Graphic Designer, University Communication & Marketing Job at VILLANOVA UNIVERSI

Graphic Designer, University Communication & Marketing

Location: Villanova, PA
Position Type: Staff
Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule: full-time/12-months Avg Hours Week
Department: 651 - University Communication and Marketing - Creative Services

Position Summary

Why work at Villanova?

• Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
• Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
• Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.

Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality, professional designs that uphold and strengthen the University brand and deliver key messages to internal and external audiences. Serve as a knowledgeable brand guardian, maintaining brand consistency and adhering to university brand guidelines across a variety of project types and mediums. Design projects may include brochures, reports, posters, event collateral, print advertisements, wall graphics, social media, web graphics, digital advertising, digital signage, and publications.
• Under the direct supervision of the Art Director and working as part of the institutional marketing team, work collaboratively with various partners across the University – including but not limited to the President’s Office, Colleges and Schools, Mission and Ministry, Admissions, Student Life, Advancement, and various administrative offices. Provide excellent customer service and consultation on concept, purpose, audience, usage, and distribution to ensure the development of effective creative solutions; with strong ability to present design solutions to others.
• Work closely with the Project and Production Management team to manage multiple projects from concept through production, balancing agreed upon deadlines and budgets, and well as stakeholder feedback and priorities. Complete administrative design tasks according to department standards, which include daily schedule updates in design job tracking system (FileMaker) as well as necessary production, preparation and project archiving.
• Stay current with design trends, technologies, and best practices in higher education marketing, with willingness to develop new design and technical skills as needed.
• Performs other duties and assists with projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communication, or related field required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience can be considered.
• Minimum (3) years of graphic design experience, to include experience as a member of a design agency or in-house graphic design team.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced, multi-faceted environment with frequent deadlines.
• Team player with strong creative, conceptual, decision-making and communication skills.
• Flexible, upbeat, energetic self-starter who enjoys collaboration with a wide variety of constituencies.
• Must have a deep commitment to the well‑being of the University and a commitment to the University’s Catholic Augustinian heritage, and advancement of its mission, and to serving the needs of a diverse community.
• Proven knowledge of and experience with all methods, principles, procedures, and techniques, in both traditional and digital graphic design, production design, and photographic design treatments.
• Proven experience working with and adhering to brand guidelines.
• Strong understanding of typography, layout, color and composition.
• Demonstrated and thorough knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat) and general Mac operating system.
• Must understand and be familiar with all phases of print production from concept through completion, including prepress techniques, equipment, and software. Must be proficient in preparing files for commercial printing.
• Experienced in project management software to track projects and hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with or within an academic, higher education, non-profit, or agency environment is preferred.
• Experience creating digital and motion graphics utilizing programs such as Adobe After Effects or Premiere is a plus.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours

• Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and some holidays as the demands of the job dictate.

Special Message to Applicants

Posting Date: 12/04/2025
Closing Date (11:59pm ET):
Salary Information: This position falls within salaried grade 14 and the range for this position is $57,200-71,500. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.
Salary Band: 14
Job Classification: exempt