Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: GENERAL RV CENTER

Location: Wixom, Michigan, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing / Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-10

Experience Level: Mid-Level (5+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the development of overall layout and production design for advertisements across all media channels, including print, digital, social, and internal communications.

• Drive creative strategy and execution for the General RV brand, ensuring a consistent look and feel across all platforms.

• Mentor and provide guidance to junior graphic designers, fostering their personal and professional development within the creative team.

• Manage design projects from initial concept through final delivery, incorporating feedback and ensuring accuracy for large data merges.

• Collaborate closely with the marketing department to create compelling visual assets that support overall marketing goals and campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer, indicating a need for not only strong individual design skills but also leadership potential and the ability to guide junior team members. The focus on "production design" and "large data merges" suggests a practical, execution-oriented aspect to the role, requiring meticulous attention to detail and efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design visually compelling assets for digital advertisements, social media campaigns, email marketing, website content, print collateral, signage, and internal presentations.

• Develop creative concepts and execute designs that effectively communicate marketing objectives and reinforce the General RV brand identity.

• Maintain brand consistency by selecting appropriate photography, typography, graphics, and artwork across all marketing materials.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing managers and content creators, to conceptualize and execute integrated marketing campaigns.

• Oversee the entire design project lifecycle, from initial brief and concept development to final production, revisions, and stakeholder presentations.

• Skillfully manage large data merges into print layouts, ensuring absolute accuracy and adherence to specifications for mass distribution.

• Present design proposals, articulate creative rationale, and effectively incorporate feedback from stakeholders to refine final deliverables.

• Juggle multiple design projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks and managing deadlines effectively while maintaining a high level of quality and attention to detail.

• Provide constructive feedback, mentorship, and guidance to junior graphic designers, reviewing their work to ensure it meets brand standards and project requirements.

• Proactively stay abreast of emerging design trends, software updates, and industry best practices to continuously enhance design output and team capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution, project management, and leadership. The specific mention of "large data merges" points to a need for technical proficiency in handling variable data printing or mass personalization in digital assets, a crucial skill for large-scale marketing operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree is a plus but not required.

Experience: 5+ years of graphic design experience, preferably in an agency setting or with a focus on digital and traditional marketing.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in graphic design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign.

• Proven ability to design engaging visual assets for a variety of media, including digital ads, social media graphics, email templates, web banners, print materials, and signage.

• Experience in managing the full design project lifecycle, from concept generation to final production, including handling revisions and presenting work.

• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail, critical for managing multiple projects and ensuring accuracy in deliverables.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear articulation of design concepts and effective collaboration.

• Proven critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to address design challenges and find effective solutions.

• Experience in mentoring or guiding junior team members, providing constructive feedback and support. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Word for presentations and document creation.

• Familiarity with digital marketing platforms and best practices for ad creative optimization.

• Experience with photography selection and basic photo manipulation.

• Ability to manage large data merges efficiently and accurately into print layouts.

• Understanding of brand identity development and maintaining brand consistency across diverse channels.

• A strong portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, demonstrating creativity, technical skill, and problem-solving capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio is critical for this role. The requirement for Adobe Creative Suite proficiency is standard, but the specific mention of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign is key. The "5+ years" experience combined with "mentoring junior employees" positions this as a senior-level individual contributor role with leadership responsibilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive website or digital portfolio showcasing a diverse range of graphic design projects, including digital ads, social media campaigns, print collateral, and branding initiatives.

• Demonstrations of proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite applications (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) through project examples.

• Case studies or project descriptions that highlight the design process, creative problem-solving, and the impact of the design on marketing objectives.

• Examples of work that demonstrate an understanding of brand consistency and the ability to maintain a cohesive visual identity across multiple platforms.

• Evidence of experience with production design, including layout management and preparation for print or digital output. Process Documentation:

• Ability to articulate the design process from brief to final delivery, including concept development, iteration, and feedback incorporation.

• Examples of how design decisions were made to meet specific marketing goals or overcome creative challenges.

• Documentation or examples of project management skills, such as managing timelines, prioritizing tasks, and coordinating with stakeholders.

• For roles involving data merges, a clear explanation of the process for ensuring accuracy and efficiency in handling variable data.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on "production design" and "large data merges," the portfolio should ideally include examples that demonstrate attention to detail in complex layouts or projects involving variable data. The ability to explain the "why" behind design choices and the "how" of the process will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (5+ years), location (Wixom, MI), and the role's senior responsibilities, a competitive salary range for a Senior Graphic Designer in this region typically falls between $70,000 and $95,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Paid vacation time, allowing for work-life balance and rest.

• 401k retirement savings plan with company matching contributions, supporting long-term financial planning.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional overtime to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current industry benchmarks for senior-level graphic design roles in the Michigan area, considering the cost of living and the specific responsibilities outlined. The benefits package is detailed as provided in the input, with emphasis on components attractive to professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (RV Dealerships)

Company Size: Large (The company operates multiple Supercenters nationwide and an inspection facility, indicating a significant operational footprint and employee base, likely in the hundreds or thousands).

Founded: 1962. General RV Center has a long-standing history, evolving from a small operation to the nation's largest family-owned RV dealer, now in its third generation of family ownership. This suggests a culture that may blend traditional family values with modern business practices.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing Department, specifically within the Creative team. This team likely comprises other graphic designers, potentially copywriters, and marketing specialists.

• The role reports within a marketing hierarchy, with the Senior Graphic Designer expected to lead and mentor junior members.

• Close collaboration is expected with marketing managers, campaign managers, and potentially digital marketing specialists to ensure design alignment with broader marketing strategies. Methodology:

• Design execution will likely follow a campaign-driven approach, requiring the creation of assets that support specific marketing goals and promotions.

• Emphasis on brand consistency and adherence to brand guidelines will be paramount.

• Project management methodologies will be employed to handle multiple design requests and deadlines efficiently.

• A data-driven approach to design may be integrated, where designs are created to optimize engagement or conversion metrics.

Company Website: www.generalrv.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and family ownership suggest a stable work environment with a strong emphasis on values. The "Nation's Largest Family-Owned RV Dealer" status implies a significant scale of operations, which translates to potentially complex and high-volume design needs.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Individual Contributor role with leadership responsibilities. It represents a mid-to-advanced stage in a graphic design career, where technical design skills are complemented by project leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager, Creative Director, or a similar leadership role within the Marketing Department. They will also have direct oversight and mentorship responsibilities for junior graphic designers.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's work directly impacts General RV's brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and customer engagement. High-quality, on-brand visual assets are crucial for driving sales, building brand loyalty, and communicating the RV lifestyle. Their role in ensuring consistent branding across all channels is vital for a large national retailer.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like digital advertising creative, motion graphics, or advanced print production.

• Leadership: Progress into a Creative Lead or Art Director role, managing a larger team and taking on more strategic creative direction.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potentially move into broader marketing roles, leveraging design expertise for campaign strategy or brand management.

• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge within the RV industry, becoming a key asset for the company's marketing efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and mentoring responsibility indicate a clear path for career progression, either into formal leadership roles or becoming a highly valued, expert individual contributor. The company's size and national presence offer ample opportunities for diverse project exposure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site at the Wixom, Michigan location, suggesting a traditional office environment within General RV Center's headquarters or a major operational hub.

Office Location(s): Wixom, Michigan, USA. This location is part of the greater Detroit metropolitan area, offering access to a skilled workforce and various amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be collaborative, fostering interaction with other members of the marketing and creative teams.

• Essential design tools and technology, including robust workstations and access to Adobe Creative Suite, will be provided.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with marketing professionals will be common, facilitating a clear understanding of campaign objectives and design requirements.

• The environment is expected to be dynamic, given the retail industry's need for continuous marketing efforts and campaigns.

Work Schedule: The position is full-time, likely adhering to standard business hours (e.g., Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM EST), with flexibility potentially offered based on team needs and project demands, though on-site presence is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement indicates a preference for in-person collaboration and direct team engagement, which is often beneficial for creative roles requiring spontaneous brainstorming and feedback sessions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design process, and creative rationale. This stage will also assess proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and understanding of design principles. Technical questions regarding layout, typography, and production may be asked.

• Team/Manager Interview: An interview with the hiring manager and potentially other members of the creative or marketing team to evaluate collaboration style, problem-solving skills, and how the candidate aligns with team dynamics and company culture.

• Mentorship Discussion: Specific questions may be posed to gauge the candidate's experience and approach to mentoring junior designers.

• Final Interview (Optional): May involve senior leadership or a final check on cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Effectively: Select 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase a range of skills, especially those aligned with digital, print, and brand consistency.

• Tell a Story: For each project, articulate the challenge, your approach, the solutions you developed, and the impact (quantifiable if possible). Highlight your role and contributions.

• Showcase Process: Be prepared to discuss your design process, including how you interpret briefs, conduct research, iterate on designs, and incorporate feedback.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite tools and any specific techniques used (e.g., complex photo manipulations, data merge preparation).

• Demonstrate Leadership: If possible, include examples or discuss instances where you've guided or mentored junior designers.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You might be given a short, timed design task (e.g., creating a social media graphic or a concept for a print ad) to assess your ability to work under pressure and apply your skills quickly.

• Brand Consistency Exercise: Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure brand consistency across different media types for General RV.

• Mentorship Scenario: You might be asked how you would approach mentoring a junior designer on a specific task or feedback scenario.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "production design" and "large data merges" means that candidates should be prepared to showcase projects that demonstrate meticulous execution and problem-solving in these specific areas. The mentoring aspect is a key differentiator for a "Senior" role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign for all design and production tasks.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint for presentations and Microsoft Word for document creation is expected.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for design, an understanding of how design impacts digital analytics (e.g., click-through rates for digital ads) would be beneficial. Familiarity with tools that track campaign performance may be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Experience with CRM systems is generally not a primary requirement for graphic designers, but understanding how marketing materials integrate with CRM-driven campaigns could be an advantage. Familiarity with email marketing platforms and their design requirements would be valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack is clearly defined by the Adobe Creative Suite. Any additional experience with marketing automation platforms or analytics tools that inform creative decisions would be a bonus, demonstrating a more integrated approach to marketing design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Family Values: Given the company's history and ownership structure, expect a culture that emphasizes teamwork, loyalty, and mutual respect, akin to a family environment.

• Customer Focus: As a retail organization, a strong customer-centric approach will likely permeate the culture, with a focus on delivering excellent service and products.

• Passion for RV Lifestyle: A genuine enthusiasm for the RV lifestyle might be appreciated, as it aligns with the company's core business and mission.

• Growth and Innovation: While family-oriented, the company's sustained growth and national expansion suggest a commitment to progress, efficiency, and adapting to market demands.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: The role requires close collaboration with the marketing team, suggesting an environment where ideas are shared, and projects are tackled collectively.

• Mentorship-Driven: The expectation for the Senior Graphic Designer to mentor junior staff indicates a culture that values knowledge sharing and professional development.

• Feedback-Rich: The process of presenting designs and incorporating feedback implies an environment where constructive criticism is welcomed and utilized for improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "family-owned" aspect often translates to a more personal work environment where relationships and teamwork are highly valued. Understanding this cultural nuance can be beneficial during the interview process.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High Volume of Work: As the nation's largest family-owned RV dealer, General RV likely generates a substantial volume of marketing collateral, requiring efficient workflow and time management.

• Brand Consistency Across Channels: Maintaining a unified brand identity across diverse media (print, digital, social, in-store) for a national brand can be complex.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Marketing Objectives: Effectively translating marketing goals into compelling visual designs requires a strong understanding of both creative principles and business needs.

• Mentoring Junior Designers: Developing and guiding less experienced team members requires patience, strong communication skills, and the ability to provide constructive feedback.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in specific design software or explore new creative avenues relevant to the RV industry.

• Marketing Strategy Insight: Gaining a deeper understanding of marketing campaigns, target audiences, and how design contributes to overall business objectives.

• Leadership Development: Developing mentorship and team leadership skills through guiding junior designers.

• Industry Specialization: Becoming an expert in design for the recreational vehicle industry, which can be a niche and valuable specialization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in large organizations with high-output marketing departments. The growth opportunities are tied to both skill enhancement and potential leadership within the company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a new advertising campaign creative from brief to final delivery." (Focus on your workflow, research, concepting, and feedback incorporation.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple platforms, such as print ads, social media graphics, and web banners?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and application.)

• "Walk me through a project where you had to manage a large data merge for print. What were the challenges, and how did you ensure accuracy?" (Be prepared to detail your technical process and problem-solving.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers? Can you give an example of a time you helped a junior team member improve their work?" (Focus on your communication style, feedback methods, and coaching approach.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about General RV Center and the RV industry?" (Research the company's history, values, and recent marketing efforts.)

• "How do you see your design style aligning with the General RV brand?" (Review their current marketing materials and brand aesthetic.)

• "Describe a time you had to work under pressure to meet a tight deadline. How did you manage your workload and priorities?" (Highlight your organizational and time management skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin with 1-2 of your strongest projects that best represent your senior-level skills and relevance to the role.

• Narrate Your Process: For each project, explain the client's objective, your creative brief, your design journey (sketches, iterations), the final solution, and the results achieved.

• Emphasize Production Skills: Clearly showcase projects that demonstrate your proficiency in layout, typography, and any complex production tasks like data merges.

• Highlight Mentorship: If you have specific examples of mentoring, integrate them into your project discussions or be ready to elaborate when asked.

• Be Ready for Technical Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific software features, file preparation, and design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes the dual nature of this role: strong design execution and leadership/mentorship capabilities. Candidates should be ready to prove both.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the General RV Center careers portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of graphic design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), and any experience in agency settings or with digital/traditional marketing. Emphasize any mentorship or leadership roles.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, easily navigable, and showcases projects relevant to the responsibilities described, particularly those demonstrating layout, production design, and brand consistency. Include specific examples of digital ads, social media graphics, and print materials.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process, creative rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with mentoring junior designers and managing project deadlines.

• Research General RV Center: Familiarize yourself with General RV's brand, marketing efforts, and company culture. Understand their position as the nation's largest family-owned RV dealer and what that implies for their marketing.

⚠️ 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.