Job description
The Graphic Designer, Senior is the lead designer for the Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement team’s creative projects. Working closely with the Creative Director, the Graphic Designer, Senior is responsible for executing a vision and design philosophy intended to inspire alumni and donors at all levels to engage with the University of Arizona. This includes scoping project needs, proposing concepts to meet client needs, completing or assigning work to other designers, providing feedback and collaborating with the Marketing Associate to ensure timely completion of projects with complex needs, from multimedia event packages to print publications including Arizona Alumni magazine. This position also manages a full-time designer and a design student. A subject matter expert in University of Arizona brand standards and Adobe Creative Cloud products, this position maintains a working knowledge of trends and approaches other organizations employ in order to execute bold, visually exciting designs across mediums, within the context of a storied university brand.
Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:
- Designs materials including magazines, brochures, annual reports, invitations, fundraising proposals, newsletters, flyers, advertisements, presentation materials, and templates and preflights files for production. This includes design assets for use in digital applications like websites, email campaigns, social media etc.
- Collaborates with creative team, including writers and web developers, as well as colleagues within the broader Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement team, to successfully complete commissioned projects such as proposals and donor impact reports.
- Participates in strategy, creative planning, concepting, and visual direction for marketing and communications projects.
- Participates in client meetings to scope projects, understand specifications and production needs; conceptualizes and executes campaign approaches to multi-channel projects.
- Illustrates early stage creative concepts through sketches, prototypes and inspiration materials to ensure clients understand project direction.
- Maintains standards for University of Arizona Foundation corporate identity including letterhead, presentation folders and templates, and business cards.
- Works with print vendors to select paper, review proofs and ensure highest quality outcome of all projects.
- Works with marketing colleagues to test the user experience and evaluate designs across devices and channels as needed.
- Serves as second camera as needed, and serves as on-site photographer for spontaneous needs.
- Maintains project list and confers with Marketing Associate to ensure that assignments are completed accurately and on time.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Specific Job Skills:
- Knowledge and skill in conceptual design and layout for digital and printed materials.
- Proficiency and expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud, especially InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
- An understanding of user experience (UX) best practices
- Experience with web design according to UArizona brand standards. A basic understanding of front end web development (HTML5, CSS, JS) is preferred but not required.
- Knowledge of artistic and technical photography standards, ability to manipulate raw files and optimize for print or digital placement.
- Ability to think creatively and work through challenges to implement ideas.
- Strong written and verbal communication.
- Ability to interpret client input, markup and feedback and propose solutions that meet their needs while upholding UArizona/UAF brand standards.
- Ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
- Comfortable making judgment calls about project execution in press check situations.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, across the Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement team and main UArizona campus.
- Confidentiality required.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Physical ability to operate basic office machinery.
Job Scope:
This position generally operates within established procedures but may recommend changes in policies and procedures to supervisor. Decision-making is varied and duties are generally performed with minimal supervision. Errors in publishing may result in financial or relationship-related consequences for the Foundation.
Interpersonal contacts:
This position has frequent email, telephone and face-to-face contact with development officers, University administrators, communications professionals, Foundation staff, donors, publishing-related vendors and the media.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, art or related field; AND five (5) years of design, print or production experience; OR
- Any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education as approved by Human Resources
Work Environment:
- Close computer work and sitting/standing
- Physical ability to operate basic office tasks and computers
- Occasional travel to campus and local locations for photoshoots, press checks and meetings
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