Graphic Designer

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Job Highlights

The Graphic Designer will contribute to the overall creative needs of the organization, reporting to the Creative Manager. The ideal candidate is highly self-motivated, organized, and capable of prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. They will contribute to the production of print and digital collateral, e-marketing communications, internal publications and programs, in addition to social media and web content for Houston’s internationally acclaimed opera company. This position requires an individual with an ability to complete the design process from concept to production with strong communication skills. Applicants should have professional experience with Adobe Creative Suite and expert knowledge of InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, AfterEffects and Microsoft Office. Experience with Premiere, LightRoom, videography, and animation is a plus.

Join Us!

We are looking for talented, passionate, dedicated people who are eager to make contributions to our community and our mission.

Concerned you do not meet every single requirement listed? Apply! We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job if they don’t think they meet 100% of the requirements. At HGO, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. So, if you’re excited about this position but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply! You may be just the right candidate for this position or another role at HGO.

About the Houston Grand Opera

The mission of HGO is to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera. We do so by creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice. HGO has received a Tony Award, two Grammy Awards, and three Emmy Awards – we are the only opera company in the world to win all three honors.

Our strategic focus is two-fold: creating profoundly enriching experiences for our diverse audiences and clearly defining and positively promoting the HGO brand.

We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all company members. We believe every team member enriches our diversity by exposing a broad range of ways to understand and engage our community and discover, design, and deliver enriching experiences.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting salary for a candidate who meets the minimum requirements of the position is $50,000.00. We offer robust benefits to full-time employees, including:

• Comprehensive and affordable health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a high-deductible healthcare plan with an employer funded health savings account; a flexible savings account; an employee assistance program; and employer-paid life, short term disability and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off including vacation, wellness, parental leave, and scheduled and flexible holidays
• 403b retirement plan with employer match
• Flexible work schedule
• Hybrid work environment
• Professional development fund and opportunities
• Discounted parking in the Theater District garage and nearby lots plus easy access to Metro transportation
• Free tickets to our mainstage and community productions and events

Key Responsibilities

• Execute concept, design, and production of print and digital collateral including but not limited to:

• print/digital ads
• digital displays

• programs
• brochures
• editorial layouts
• direct mail
• invitations

• newsletters
• social media animations + graphics

• Create email templates and associated materials for effective digital marketing that aligns with brand standards
• Create, develop, and produce original artwork for internal publications, rep programs, new productions, and world premieres that informs and inspires
• Create digital assets for video projects and assist in video shoots as needed

• Adhere to company brand guidelines and implement consistency throughout all creative materials
• Assist with website content management and implementation
• Assist with institutional photography and videography as needed, including art directing photographers during dress rehearsals and other events
• Assist with any in-house print needs. Create printed mockups for review as needed
• Provide assistance to company clients by forging relationships with print vendors to assist them from the quoting process through final delivery of materials

• Archive files and maintain document library
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design/Studio Art or related field; equivalent job experience will be considered.

• Minimum 3 years experience
• Previous Graphic Design/Marketing experience and online portfolio required.
• Adobe Creative Cloud required; expert knowledge of InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and AfterEffects; Premiere, video and animation a strong plus.
• Layout/editorial experience preferred
• Strong illustration skills a plus

• Solid foundation of basic design and layout principles such as color, composition, grids, typography, and continuity.
• Ability to work in PC and Mac
• Knowledge of Wordfly (email platform) a plus
• Experience using a project management system experience a plus

Other Skills and Abilities

• Ability to learn and adapt quickly as well as multitask between projects.
• Ability to understand a brand or design direction and maintain its integrity throughout a project.
• Work closely with different departments to develop projects based off creative briefs.
• Detail-oriented with attention to process and multi-tasking, possessing the ability to function with minimal supervision while working against deadlines in a fast-paced environment is required.

• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends.
• Must be a team player and possess excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to work with outside vendors and ensure timely delivery of products.
• Creative and innovative thinking required; interest in the arts a plus

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those we consider important for an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift/or move up to 30 pounds.

Equal Opportunity

Houston Grand Opera is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HGO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. HGO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. HGO encourages applicants of all ages.