Creative Coordinator
University of Iowa

The University of Iowa's Office of Strategic Communication is seeking a creative problem solver and visual storyteller to join our team as a graphic designer. In this role, you'll have the unique opportunity to directly contribute to building and enhancing the Iowa brand as one the nation's leading research universities.

As part of our cross-functional creative team, you'll contribute to the visual execution of national brand campaigns, design flagship recruitment collateral and executive communications, create one-of-a-kind illustrations and engaging environmental graphics, and promote some of the institution's most significant events.

This position offers flexibility with a combination of on-campus and remote work. Remote work must be completed within the state of Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

Work arrangement options are discussed during the hiring process.

Key Areas of Responsibilities

Concept and Brand Identity

• Work collaboratively with a team of designers, writers, and multimedia storytellers to enhance the visibility and reputation of the university.
• Explore methods to achieve design consistency across various channels and mediums, contributing to a robust library of branded assets and templates through the creation of graphic elements, icons, brand illustrations, and templates for widespread use.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to solve complex problems, create strategic concepts, and manage the process through execution.

Media and Materials Creation

• Design cohesive marketing materials aligned with project goals and creative briefs, encompassing publication design for recruitment collateral, event promotional materials like signage and posters, environmental graphics for campus spaces, and various executive communications that range from large-scale publications to presentations.
• Conceptualize and create compelling illustrations and multimedia animations to enhance both print and online content spanning areas such as brand storytelling, enrollment campaigns, email marketing, promotional items, and recruitment collateral.
• Work closely with OSC staff to organize and direct marketing photography shoots, which includes responsibilities such as scheduling shoots, recruiting student volunteers, and providing support to photographers during shoots.

Project and Production Management

• Organize and monitor project work to ensure visibility, track progress, and effectively meet deadlines.
• Coordinate with printing services, external vendors, and customers to provide production options, timeframes, and costs, ensuring that all work aligns with aesthetic expectations, budgets, and deadlines.

Financial Responsibility

• Develop and present project options to campus partners within established budgets.
• Strive to improve job function and cut costs by producing products more efficiently.

Supervision/Leadership

• Provide design direction, feedback, and coaching to student staff, as needed.

For a complete job description, please contact Libby Kleppe at libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu

Education Requirement

• Bachelor's degree in Communication, Marketing, or equivalent; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Required Qualifications

• 1-3 years of professional experience in graphic design or art direction related to brand development, implementation, and management.
• Ability to work within established brand guidelines and concept new ideas within the brand framework while maintaining visual continuity across several mediums and channels.
• Expert-level proficiency in the use of Adobe Creative Suite software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat.
• Ability to work constructively and collaboratively in various environments, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trusting relationships.
• Experience working with high-volume design tasks that are deadline driven with a strong ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, staying updated on the latest design trends, tools, and techniques to maintain relevance and innovation.
• Demonstrated graphic design skills in a variety of mediums including publications, printed collateral, digital, and environmental as shown through a submitted portfolio (5-8 work samples).

Desirable Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience creating illustrations or graphics using a consistent style.
• Experience in higher education.
• Experience working with photographers, coordinating photoshoots, and providing direction to models to achieve desired outcomes.
• Working knowledge of cost/quality/turnaround factors and considerations of various design and production techniques.
• Understanding of web content management systems and ability to update and edit web content.

Application and Position Details

• In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • A portfolio (5-8 work samples) that demonstrates graphic design skills in a variety of mediums including publications, printed collateral, digital, and environmental.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For additional questions, please contact Libby Kleppe at libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu.

This position offers flexibility with a combination of on-campus and remote work. Remote work must be completed within the state of Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

Benefits Highlights

• Regular salaried position. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.
• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
• For more information about Why Iowa? Click here.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Creative Coordinator
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa

Compensation

• Pay Level: 3B

Contact Information

• Organization: Strategic Communications
• Contact Name: Libby Kleppe
• Contact Email: libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu

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