Senior Visual Designer (Graphic Designer III - Non-Exempt) - Strategic Marketing

Overview

Position Summary

The Senior Visual Designer plays a key leadership role on the Strategic Marketing and Communications team, responsible for producing and directing high-level visual design across both digital and traditional media. This position is central to shaping branded communications that support the university’s strategic goals in student recruitment, yield, retention, and donor and alumni engagement.

With a strong foundation in both traditional print and digital design, the Senior Visual Designer creates impactful, audience-focused materials including viewbooks, campaign collateral, donor reports, and other major publications. The role also provides visual direction across channels, mentors junior designers, helps further develop the university’s visual branding, and works collaboratively with cross-functional teams to maintain a consistent and compelling brand identity.

This designer must be comfortable working in Figma for collaborative design, wireframing, and prototyping in partnership with content and digital teams.

Position Information

Strategic Design Execution

• Lead the development of high-level branded materials, including Admissions publications (viewbooks, brochures, strategic recruitment pieces), Donor and alumni publications (impact reports, case statements, campaign identities, University-wide branding projects and cross-platform campaigns).
• Create sophisticated layouts and design systems for both digital and print formats
• Use Figma to build, refine, and share design concepts collaboratively, especially for digital publications, presentations, and high-impact communications
• Translate strategic messaging into compelling visual narratives
• Apply accessibility standards and ensure consistency with university brand guidelines

Creative Direction and Mentorship

• Provide design leadership across the creative team; offer critique, guidance, and quality control
• Support junior designers through hands-on mentoring, feedback, and professional development
• Guide the visual strategy and quality of smaller-scale communications (e.g., social, email, and ads) without being the primary executor

Client and Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with internal partners across departments to shape communication goals into design solutions
• Present design concepts and rationale clearly and confidently to non-design audiences
• Manage expectations, intake feedback, and balance creative vision with institutional needs

Project and Production Oversight

• Prepare final files for both digital delivery and professional printing
• Write print specs, manage vendor relationships, and attend press checks as needed
• Maintain organized project files and asset libraries using DAM systems and collaborative tools

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Entry to the first level within this classification requires foundation knowledge in the principles and techniques of artistic and graphic design as well as demonstrated design and artistic skills. This knowledge and skill normally is obtained through a college degree in graphic design, fine arts, or a related field or through technical experience and / or relevant coursework. In addition, strong communication skills and the ability to use and maintain currency with applicable computer software packages and systems are essential to entering this classification.

• Extensive knowledge of communications and graphic design theory; advanced skills in graphic art, design and illustration; knowledge of production techniques and processes; and a demonstrated understanding of marketing communications.
• Advanced skills in complex computer graphics software and interactive technologies including a thorough understanding of file formats and peripheral software (e.g., printing, scanning, film recording) and working knowledge of graphics delivery and implementation software.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable copyright laws relative to the use of graphic and textual materials.
• Strong art direction, project planning and project management skills.
• Ability to work in a variety of media formats such as 35mm slides, broadcast and compressed video, and web site design, including an understanding of the processes and techniques involved.
• Extensive knowledge of printing and other vendor services to ensure the most effective use of resources.
• Strong consultative and persuasive skills including demonstrated subject matter expertise in key instructional or promotional areas requiring graphic communications support.
• Demonstrated ability managing project budgets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or related field
• 7+ years of professional design experience with a strong portfolio of print and digital work
• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
• Professional working experience in Figma, with an ability to build, iterate, and collaborate in real-time
• Experience designing multi-page, long-form publications for print and digital distribution
• Strong understanding of branding, typography, layout, and visual hierarchy
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations
• Familiarity with project management and digital asset management tools (e.g. Airtable, Asana, DAM systems)
• Basic motion / video experience (After Effects, Premiere Pro) a plus
• Knowledge of accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.1, ADA standards)
• Ability to coach others and foster a collaborative creative culture

Environmental / Physical / Special

Occasional additional on-site presence may be required for press checks, photo shoots or in-person collaboration on days that fall outside of normal on-campus work schedule.

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