Brand & Design Specialist

Position Summary
The Brand & Design Specialist leads the NC Collaboratory's visual identity, ensuring complex research is translated into engaging, accessible, and high‑impact materials across print, digital, video, and web platforms. The role strengthens stakeholder engagement and communicates research impact to policymakers, academic partners, and the public. Deliverables include branded reports, digital collateral, video projects, website updates, and the quarterly newsletter, with an emphasis on consistency, accessibility, and audience alignment.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Master's or Bachelor's and 0‑2 years experience; or a combination of related education and experience is accepted.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Professional experience in visual communications, graphic design, video production, or related creative fields.

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or comparable design software, and video editing tools such as Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or After Effects for producing and editing short and long‑form video content for web, social media, and events.

Familiarity with web content management systems, such as WordPress.

Ability to translate complex research into clear visual and video storytelling while maintaining consistent branding across digital, print, video, and social media.

Strong attention to detail, creative problem‑solving skills, and ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.

Ability to collaborate effectively with research teams, leadership, and external stakeholders, and to contribute to both independent and team‑based video production, including pre‑production, filming, and post‑production.

Demonstrated ability to create high‑quality design assets, including reports, presentations, infographics, social media graphics, and video content.

Proven ability to manage multiple creative projects from concept through delivery while maintaining brand consistency.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Knowledge of best practices in video production workflows, including lighting, sound, and editing techniques for professional quality output.

Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with experience in motion graphics, animation, and video editing in tools like After Effects or Premiere.

Strong understanding of design theory, including typography, color, layout, and composition, and ability to apply across diverse platforms.

Familiarity with search engine optimization (SEO) and web analytics tools to optimize content performance and audience engagement.

Experience designing and leading integrated, multi‑format communications or visual campaigns that align with strategic messaging.

Ability to manage complex, multi‑channel projects with multiple stakeholders and tight timelines.

Ability to anticipate communications needs and proactively create solutions that strengthen institutional visibility.

Experience designing visual assets for research, academic, or policy‑focused audiences at the state, national, or international level.

Progressive experience producing and editing videos for academic, research, or policy contexts, including interviews, event coverage, and explainer videos.

Prior experience in higher education, nonprofit, or government settings, with an ability to adapt design and messaging for varied stakeholders.

Special Instructions
Please provide 2–3 examples of your design work (graphics & video) or share a link to your portfolio in the "Documents needed to Apply" section of your application.

Candidates advancing beyond the initial interview may be asked to complete a brief skills assessment related to the responsibilities of the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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