Graphic Designer

Position Summary
The Graphic Designer is a member of an integrated, multidisciplinary creative and production team that produces the university’s signature and award-winning creative campaigns in support of the university’s most visible external marketing and communications channels, publications, and products. This position develops and executes creative solutions that integrate with the university’s visual identity, brand platform, and design standards. The Graphic Designer performs design audits and works with colleagues and clients to assess needs, design and prototype ideas, and produce/deploy solutions that reflect excellence and elevate the university’s image. The position reports to the Senior Designer and supervises external freelancers and partners, and student interns.

Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities

• Produce and design high impact visual elements, layouts, interfaces, and assets for all communications channels, vehicles, and mediums, including, but not limited to print, web, graphical user interface elements, content management system templates, and other digital production assets. Conceptualize content to visually communicate compelling and memorable messages to target audiences that achieve identified outcomes and reinforce the university’s identity and brand architecture. Ensure projects are completed by identified deadlines and on budget in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

• Brand Campaign Development and Execution - Collaborates with the creative team and campus partners to conceptualize and develop internal and external brand campaigns. Responsible for designing and producing digital and print assets, ensuring all files are properly prepared and formatted for placement, production, and print.

• Manage assigned creative projects. Collaborate with marketing and communications colleagues, university leaders, and external partners to ensure projects are completed by identified deadlines and on budget in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

• Pitch innovative, forward-thinking creative ideas. Identify opportunities to develop technology-based creative solutions to the MarComm team. Synthesize feedback from design presentations and trials and recommend approaches supported by evidence collected.

• Supervise creative team associates as assigned, including freelance designers and student interns. Set objectives, manage budgets, monitor performance, and assess outcomes. Contribute to a service-oriented team environment that fosters collaboration, transparency, teamwork, flexibility, and creativity. Coach team members to maximize creativity, productivity, and effectiveness.

• Assure successful outcomes by adopting best-practice project management methodologies, quality assurance metrics, and risk mitigation plans. Ensure the integrity, high-quality, and consistency of the university’s image, tone, style, narrative, visual identity, and brand.

• Administer the university’s graphic identity programs. Train end users, freelance production staff and external partners to ensure consistent and correct usage.

• Production and vendor management - Responsible for managing relationships with print vendors to ensure design files are accurately produced, on schedule, and within budget. Oversees print specifications, site surveys, proofs, production quality, and delivery coordination from concept through installation.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Loyola Marymount University Expectations

Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.

Requisite Qualifications

• Typically a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual arts, or creative field.  The incumbent will be expected to continue upgrading knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy changes.

• Minimum 3-5 years of related graphic and/or web design experience. Agency and/or higher education experience preferred.

• Experience brainstorming ideas and developing concepts for new design projects and execute them within the context of an institutional brand, communication, and marketing strategy.

• Experience managing traditional and large-format print vendors. Oversee production to ensure brand standards and project objectives are met with high quality outcomes.

• Ability to create and support production of simple to mid-level animations using Adobe After Effects is desirable.

• Must be able to perform successfully in a fast-paced, intellectually intense, and service-oriented environment. Experience working successfully within a complex organization. Willing and able to adjust to changing demands and shifting priorities.

• Must be able to follow direction from an art director and work collaboratively with graphic artists, marketing, communications, and external relations team members.

• Advanced-level experience in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. Deep understanding of best practices in print, web design, animation and production.

• Demonstrated experience managing creative projects and executing across multiple communications and marketing channels and media.

• Highly collaborative style with experience developing and implementing design strategies successfully; a background that demonstrates relationship-building, consensus-building, flexibility, and managing through influencing.

• Self-starter, able to work independently and entrepreneurially; experience creating, developing and implementing new initiatives.

• Ability to produce high quality deliverables with meticulous attention to detail. Must be metrics-driven and results-oriented with demonstrated analytical skills.

• Ability to provide quick turnaround and updates for multiple requests while maintaining strong reputation of high-quality work.

#HERC# / #HEJ#

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of this position.

Salary range

$67,000.00 - $72,000.00 Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Staff Regular

Salary range

$71,100.00 - $88,900.00 Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Please note that this position may not be eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Loyola Marymount University, a Carnegie classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence, the education of the whole person, and the building of a just society. LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal, state and local law. We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experience, and beliefs to apply. (Visit www.lmu.edu for more information.)