Graphic Designer & Creative Manager

General Summary:

The Graphic Designer and Creative Manager supports the efforts of the Director of Marketing and Communications and other members of the Marketing and Communications office to design and create various pieces in order to promote University School of Milwaukee to various constituency groups. Reporting directly to the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Graphic Designer and Creative Manager serves as a communications resource for administration, faculty, staff, parents, and others throughout the USM community, while ensuring brand compliance with the school’s visual identity guide, and serves as the primary graphic designer and photographer for the majority of the school’s marketing and communications pieces.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Graphic Design/Prepress (40%)

• Executes design and layout of print and digital collateral materials in support of enrollment, advancement, and other marketing needs.
• Executes design and layout of the school’s semi-annual magazine, USM Today, as well as the school’s annual advancement report.
• Manages all pre-press and production processes for print collateral materials, including on-site press checks with printers as needed.
• Directs agency and freelance graphic design and illustration needs as appropriate.
• Ensures all media produced by the school adheres to visual identity and branding styles and guidelines, and advises internal clients on compliance as needed.
• Manages project archive files for storage and posterity.

Photography (30%)

• Serves as the primary photographer during the school day and at select evening and/or weekend events for print and digital media needs, including website and social media. 
• Schedules and coordinates specific event photography needs with outside photographers. 
• Maintains digital photography libraries, including identification of selects from photo shoots. 
• Creates photo galleries and slideshows for various website and other digital needs. 
• Schedules third-party photography provider for specific event photography needs and annual student portraits.

Videography (25%)

• Coordinates video capture needs with outside videographers, and manages the footage selection and review processes for enrollment, advancement, and other marketing video needs. 
• Captures and edits video for select quick-turnaround communications needs. 
• Maintains digital video footage libraries.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Serves as a liaison with the school store, athletic department, booster club, and other areas in support of brand-driven needs, including apparel, merchandise, etc. 
• Serves as a liaison with a specific school division, including regular attendance at division meetings for information gathering and sharing purposes. 
• Provides strategic support for other departmental and school-wide projects and duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work collaboratively with others and maintain positive professional relationships
• Excellent communication skills
• Detail-oriented
• Strong interpersonal skills; capable of using tact and diplomacy in dealing with others
• Excellent organizational skills with a strong degree of self- direction and motivation
• Ability to be flexible and handle multiple projects
• High level of maturity, confidentiality, and assertiveness
• Creative thinker and storyteller with the ability to generate new ideas, troubleshoot issues, and problem-solve
• Capable of competently operating technology and staying ahead of technological advances and trends, incorporating them into internal client work when appropriate
• Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required to cover school events

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (or bachelor’s degree in an art-related field, such as graphic design or photography, or in marketing, communications, or a related field with appropriate design/creative experience)
• 3-5 years related experience, documented by a strong marketing/communications portfolio including a wide range of print and digital design examples, magazines/publications, photography, video work, etc. that would be shared during the interview process
• Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite/Creative Cloud programs, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and After Effects (preferably in a PC environment)
• Technical knowledge of video and still photography cameras, and working knowledge of lighting, composition, exposure, etc.
• Experience working with print vendors and/or prepress knowledge strongly preferred
• Experience in an education setting, or other non-profit environment, preferred but not required.

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, full benefits package, and exceptional work environment.