Sr. Graphic Designer

NBCUniversal
Full-timeโ€ข$115k-135k/year (USD)โ€ขStamford, United States

๐Ÿ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Graphic Designer

Company: NBCUniversal

Location: Stamford, Connecticut, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Design / Broadcast Design

Date Posted: July 31, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office)

๐Ÿš€ Role Summary

  • Design, build, and animate original graphics for live events broadcasts and studio shows, enhancing the visual identity of NBCU Local and Regional Sports Networks.

  • Collaborate with a team of designers and project managers to develop and implement new looks for programming and marketing materials, ensuring brand consistency.

  • Create and version graphic and animated elements, including network graphics, show packages, event inserts, and titles, with a focus on efficiency and quality.

  • Utilize cutting-edge design tools and AI technologies to produce high-impact visual content that resonates with sports audiences.

  • Contribute to the overall creative output of NBCUniversal Local, supporting various properties and marketing initiatives with compelling design solutions.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Sr. Graphic Designer within NBCUniversal's Local and Regional Sports Networks division, indicating a focus on broadcast graphics for live sports and studio productions. The emphasis on "cutting-edge eye for design" and "new studio on-air graphics for major sports properties" suggests a need for innovative and dynamic visual storytelling.

๐Ÿ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Design, build, and animate original graphic and animated elements using Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D for NBCU Local/RSN programming and marketing.

  • Collaborate with Senior Creatives and Project Managers to accurately estimate job time requirements and establish efficient workflows for design projects.

  • Develop and version a comprehensive suite of graphic assets, including network branding, show packages, event insert graphics, and titles, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines.

  • Prepare and optimize artwork for ongoing shows, such as logo art for insert graphics and sales integrations, to facilitate seamless on-air execution.

  • Create original logos and layouts for both production and marketing purposes, aligning visual elements with strategic objectives.

  • Edit promotional content and internal videos for NBCU Local HQ, ensuring high-quality visual storytelling and brand messaging.

  • Oversee the quality control (QC) of all designed and animated elements, ensuring accuracy and minimal errors before final delivery to project managers.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design, technical animation, project management collaboration, and meticulous quality control, typical for a senior-level broadcast designer who also contributes to workflow efficiency.

๐ŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Graphic Designer role in broadcast media.

Experience: 5+ years of experience working at a network or broadcast design agency, with a proven track record in live events and studio show graphics.

Required Skills:

  • Strong proficiency in Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, Premiere, and Illustrator for comprehensive graphic design and animation workflows.

  • Demonstrated experience with Cinema 4D, including modeling, texturing, and animating 3D elements.

  • Proven ability to design, build, and animate original work efficiently and to a high standard.

  • Understanding of design implementation across network television, social media platforms, and live sports environments.

  • Excellent file organization skills and the ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadlines.

  • Meticulous attention to detail for self-QC of work, ensuring errors and omissions are minimized.

  • Practical knowledge and application of AI tools in the creative design process. Preferred Skills:

  • Passion for show packaging, social media trends, and current graphic design styles.

  • A love for sports and an understanding of sports broadcasting aesthetics.

  • Experience with project management principles and estimating job time requirements.

  • Flexibility, detail-orientation, deadline-driven work ethic, and strong collaboration skills.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite, Cinema 4D) and understanding of broadcast environments is crucial. The inclusion of "AI tools" indicates a forward-thinking approach to design technology.

๐Ÿ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of professional broadcast design work, with a strong emphasis on live events and studio productions.

  • Demonstrations of original design, building, and animation in After Effects and Cinema 4D, featuring complex projects and creative problem-solving.

  • Examples of creating and versioning show packages, network graphics, event inserts, and marketing materials for television and digital platforms.

  • Case studies detailing workflow processes, time estimation, and quality control measures employed on past projects.

  • Visual examples of logo design and layout creation for both production and marketing applications. Process Documentation:

  • Showcase workflow design and optimization strategies for managing multiple broadcast projects simultaneously.

  • Provide examples of implementation and automation methods used to streamline the graphic creation and delivery process.

  • Demonstrate experience in measuring the performance and impact of graphic design elements, where applicable.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to walk through their process, demonstrating not just the final product but also their problem-solving approach, efficiency, and understanding of broadcast workflows.

๐Ÿ’ต Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $115,000 - $135,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

  • 401(k) retirement savings plan.

  • Paid leave, including vacation, sick time, and holidays.

  • Tuition reimbursement program for continued education and skill development.

  • A variety of other discounts and perks offered by NBCUniversal.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime on short notice. The role operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring a minimum of four days per week in the Stamford, Connecticut office.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Senior Graphic Designer role in the media and entertainment industry in the New York metropolitan area. The hybrid work model is detailed, with a clear expectation for in-office presence.

๐ŸŽฏ Team & Company Context

๐Ÿข Company Culture

Industry: Media and Entertainment, specifically broadcasting and digital streaming.

Company Size: NBCUniversal is a large, global media conglomerate, employing tens of thousands of people worldwide. This implies a structured environment with established processes and opportunities for impact.

Founded: NBCUniversal has a long history, tracing its roots back to the early days of television broadcasting. This heritage suggests a culture that values legacy while embracing innovation.

Team Structure:

  • The role is within NBCUniversal Local / Regional Sports Networks, part of a broader design team.

  • Expect collaboration with Senior Creatives, Project Managers, and potentially other designers and editors.

  • The team supports multiple broadcast properties, requiring strong coordination and communication. Methodology:

  • Emphasis on creating world-class content and delivering impactful visual experiences.

  • Data-driven decision-making is implied through the focus on improving communities and attracting talent.

  • Workflow planning and optimization are key, as evidenced by the responsibility to estimate job times and plan workflows.

  • Automation and efficiency are likely valued, especially with the mention of AI tools.

Company Website: www.nbcuniversal.com

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: As a subsidiary of Comcast, NBCUniversal operates with a corporate structure that balances creative freedom with large-scale operational efficiency. The "Local / Regional Sports Networks" designation points to a specific focus within the larger organization.

๐Ÿ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role, signifying a high degree of autonomy, technical expertise, and responsibility for complex design projects.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director, Design Manager, or Lead Designer within the NBCUniversal Local / Regional Sports Networks division. Collaboration with Project Managers is also a key reporting relationship for task management.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the visual appeal and brand identity of live sports broadcasts and studio shows, influencing viewer engagement, promotional effectiveness, and overall brand perception for NBCUniversal's regional networks.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Potential to advance to Lead Graphic Designer or Art Director roles within NBCUniversal.

  • Opportunities to specialize in specific sports properties or broadcast areas.

  • Development of leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and contributing to strategic creative planning.

  • Continuous learning and skill enhancement through exposure to new technologies, including advanced AI tools and animation techniques.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The "Sr." title suggests a career path that involves not just execution but also contribution to creative strategy and potentially mentorship, aligning with typical growth trajectories in broadcast design.

๐ŸŒ Work Environment

Office Type: The role is hybrid, requiring a significant presence in the Stamford, Connecticut office. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed for team interaction and access to necessary studio equipment.

Office Location(s): 1 Blachley Road, Stamford, Connecticut, 06902. This location is likely equipped with broadcast design studios and necessary technology.

Workspace Context:

  • A collaborative workspace with opportunities for brainstorming and real-time feedback with other designers and project managers.

  • Access to high-performance workstations and specialized software (Adobe Creative Suite, Cinema 4D, AI tools).

  • Potential for interaction with broadcast production teams, offering insights into the live production environment.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week, with the expectation of flexibility and willingness to work overtime on short notice, common in live broadcast environments where schedules can change rapidly.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature with a strong office presence implies that collaboration and access to on-site resources are critical for this role's success.

๐Ÿ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Resume and portfolio review to assess qualifications and creative output.

  • Creative Assessment: A potential design test or challenge to evaluate technical skills, creative thinking, and efficiency under timed conditions.

  • Interviews: Discussions with hiring managers, senior creatives, and potentially project managers to assess fit, collaboration style, and understanding of broadcast design principles.

  • Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their work, discuss their creative process, and explain their role in specific projects.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate your portfolio to highlight your strongest work in broadcast graphics, live events, and studio shows. Emphasize projects similar to NBCU Local/RSN's content.

  • For each project, clearly articulate your specific role, the creative brief, your design process, the tools used, and the final outcome/impact.

  • Include examples of animation in After Effects and 3D work in Cinema 4D.

  • Showcase your ability to work within brand guidelines and adapt designs for different platforms (TV, social media).

  • Be prepared to discuss your workflow, time estimation, and quality control methods. Challenge Preparation:

  • If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly.

  • Prioritize key elements and deliver a polished, well-reasoned solution within the given timeframe.

  • Be ready to explain your design choices and demonstrate your technical proficiency.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the candidate's portfolio, so preparing a strong, relevant selection of work and being able to articulate the process behind it is critical.

๐Ÿ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe After Effects: For motion graphics, animation, and compositing.

  • Adobe Photoshop: For image manipulation, asset creation, and graphic design.

  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo design, and illustration.

  • Adobe Premiere: For video editing and promo creation.

  • Maxon Cinema 4D: For 3D modeling, texturing, animation, and rendering.

Analytics & Reporting: While not primary tools for a designer, understanding how graphics are tracked or used in analytics (e.g., viewership engagement with specific graphic elements) could be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the design role, but awareness of project management tools used for task tracking and workflow management (e.g., Asana, Trello, or internal NBCU systems) is helpful.

  • AI Tools: Practical knowledge and application of Artificial Intelligence tools in the creative design process.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite and Cinema 4D is non-negotiable. The inclusion of AI tools indicates a need for candidates to be adaptable and explore emerging technologies in graphic design.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Excellence in Broadcast Design: A commitment to producing high-quality, visually compelling graphics that elevate the viewing experience.

  • Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging "cutting-edge" design and the exploration of new visual styles and technologies, including AI.

  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively within a team structure, sharing ideas, and supporting project managers and senior creatives.

  • Efficiency & Precision: Delivering work quickly and efficiently while maintaining a high standard of quality and minimizing errors.

  • Brand Stewardship: Upholding and enhancing the NBCUniversal brand identity across all design outputs.

Collaboration Style:

  • Close collaboration with Senior Creatives and Project Managers is essential for workflow planning and execution.

  • Team-oriented approach to problem-solving and creative development.

  • Openness to feedback and iterative design processes.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: The company culture likely values a blend of creative excellence and operational efficiency, crucial for the fast-paced broadcast environment.

โšก Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Adapting to rapidly changing project requirements and deadlines inherent in live broadcasting.

  • Maintaining a consistent and high-quality visual standard across diverse sports properties and programming.

  • Integrating new technologies, such as AI tools, effectively into existing workflows.

  • Balancing creative ambition with the practical constraints of broadcast production timelines and budgets. Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Exposure to a wide range of live sports events and studio productions, offering diverse design challenges.

  • Opportunities to work with industry-leading broadcast technology and software.

  • Potential for professional development in areas like advanced 3D animation, motion graphics, or emerging AI design applications.

  • Mentorship from experienced creative leaders within a major media organization.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges related to the dynamic nature of live broadcast, coupled with substantial growth opportunities in a leading media company.

๐Ÿ’ก Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe your process for designing a new show package for a live sports broadcast. How do you ensure it aligns with the brand and captivates the audience?" (Focus on workflow, creative brief interpretation, and audience engagement.)

  • "Walk us through a complex animation project you created in After Effects or Cinema 4D. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Prepare a specific case study from your portfolio, detailing your technical approach and problem-solving.)

  • "How do you approach quality control for your design work, especially under tight deadlines? Provide an example of a time you caught an error and how you rectified it." (Emphasize your meticulousness and error-minimization strategies.) Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you about working for NBCUniversal Local / Regional Sports Networks specifically?" (Research current programming and recent network news.)

  • "How do you stay updated on current graphic design trends, particularly in sports broadcasting and social media?" (Demonstrate your passion and proactive learning.)

  • "Describe a time you collaborated with a project manager or a team member on a challenging project. What was your role, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects.

  • For each project, prepare a concise narrative:

    • The client/project context.
    • The design problem or objective.
    • Your creative approach and process.
    • Technical details (software, techniques).
    • The final outcome and your contribution.
  • Be ready to answer detailed questions about your design choices and technical execution.

  • Clearly demonstrate your proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and AI tools.

๐Ÿ“ Enhancement Note: Prepare to defend your design choices, articulate your process clearly, and showcase how your work directly contributes to the goals of a major sports media network.

๐Ÿ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature broadcast design, live events, and studio show graphics. Prioritize examples that demonstrate your skills in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and AI tools, with a focus on sports-related content if possible.

  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 5+ years of experience in network or broadcast design agencies, detailing your proficiency with required software and your ability to work efficiently and maintain quality control. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio for potential design challenges and behavioral questions. Rehearse your portfolio presentation to be clear, concise, and impactful.

  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with NBCUniversal's Local and Regional Sports Networks, their current programming, and their brand identity. Understand their commitment to community and inclusivity.

โš ๏ธ 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.


Application Requirements

Candidates must have at least 5 years of experience in a network or broadcast design agency and possess strong skills in Adobe Creative Cloud and Cinema 4D. The role requires the ability to work quickly, maintain organized files, and perform quality control on all deliverables.