Visual Communications Designer

Date Posted: 04/10/2026
Req ID: 47590
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Institutional Strategic Initiatives
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00049904
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

About us:

The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possibleso that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best — advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector. VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight andaccountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.

Within VPRI, the Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) portfolio, led by the Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost, Strategic Initiatives, strengthens the University’s capacity to seed, develop, and sustain large-scale, cross-divisional, interdisciplinary research initiatives grounded in excellence. Working collaboratively with university-wide and divisional partners, ISI provides leadership, coordination, and specialized expertise in areas such as external partnerships, budget and finance, human resources, and proposal development.

Your opportunity:

Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives, the Visual Communications Designer will use creativity and their service-oriented approach to provide design and support for the development of graphic and digital assets and document templates for digital and print-based outreach materials and online media, ensuring they reflect initiative objectives including developing and editing graphics, lay out content and graphics, creating andediting aesthetic digital design assets, creating images, presentation slide decks and other content. The candidate works with existing and new initiatives to design, build and help them manage their websites, including demonstrating use of the content management systems to others and ensuring the website adheres to UofT branding and communication objectives. Candidate meets with clients to understand their objectives, needs and goals and advises on necessary or recommended enhancements.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Creating and producing graphic designs that reflect ISI and/or initiative’s objectives
• Designing graphic elements for digital and online media; consulting with and advisingclients on graphic design and liaising with University’s Brand Hub for initiative wordmarks
• Overseeing and implementing website enhancement activities to support project/program goals and objectives
• Creating and editing web pages with interactive media, customizing website according to objectives or user feedback; advising others on website design and content
• Drafting and editing content for print and/or online communications channels
• Developing project schedules including milestones, critical path, timelines, deliverables and reporting, providing project status updates to clients
• Serving as a resource to ISI and initiatives

Essential Qualifications:

• Advanced College Diploma (3 years) or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum five (5) years relevant experience with graphic design and in designing and creating websites and templates in content management systems.
• Experience creating and editing aesthetic digital design assets, including images, presentation slidedecks, communications documents, infographics and web pages.
• Demonstrated ability to create, produce and implement responsive website designs, incorporating layout,typography, graphic design principles, colour theory, User Interface (UI) and Information Architecture (IA) best practices, and accessible web design, as well as clearly understanding how design translates to code.
• Experience generating and editing written content for print and online communications channels.
• Strong skills using Word Press content management system (or equivalent) for a multi-contributor environment and using social media and new media tools, including social networking sites, video sharing sites, blogs and similar.
• Must demonstrate an understanding of SEO and web analytics as they apply to website design and ongoing maintenance
• Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign
• Must have a strong commitment to high-quality service; excellent time management and organizational skills; strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to work effectively as a member of a team and demonstrate initiative, creativity and ability to learning new skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and accurately both verbally and in writing with a diverse group of clients, including the ability to communicate technical concepts to persons with limited technical background.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Formal training in web design and development is preferred.
• Motion and video asset development; illustration and photography.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Adaptable
• Approachable
• Organized
• Resourceful
• Self-directed
• Team player

Closing Date: 04/24/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Term This is a TERM role ending December 2027.
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 12 -- $81,312. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $103,986. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Communication/Media/Public Relations
Recruiter: Anita Chooraman