Multimedia Designer

Multimedia Designer

Reporting to the Associate Director of Website and Design, the Multimedia Designer supports and strengthens the Columbia College brand and institutional storytelling while helping maintain a cohesive visual identity across Columbia College channels. The role is responsible for creating graphic materials for print and digital communications; producing and managing photography and video content; supporting web and digital content updates; and maintaining organized and up-to-date media and asset libraries.

Graphic Design

• Designs print and digital communications materials for Columbia College, its units, students, staff, alumni, and supporters, including, presentations, brochures, posters, signage, invitations, web and email assets, templates, brand toolkits, logos, iconography, and infographics
• Establishes creative direction and applying strong visual storytelling, typography, and layout principles while ensuring alignment with Columbia College brand standards across all materials
• Partners with CMEE colleagues on multiple annual communication campaigns, contributing to campaign planning, ideation, creative development, and production coordination to ensure timely delivery of visual assets that engage and inform key audiences
• Incorporates feedback and revisions throughout the design process
• Manages all aspects of print production, including preparing files for press, reviewing proofs, coordinating with printers and vendors, and ensuring high-quality execution of printed materials
• Contributes to the continued evolution and refinement of the Columbia College brand by maintaining and enhancing visual standards, developing templates, guidelines, and best practices, and identifying opportunities to strengthen brand consistency across communications channels and platforms

Content Management

• Oversees and keeps the College's asset management platforms and tools up to date, including Lingo, Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, YouTube and Google Drive
• Maintains a master project tracker to monitor the status of digital and print media projects and requests

Photography/Video Support

• Provides photography and video coverage firsthand, as needed, for events, headshots and campus life for use across Columbia College communications channels. Occasional evening and weekend event coverage may be required
• Oversees photography and videography assignments, coordinating with campus and freelance photographers to ensure appropriate coverage
• Manages asset distribution to partners and maintains organized media files for future use
• Performs image retouching and video editing
• Conduct archival photo research

Other Responsibilities

• Contributes to the evolution of Columbia College's creative direction by creating relevant, engaging visual content for current and prospective students
• Stays current with emerging design trends, technologies, and best practices
• Serve as liaison with outside production vendors, including the Columbia Photo Office, Columbia Creative, and Columbia Print Services
• Updates and manages website content through Drupal content management system (CMS)
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent related experience required in graphic design, communications, visual arts, or similar field
• Minimum of 2 years of professional graphic design experience
• Portfolio demonstrating strong graphic design, typography, illustration, and marketing communications skills
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator
• Knowledge of print production processes
• Familiarity with e-mail marketing development
• Experience with photography
• Working knowledge of copyright laws related to design work and creative assets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Creative thinker who can work independently and collaboratively as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in complex organizations with multiple stakeholders and priorities, with familiarity navigating higher education audiences, organizational structures, and administrative environments
• Experience in motion graphics, animation, and video editing
• Familiarity with CMS platforms such as Drupal and WordPress
• Familiarity with motion graphics and video editing software, such as Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere
• Familiarity with design and prototyping tools such as Sketch and Figma

**Applications submitted without a resume, cover letter and portfolio will not be reviewed**

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.