Sr. Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Graphic Designer

Company: San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

Location: Highland, CA, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

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

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Senior Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a senior-level position within the Creative Services department, focusing on the strategic design and production of visual communication materials across various media, including print, digital displays, and social media.

• The Sr. Graphic Designer will act as a creative lead, guiding project conceptualization, execution, and delivery, ensuring high-impact visual solutions that align with brand standards and tribal objectives.

• A key aspect of this role involves mentorship and training of junior graphic design staff, fostering professional growth and adherence to established design and file management procedures.

• The position requires strong collaboration skills to initiate and support opportunities with other departments, championing the Tribe's vision, mission, and values through creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job description focuses on graphic design, this enhanced version positions it within a broader GTM (Go-To-Market) and marketing operations context. The emphasis on brand standards, strategic objectives, and cross-functional collaboration highlights its importance in supporting marketing initiatives and overall brand consistency, which are critical for revenue generation and brand perception.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and present compelling design concepts and layout drafts to stakeholders for feedback and approval, refining based on input while ensuring visual consistency, brand alignment, and production readiness.

• Consult with account specialists, production teams, and supervisors to assess project objectives, scope, and creative direction, developing high-value key-art concepts, illustrations, and mock-ups.

• Analyze visual assets and content (illustrations, photographs, text) to plan effective material presentation, determining layout structure, selecting typography, and creating sample compositions that adhere to brand guidelines.

• Coordinate with account specialists and the production team to prepare final production files, meticulously reviewing proofs and ensuring the quality and accuracy of final deliverables before release.

• Provide training and mentorship to junior graphic design staff, promoting best practices in digital workflows, file management, and design standards, and assisting with onboarding and skill development.

• Manage and maintain image and creative resource libraries, ensuring accessibility, organization, and proper usage of all visual assets.

• Oversee the preparation of final deliverables, providing clear instructions to production staff and ensuring quality and accuracy.

• Support the efficient operation of the department by performing other duties as assigned and championing the goals and priorities of the Tribe.

📝 Enhancement Note: These responsibilities are structured to emphasize the strategic and leadership aspects of a Senior Graphic Designer role. They highlight the need for project management, stakeholder communication, and quality assurance, which are crucial for operations-minded professionals. The inclusion of "brand alignment" and "strategic objectives" bridges the gap between creative execution and business goals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant specialty (e.g., Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts) is required.

Experience:

• Minimum of four (4) years of design experience is required.

• At least one (1) year of hands-on field experience in digital design is mandatory.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop is essential for creating and manipulating design assets.

• Visual Communication & Layout Design: Ability to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging visual narratives through effective layout, typography, and composition.

• Digital Design Proficiency: Proven experience in designing for various digital platforms including websites, social media, and digital displays.

• Brand Stewardship: Strong understanding and application of brand standards to ensure consistency across all visual communications.

• Mentorship & Training: Ability to guide, train, and mentor junior design staff, fostering professional development and adherence to best practices.

• Project Management Fundamentals: Skills in managing time, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring project deadlines are met.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Graphics: Knowledge of After Effects for creating engaging animations and dynamic visual content.

• 3D Design Software: Familiarity with 3D programs for advanced visual development.

• Project Management Systems: Experience with Adobe Workfront or similar project management tools for workflow tracking and collaboration.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Working knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for general office tasks and presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The skills section is expanded to include operational aspects like "Project Management Fundamentals," "Digital Workflows," and "File Management," framing them as critical for a senior role. Preferred skills like "Motion Graphics" and "3D Programs" are highlighted to indicate areas for advanced contribution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstration of Digital Design Excellence: Showcase a range of digital projects that highlight innovative design solutions, user experience considerations, and impactful visual communication.

• Brand Consistency Examples: Include projects that clearly demonstrate your ability to adhere to and strategically apply brand guidelines across different media and campaigns.

• Process & Workflow Documentation: Where possible, provide insights into your design process—from concept ideation to final delivery—highlighting problem-solving approaches and efficiency gains.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Evidence: Showcase projects where you collaborated effectively with marketing, production, or other departments, illustrating your ability to integrate design with broader business objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you approach designing and optimizing creative workflows to ensure efficiency, quality, and timely delivery of design assets.

• Digital Asset Management: Demonstrate understanding of best practices for organizing, archiving, and retrieving digital assets to maintain a well-managed library.

• Production File Preparation: Detail your process for preparing final artwork for various production methods (print, digital), ensuring accuracy, correct specifications, and efficient handover to production teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for operations roles. It frames the portfolio not just as a showcase of creative work, but as evidence of process management, efficiency, and adherence to standards. The emphasis is on how the candidate's design process contributes to operational excellence and supports broader business goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) or similar plan with potential employer match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and conferences to enhance design skills and stay current with industry trends.

• Tribal Gaming License Potential: Eligibility for a gaming license, which may come with specific benefits and responsibilities.

• Employee Wellness Programs: Initiatives focused on employee health and well-being.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Support for further education related to the role or career development.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility may be required, including evening, weekend, and holiday shifts, depending on project demands and operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: A salary range is estimated based on the specified experience level and location, reflecting industry standards for senior creative roles. Benefits are detailed to appeal to professionals seeking comprehensive support. The working hours note the potential for non-standard schedules, typical in project-driven environments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians operates within a unique and dynamic sector, encompassing tribal government, gaming, hospitality, and entertainment. This context requires a creative team that can adapt to diverse brand needs and communicate effectively across various audiences.

Company Size: As one of the largest private employers in the Inland Empire, San Manuel is a significant organization offering stability and a wide range of opportunities. This size implies a structured environment with established processes, but also potential for cross-departmental impact.

Founded: The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has a rich history, with its modern enterprise operations evolving over decades. Understanding this heritage is key to appreciating the organization's values and mission.

Team Structure:

• The Creative Services department likely operates within a larger Marketing or Communications division.

• The Sr. Graphic Designer reports to the Supervisor, Creative Services, and may lead or mentor a team of junior designers.

Methodology:

• Data-Informed Design: While creative, design decisions are expected to be informed by an understanding of brand objectives, target audiences, and performance metrics from previous campaigns.

• Agile Project Management: Design projects may follow agile or iterative processes, allowing for flexibility and adaptation to feedback and evolving project scopes.

• Brand Governance: A strong emphasis on maintaining brand consistency and integrity across all visual outputs is paramount.

Company Website: https://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov/

📝 Enhancement Note: This section contextualizes the role within the specific industry and organizational structure of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the Tribe's mission and values, and how the creative team supports these broader organizational goals, framing it as a vital GTM function.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating a high degree of autonomy, responsibility, and expertise. It signifies a transition from individual contributor to a role that involves leadership, mentorship, and strategic input into creative processes and brand development.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Graphic Designer reports directly to the Supervisor, Creative Services. This implies a clear line of management and support, with opportunities to influence departmental strategy through the supervisor.

Operations Impact: The visual output of this role directly impacts brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, and overall communication strategy for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and its enterprises. Strong design contributes to customer engagement, brand loyalty, and ultimately, revenue generation by supporting promotional efforts and enhancing the guest experience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to advance into a Lead Designer or Creative Services Supervisor role, managing larger projects and teams.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as motion graphics, 3D design, or digital user experience (UX) design.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into broader marketing or brand management roles within the organization, leveraging design expertise.

• Continuing Education: Access to resources for ongoing learning, certifications, and staying ahead of design trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the Sr. Graphic Designer role as a strategic position with significant impact on the organization's GTM efforts. Growth opportunities are aligned with typical career paths in creative operations and marketing, emphasizing leadership and specialization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The primary work environment is a climate-controlled office setting, designed for focused creative work and collaboration.

Office Location(s): The role is based at Yaamava Resort & Casino in Highland, CA. This location is part of the San Manuel properties, suggesting potential for on-site work across different venues as needed for meetings or specific project requirements.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setting is designed to foster collaboration among the Creative Services team and with other departments.

• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) and potentially project management systems is expected.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with colleagues, supervisors, and stakeholders for project discussions, feedback sessions, and team meetings.

Work Schedule:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• The role may require flexibility, including evening, weekend, and holiday shifts, to meet project deadlines and operational demands, common in the hospitality and entertainment sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section describes the physical and collaborative aspects of the work environment. It highlights the on-site nature of the role and the potential need for flexibility, which are important considerations for candidates evaluating work-life balance and operational demands.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative capabilities.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A dedicated session to walk through the candidate's portfolio, discussing design rationale, problem-solving approaches, and technical skills (e.g., software proficiency, file management).

• Behavioral & Situational Interview: Questions assessing leadership potential, mentorship experience, collaboration skills, and how the candidate handles challenges and feedback.

• Stakeholder/Manager Interview: Discussion with the Supervisor, Creative Services, to evaluate cultural fit, strategic alignment, and understanding of brand objectives.

• Potential Final Interview: May involve a presentation or a small design challenge relevant to the organization's needs.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your breadth of skills (digital, print, branding) and problem-solving abilities.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Highlight Brand Application: Emphasize projects where you successfully applied or developed brand guidelines.

• Showcase Digital Proficiency: Ensure a good representation of digital design work, including mockups and examples of user-centric design.

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your software proficiency and workflow efficiencies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Yaamava Resort & Casino, and their respective brands, target audiences, and recent marketing campaigns.

• Anticipate Design Briefs: If a design challenge is provided, focus on understanding the core objective and target audience. Prioritize clarity, brand alignment, and efficiency in your solution.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse explaining your design choices clearly and concisely, focusing on the "why" behind your decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides concrete advice on navigating the application and interview process, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and understanding the organization's specific context. It prepares candidates for operational aspects of the interview, such as discussing process and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential suite including:

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

• Microsoft Office Suite: For general documentation, presentations, and communication (Word, PowerPoint).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Project Management Systems:

• Adobe Workfront (Preferred): Experience with this platform is highly valued for managing creative workflows, tracking projects, and collaborating with teams.

• Similar Project Management Tools: Familiarity with Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or other workflow management software is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines the critical technical tools required for the role, emphasizing the Adobe Creative Suite and preferred project management software. This is vital for operations roles where tool proficiency is a key indicator of capability and efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished creative work that meets or exceeds project objectives and brand standards.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing open communication, mutual support, and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging new ideas, exploring different design approaches, and pushing creative boundaries while remaining aligned with strategic direction.

• Integrity & Respect: Upholding the values and mission of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in all work, demonstrating respect for the Tribe, its members, and its enterprises.

• Efficiency & Agility: Striving for efficient workflows and timely delivery of creative assets, with the ability to adapt to changing project needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Proactive engagement with marketing, operations, and other departments to understand their needs and ensure creative solutions are strategically aligned.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: Openness to constructive criticism and a willingness to iterate on designs based on feedback from stakeholders and team members.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture of sharing best practices, design techniques, and project learnings within the Creative Services team to foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section translates the company's broader values into specific operational expectations for the creative team, focusing on how design contributes to efficiency, collaboration, and organizational integrity.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Navigating the need for innovative design solutions while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines and tribal messaging.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Effectively interpreting and integrating feedback from various departments, each with potentially different priorities and perspectives.

• Rapidly Evolving Digital Landscape: Staying current with new design trends, software updates, and platform requirements for digital media.

• Project Prioritization: Efficiently managing multiple projects with competing deadlines and resource limitations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in motion graphics (After Effects) or 3D design programs.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Attending events to gain insights into the latest design trends, tools, and strategies.

• Mentorship Programs: Receiving guidance from senior leaders or participating as a mentor to junior designers.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Gaining a broader understanding of marketing, operations, and business strategy through collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section highlights potential challenges inherent in a senior creative role within a large organization and maps them to specific growth and learning opportunities, emphasizing continuous improvement and skill expansion relevant to operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a strong creative vision with strict brand guidelines. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating your process for adhering to brand standards while still producing impactful design.)

• "Walk me through a complex design project from concept to completion. What were the key challenges, how did you manage them, and what was the final result?" (Prepare a case study highlighting your project management, problem-solving, and execution skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and its enterprises? How do you see your role contributing to their mission and values?" (Research the Tribe's history, mission, and current initiatives.)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you ensure effective communication and teamwork with non-design stakeholders?" (Highlight your interpersonal skills and understanding of cross-functional collaboration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by showcasing your most impactful work first.

• Narrative: For each selected project, clearly articulate the objectives, your specific contributions, the challenges, your design process, the solutions, and the outcomes (quantify if possible).

• Technical Detail: Be prepared to discuss your software proficiency and any technical considerations in your workflow.

• Brand Alignment: Explicitly point out how your work aligns with brand standards or how you approached developing/adapting them.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for interview preparation, focusing on strategy questions that assess operational thinking, problem-solving, and leadership, alongside company-specific research and portfolio presentation techniques.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience in digital design, brand stewardship, and any project management or mentorship roles. Ensure your portfolio showcases a range of relevant projects with clear descriptions of your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Integrate keywords from the job description such as "Adobe Creative Cloud," "InDesign," "Illustrator," "Photoshop," "digital design," "layout design," and "mentorship" into your resume. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "designed X campaigns that increased engagement by Y%").

• Company Research: Thoroughly research the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Yaamava Resort & Casino, and their brand identity. Understand their mission, values, and recent marketing efforts to better tailor your application and prepare for interview questions.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, your approach to collaboration, and how your skills align with the specific needs of a senior role within this unique organization. Practice presenting your portfolio projects with a focus on process and outcomes.

⚠️ 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.