Visual Designer

Job no: 497519
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Marketing / Communications / Media, Business Operations / Services, Admin / Executive / Office Support
Division: University Relations

The Division of Marketing & Communications (MarComm) speaks with a unified, authentic and resonant voice to strategically advance the University of Denvers brand with four goals in mind:
1. To promote and protect DUs reputation
2. To inspire students to enroll and engage
3. To increase inclusion
4. To strengthen the University

MarComm aims to strengthen DUs strategic position locally, regionally and nationally through data-driven and authentic storytelling across multiple channels with focused support on the universitys value drivers: academics and research; enrollment and admissions, athletics and advancement. Whether through public or media relations, digital strategies, social media, print, podcast, issues or crisis management, community relations or thought leadership and training, MarComm drives results through narratives that involve words, pictures and design. With true understanding of and connection with our diverse audiences, we aim to foster collaborative problem solving, creativity and innovation.

Position Summary

The individual will work under the supervision of the Art Director and will lend their experience in graphic design and energy towards, projects across a variety of communication platforms, including print, digital, and multimedia - typically, under tight deadlines. The incumbent must clearly demonstrate the ability to define and analyze complex problems and make sound decisions independently and/or under minimal supervision, as well as the ability to anticipate the needs of the project/department and show proactive leadership in planning to meet specified goals and deadlines. The incumbent will be required to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The incumbent must be able to adapt quickly to changing priorities and must uphold a commitment to the visual team values and University of Denver mission. Finally, as an employee of the University of Denver, the incumbent must uphold the highest standards regarding diversity, equity and inclusion.

Essential Functions

• Create and present visual concepts for the University that communicate ideas through images, layouts, and other design elements.
• Ability to work in various mediums, including digital, print, and multimedia.
• Designing digital assets and visuals for a variety of platforms, (including apps, social media, display advertising, and others)
• Work with art director and marketing/communications colleagues, serving campus partners/clients on various branded projects through timely communication and in support of unit goals.
• Generate concepts and design options and recommendations under the supervision of the Art Director and/or MarComm division leaders.
• Serve as a brand steward, consultant and advocate, holding established visual standards while continuing to work with division leadership to maintain and optimize the brand to ensure relevancy.
• Test assets and optimize based on their performance and iterate new designs based on user feedback.
• Other projects as needed and/or assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent written and spoken English language skills and the ability to communicate clearly in oral and written form
• Positive outlook and professional demeanor
• Solid competency in Adobe CC design programs, especially InDesign, Photoshop, After Effects and Adobe XD (Figma is a plus)
• Competency with Microsoft Office products, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment juggling multiple deadlines at once
• Commitment to organizational priorities
• Ability to be flexible with assignments and multiple priorities
• Production management (or experience working with outside vendors) is preferred
• Photo editing capabilities is preferred
• A team player who is adept at building relationships and strengthening ties across multiple departments
• Ability to travel to other buildings on campus on a regular basis
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with peers, subordinates, and senior leaders in achieving objectives
• Track record of success in a highly matrixed environment with multiple constituents; able to integrate thinking across divergent points of view
• Ability to generate creative ideas and also lead execution of these ideas
• Superb design skills and a meticulous attention to detail
• Able to take feedback constructively and iterate on designs and ideas from multiple stakeholders with differing opinions

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated career success, with supporting design portfolio. Four (4) or more years’ experience in visual graphic design, with at least two (2) year client relations experience managing art, creative and working with multiple clients with disparate needs simultaneously;
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and/or military training in graphic design, digital design, or other related fields
• Proficiency with design software listed in resume and demonstrated in portfolio

Working Environment

1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

In accordance with the University’s flexible work policy, this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) September 8, 2024.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 10.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $60,000-$65,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.