Sr. Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Graphic Designer

Company: San Manuel

Location: Highland, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-19T00:00:00

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in translating strategic objectives into compelling visual communications across diverse media platforms, from print to digital and social channels.

• The Senior Graphic Designer will take ownership of creative projects, driving conceptualization through to final execution, ensuring brand integrity and impactful delivery.

• A key aspect involves leading and mentoring junior graphic design staff, fostering professional development and upholding design best practices and file management standards.

• The position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams, championing the organization's vision, mission, and values through all visual outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under Creative & Design Operations due to its strategic oversight, team leadership, and focus on brand consistency and integrated visual communication strategy, which are core to effective GTM and internal operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and present innovative design concepts and layout drafts for a wide range of materials, including digital displays, social media content, print collateral, and internal communications.

• Refine and finalize design layouts based on client feedback and strategic input, ensuring strict adherence to brand guidelines, visual consistency, and production readiness.

• Collaborate with account specialists, production teams, and supervisors to understand project objectives, scope, and creative direction, delivering high-impact key-art, illustrations, and mock-ups.

• Analyze visual assets and content, including photography and typography, to plan effective presentations and create sample compositions that align with brand standards and communication goals.

• Coordinate with account specialists and the production team to prepare final production files, meticulously review proofs, and ensure the quality and accuracy of all final deliverables prior to release.

• Provide training, mentorship, and guidance to graphic design staff, promoting best practices in digital workflows, file management, and established design standards.

• Assist in the onboarding of new team members and support ongoing skill development initiatives within the design team.

• Manage and maintain image libraries and creative resource repositories, ensuring proper organization, accessibility, and adherence to usage policies for all visual assets.

• Support the efficient operation of the Creative Services department by performing other assigned duties as needed, contributing to overall team and departmental goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual creative contribution and leadership, emphasizing project management, client consultation, and team development, which are critical for a senior-level operations-adjacent creative role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related specialty area.

Experience: Minimum of four (4) years of progressive design experience, with at least one (1) year of hands-on experience specifically in digital design. Related, relevant, and/or direct experience may be considered in lieu of the minimum educational requirements.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in industry-standard graphic design software, specifically Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Strong understanding and application of typography, layout design principles, and visual communication strategies.

• Proven ability to develop and execute digital design concepts and assets for various platforms, including web, social media, and digital displays.

• Demonstrated experience in maintaining brand consistency and alignment across all visual materials.

• Working knowledge of Mac OS and Windows Operating Systems.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and similar productivity software.

• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet project deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics software such as After Effects.

• Familiarity with 3D design programs.

• Experience with project management systems like Adobe Workfront or similar workflow management tools.

• Portfolio demonstrating compelling digital experiences and innovative design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a compelling portfolio in lieu of some experience emphasizes the practical, results-oriented nature of this role, common in operations-focused creative positions where tangible outputs are key performance indicators.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects that demonstrate a strong understanding of visual hierarchy, typography, and brand integration.

• Include case studies that highlight the problem, your design process, solutions, and the impact of your work, particularly for digital and integrated campaigns.

• Present projects that illustrate your ability to translate strategic objectives into clear, compelling visual communications across various media.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process from initial brief and concept development through to final production and delivery, highlighting key decision points and rationale.

• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with stakeholders, incorporating feedback, and managing revisions to ensure project success.

• Detail your methods for file management, asset organization, and ensuring the technical readiness of final files for various output requirements.

• Provide examples of how you ensure brand consistency and adherence to established style guides across multiple projects and deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: A robust portfolio is critical for this role, serving as a primary method to assess design competency, strategic thinking, and process management capabilities, akin to how operations professionals present their process improvement case studies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Sr. Graphic Designer role in Highland, California, with 4+ years of experience, including digital design specialization, the estimated annual salary range is between $70,000 and $95,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in the region and the specialized skills required.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with company match.

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

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuing education.

• Access to employee assistance programs for personal and professional support.

• Potential for gaming license eligibility, which may offer additional benefits or opportunities.

Working Hours: Standard full-time position, typically 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be required to work evening, weekend, and holiday shifts as dictated by project demands and departmental needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for graphic design roles in the specified region and experience level. San Manuel's compensation structure may vary. Benefits are typical for a large organization and are subject to company policy.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hospitality and Entertainment, with a strong focus on gaming and tribal operations. San Manuel is one of the largest private employers in the Inland Empire, indicating a significant operational footprint and impact on the regional economy.

Company Size: Large employer (as indicated by "one of the largest private employers in the Inland Empire"), suggesting a structured corporate environment with established processes and a broad range of departments.

Founded: San Manuel is a tribal enterprise, implying a foundation rooted in community, heritage, and long-term strategic vision. The specific founding date is not provided, but its scale suggests a history of growth and development.

Team Structure:

• The Creative Services team likely operates within a larger Marketing or Communications department, comprising various creative specialists.

• The Senior Graphic Designer reports to the Supervisor, Creative Services, indicating a clear reporting hierarchy and opportunities for mentorship.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on brand alignment and upholding the Tribe's vision, mission, and values suggests a strategic approach to all creative output.

• The role requires developing high-impact visual solutions, implying a focus on effectiveness and measurable outcomes.

• Mentorship and training indicate a culture that values professional development and knowledge transfer within the team.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's identity as a tribal enterprise suggests a unique culture that may blend traditional values with modern business practices. This context is crucial for understanding the overarching mission and operational priorities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position within the Creative Services function, indicating a high degree of autonomy, responsibility for project leadership, and the capacity to mentor junior staff. It sits above entry-level or junior designer roles and contributes to the strategic execution of visual communication for the organization.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Graphic Designer reports directly to the Supervisor, Creative Services. This structure allows for direct oversight, feedback, and guidance on projects, while also providing a clear path for escalation and decision-making.

Operations Impact: The role's output directly impacts San Manuel's brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and internal communications. High-quality visual design is critical for engaging target audiences, reinforcing brand identity, and supporting various operational initiatives across the company's properties.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific design areas like motion graphics, digital experience design, or brand system development.

• Leadership: Advancement opportunities could lead to roles such as Lead Designer, Art Director, or further progression within the Creative Services management track.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to work on diverse projects across different San Manuel departments, broadening understanding of overall business operations and strategic goals.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning through training, workshops, and exposure to new design trends and technologies, supported by the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "operations impact" is framed through the lens of how creative output supports broader business functions, aligning with the operational goals of brand consistency and effective communication.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily an office-based role within a climate-controlled office setting, supporting a structured and collaborative work environment.

Office Location(s): Highland, California, with potential requirements to travel to other San Manuel properties for meetings, events, or project-specific needs.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as fast-paced and high-demand, necessitating efficient workflow and strong time management skills.

• Collaboration is a key component, with opportunities to work closely with account specialists and production teams, fostering a dynamic and interactive workspace.

• Access to industry-standard design software and operating systems is fundamental to the daily tasks within this workspace.

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. However, incumbents must be prepared to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as project schedules and business needs dictate. This flexibility is common in creative and operational roles supporting large organizations with continuous operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of potential travel to "promotional events, meetings, conferences, and San Manuel properties" highlights the operational need for on-site presence and adaptability across different company locations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and design aesthetic against role requirements.

• Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to discuss the candidate's portfolio, focusing on design process, problem-solving, brand alignment, and impact. Expect to walk through specific projects and explain your rationale.

• Technical/Creative Challenge: Potentially a design exercise to evaluate practical skills, creative thinking, and ability to meet specific creative briefs under time constraints.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions assessing leadership, mentorship capabilities, teamwork, conflict resolution, and alignment with company values.

• Final Interview: Meeting with hiring manager or senior leadership to discuss role fit, career aspirations, and final qualifications.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best represent the required skills (digital design, brand alignment, conceptual thinking, typography).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the impact or results achieved. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Operations Relevance: Emphasize how your designs supported specific business objectives, improved user engagement, or solved operational communication challenges.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss the software and tools used, and how you managed file preparation for various outputs.

• Demonstrate Leadership: If applicable, include projects where you led conceptualization or mentored junior designers.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice designing under timed conditions, focusing on quick ideation and execution.

• Thoroughly understand San Manuel's brand identity and recent marketing campaigns to inform your approach.

• Be prepared to present your design solutions concisely and effectively, justifying your creative choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges is typical for creative roles, but the "operations relevance" aspect is crucial for this Sr. position, requiring candidates to link their creative work to business outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Expert knowledge is mandatory, specifically:

  • InDesign: For layout design and print production.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, illustrations, and logo design.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.

• Mac OS and Windows Operating Systems: Proficiency in both environments is required.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Adobe Workfront (Preferred): Experience with project management and workflow automation tools is highly advantageous for managing creative projects efficiently, tracking progress, and collaborating with teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, along with operating system proficiency, forms the core technical requirement. The preference for Workfront highlights the organization's focus on streamlined operational workflows for creative projects.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A drive to produce high-quality, impactful visual communications that meet and exceed client expectations and brand standards.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: A commitment to working effectively with colleagues, clients, and production teams to achieve shared goals.

• Brand Stewardship: Upholding and championing the San Manuel brand identity, vision, mission, and values in all creative endeavors.

• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: A willingness to explore new design approaches and technologies to enhance visual communication effectiveness and efficiency.

• Mentorship and Development: A culture that values sharing knowledge, supporting team growth, and fostering professional development among designers.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with account specialists, production teams, and other departments to ensure designs are strategically aligned and technically feasible.

• Feedback-Driven: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to refine designs and improve processes.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication regarding project status, challenges, and creative direction.

• Process-Oriented: Adhering to established workflows for file management, approvals, and archiving to ensure operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of creative excellence with operational rigor, highlighting the importance of brand integrity, teamwork, and continuous improvement in a professional setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Effectively translating unique creative ideas within the strict framework of established brand guidelines and organizational objectives.

• Managing Multiple Projects and Deadlines: Juggling a diverse workload with competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, requiring exceptional time management and organizational skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Design Trends and Technologies: Staying current with industry advancements, including new software features and digital media platforms, to maintain design relevance and effectiveness.

• Incorporating Feedback Effectively: Navigating potentially conflicting feedback from various stakeholders while maintaining design integrity and achieving optimal outcomes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to attend workshops or training in areas like motion graphics, UX/UI design, or advanced digital illustration.

• Industry Conferences: Potential to attend design conferences to gain exposure to new trends, network with peers, and learn from industry leaders.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal opportunities to be mentored by senior design leaders or to mentor junior designers, fostering leadership and skill-sharing.

• Cross-Departmental Learning: Gaining insight into how creative assets support other operational functions within San Manuel, broadening strategic understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed to highlight areas where candidates can demonstrate problem-solving skills and adaptability, while growth opportunities are linked to career progression and skill enhancement relevant to operations-adjacent creative roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a key-art concept for a major campaign, from initial brief to final delivery." (Focus on your strategic thinking, research, and iteration process.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple design projects and platforms, especially when working with different teams or stakeholders?" (Highlight your understanding of brand governance and collaborative processes.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about San Manuel's brand and its audience? How would your design approach align with its mission and values?" (Showcase your research and understanding of the organization's context.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers or sharing your knowledge within a creative team?" (Assess your leadership and team-building capabilities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the results. Use strong visuals to illustrate your points.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, present data or metrics that demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, successful campaign reach).

• Highlight Process: Be prepared to discuss your workflow, decision-making rationale, and how you collaborated with others. This demonstrates your operational thinking.

• Tailor to San Manuel: Emphasize projects that align with the hospitality, entertainment, or tribal gaming industry, or showcase similar strategic communication challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: These questions are designed to probe for strategic thinking, operational awareness, and leadership potential, in addition to creative talent, reflecting the senior nature of the role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the San Manuel careers portal at https://www.sanmanuelcareers.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate a portfolio that prominently features your strongest digital design work, case studies demonstrating strategic thinking, and examples of brand integration. Tailor your selection to highlight skills relevant to the hospitality/entertainment industry if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, specific software proficiencies (Adobe Creative Cloud, OS), and any experience in digital design, project management, or mentorship. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on telling a compelling story for each project that includes your process, challenges, solutions, and impact. Be ready to discuss how your designs support business objectives.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with San Manuel's brand, its properties, and its mission/values. Understand their target audience and recent marketing efforts to better articulate your alignment.

⚠️ 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.