Senior Designer

Description:

Essential Functions:

• Serve as a lead designer for SMU’s multichannel marketing and advertising efforts, including editorial content and other materials that inspire and strengthens engagement with current and prospective SMU community members. Responsible for leading the effort to apply strong SMU branding to all relevant content to reinforce and communicate consistent messaging. Partners with writers, digital content creators, photographers, videographers, project managers and others to produce highly creative, visual and compelling digital and print communications targeting, prospective students, alumni and supporters. This includes creating concepts for advertising campaigns from the visual look of stories on the homepage to event content and fundraising campaigns.

• Coordinate production, art direct photography and videography and work with writers and Marketing & Communications colleagues. Communicate job status to team members and project managers. Participate in digital production, testing and attend press checks as needed.

• Obtain estimates, build budgets and team with the project manager on production schedules. Approve vendor invoices, archive jobs, check in samples for files, close jobs, and other duties as needed to support the Creative Marketing team.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required, preferably in Visual Communications or related design field.

A minimum of five years’ design experience throughout multiple forms of media is required.

Digital & social experience preferred. Experience designing for gen Z and millennials desired. Experience working across all levels of an organization is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must possess strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills with the ability to successfully work with a wide range of stakeholders. Must also be a collaborator used to working with fellow creatives, marketing associates and a diverse set of clients in the development of content. The ability to be an active listener and take feedback well is required.

Candidate must demonstrate strong written communication skills with ability to produce error-free written communications. Candidate must be a strategic thinker who can develop high concept designs for omnichannel applications. Professional presentation and negotiation skills, as well as strength in highly creative solutions based on marketing problems with the ability to transfer concepts into an easily executable and visually appealing package are essential.

Candidate must possess strong organizational and planning skills, including the ability to prioritize projects and workflow, as well the ability to work with project managers in the delivery of projects. Must also be a fast designer, able to meet tight deadlines and work proactively in a team environment. The ability to work in team situations effectively, cooperatively, and courteously, with sensitivity to others and a commitment to resolve conflict appropriately is essential.

Candidate must have strong problems solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems. Must also demonstrate resourcefulness in finding, presenting and implementing appropriate solutions to problems. Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing priorities is essential.

Knowledge of digital experience best practices required. An understanding of mobile-first mentality and approach is also required.

Candidate must demonstrate a strong working knowledge of MacOS; full Adobe Creative Suite (for both digital and print projects); Microsoft 365 (or equivalents).

Experience and/or a strong knowledge of FileMaker Pro, Asana (or equivalent project management system), Animation preferred. Familiarity with UX/UI best practices desired.