Graphic Designer

Job Requisition: JR101965 Graphic Designer (Open) Job Posting Title: Graphic Designer Department: CC00301 WM001 | WMUA | Univ. Mktg & Adv. Comms Job Family: Staff - Media & Creative Services Worker Sub-Type: Regular (benefited) Job Requisition Primary Location: Discovery 2 Primary Job Posting Location: Posting Location - William & Mary Job Description Summary: Mission Statement University Advancement creates the conditions for opportunity – human, financial & experiential – by garnering and stewarding the resources that advance William & Mary. At William & Mary, we convene great hearts and minds to meet the most pressing needs of our time. As such, the university aspires to attract and retain exceptional students, faculty and staff who keep W&M at the forefront of teaching, learning and research. University Marketing emphasizes three core areas — enrollment, advancement and reputation — to enhance William & Mary’s standing as a top institution of higher learning in the U.S. and around the globe. Through its work to strengthen brand perception, student recruitment, alumni engagement and fundraising, University Marketing advances William & Mary’s distinctive excellence, raises its profile worldwide and secures its financial foundation — creating meaningful connections and wide-ranging impact for all times coming. Position Summary The Graphic Designer is a key member of the creative team within University Marketing at William & Mary. Reporting to the Associate Director of Art & Design, this position is responsible for developing strategically driven, brand-aligned visual communications that support the university’s goals related to enrollment, advancement and institutional reputation. This role focuses primarily on print communications, presentation design and institutional brand implementation. The Graphic Designer will create visually compelling materials across a wide range of applications including publications, brochures, invitations, reports, campaign collateral, environmental graphics, signage, presentations and event-related materials. The position will also support template-based design needs in platforms such as Canva and other approved tools while ensuring materials remain aligned with university brand standards. The position requires a strong understanding of typography, layout, color, photography and production processes, along with the ability to translate complex messaging into clear and engaging visual communications. The Graphic Designer will collaborate closely with writers, photographers, project managers, marketing strategists, campus partners and external vendors to ensure all creative work supports the university’s visual identity standards while meeting strategic communication goals. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and proactive creative professional who can balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship, organization and attention to detail. The Graphic Designer will help foster a culture of belonging that embraces all people and perspectives. This is a hybrid position based in Williamsburg that offers a flexible work environment. This position is classified as operational, meaning it is salaried and eligible for overtime (non-exempt). For benefits and leave purposes, this role falls under the "Operational" classification. Job Description: Salary: $48,000-$53,000, commensurate with experience and internal alignment. Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience. Portfolio demonstrates strong creative proficiency in layout, typography and print design. Experience in graphic design, illustration and/or related creative work in an agency, corporate or higher education environment (typically 2+ years). Strong understanding of typography, color, composition, photography and information hierarchy. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. Experience developing branded templates or self-service design assets in Canva or similar platforms while maintaining visual identity standards. Experience designing long-form publications and complex multi-page layouts. Knowledge of print production processes, file preparation and vendor coordination. Experience designing and maintaining presentation materials or branded slide templates using software such as Microsoft PowerPoint. Strong organizational, communication and project management skills. Ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced collaborative environment. Ability to work effectively with clients, vendors, leadership and multidisciplinary teams. Understanding of brand systems and visual identity implementation. Knowledge of accessibility and readability best practices for print and presentation materials. Commitment to creating inclusive, accessible and audience-centered communications. Preferred Qualifications: 3-5 years of professional design experience in an agency, corporate or higher education environment. Illustration skills or experience creating custom visual assets. Strong conceptual thinking and creative problem-solving abilities. Ability to visually communicate complex information and data. Demonstrated creativity, initiative and independent judgment. Strong presentation development skills. Excellent planning, organizational and analytical skills. Diplomacy, tact and professionalism when working with campus stakeholders and external partners. Ability to maintain a high degree of flexibility and efficiency under deadline constraints. Experience in applying accessibility best practices in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft PowerPoint, PDFs or other digital publishing tools. Conditions of Employment: Subject to occasional evening and weekend work. This position is eligible for a flexible/hybrid work schedule. While some work may be completed remotely, the employee must be available to work on campus as needed for collaboration, meetings, creative reviews, event support and production-related responsibilities. This is not a fully remote position. Ability to travel as needed. Duties: 70% - Graphic Design Design a wide range of visual materials for university marketing, communications and advancement needs across print, digital, web, email, social media, presentation and environmental applications. Support high-visibility institutional campaigns by developing polished visual concepts that align with campaign goals, audience needs and university priorities. Produce campaign creative that can extend across multiple channels and formats while maintaining consistency, clarity and visual impact. Translate creative briefs, messaging strategies and project goals into compelling design solutions that support recruitment, engagement, fundraising, reputation and institutional storytelling. Develop campaign materials that demonstrate strong typography, layout, composition, color, image selection, information hierarchy and brand application. Adapt approved campaign directions into cohesive suites of materials, including campaign graphics, publications, event materials, signage, postcards, print collateral, email headers, social media graphics, presentations and other marketing assets. Create designs that help complex messages feel clear, engaging and accessible to a variety of audiences. Prepare design options for reviewing and revising work based on feedback from the design leadership team, project managers, clients and other collaborators. Balance multiple design assignments and communicate project status, questions and timeline concerns clearly. Apply accessibility best practices, including readable typography, appropriate color contrast and document structure. 15% - Brand Application, Templates & Design Systems Apply William & Mary’s visual identity standards consistently across university marketing and communications materials. Create, update and maintain branded templates, toolkits and reusable design assets that support consistency and efficiency across the university. Support template-based design needs in platforms such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Canva and other approved tools while ensuring materials remain aligned with university brand standards. Adapt existing brand systems and design templates for new uses while maintaining visual consistency and usability. Help organize and maintain design files, assets and templates to support efficient workflows and future reuse. Provide clear guidance to campus partners and internal collaborators on the appropriate use of branded templates and design assets. 15% - Production & Quality Control Prepare accurate, production-ready files for print, digital, web, email, presentation and environmental applications. Review work carefully for accuracy, consistency, accessibility, brand alignment and production readiness. Coordinate with vendors and internal partners on specifications, proofs, timelines and final deliverables. Ensure final materials meet project requirements, production standards and university brand guidelines. Maintain organized final files and project materials for archiving, reuse and future reference. Additional Job Description: Job Profile: JP0110 - Media Specialist III - Nonexempt - Salary - S09 Qualifications: Compensation Grade: S09 Recruiting Start Date: 2026-07-27 Position Restrictions: Continuing E&G funded position and not term-limited EEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary's status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Background Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check. Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility. #J-18808-Ljbffr