Graphic Designer
Job Description Summary
Established in 1809, Miami University is consistently ranked among the top 50 national public universities by U.S. News & World Report for providing students with an Ivy League-quality education at a public school price. Located in the quintessential college town of Oxford, Ohio—with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg—Miami serves more than 21,000 undergraduates across 120 areas of study, and more than 2,500 graduate students through 70 master’s and doctoral degree programs.
Looking for a creative environment in one of the most beautiful settings you can find? Then look no further and apply to be a graphic designer as part of the University Communications and Marketing (UCM) team. You will be an integral creative problem-solver and a visual storyteller of our brand. Under the direct supervision of the Director of Creative Services and acting as the primary graphic designer for executive communications, you will assist in mapping out the development and implementation of the university’s brand across its core audiences. You’ll visually bring the brand to life through marketing and communications such as presentations and branded apparel. You may design brochures, posters, digital ads, video graphics, emails, environmental displays, and more.
The successful candidate will demonstrate an understanding of design principles, typography, and a well-formed design aesthetic for effectively implementing a brand across a large, dynamic institution.
They will be expected to meet project timelines and provide detail-oriented feedback to ensure the completion of projects. In addition, the successful candidate will interpret creative input from/to colleagues and will drive results while keeping projects on track.
This position is approved for remote hybrid work: four days on campus, one day remote. Remote work is not a right; it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason.
Job Description
Duties:
- Serve as the primary graphic designer for executive communication, including designing PowerPoint presentation and informational graphics.
- Collaborate with the operations team, content creators, editors, other designers, photographers, videographers, web and digital teams, and appropriate staff to produce publications and other materials for university marketing and communications, recruiting, and events.
Design:
- Work closely with the Senior Director of Executive Communications and Academic Marketing to ensure that designs and presentations clearly communicate concepts presented by executive leadership, while aligning to brand standards.
- Work closely with the Director of Creative Services to ensure that designs align with design principles and brand standards.
- Communicate innovative brand ideas to stakeholders in straightforward, concise ways to internal stakeholders
- Brainstorm visual ideas with other members of the creative team
- Ability to design a wide variety of projects and communicate a clear, strategic design point of view on design projects.
- Design compelling, current, visually appealing print and digital marketing, promotion, and communication materials, following Miami University’s brand guidelines
- Knowledgeable crafting campaigns and brand experiences across different modalities (e.g. digital, print, email, social, experiential, and out-of-home)
- Understand the “bigger picture” in a creative way, keeping in mind the mission and strategic goals of the department and University
Vendor Management
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Serve as a point of contact for licensed products and/or printed materials between key vendors, UCM operations, and the President's Office.
Brand
- Ensure Presidential communications are aligned with the brand and existing campaigns spanning academics, advancement, athletics, and other academic division sub-brands
- Maintain the implementation of the university’s brand resources, such as Canva, including working with the design team on the continued development of brand resources
- Collaborate with photographers and videographers on needs
Mentorship
- Work with UCM’s interns.
- Seek out mentorship from marketing and design professionals either internally or externally to ensure that the university’s design team stays up-to-date with current trends.
**Perform other related duties as required or assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in a related field by the hire start date and at least three (3) years of digital and/or print design experience
OR
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Associate degree in graphic design, fine arts, new media, visual arts, media design, computer graphics technology, communication design, or related field and at least three (3) years of digital and/or print design experience
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrated expertise with the Adobe Creative Suite, such as InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat, and Illustrator.
- Strong understanding of typographic, photography, and composition principles and foundations
- Strong multitasking skills and the ability to carry projects from conception to completion within assigned timelines
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with constantly changing needs
- Ability to show discretion and maintain confidentiality
- Experience with Microsoft tools (specifically Word and PowerPoint)
- Experience presenting design concepts to internal and external stakeholders
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- At least one (1) completed internship experience in the graphic design field through or other field-related work experience
- Experience in an in-house or advertising creative agency setting
- Comfortable working with the most senior members of an organization
- Highly creative, curious, and imaginative
- Knowledgeable of layout for digital and offset printing
- A collaborator who works and builds relationships across teams and projects
- Customer service skills; meets individuals where they are and works to solve problems that will satisfy everyone’s goals while elevating the brand.
- Comfortable creating and collaborating in the Google Workspace
- Self-motivated and well organized
- Ability and willingness to work independently and in a team environment
- High-performer able to meet deadlines and prioritize a range of requests
- Ability to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously
- Keen attention to detail
- Knowledge of Adobe XD, or Adobe After Effects are a bonus but not required
- Knowledge of web and email design a bonus but not required
- Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development that helps maintain knowledge about best practices and contemporary design
- Ability to view work across media holistically and while applying brand consistency
Special Instructions and Required documents for Applicants:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a working portfolio that showcases both digital and print media work.
Required Application Documents
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a working portfolio that showcases both digital and print media work.
Additional Information
A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses. This organization participates in E-Verify.
Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.
Reasonable Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.
Diversity Statement
Miami University is committed to creating an inclusive and effective teaching, learning, research, and working environment for all. For more information on Miami University’s diversity initiatives, please visit the Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence webpage. For more information on Miami University’s mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560.
Clery Act
As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.
Labor Law Posters for Applicants
Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.
