"Graphic Designer"

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University.

Department: Marketing & Events

Time Type: Full time

Job Type: Regular

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Modality: Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union: Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

Job Description:

Summary:

WAMU 88.5 is a public media station owned and operated by American University. WAMU is the source for local, regional and NPR news and original programs in Washington DC. Since 1961, WAMU has been amplifying voices and sharing stories from the many neighborhoods and communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

This position sits in the Marketing and Brand Engagement group, one of the three teams within WAMU Advancement. As media continues to evolve, this position plays an important role in continuing to advance the brand, acquire new audiences, and steward our existing donor population through visual design and graphics. The Graphic Designer will create material to be used in print and digital channels including but not limited to direct mail, presentations, social media, event production, clothing, and video. The position will support the launch of new WAMU franchises and products through the creation of marketing collateral and branding materials. This position works collaboratively with the WAMU Advancement, Content, Administrative and Underwriting teams.

Essential Functions:

1. Design
   • Lead design and produce creative solutions and final art for a variety of advancement communications projects based on institutional priorities, project requirements, and budget parameters. Works closely with the Sr. Director Marketing and Brand Engagement and Director Marketing and Communication for creative direction and concept assessment and critique. Participate in project kick-off meetings, planning, research, brainstorming, conceptual development, and prepare design concepts for presentations. Contribute to project schedules and creative briefs.
2. Project Administration and Post-Production Tasks
   • Work with the Director of Marketing and Communication and other partners as appropriate on creative briefs, project requirements, print specifications, logistics, and other creative and business processes.
3. Communication Services
   • With Advancement Communications colleagues, contribute to the creation and production of department multimedia projects including videos. The graphic designer may manage freelancers and review and offer feedback on other graphic design projects for WAMU.
   • Monitor industry trends in design, photography, illustration, and marketing. Participate in professional development opportunities. Monitor use of new technology, tools, and creative talent that extend our internal staff capacity. Review portfolios, demos, online seminars, etc.
4. Other Duties as Assigned
   • Other duties as assigned by the Director of Marketing and Communication.

Competencies:

• Displaying Creativity.
• Prioritizing and Organizing.
• Acquiring and Analyzing Information.
• Serving Customers.
• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.
• 35 hours per week.
• Occasionally may be required to support department events during evenings and weekends.

Salary Range: $67,310.00 - $70,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in visual communication/graphic design from an accredited institution.
• 2 - 4 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• 3 - 5 years of relevant experience.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to design and produce projects from start to finish.
• Demonstrated experience implementing identity and brand guidelines, campaigns, print production, design for web, and working within tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, detail orientated, and manages time efficiently.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment and proven history of successful collaboration across teams and/or units.
• Excellent customer service skills (including responding quickly, diplomatically, thoughtfully, and creatively to feedback from clients, while keeping the project headed toward the agreed-upon goal).
• Must have a solid working knowledge of production, MacOS, and experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, AfterEffects, Premiere Pro) and Microsoft Office.
• Comfortable using email marketing platforms, such as Engaging Networks, preferred.
• Working knowledge of HTML, information architecture, and user experience, a plus.
• Experience with motion graphics, and video creation and editing, a plus.
• Extremely high level of professionalism; superior tact, discretion, and sensitivity to confidential information.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.