Creative Design Specialist

Creative Design Specialist
Classification Title: Digital Content Pro II, FLSA Exempt, FTE 1.00

Benefits
Eligible for Full/Part time: Full Time

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday with occasional evening and weekend work

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 2 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a higher education, research, or extension communications environment
Familiarity with coastal issues, the marine environment and NOAA Sea Grant
Background in multimedia production, including video and photography
Experience managing digital asset databases and visual archives
Prior experience providing design training or mentorship to staff

Position Summary
Serves as the primary visual communications professional for UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, curating and producing content across digital and print platforms in support of the unit’s mission to improve the environmental, social, and economic health of the coast through research, education, and extension. Collaborates with faculty, staff, and partners to develop and refine design concepts, integrating input from across the unit’s education, research, and extension divisions to produce materials that meet established branding and style guidelines. Organizes and maintains a unit-wide visual asset database to ensure content remains accessible, compliant, and useful to staff across all program areas. Leads brand compliance efforts, recommends content strategy improvements, and stays current on best practices in digital accessibility and multimedia production. Independently manages photo and video projects from concept through publication and provides design guidance and training to unit staff to elevate the overall quality of communications across the organization and with stakeholders statewide.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies
Advanced proficiency in graphic design and multimedia production software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite)
Knowledge of brand management principles and federal digital accessibility requirements
Ability to work independently and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
Strong communication and collaboration skills; ability to guide and train staff
Experience with content management systems, email marketing platforms, and social media channels
Familiarity with FERPA requirements as they relate to digital asset management
Knowledge of web, mobile, and print production standards and best practices

Physical Demands
Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer hardware/software.
Prolonged periods of computer use.

Duties/Responsibilities
Conceptual Design, Collaboration, and Training
Collaborates with faculty, staff, and partners to develop concepts and layouts for digital and print materials that promote UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant programs and projects.
Guides staff on layout principles and aesthetic design concepts, with attention to arrangement of material, style, and formatting based on deliverable type.
Creates drafts and rough sketches of materials, incorporates feedback from staff and supervisors, and provides design and digital media‑related training to unit staff.

Visual Content Creation for Diverse Communication Outlets
Creates visual content for a multitude of communication mediums, including core communication outlets (social media, website, and MailChimp) as well as special projects such as exhibits, technical reports, brochures, advertisements, educational activities, and manuals or guides.
Leads production of high‑quality digital and print deliverables essential to outreach, education, and stakeholder engagement.

Database and Asset Management
Manages internal and external project folders, assets, and visual databases.
Maintains archive of images, photographs, and work products.
Ensures the communications team adheres to the established organizational structure of the project database.
Maintains accessibility and integrity of assets in compliance with applicable regulations, including FERPA.

Brand Compliance and Strategy
Manages unit‑wide brand compliance by reviewing outputs, overseeing logo approval, and coordinating production and ordering of print materials and giveaways.
Develops and maintains unit‑wide brand resources and guidance to ensure a consistent visual identity across all platforms and divisions.

Multimedia Production
Manages and produces photo and video projects, taking the lead on planning, filming, editing, and publishing outputs.
Independently oversees each phase of multimedia production, including concept development, filming, editing, and final publication for videos, photo stories, and interactive story maps that support the unit’s outreach and communications goals.

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

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