Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Ellucian

Location: Puebla, Mexico (San Andrés Cholula)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: August 04, 2026

Experience Level: 6-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the visual identity and brand consistency for Ellucian's refreshed brand across all marketing and communication channels, ensuring a cohesive and impactful presence.

• Conceptualize, design, and execute a wide range of engaging visual assets, including digital publications, social media graphics, web assets, and presentation materials, leveraging both traditional design principles and AI-powered tools.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including copywriters and the Creative Director, to translate creative briefs into compelling visual narratives that resonate with the higher education sector.

• Apply expertise in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and Microsoft Office to produce high-quality, on-brand creative deliverables that support Ellucian's mission to power innovation in higher education.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for maintaining and evolving Ellucian's visual brand, especially post-refresh. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking design team focused on efficiency and innovative content creation within the higher education SaaS market.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and develop visually compelling graphics, illustrations, and logos based on design briefs and project requirements, ensuring alignment with Ellucian's brand guidelines.

• Create engaging digital content assets for various platforms, including campaigns, social media, web pages, presentations, and marketing collateral, with a focus on visual storytelling.

• Collaborate with copywriters and the Creative Director to ensure that visual elements and written content work harmoniously to deliver a unified message.

• Maintain and expand brand consistency across all design outputs, ensuring that the refreshed brand identity is accurately and effectively represented in every piece of creative work.

• Utilize AI-enabled creative tools (e.g., Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT, Midjourney) to enhance ideation, accelerate content creation, and optimize design workflows for increased efficiency and innovation.

• Develop and refine designs for digital publications, advertisements, infographics, web graphics, and conference materials, ensuring they are aesthetically pleasing and meet project objectives.

• Contribute to the design of email templates, and explore opportunities in motion graphics and video production as required.

• Present design concepts and rationale clearly and persuasively to stakeholders, articulating the strategic thinking behind visual choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of traditional graphic design skills and modern digital creative execution, with a significant emphasis on leveraging AI tools for efficiency and innovation, particularly within the context of marketing campaigns and content creation for the higher education technology sector.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific educational requirements are not listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Graphic Designer role.

Experience: Six to ten years of proven graphic designing experience is a strong requirement, demonstrating a solid foundation in design principles and practical application.

Required Skills:

• Six to ten years of demonstrated experience in professional graphic design.

• A compelling and comprehensive portfolio showcasing relevant skills, particularly in visual content creation for marketing and digital platforms.

• High proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat.

• Strong command of Microsoft PowerPoint and Word for presentation and document creation.

• Extensive experience designing for digital publications, presentations, advertisements, social media graphics, infographics, web graphics, and conference collateral.

• Proficiency in using AI-enabled creative and productivity tools (such as Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT, Midjourney, Canva AI, or similar) for ideation, content creation, visual storytelling, and workflow optimization.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale clearly.

• A keen eye for aesthetics, detail, and brand consistency.

• Ability to work methodically, manage multiple projects, and consistently meet deadlines. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in designing email templates.

• Familiarity with motion graphics and video editing software.

• Understanding of the higher education technology landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI tools is a key differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to showcase how they've integrated these tools into their workflow to achieve better results, particularly in areas like rapid ideation, content generation, and workflow optimization, which are crucial for a fast-paced marketing environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio demonstrating a minimum of 6-10 years of professional graphic design work, with a strong emphasis on visual content relevant to marketing campaigns, digital assets, and brand evolution.

• Case studies that clearly illustrate the design process from brief to final execution, highlighting problem-solving, creative ideation, and strategic decision-making.

• Examples of work that showcase proficiency in expanding a brand's visual identity while maintaining strict brand consistency, particularly relevant given Ellucian's recent brand refresh.

• Demonstrations of successful projects across diverse media, including digital publications, social media graphics, web banners, infographics, and presentation decks.

• Evidence of utilizing AI-enabled creative tools to enhance design outcomes, demonstrating innovation and efficiency in content creation and visual storytelling. Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly document the design process, including how design briefs were interpreted, concepts were developed, and feedback was incorporated.

• Showcase examples where design processes were optimized for efficiency, perhaps through the use of templates, automation, or AI tools, leading to faster turnaround times or improved output quality.

• Include examples of how visual designs were measured for impact, if applicable, or how design decisions were informed by user feedback or data.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing aesthetics; it must demonstrate a strategic approach to design, an understanding of brand management, and a capacity for leveraging modern tools like AI to drive efficiency and innovation in creative output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Graphic Designer role in Puebla, Mexico, with 6-10 years of experience and proficiency in advanced design software and AI tools, a competitive annual salary range would typically fall between MXN 480,000 and MXN 720,000 (approximately USD 27,000 - USD 40,000). This estimate is based on general market research for creative roles in Mexico, considering the cost of living and industry benchmarks for senior positions.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health coverage for family major medical expenses.

• Dental insurance.

• Life insurance.

• Christmas bonus (30 days).

• Saving fund.

• Monthly food coupon.

• 15 workdays of vacation.

• Thrive Flex Program for health, financial, or learning interests.

• 5 charitable days to support community initiatives.

• Parental leave.

• Employee referral bonuses.

• Tuition Reimbursement Assistance for continued education.

• Professional development opportunities.

• Access to LinkedIn Learning for skill enhancement.

• Diversity and inclusion programs, including employee resource groups.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, consistent with full-time employment. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests a flexible schedule that likely balances in-office collaboration with remote workdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on cross-referencing similar senior graphic design roles in Mexico with reported salary data and considering the specific technical requirements (Adobe CC, AI tools) and experience level. Benefits are extensive and align with competitive offerings in the Mexican market for multinational corporations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Ellucian operates within the Higher Education Technology (EdTech) sector, specifically focusing on Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. This industry is characterized by a focus on innovation, data-driven insights, and improving student and institutional outcomes. The company's mission is to "power innovation for higher education," indicating a culture that values progress and technological advancement.

Company Size: Ellucian serves approximately 3,000 customers across 50 countries, with over 21 million students impacted. While the exact employee count isn't directly provided in the raw data, the scale of operations and customer base suggests a large, global organization, likely with several hundred to thousands of employees. This implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact.

Founded: Ellucian has decades of experience, founded with a singular focus on the unique needs of learning institutions. This long history suggests stability, deep domain expertise in higher education, and a commitment to its market.

Team Structure:

• The design function is a critical component of the Marketing team, indicating close collaboration with marketing strategists, content creators, and brand managers.

• The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director or a Marketing Manager, working within a team that includes copywriters and potentially other designers or marketing specialists.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected across various departments, as design touches areas across the entire company, from campaigns and content to web and internal communications. Methodology:

• Ellucian emphasizes AI-powered platforms and data-rich tools, suggesting a data-driven approach to understanding customer needs and driving institutional success.

• The design team's methodology will likely involve a blend of agile creative processes for rapid content creation and more structured approaches for brand campaigns and major collateral development.

• The integration of AI tools points towards a methodology that embraces automation, efficiency, and innovative problem-solving in the creative process.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is geared towards innovation in higher education, supported by technology and data. For a Senior Graphic Designer, this means working in a dynamic environment where visual communication plays a key role in conveying complex solutions and driving engagement within the academic sector. The company's long-standing presence provides a stable yet evolving backdrop for creative work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Graphic Designer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires substantial experience (6-10 years) and the ability to work autonomously, conceptualize complex visuals, and mentor junior team members if applicable. The role demands not just execution but also strategic input on visual direction and brand evolution.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director or a Manager within the Marketing department. They will collaborate closely with copywriters and other marketing professionals. The "hybrid" work arrangement suggests a degree of autonomy in managing their schedule, balancing in-office collaboration with remote work.

Operations Impact: The graphic design function is critical to Ellucian's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, directly influencing brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and customer engagement. The Senior Graphic Designer's work will impact:

• Brand Recognition: Ensuring the refreshed brand is consistently and effectively communicated.

• Lead Generation: Creating compelling visuals for marketing campaigns and content assets that attract and engage prospective clients in higher education.

• Customer Engagement: Designing user-friendly and visually appealing materials for existing clients, enhancing their experience with Ellucian's solutions.

• Internal Communications: Supporting various departments with visual assets for presentations and internal initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, video, or advanced AI-driven design techniques.

• Leadership: Potential to move into a Lead Designer role, managing projects or even a small team, or to transition into a Creative Director track.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning through access to LinkedIn Learning, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities, especially in emerging design technologies and AI.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining broader marketing and business acumen by working on diverse projects across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior role, this position offers significant opportunity for impact and professional growth. The emphasis on AI tools presents a unique avenue for developing cutting-edge skills that are highly valuable in the current design landscape, positioning the candidate for future leadership in a tech-forward creative environment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "Hybrid," indicating a mix of on-site work at the Puebla, Mexico office and remote workdays. This suggests a modern office environment designed to facilitate collaboration and focused individual work.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Puebla, Mexico, specifically at Atzala 1607, San Andres Cholula, 72810. This location provides the on-site component for the hybrid work arrangement.

Workspace Context:

• The office space is likely designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and potentially shared creative workstations.

• Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office) and potentially advanced hardware will be provided to support the creative process.

• Opportunities for interaction with the broader marketing team, Creative Director, copywriters, and potentially other design professionals will be available during in-office days, promoting idea exchange and team cohesion.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time with standard working hours (40 hours per week). The hybrid nature offers flexibility, allowing designers to manage their time effectively, balancing collaborative sessions at the office with focused individual work at home. This structure is conducive to deep work required for complex design tasks and allows for efficient project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Puebla suggests a balance between in-person team synergy and the flexibility of remote work, catering to modern professional expectations. The workspace will be equipped to support advanced design tasks, encouraging both collaborative innovation and focused individual execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements. Be sure your portfolio clearly highlights your 6-10 years of experience and proficiency with Adobe CC and AI tools.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A deeper dive into your portfolio. Expect to discuss specific projects, your design process, how you handled challenges, and your rationale behind design choices. Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to maintain brand consistency and expand a brand's visual identity, especially in light of Ellucian's recent refresh.

• Creative Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or present a case study based on a hypothetical or real-world scenario relevant to Ellucian's business. This will assess your problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to apply design principles under pressure.

• Cultural Fit Interview: Discussions with the hiring manager and potential team members to assess your communication style, collaboration skills, and how well you align with Ellucian's culture and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your 6-10 years of experience, diverse skills (digital publications, web graphics, social media, presentations), and proficiency with Adobe CC.

• Highlight AI Integration: Clearly demonstrate how you've used AI tools (Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT, etc.) to enhance your workflow, ideation, or final output. Provide specific examples of efficiency gains or innovative solutions.

• Showcase Brand Evolution: Include at least one project that illustrates your ability to work with an existing brand, maintain its core identity, and potentially evolve or expand it, reflecting Ellucian's recent brand refresh.

• Tell a Story: For each project, detail the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the tools used (mentioning specific Adobe CC programs and AI tools), and the final outcome/impact. Quantify results where possible.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. A digital format (PDF or personal website) is standard.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Ellucian's brand and its recent refresh. Understand their mission and target audience (higher education institutions).

• Practice articulating your design process and the rationale behind your creative decisions, especially how they support business objectives.

• Be ready to discuss how you manage feedback and collaborate with non-designers (copywriters, marketers).

• Prepare examples of how you've used AI tools to solve design problems or improve efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that showcases AI tool usage and brand evolution is critical. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design strategy and process in detail, demonstrating not just creative talent but also business acumen and adaptability to new technologies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite:

  • InDesign: Essential for digital publications, layout design, and multi-page documents.
  • Illustrator: Critical for logo design, vector graphics, infographics, and illustrations.
  • Photoshop: Key for image editing, manipulation, web graphics, and digital asset creation.
  • Acrobat: Necessary for PDF creation, editing, and management.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • PowerPoint: Required for creating professional presentations and visual decks.
  • Word: Essential for document creation and collaboration on written content.

• AI-Enabled Creative & Productivity Tools:

  • Adobe Firefly: For AI-powered image generation and creative workflows.
  • ChatGPT / Large Language Models: For ideation, content generation, and workflow optimization support.
  • Midjourney / Stable Diffusion: For advanced AI image generation.
  • Canva AI: For quick design tasks and template-based AI assistance.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly listed as required for this designer role, an understanding of how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on web banners, engagement on social media graphics) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to the core design responsibilities, but awareness of how marketing automation platforms utilize visual assets could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite is a baseline requirement. The strong emphasis on AI tools means candidates must be comfortable and adept at integrating these into their daily design workflow to enhance creativity, efficiency, and problem-solving, which is a key differentiator for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: Ellucian's core mission is to "power innovation for higher education." This value translates to a culture that encourages new ideas, embraces technology (like AI in design), and seeks better ways to serve its customers.

• Customer Focus: Partnering with institutions and serving millions of students means a deep commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of the higher education sector. Design decisions should ultimately support student success and institutional efficiency.

• Collaboration: The "critical component of our Marketing team" and the hybrid work model highlight the importance of teamwork. Designers are expected to work effectively with copywriters, Creative Directors, and other stakeholders.

• Data-Driven Insights: Ellucian leverages data for decision-making. While designers may not directly analyze data, their work should be informed by an understanding of how visuals contribute to campaign performance and user engagement metrics.

• Excellence and Detail: The requirement for a "keen eye for aesthetics and details" and the need to ensure "final graphics and layouts are visually appealing and on-brand" underscore a commitment to high-quality output.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers will work closely with marketing strategists, content creators, and potentially product teams to ensure visual assets align with overall campaign goals and brand messaging.

• Feedback Loop: A culture that encourages constructive feedback is implied, as designers need to collaborate with copywriters and Creative Directors to refine work. Open communication and the ability to clearly articulate design choices are essential.

• Knowledge Sharing: With access to learning resources like LinkedIn Learning and professional development, the team likely fosters an environment where individuals share best practices, new techniques, and insights, especially concerning emerging technologies like AI in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Ellucian prioritizes innovation and customer success within higher education. For a Senior Graphic Designer, this means contributing to a team that values creative problem-solving, embraces new technologies like AI, and maintains a strong focus on delivering high-quality, impactful visual communications that support the company's mission.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Brand Evolution Management: Consistently applying and expanding a refreshed brand identity across a wide array of media while maintaining strict brand consistency can be challenging. This requires meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of brand guidelines.

• Pace of Digital Content: The demand for engaging digital content across multiple platforms (social media, web, campaigns) requires efficient workflows and the ability to produce high-quality visuals quickly.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Leveraging AI tools for design requires experimentation and adaptation. The challenge lies in using AI to augment creativity and efficiency without compromising originality or brand integrity.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Juggling design requests from various departments and ensuring all stakeholders are satisfied while adhering to brand standards and project timelines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Deepening expertise in AI-powered design tools and workflows, becoming a go-to person for innovative visual creation methods.

• Motion Graphics & Video: Developing skills in motion graphics and video editing, which are increasingly important for digital content engagement.

• Higher Education Tech Acumen: Gaining a deeper understanding of the EdTech landscape and how visual communication can effectively address the unique challenges and opportunities in higher education.

• Creative Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead creative projects, and contribute to the strategic direction of the design function.

• Formal Training: Access to tuition reimbursement and LinkedIn Learning provides structured pathways for skill enhancement in design, technology, and related fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity lies in becoming a leader in AI-integrated design within the higher education sector. Candidates who can navigate the challenges of brand evolution and embrace new technologies will find ample room for professional development and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for interpreting a design brief and translating it into compelling visual concepts. Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Focus on process, ideation, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across diverse media, especially when working with a recently refreshed brand identity like Ellucian's?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and attention to detail.)

• "Tell us about a time you successfully used AI tools (e.g., Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT) to enhance your design process or create innovative visual content. What were the benefits and challenges?" (Demonstrate your proficiency and forward-thinking approach.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with copywriters and other marketing team members to achieve a unified campaign message?" (Showcase your teamwork and communication skills.)

• "Imagine we need to create a series of infographics explaining complex SaaS solutions for higher education. How would you approach this project from a design perspective?" (Assess your strategic thinking and ability to visualize complex information.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Ellucian and our mission in higher education? How do you see your design skills contributing to our goals?" (Research Ellucian's website, mission, and recent news.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies, particularly in AI-driven creative tools?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. How do you manage your time and collaborate effectively with colleagues remotely and in the office?" (Highlight your organizational and communication skills.)

• "What are your thoughts on Ellucian's recently refreshed brand identity? What elements do you find particularly effective?" (Show your analytical skills and engagement with their brand.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, don't just show the final image. Tell the story: the client's challenge, your role, your creative process, the tools you used (specifically mentioning Adobe CC and AI tools), and the impact or outcome.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased click-through rates, engagement, positive feedback).

• Show AI Integration: Clearly label or explain how AI tools were used in specific projects, highlighting the benefits achieved (e.g., faster ideation, unique visual styles, enhanced content).

• Brand Consistency Focus: If possible, include a project that explicitly demonstrates your ability to maintain or evolve a brand identity, aligning with Ellucian's recent refresh.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a given timeframe, focusing on the most relevant and impactful work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process with a strong emphasis on how they leverage AI tools and maintain brand integrity. Demonstrating an understanding of Ellucian's mission and the higher education sector will be crucial for success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Ellucian careers portal (careers.ellucian.com).

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate your 6-10 years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), and, critically, your experience with AI-enabled creative tools (Adobe Firefly, etc.). Showcase examples of brand expansion and consistency.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your experience with the required software and tools. Quantify achievements and responsibilities wherever possible, focusing on contributions to marketing campaigns, digital content, and brand initiatives.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, design rationale, and how you've used AI tools to enhance creativity and efficiency. Prepare specific examples for strategy and behavioral questions. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Ellucian, its mission, its products, and its recent brand refresh. Understand their position in the higher education technology market and how design contributes to their Go-To-Market strategy.

⚠️ 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.