Visual Designer

Title: Visual Designer
Location: 100% remote
Contract length: 6 months could extend
Schedule: 4 hours
Pay: 60-65/hr

Top 3 technical or soft skills you'd like to see that will lead you to request an interview

1. Strong creative concepting and the ability to pitch ideas to varied audiences: The role requires conceiving and presenting concepts that appeal to distinct prospective student groups (undergraduate, graduate, bachelor's completion, doctoral, certificates). I'd look for a portfolio that shows the thinking behind the work, including design rationale, not just polished final pieces. Experience working within a brand identity while still bringing fresh ideas is a strong signal.

2. Print and digital production expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects): The role centers on producing print- and publish-ready materials across recruitment collateral, advertising, and mixed media. I'd want cross-platform samples that show technical command, including familiarity with print specs and production workflows, since the designer provides printing and mailing specs to the production manager.

3. Exceptional attention to detail with multi-project management under deadline pressure: The posting explicitly calls for handling 15+ projects at once at varying stages of production. Evidence of time management, prioritization, and clear communication in a fast-paced, collaborative environment (for example, agency, in-house, or marketing team experience) would make a candidate stand out.

How many years of experience? At least two to five years of prior visual design experience

Summary

Working under the supervision of the Associate Director, Design, the Visual Designer will be part of the team that includes other visual designers, senior visual designers, production designer, and a creative director, as well as small group of student design interns (CO-OPs). The visual designer partners with multiple teams within Enrollment Management (EM) and joins the multimedia team to round out the creative team within the EM marketing group at client.

In this role, the Visual Designer will ideate and create on behalf of the University, working with the Creative Director, Associate Director, Design, and act as a support to senior visual designer(s). Projects will range from highly art directed to ones with more creative leeway while keeping within the brand identity of the University.

The Creative Team is responsible for conceiving, producing, and presenting content across the enrollment lifecycle for both digital and offline marketing vehicles. The Visual Designer must bring demonstrable experience in design across print and offline collateral; employ professional, proactive, and collegial communication; and be responsive, collaborative, empathetic, and flexible while working within an often fast-paced environment.

Required Documents

A cover letter, resume, and digital portfolio showcasing high-quality cross-platform examples.

Qualifications

Provide the minimum education, experience, and skills required to perform the job successfully.

• Education: Bachelor's degree required
• At least two to five years of prior visual design experience
• Must have a strong design acumen and creative concepting
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage and prioritize multiple concurrent projects at varying stages of production
• Keen time management and communications skills
• Robust willingness to collaborate and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to develop and effectively pitch creative concepts that appeal to a broad range of prospective student groups: undergraduate, graduate, bachelor's completion, doctoral, certificates, etc.
• Editorial design, art direction, and social media design experience a plus
• Additional creative software expertise (video, animation, audio, etc.) a plus
• An understanding of usability and user-centric design a plus
• Illustration, animation, and photography skills a plus

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Responsibility

Percent of Time

• Produce top-tiered marketing materials for both print and digital formats that support student recruitment communication efforts, including admission recruitment materials for both graduate and undergraduate audiences, general awareness and program-/ audience-specific advertising, mixed media design
• Create concepts and designs for print and digital projects, and other special projects, producing them to be print- or publish-ready, as coordinated by production manager and aligned to media specifications
• Provide layouts and printed comps to marketing managers and partners for approval with clear and well-informed design rationale
• Partner closely with the multimedia, marketing management, social, and content teams on a multitude of projects.
• Utilize conventional design software Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, AfterEffects, etc.) to create concepts and designs for publications (print and digital) as assigned
• Successfully handle up to 15+ projects simultaneously under deadline pressure and with an exceptional attention to detail and ability to communicate effectively with colleagues
• Provide detailed printing and mailing specs to production manager to secure price estimates
• Act as liaison to the College of Art, Media, and Design (CAMD) and other schools and programs as needed.
• Mentor the student designers (CO-OPs), and make recommendations to Senior Designer for potential student intern candidates
• Part of team that advocates and upholds the client brand identity and is responsible for creating collateral that supports enrollment goals across a wide range of prospective students.
• Other duties as assigned