The Graphic Designer plays a key role in supporting the Marketing Department by producing compelling assets across digital, social, print, and video to support marketing efforts in the higher education industry. The Graphic Designer is a natural storyteller and a highly creative problem-solver with strong design sensibilities, excellent project-management skills, and the ability to bring ideas to life from concept through execution. They succeed in a fast-paced environment that encourages exploring possibilities, learning, and improving.
Essential Job Duties & Key Responsibilities:
The Graphic Designer will work closely with the Director of Creative Services to create and deliver high-quality assets that elevate the brand, enhance student engagement, and support cross-channel marketing efforts. Main areas of focus will be:
Graphic Design & Creative Production
• Develop and refine layouts, concepts, and design marketing materials including flyers, social graphics, digital ads, email templates, websites, presentations, and video content.
• Support creative direction by producing assets aligned with brand standards and campaign goals.
• Prepare final production files for print and digital distribution.
• Assist with photo and video shoots, including planning, capturing content, and post-production editing..
• Produce social assets including static graphics and both short-form and long-form videos.
Project & Digital Asset Management
• Coordinate creative workflows and manage timelines with internal teams and external freelancers.
• Manage multiple creative simultaneously, ensuring on-time delivery of high-quality assets.
• Collaborate with internal departments to understand project objectives and translate needs into effective creative solutions.
• Maintain organized project files, version control, and asset libraries.
• Manage marketing’s Digital Asset Management (DAM) System on an ongoing basis, including quarterly audits, reporting, user updates, and portal audits as needed.
Vendor & Freelance Management
• Oversee and manage freelance designers and other creative contractors, assigning projects, providing creative direction, reviewing work, and ensuring deliverables meet brand standards, timelines, and budget requirements.
Brand Stewardship
• Oversee brand guidelines across schools and ensure consistency of brand and creative across various digital and print touch points.
• Ensure all creative materials is consistent with brand guidelines, messaging pillars, visual identity, and tone.
• Support ongoing development of brand assets, templates, and content standards.
• Provide creative quality-control checks across all materials.
• Comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, accreditor standards, and institutional policies and procedures, including but not limited to those related to marketing activities.
Content Development and Creation
• Contribute ideas for content strategy across marketing campaigns.
• Write or edit marketing copy as needed for print and digital deliverables.
• Assist with storytelling efforts—student testimonials, program spotlights, success stories, etc.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with the marketing team to optimize and format assets for all marketing channels including web, paid media, social platforms, and campus support materials.
• Support campus teams with creative needs for tours, presentations, events, and outreach.
• Work closely with the marketing team to align creative execution with broader marketing goals.
• Support team in presenting creative materials for compliance and legal review and approval.
Education, Experience, and Skillset
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in graphic design, interactive media, graphic communications or related field.
• 2-4 years of experience in graphic design and/or creative project management
• Proficient with Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Express, Firefly) and Figma.
• Experience in photo and video editing software (Final Cut Pro X, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premier, Lightroom).
• Strong knowledge and comfortable using project management tools, specifically Asana or similar.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
• A relevant portfolio showcasing a variety of media is required.
• Knowledge in the print production process and ability to set up print-ready files.
• Flexibility and agility to jump between projects with shifting schedules and deadlines.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with a strong sense of urgency
• Strong work ethic and personal accountability.
• Strong attention to detail and time management.
• Good interpersonal skills.
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