Graphic Design Coordinator

Graphic Design Coordinator | Desert Cactus | Rolling Meadows, IL (On-Site) | $60,000/year

Desert Cactus is on the hunt for a sharp, imaginative, and detail-driven Graphic Design Coordinator to help elevate our licensed retail product offerings. You'll take the reins on concept-to-completion design projects — building work that resonates with customers, drives sales, and represents our brand at the highest level.

This isn't just a design job — we're looking for someone who wants to influence visual direction, streamline processes, and take ownership of projects. You'll partner closely with teams across marketing, product development, and sales to bring ideas to life across digital, physical, and promotional platforms.

You’ll be joining a design department of ten total designers company-wide — four of whom, including this new addition, are based at our Rolling Meadows headquarters. This job will report to the Assistant Director of Product Development.

• Design a variety of product categories including flags, stickers, license plate frames, keychains, luggage tags, party products, badge reels, coasters, patches, coroplast signage, banners, and magnets
• Design products for a variety of properties including colleges & universities, NBA teams, NHL teams, soccer clubs, and other brands
• Collaborate across departments to gather input, meet brand goals, and deliver exceptional visuals
• Manage the full design process from kickoff to final file delivery while meeting key deadlines
• Oversee the setup of production-ready files in alignment with manufacturing specs
• Uphold brand guidelines for Desert Cactus and our licensed partners (NBA, NHL, colleges, etc.)
• Research market and competitor trends to keep designs modern, relevant, and on-brand
• Present design concepts to stakeholders and iterate based on feedback

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field
• Proven track record in a graphic design role, ideally in a product-focused or consumer brand
• A portfolio showcasing versatility and strength across print and digital design
• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop and Illustrator
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain and defend design choices
• Strong multitasking and organizational skills — you know how to prioritize and deliver under pressure
• A growth mindset with a constant desire to learn, improve, and stay ahead of the curve
• Familiarity with Pantone color systems and production color standards

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision) with 90% employer contribution after 90 days
• Retirement benefits including 401(k), profit sharing, and a defined benefit plan
• 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) plus public holidays
• Parental leave for maternity and paternity
• This position is fully on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL headquarters, five days per week.