Creative Design Specialist

Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number S11131P

Working Title Creative Design Specialist

Department DAR-Communications

About the University of Georgia

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

About the College/Unit/Department

Division of Development and Alumni Relations

The Division of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Georgia advances the goals, objectives, and priorities of the university by generating private financial support, building, and maintaining relationships with alumni and donors, and assisting students with career development opportunities.

Development and Alumni Relations’ Office of Communications

We serve as an in-house marketing agency for the Development & Alumni Relations division (DAR) at the University of Georgia. Twice a year, we plan. The rest of the time, we design mailers, build websites, write, film, photograph, tweet, and a lot more. Collaboration is how we do our best work. White-boarding and idea-bouncing get us going. Data and analytics teach us how to do better next time. We love to learn from one another. We often partner with the Marketing & Communications division and build templates and tools to help all schools, colleges, and units with development and alumni relations. We streamline. And dot-connect. And always do our best to consider our audiences’ perspectives. We are always searching for new ways – more creative ways – to reach our alumni and donors. To help our division achieve its mission and help every DAR unit achieve its goals.

College/Unit/Department website https://give.uga.edu/ https://dar.uga.edu/ https://dar.uga.edu/communications/ https://alumni.uga.edu

Posting Type External

Retirement Plan TRS or ORP

Employment Type Employee

Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time Full Time

Work Schedule

Additional Schedule Information

8:00am-5:00pm; Must be willing and able to work evenings and weekends as necessary

Advertised Salary $54,500+ Commensurate Qualifications and Experience

Posting Date 10/06/2023

Open until filled Yes

Closing Date

Proposed Starting Date 12/01/2023

Special Instructions to Applicants

• This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.

Location of Vacancy Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

Position Information

Classification Title Technical Design Professional

FLSA Exempt

FTE 1.00

Minimum Qualifications

Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field, or equivalent work experience
• 2-5 years of professional experience in graphic design, preferably in a relevant industry or agency setting
• A strong and diverse portfolio showcasing proficiency in branding, print design, digital design, typography, and other relevant design work. Experience working within brand guidelines
• Demonstrated experience in working with print vendors
• Experience with building motion graphics in After Affects a plus
• Experience with video editing in Premiere Pro a plus
• Knowledge of CSS, JavaScript, or other web programming a plus
• Some photography experience as plus

Position Summary

This position reports to the Associate Creative Director who leads the creative direction for all of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), and they work closely with other Creative Design Specialists within the Development and Alumni Relations Communications department (DARCOMM).

This position provides graphic design for clients and units within DAR. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, consulting with clients on design ideas and developing and implementing designs ideas through multiple communication mediums (e.g., web, social media platforms, illustration, animation, digital advertising, signage, photography, promotional marks and items, products, event and environmental design, print products such as mailers, invitations, and magazines). Responsibilities may also include assisting the development and execution of marketing and communication strategies within the division and serving as a lead to design staff on large and/or multiple design projects.

This position ensures all design work complies with the visual identity and branding of the University of Georgia and the Division of Development and Alumni Relations. This includes working with other Creative Design Specialists and the Associate Creative Director to set rules for the usage of branding elements, ensuring a cohesive brand presence across everything produced in the division. In addition, this position helps brainstorm new communication strategies and tactics to make the work of DAR more effective.

This position is critical in helping DAR create and implement a consistent, branded communication plan, helping to ensure that alumni and donors recognize UGA communication instantly, making our communication more effective.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Self-starter, takes initiative, and can work independently as well as in a team environment
• Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to collaborate with others and enlist buy-in from different groups
• Demonstrates a commitment to outstanding service
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other design software as applicable
• Solid understanding of design principles, including layout, color theory, typography, and composition
• Experience with image/photo editing and retouching
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate ideas and collaborate with clients and team members.
• Creative problem-solving abilities, with a track record of providing innovative design solutions
• Adaptability to new design trends, technologies, and industry changes
• Professionalism, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
• Strong attention to detail is essential
• Ability to effectively receive feedback and maintain a solution-focused approach
• Exhibits behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the University of Georgia
• Communicates and employs interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct

Additional Division Expectations:

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

Physical Demands

• Some after-hours work and/or traveling may be required
• Work in a standard office environment
• Sit and work at a computer workstation for extended periods of time
• Work using electronic communications, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

Is driving a responsibility of this position? No

Is this a Position of Trust? No

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No

Does this position require a P-Card? No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

Provide graphic design for Division of Alumni and Development Units

• Conceptualize, design, and execute high-quality artwork for units within the division in collaboration with creative director, associate creative director, project managers, digital team, and writers.
• Plan and execute design strategy for publications, websites, and social media.
• Manage visual identity of units in alignment with campaign and university guidelines.
• Hone specialty and, within the team, act as lead expert in that field (i.e., animation, illustrations, UX, promotional products, product design, etc.).
• Contribute to and lead the creative process, including concepting meetings with assigned units, team brainstorming, and presentations.
• Help build creative briefs and concept plan(s) for units.
• Exercise independence in design execution.
• Follow DARCOMM’s workflow processes and leverage the project management system to ensure projects are completed efficiently.
• Understand and adhere to deadlines. If a deadline will be missed, communicate in advance to appropriate parties.
• Keep interested parties informed about projects on a regular basis.
• Provide clear communication to assigned units regarding creative vision and strategy.
• Present larger design projects to DARCOMM as well as clients, articulating rationale for design.
• Lead production for print projects, including vendor selection, spec sheet, estimations, proofing, and press checks when necessary.
• Meet with print vendors, understand each printers’ capabilities, visit print shops, and stay up to date on print standards, practices, techniques, and industry trends.
• Coordinate with external vendors, printers, and packaging manufacturers to ensure quality and consistency in the final output. Ensure final design is up to standards through testing, proofing, and press checks.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines and exceed expectations.

Percentage of time 60 Duties/Responsibilities

Collaborate with DARCOMM colleagues

• Meet regularly with team to discuss updates, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Meet with creative team on a regular basis to work on division and university-wide projects including campaign initiatives.
• Build relationships with DARCOMM and DAR colleagues to collaborate on projects and jointly recommend creative solutions for our division.
• For division-wide and special projects, contribute to creative process including concepting meetings, team brainstorming, and presentations. Contribute to and in certain projects lead content ideation and development.
• Engage in scheduled DARCOMM staff meetings.

Percentage of time 25 Duties/Responsibilities

Manage design intern

• Hire, manage, and coach design intern each semester.
• Assign intern projects appropriate to their skill set.
• Manage intern tasks in project management system.
• Quality control all intern projects before they are submitted to project managers for delivery.
• Provide constructive feedback for intern growth and development.
• Facilitate collaboration between interns, other designers, and DARCOMM team.

Percentage of time 15

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name Development & Alumni Relations’ Office of Talent Management

Recruitment Contact Email dartalent@uga.edu

Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you hear about this vacant position?
   • African American Development Officers (AADO)
   • Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
   • Annual Giving Network
   • CASE
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Chronicle of Philanthropy
   • Current UGA Employee
   • Diverse Jobs
   • Handshake
   • HigherEdJobs
   • Insight Into Diversity
   • LinkedIn
   • Talent Management Newsletter
   • UGAJobs (UGA’s job board)
   • Other (please provide)
2. * Which design software are you proficient in? Please list. (Open Ended Question)
3. * Do you have experience creating illustrations or animations?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * Do you have experience with UX design?
   • Yes
   • No
5. * Are you familiar with pre-press processes and working with print vendors?
   • Yes
   • No

Applicant Documents Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. Portfolio

Optional Documents