Creative and Design Specialist

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

220 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

100027 Ofc University Mkting & Comms

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 111

Compensation Range:

$63,815.00 - $95,723.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Graphic design and creative solutions

• 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.

Project management

• 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

Brand stewardship and cross-functional collaboration

• 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.

Creative strategy

• 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.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (Required)

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 3 years of professional experience;
• or equivalent combination of education and experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Solid understanding and command of design, color theory, typography, and composition techniques with sophisticated craftsmanship. Competency in creative and graphic design principles from concepting and prototyping through final production and mechanical delivery preferred.
• 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 required.
• 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 required.
• Experience with pre-press, mechanicals, working directly with print and fulfillment vendors, managing independent contractors preferred.
• Experience working in a design or advertising agency preferred.
• Illustration and/or animation skills preferred.
• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, FileMaker Pro; Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
• Experience working in Figma preferred.
• Proficiency in a Mac workspace preferred.
• Excellent time management and project management skills required.
• Excellent communication skills required.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team required.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.