Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

The Graphic Designer will possess a strong understanding of design principles and be proficient in various design software. The role is an entry-to-intermediate level, hands-on creative contributor responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and producing high-quality media content that supports Westcliff University's brand, enrollment, and institutional storytelling. This role requires strong visual design with a working understanding of marketing strategy and cross-functional collaboration.

Working under the direction of the Creative Director and in close partnership with the Creative Services Manager and Marketing team, the Graphic Designer translates creative and strategic objectives into engaging visual narratives across digital, print, and emerging platforms. This role plays a key part in maintaining brand quality, consistency, and impact across all Westcliff campuses and initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Development and Strategic Execution

• Learn, understand, and apply marketing strategy and campaign objectives to creative work to ensure accurate execution of stakeholder vision and efficient review cycles.
• The Graphic Designer should be able to take direction from written or spoken ideas and convert them into a design that connects.
• Partner with stakeholders to develop clear, well-defined creative briefs prior to project kickoff, ensuring alignment on objectives, audience, scope, timelines, and success metrics.
• Translate creative briefs and marketing objectives into compelling visual concepts that align with brand standards, strategic goals, and audience needs with the ability to vary style and layouts depending on the project.
• Conceptualize, design, and produce high-quality media assets, including marketing social content, digital ads, email assets, print materials, and environmental visuals.
• Apply strong design fundamentals, including typography, layout, composition, color theory, and visual hierarchy, to all creative output.
• Provide high-level mockups for creative review.
• Work independently and cooperatively on multiple projects with the marketing team, meeting deadlines and budget constraints, and scheduling project implementation based on workload, which may include five or more simultaneous projects.
• Examine existing processes, identify flaws, and create solutions to improve design capabilities
• Efficient and focused on getting things done well and on schedule
• Update and maintain internal databases (Google drive, Monday & AIR) of designs, and photography.
• Proactively stay up-to-date with print, digital and social media trends
• Jump in as needed to support the team with day-to-day creative requests

Collaboration and Project Support

• Collaborate closely with the Creative Director, Creative Services Manager, and marketing partners to support campaign execution and production timelines.
• Participate in creative brainstorms and production meetings, contributing innovative ideas and clearly articulating creative rationale, production considerations, and timelines.
• Partner with internal teams and external vendors as needed to support production, revisions, and final delivery of creative assets.
• Collaborative approach to their work and people enjoy working with them because they find opportunities to win together

Brand Quality, Asset Management & Growth

• Ensure all creative output meets Westcliff University's brand standards, quality expectations, and messaging goals.
• Manage and maintain the digital asset library, including file organization, naming conventions, version control, and accessibility.
• Proactively stay up-to-date with print, digital, social media trends, creative tools, production methods, and emerging technologies, including the responsible use of AI, to support creative efficiency and quality.
• Contribute to a collaborative, curious, and growth-oriented creative culture through knowledge sharing and best practices.

Qualifications

Required

• Authorized to work in the United States
• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum 3 years experience working as a graphic designer in a fast-paced, team oriented environment.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating hands-on expertise in digital design, and print.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Proven experience managing creative projects from concept through final delivery in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of branding, visual storytelling, and campaign-based creative execution.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging visuals for diverse audiences.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality and attention to detail.
• Strong interest in how design affects user experience
• Creative, resourceful, and willing to bring new ideas to the table

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design
• Photography experience
• Experience working within higher education, healthcare, or mission-driven organizations.
• Writing or light copy development experience with support of AI tools (ie: ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini)

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis, unless otherwise contractually bound. Westcliff University is an Equal Opportunity Employer