The Graphic Design Specialistwill play a pivotal role in crafting compelling, accessible, and dynamic designs that strengthen Hampton University’s brand and contribute to its mission and strategic goals. Collaborating closely with the digital media, marketing and media relations team members and other campus stakeholders, the Specialist will be responsible for executing on Hampton University’s brand strategy through visually engaging design solutions for print, promotional, social media, and digital materials, ensuring consistency and excellent quality in all deliverables. (S)/He will have a strong track record of developing clever and innovative ideas and have the technical and project management skills to bring ideas to life. This person implements policies, procedure and guidelines for producing content. (S)/He manages the inventory of digital assets in all formats across a multi-system platform for easy access and retrieval.

Job Duties:

• Design materials for various projects, including social campaigns, events, and branding collateral. 
• Apply and maintain Hampton University brand style guide, ensuring alignment in logo usage, typography, illustrative elements, and more.
• Educate and train employees on university brand guidelines and best practices in design.
• Collaborate with university stakeholders to plan design projects, review creative briefs, and manage process from concept to completion. 
• Present creative concepts to marketing and communications team and campus stakeholders, as needed.
• Organize and utilize photography assets in Photo Shelter, the college’s photo management system, and assist or direct photo shoots as needed for design projects.  
• Develop production calendars and deadlines for assigned projects.
• Monitor the publications budget and maintain project records for financial accountability.
• Make proactive recommendations to streamline creative processes and enhance efficiency.
• Prepare vendor bid specifications, including paper selection, bindery, delivery, and quantities.
• Support, train, and mentor student assistants in graphic design tasks, as needed.
• Participate in campus events to plan future design initiatives and build stakeholder relationships.
• Stay informed about creative marketing and design trends and best practices in higher education to keep work at the forefront of the industry

Qualifications:

• Comfort level driving action in ambiguous or evolving situations, processes new information quickly and adjusts strategies; accordingly, displays situational adaptability.
• Possesses professional maturity, sound judgment, good analytical skills and the ability to make quality decisions to protect the university’s reputation when necessary.
• Ability to be detail oriented with excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Ability to represent the Division or chair committees, councils, and task forces.

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media, Graphic or Video Production, Print or Broadcast Journalism, or a related field such as Public Relations, Strategic Communications or Marketing.
• 3 years of work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Educational and/or professional experience at R1 University.
• Experience in technology driven environment.
• Direct experience working with non-profit, government, fundraising, and/or scientific audiences.