Sr 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 112

Compensation Range:

$70,197.00 - $105,295.00

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:

Serves as the creative solutions lead for University Marketing and Communications and institutional partners, offering creative leadership, delivering innovative design, that elevates brand impact and meets strategic goals. This role functions as both a hands-on designer and a consulting partner, working directly with colleagues across the university to understand needs, provide expert guidance, and develop compelling creative solutions. Establishes, maintains, and manages creative asset libraries and standards for marketing campaigns and initiatives. Manages resources and relationships across the University to ensure alignment of creative strategies in accordance with University brand guidelines. Proactively identifies areas for greater coordination and partners with stakeholders throughout the University when tailored solutions are required. Manages junior team member(s) and leads relationships and production with bench of freelancers and vendors— ensuring work aligns with institutional branding, voice, and values.

A problem-solver, strategic-thinker and leader who translates big-picture marketing strategies to implementable, scalable creative solutions. A dot-connector who understands how creative and marketing efforts work together to build our brand, this role ensures projects stay on-time and on-budget while managing relationships and mobilizing resources to meet goals. Provides counsel and recommendations to the Creative Director and AVP of Marketing as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Creative Solutions & Brand Leadership

• Leads the design and production of creative solutions projects across a variety of channels (digital, print, social, etc.).
• Balances creative excellence with functionality, accessibility, and brand alignment.
• Advises institutional partners on brand guidelines and how creative can support broader business goals. Provides guidance, triages or redirects requests, and educates partners in diplomatic manner.
• Translates strategy into actionable creative solutions and helps shape campaign development when needed.

Client Partnership & Strategic Counsel

• Serves as primary point of contact for internal partners requiring design solutions. Identifies opportunities and challenges and offers creative solutions.
• Provides strategic counsel to marketing communications colleagues, and leads response to creative questions and project requests from the broader university community.
• Serves as administrator for Marq brand management system and trademark and licensing system, reviews and approves work from University partners and vendors, troubleshoots, and continually develops new solutions to ensure brand compliance and creative effectiveness.
• Maintains strong client relationships and sets clear expectations on timelines, deliverables, and process in collaboration with the project manager.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Serves as member of creative leadership team.
• Supervises and/or mentors junior creative staff member(s), freelancers, and vendors, providing guidance, feedback, and strategic lens. Delegates tasks while supporting professional growth and high-quality outcomes.
• Leads and maintains relationships and communication with a bench of freelance designers and vendors, ensuring brand guidelines are followed and products are compliant.
• In partnership with departmental leadership and the HR Business Partner as appropriate, manages all HR needs of direct report(s), including hiring, onboarding, goal setting, conducting performance reviews, engaging in professional development, and managing performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Works closely with Marketing, Strategic Integrated Communications, Content Strategy, and Digital teams to advance the development of integrated campaigns.
• Synthesizes project and creative briefs developed by University Marketing and Communications colleagues and creates innovative solutions.
• Art directs and manages logistics for brand-aligned multimedia photo and video shoots.
• Actively leads and contributes to creative planning discussions, collaborative problem-solving, and asset production/delivery across departments, schools, and units.

Brand Stewardship & Innovation

• Ensures internal teams, external partners, and vendors/freelancers adhere to brand guidelines and provides training/guidance as needed.
• Creates and advances multiple suites of brand-aligned, accessible templates for use by university partners, elevating the work of colleagues without traditional design training or backgrounds and enabling better efficiencies and alignment.
• Advocates for consistent visual and messaging standards while pushing creative boundaries.
• Offers expertise on design trends, tools, and techniques that enhance the institution’s visual storytelling.

Project Management & Prioritization

• Manages multiple projects with varying scope and complexity, ensuring they are delivered on time and within scope.
• Collaborates with project manager on complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• Evolves project management tools, systems, and practices to stay organized, transparent, and competitive.

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 4 years of professional graphic design experience required
• or equivalent combination of education and experience required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• A deep appreciation for the power of creativity and a keen understanding of what resonates with audiences required.
• Proficiency in conceptual creative problem solving, strategic integrated design systems, and graphic design. An understanding of design principles, typography, and color theory required.
• Knowledge of project management. High level of organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills required.
• Ability to execute on multiple campaigns, administrative projects, and competing priorities with minimal supervision required.
• Knowledge of HIPAA privacy rules and HIPAA consent authorization process, and organizational policies for protecting patient privacy and other confidential information preferred.
• Experience with creating design systems and assets for strategic marketing and communications campaigns with proven results preferred.
• Ability to translate strategic plan concepts into creative direction to yield effective and engaging tactical solutions required.
• Effective, confident communicator and presenter with excellent interpersonal, collaborative, and written and verbal communication skills required.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels. Ability to provide context and/or reshape material as needed preferred.
• A willingness to embrace change, learn new technologies, and stay curious about the evolving marketing landscape required.
• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, etc.) with proficiency in a Mac OS X workspace required.
• Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, digital coding and design required.
• Understanding of how visual assets work together to visually communicate important information required.
• Strategic thinking, ability to understand client needs and provide counsel on design solutions required.
• Knowledge of best design practices for multi-media materials, understanding of production processes for both multi-media projects required.
• Knowledge of brand strategy and ability to manage a complex identity system and brand architecture for a large, diverse institution required.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or influencing colleagues, project contributors, or independent contractors preferred.

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.