted timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges is standard for creative roles. The advice should focus on how to best represent strategic thinking, process, and impact, rather than just aesthetic output, especially given the "Senior" title and the company's industry.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Mastery of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential for creating professional marketing collateral, proposals, infographics, and presentations.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficient use of PowerPoint for presentation design and development, Word for document integration, and Outlook for communication is required.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a requirement for the designer, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., on digital marketing materials, proposal clarity leading to win rates) can be beneficial. Familiarity with analytics tools used by the marketing team might be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the graphic designer's core tools, but awareness of how marketing materials integrate with CRM systems or marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email campaigns) could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for a graphic designer is primarily focused on creative software. The mention of specific Adobe Suite applications and Microsoft Office is critical. It's important to highlight that while direct analytics or CRM tool usage might not be primary, understanding how their work supports these broader business functions is valuable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Service-Oriented: A strong emphasis on providing excellent service to internal stakeholders (coworkers, technical teams) and external clients, aligning with CESO's mission.

• Integrity & Authenticity: Operating with honesty, transparency, and genuine communication in all interactions and design work.

• Empowerment & Development: A culture that invests in its people, providing opportunities for growth, learning, and utilizing individual skills to their fullest potential.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on how work contributes positively to communities, clients, and the company's overall success, with design playing a key role in achieving these impacts.

• Collaboration: A belief in teamwork and mutual support, where individuals work together effectively to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with marketing coordinators, technical leaders, and project teams, necessitating clear communication and a shared understanding of project objectives.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is exchanged openly and respectfully, contributing to continuous improvement in design quality and process.

• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share design expertise, best practices, and insights with junior designers and other team members to foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: CESO's stated values of "purpose, challenge, and talented colleagues," along with their mission statement, provide a strong foundation for understanding their culture. The emphasis on service, integrity, empowerment, and impact is key for candidates to align with. The collaborative style is essential for a role that bridges creative and technical departments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: A primary challenge will be taking highly technical architectural and engineering concepts and translating them into visually clear, compelling, and accessible designs for diverse audiences.

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Creative Expression: Maintaining strict adherence to brand guidelines while still producing innovative and impactful creative work can be a delicate balance.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing input and feedback from various stakeholders (marketing, technical leads, potentially clients) to arrive at a cohesive design solution.

• Adapting to Evolving Design Trends and Technologies: Staying current with design software updates, emerging visual trends, and new communication methods relevant to the AEC industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to deepen skills in areas like advanced infographic design, motion graphics for presentations, or interactive design elements.

• Industry-Specific Design Knowledge: Gaining specialized knowledge of design best practices within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector, understanding project lifecycles and client communication needs.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Formal or informal opportunities to mentor junior designers, develop leadership skills, and potentially take on project lead roles.

• Professional Certifications: Support for obtaining or maintaining professional certifications, such as Adobe Certified Professional, to validate and enhance expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are specific to the role's nature within the AEC industry. Growth opportunities should align with advancing design skills and moving into leadership or specialized roles, reflecting the "Senior" designation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to visualize a complex technical concept for a non-technical audience. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses problem-solving, communication, and design process.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across a wide range of marketing materials while still allowing for creative expression?" (Evaluates understanding of brand strategy and creative execution.)

• "Walk me through a proposal or presentation design project from start to finish. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focuses on project management, collaboration, and portfolio depth.)

• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders, especially when there are conflicting opinions?" (Tests collaboration and conflict resolution skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CESO and our work in the architecture and engineering industry?" (Assesses research and alignment with company mission.)

• "How do you see your role as a Senior Graphic Designer contributing to CESO's mission of 'empowering our people to impact communities by bringing clients’ visions to life'?" (Connects personal contribution to company values.)

• "Describe your experience mentoring junior designers or contributing to a team's overall skill development." (Evaluates leadership potential and teamwork.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 3-5 projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities, focusing on marketing materials, proposals, and infographics relevant to CESO's industry.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your process (research, ideation, execution), your specific contributions, the tools used, and the results achieved. Quantify outcomes if possible.

• Emphasize Problem-Solving: Highlight how your design solutions addressed specific business or communication challenges.

• Showcase Technical Skill: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and any unique techniques you employed.

• Demonstrate Mentorship: If applicable, discuss instances where you guided or mentored junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating how the candidate's skills and experience align with CESO's specific needs in the AEC sector, emphasizing strategic thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative abilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.lever.co.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your 3+ years of professional experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, and any relevant design achievements, especially in marketing collateral, proposals, and infographics. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a digital portfolio showcasing your strongest, most relevant design work. Focus on projects demonstrating your ability to translate complex information into clear visuals, maintain brand consistency, and contribute to marketing objectives. Be ready to walk through 2-3 key projects in detail, explaining your process and impact.

• Research CESO: Familiarize yourself with CESO's projects, mission, values, and the architecture/engineering industry. Understand how your design skills can support their business goals and community impact.

• Practice Your Narrative: Prepare to articulate your design philosophy, your approach to problem-solving, and how you collaborate effectively with technical and marketing teams. Practice explaining your portfolio projects clearly and concisely.

⚠️ 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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