Graphic Design Specialist

Graphic Design Specialist University Communications & Marketing Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies! Who We Are The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Graphic Design Specialist to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success. At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery-a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle. Salary/Pay Range: $44,567 - $57,506 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions. Work Location On-Site/Hybrid Benefits at a Glance Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave. Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices. Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options. Further Your Education: Avail twelve (12) waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth. Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development. Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture! Summary The Graphic Design Specialist supports the University Marketing and Communications team through the development of creative, high-quality print and digital communications aligned with UCCS strategic goals and brand standards. Provides print and digital design support for university communications and marketing initiatives. Develops creative solutions that advance the university's strategic communication objectives. Promotes a positive image of UCCS to prospective students, alumni, donors, and other key constituents. Researches, designs, and produces high-quality printed and electronic communications materials. Creates multimedia content critical to advancing the university's mission. Ensures all materials align with UCCS brand standards and visual design guidelines. Position Term This is a one-year full time position within University Communications & Marketing. The position is intended to provide graphic design support for university marketing and communications priorities during the one year period. Continuation beyond the one-year is not guaranteed and would be subject to university needs, funding, and applicable hiring processes. Essential Functions The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to: (20% Operations Management) Design and produce on-brand digital and print collateral, including flyers, advertisements, invitations, annual reports, event programs, and other materials as needed. Develop creative concepts and design plans that support university strategic communication goals across print, digital, and multimedia platforms. Handle production and preflight of final print-ready artwork using InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and other appropriate design software; ensure proper sizing, resolution, formatting, and technical specifications of imagery and other design elements. Translate design elements effectively between digital and print media while maintaining visual consistency and adherence to UCCS brand standards. Apply current industry standards, design trends, and technical knowledge to create high-quality, effective communications materials. Perform detailed work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail throughout the design and production process. (40% Communication & Collaboration) Attend client meetings, as necessary, to determine communication needs; research, develop, present, and refine design concepts based on client objectives and audience needs. Work with the Brand and Design Manager to ensure proper implementation of brand standards and visual design, including receiving final approval from the Marketing and Communications team on highly visible campaigns and design concepts. Collaborate with cross-discipline teams and clients to develop integrated multimedia projects and effectively manage competing project priorities and individual workloads. Give and receive direction, feedback, and constructive criticism while iterating on design work within established brand standards and communication objectives. Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders regarding project requirements, timelines, revisions, and deliverables. Adapt to changing priorities, deadlines, and client needs while maintaining a high level of quality and professionalism. Provide creative input and expertise in areas including concept development, design planning, art/photo direction, print design, digital design, and multimedia production. Support a collaborative work environment by exhibiting objectivity and openness to others' views and perspectives. (40% Administrative Tasks) Design and produce final artwork for print and digital paid media campaigns across multiple platforms and formats. Provide desktop publishing and graphic design support to university staff and departments. Assist in the development and production of templates, digital assets, and other reusable communications resources. Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining established deadlines, priorities, and quality standards. Organize and maintain design files and digital assets in accordance with established file management and digital asset management practices. Utilize a broad range of design programs and platforms, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Canva, and other Adobe Creative Suite and graphic design/interactive software as appropriate. Incorporate photography and photo-editing techniques into design projects, as appropriate. Maintain awareness of emerging design tools, technologies, industry standards, and trends to support continuous improvement of university communications. Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the University Marketing and Communications team. Tentative Search Timeline Priority will be given to applications submitted by: October 11, 2026. Potential interview dates: October 14, 2026 - October 23, 2026. Potential start date: November 1, 2026. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices. Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required. Experience: Must have professional experience in graphic design, multimedia design, or a related field, including: Experience using Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Experience working with clients or stakeholders to develop and execute design solutions. Special Qualifications: A portfolio demonstrating relevant graphic design and multimedia work is encouraged with the application and will be required upon phone interview. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has implemented a misconduct history check program with respect to final candidates for specific appointments. The misconduct history check program is intended to allow UCCS to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination - before making hiring decisions. All final candidates to these appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information and provide contact information for their previous institutions. Policy and Eligibility This position does not include new visa sponsorship for individuals outside the U.S. Candidates must already be in the United States with valid work authorization or an employment-based visa. The university will not initiate sponsorship for those who do not currently hold a U.S. work visa or authorization. If you already have valid U.S. work authorization or are on a visa that permits employment, we welcome your application. Applicants should either reside in Colorado or be prepared to relocate within two months of starting employment. We're excited to welcome new team members and will provide support and resources to help make your transition to Colorado as smooth as possible. #J-18808-Ljbffr