University of Rochester Advancement · 21 hours ago
Creative and Design Specialist
Wallis Hall
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$64K/yr - $96K/yr
3+ years expThe University of Rochester is committed to a culture of inclusivity and excellence. They are seeking a Creative and Design Specialist to activate the university's brand by developing visual language and managing multiple creative projects to support strategic communications initiatives.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Activates the University’s brand and helps develop a visual language that advances the institution’s strategic goals and priorities around brand and storytelling
Maintains creative, design, content, photographic imagery, illustrations, and multimedia to support the organization's brand 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 print and digital media, consistent with overall messaging and visual identity
Designs the layout of graphics, publications, special event materials, signage, packaging, presentations, illustrations, posters, data visualization, infographics, animated GIFs, and more
Establishes project schedules and maintains accountability for timeline
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
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, TikTok 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
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 Lead Creative Specialist and Director, Creative Strategy and Solutions 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
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
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
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree
3 years of professional experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
Solid understanding and command of design, color theory, typography, and composition techniques with sophisticated craftsmanship
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
Ability to think strategically and understand client needs to provide counsel on solutions required
Proficiency in creating visual concepts, presenting to partners, developing assets, and crafting engaging visual languages
Excellent time management and project management skills
Excellent communication skills
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Preferred
Competency in creative and graphic design principles from concepting and prototyping through final production and mechanical delivery
Experience with pre-press, mechanicals, working directly with print and fulfillment vendors, managing independent contractors
Experience working in a design or advertising agency
Illustration and/or animation skills
Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, FileMaker Pro; Microsoft Office Suite
Experience working in Figma
Proficiency in a Mac workspace
Company
University of Rochester Advancement
The University of Rochester, one of the nation’s top private research universities, has built a national caliber advancement program in support of the largest campaign in the University’s history.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase