Graphic Design Specialist II

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

300 East River Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14623

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

100006 Ofc Sr Vice Pres Advancement

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 108 H

Compensation Range:

$25.14 - $35.24

Responsibilities:

The Graphic Design Specialist activates the University’s brand and develops a visual language for Advancement programs and partners—including the Office of the Senior Vice President, Events and Donor Engagement, Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, Major Gifts, and Gift Planning—as well as departments and divisions across the institution— including the Office of the President, all undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, and the Medical Center. The Graphic Design Specialist authors and maintains content, design, photographic imagery, illustrations, and multimedia to support the organization's identity and strategic plan goals. Applies storytelling and design fundamentals to conceive overall concept, tone, voice, look, and feel of each project across all related tactics in both traditional and digital media, consistent with overall messaging and visual identity. Designs the layout of publications, special event invitations and programs, signage, packaging, presentations, illustrations, posters, graphs, charts, infographics, animated GIFs, and more. The Graphic Design Specialist plays a key role in building the University's strategic creative and marketing infrastructure and understands audiences, channels, and how to distribute content, with demonstrated knowledge of social networks, new-media, and traditional print outlets.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Graphic design and creative solutions:

• Produces custom creative solutions for strategic communications initiatives and enterprise programs. Devises scalable graphic design and multimedia tactical solutions and toolkits for strategic partners across the university.
• Transforms ideas, concepts, information, and data into concrete, appealing, easy-to-understand visual communications. Develops and delivers solutions that meet client objectives.
• Coordinates and art directs select photoshoots in collaboration with communications colleagues and University partners.
• Edits tactics and treatments for message, audience, and channel.
• Uses the principles of visual storytelling and effective design techniques for composition, color, and typography to produce designs and creative output. Creates multimedia design assets for use across a variety of platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and other web and social channels.
• Packages and provides optimized content and designs for use by external vendors and media outlets and coordinates with outside vendors, producers, and contractors on technical needs for support, as needed. Maintains and evolves digital media asset libraries and archives.

Project management:

• Manages multiple assigned projects simultaneously—from intake through delivery. Assists in setting and adjusting schedules, tracks and reports on progress, liaises with external contractors and vendors, ensures successful delivery, and archives work. Presents work for approval and ensures high quality and client satisfaction.
• Works directly with members of the Creative, Marketing, Digital, and Strategic Communications teams to ensure projects remain within budget and are completed on time, while maintaining the highest possible level of quality. Works with the Director of Creative Strategy to ensure all facets are in keeping with the University’s brand identity and are visually effective.
• Manages and organizes an archive of photo, video, and design assets with the appropriate level of metadata necessary to make it searchable and provides support as needed to locate assets.

Brand stewardship and cross-functional collaboration:

• Serves as an ambassador across the University for brand standards, monitoring brand integrity and consistency across all platforms and all divisions and departments of the University. Provides guidance related to brand rules and standards. Develops templates for the brand management platform. Stays abreast of developments and technology in the design and multimedia fields through professional meetings/seminars/classes/workshops. Helps colleagues develop basic design, video production, and art direction skills as needed.

Creative strategy:

• Consults market and data research related to creative strategy and best practices. Assists creative colleagues with gathering insights from market and data research and makes recommendations to adjust strategies and tactics to meet ongoing needs. Conducts regular trend research to ensure tactics and solutions are relevant for each target audience on every project. Assists with information gathering, benchmarking, and educating colleagues on the importance of the insights that drive effective creative.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree and 2 years of experience in professional graphics arts required
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Solid understanding and command of design, color theory, typography, video, and composition techniques with sophisticated craftsmanship. Competency in creative and graphic design principles from concepting and prototyping through final production and mechanical delivery preferred.
• Ability to take abstract concepts, information, and data and turn it into appealing, easy-to-understand visual communication for print/digital publications. Strong combination of technical, creative, and problem-solving skills related to the practice of both traditional and multimedia design preferred.
• Proficiency in creating visual concepts, presenting to partners, developing assets, and crafting engaging visual languages preferred.
• Knowledge of social media and how to engage audiences on digital platforms in the public space preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with and passion for motion graphics, animated GIFs, and dynamic multimedia design preferred.
• Illustration and/or hand lettering skills a plus.
• Proficiency in Adobe CS, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator preferred
• Proficiency in a Mac workspace preferred.
• Experience with pre-press, mechanicals, working directly with print and fulfillment vendors, managing independent contractors preferred
• Experience working in an agency or fast-paced environments such as events preferred.
• Strategic thinking, with a proven ability to understand client needs and provide counsel on solutions preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work with clients or faculty, and a general understanding of the higher education environment preferred.
• Strong time management and project management skills preferred.
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills preferred.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team preferred.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.