Graphic Design Manager

Auckland | Permanent | Full-time

Hybrid working environment – mix of on-site and work from home

Marketing & Recruitment, Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland

$98,700 - $133,500 per annum (Band H) depending on experience

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

A strong brand is built through every interaction people have with it.

From major campaigns to everyday communications, visual design shapes how people recognise, understand, and connect with an organisation. We're looking for a Graphic Design Manager who can help bring the University's brand to life with clarity, consistency, and creativity.

Leading our University-wide graphic design service, you'll guide a talented team delivering high-quality creative that strengthens how the University's brand is experienced across audiences, platforms, and environments. Working closely with the Brand Manager and colleagues across the University, you'll translate strategic priorities into impactful visual solutions while strengthening design quality, accessibility, and consistency. You'll build a culture of creative excellence and help elevate the University's visual presence across a diverse range of brand and marketing activities.

This new role is part of a broader transformation of how we engage and connect with our audiences, amplify our stories and create connected and meaningful experiences. Find out more about our reimagining of our Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Engagement functions.

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity. The full salary range for this role is $98,700 - $133,500 – Band H, per annum.

We have a structured salary framework with three zones for those developing into the role (developing), fully effective (target) and contributing beyond what is expected of the role (upper). Appointments are typically made within the target range of $105,701 - $121,900, depending on skills, experience, and internal equity. We welcome conversations about your expectations and what matters to you in your overall package. Any offer will be made within the advertised range and guided by fairness, consistency, and our commitment to pay equity.

For more detailed information about the role and requirements, please refer to the Position Description.

He kōrero mōu | About you

We're looking for proven experience leading and developing creative or graphic design teams with a strong background in managing design workflows, resources and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

We're particularly interested in people who bring:

• Expertise in delivering and quality-assuring high-quality print and digital design that aligns with brand standards.
• Experience building effective relationships with diverse stakeholders and external suppliers.
• A track record of improving creative processes, systems and services, with a commitment to accessibility and inclusive design.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a new function, vision and culture while working within an organisation that operates at significant scale. This new function gives you access to internal expertise and resources commensurate with our scale and ambition, including media production teams, audience specialists, web and digital teams, AI and automation expertise, and dedicated Māori and Pacific specialists across brand, media, comms and engagement. Together, these teams help bring ideas to life through integrated campaigns, content and experiences.

As a comprehensive university, our scale creates opportunities that few organisations can offer. You'll have the chance to contribute across a wide range of projects and strategic priorities while continuing to grow your own career.

Beyond the work itself, you'll be joining a vibrant and inclusive community. From staff networks and cultural communities to social clubs, volunteering opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and campus events, there are countless ways to connect, contribute and build meaningful relationships across the University.

We also offer:

• A commitment to work/life balance with a 37.5 hour working week, flexible hours and hybrid/remote working patterns
• A competitive remuneration package with up to 6.75% super, annual salary increase with performance-based multiplier
• Time to recharge and disconnect with 5 weeks' annual leave and additional leave buy/sell scheme,
• Support for parents and carers with subsidised on-site childcare (including Kōhanga Reo), gender-neutral parental leave up to 9 weeks’ full pay, on-site parenting and feeding spaces
• A commitment to the wellbeing of our people with confidential access to a range of EAP services, including mental health counselling, financial guidance, neurodiversity coaching and rongoā services, a world-class on-site fitness centre, access to student specialists across our supervised training clinics, discounted health insurance.
• The opportunity to grow with access to an extensive programme of professional, leadership and cultural development, including digital capability coaching, specialised leadership development programmes, and Te Ao and Te Reo Māori learning programmes for staff
• The opportunity to build your career with one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most diverse and complex organisations

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please submit your application online by the closing date of Monday, 14 September 2026. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting your interest in the role, your capabilities and relevant experience.

Please reach out to Fiona Badger, Recruitment Consultant on f.badger@auckland,ac,nz with any questions.

Reasonable accommodations - We are committed to building a more equitable and inclusive workforce and workplace, so we encourage applicants to reach out to discuss any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process, including alternative ways to submit applications.

Whānau and support people - Should you be invited to an interview for this role, your whānau members and/or support people will be welcome to join you. The recruiter or hiring manager will provide more information about this as part of the interview arrangements

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to