Brand and Design Lead

Job Posting Title :

Brand and Design Lead

Hiring Department : Global Engagement

Position Open To : All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours :

40

FLSA Status : Exempt

Earliest Start Date :

Immediately

Position Duration : Expected to Continue

Location : UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details : General Notes

The University's 19 colleges and schools enroll over 53,000 students and rank among the top 10 public universities in the U.S. Texas Global is the university's global engagement arm and a recognized leader in international education, based on the success of the programs we deliver and the number of individuals we support. We serve more than 9,000 international students and scholars, as well as more than 4,600 students on education abroad programs annually.

Texas Global advances UT Austin's academic mission by leading, supporting, and coordinating the university's international engagement efforts, fostering strategic partnerships on campus and abroad, welcoming a cadre of impressive international students and scholars to campus, and creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage with peers and institutions around the world. Texas Global is comprised of nine units, home to over 140 staff members, and continued growth of the organization is expected.

Your skills will make a difference. You'll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will make a difference in the lives of faculty and staff, thereby enhancing the student experience. If you're the type of person that wants to know your work has meaning and impact, you'll like working in our department and for UT Austin.

UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to :

Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)

Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options

Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds

Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs : Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)

Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities

Tuition assistance

Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets

Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card

Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

Purpose

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, the Brand and Design Lead sets the creative vision and leads the design production process for the graphics team. This role collaborates closely with various Marketing and Communications team members to achieve strategic goals that further the mission of Texas Global and The University of Texas at Austin. As the creative leader of the graphics team, the lead analyzes, plans, ideates, problem-solves, and directs the creation and production of all multimedia materials, including print, digital, and video.

Responsibilities

Creative Strategy & Direction

• Drive the creative direction and design execution of Texas Global's visual communications, fostering a research-driven, audience-centered, problem-solving design process aligned with the University's global mission and strategic goals.
• Partner with leadership, colleagues, and stakeholders to develop an annual plan for priority creative projects, including print, digital, promotional, video, and environmental design.
• Clarify project objectives, develop creative briefs, analyze potential design solutions, offer strategic recommendations on methods and media, and present concepts clearly.
• Research and assess emerging design trends, technologies, and higher education marketing strategies to guide decision-making, enhance storytelling, and continuously improve visual communications.

Design Project & Production Management

Supervisory Responsibilities

Brand Stewardship

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in art, design, or communications field. Seven years of progressive experience in graphic design, art direction, and / or creative team management. The ideal candidate will be a strategic, organized leader with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize competing deadlines, work within budget constraints, and lead a multidisciplinary creative team. Experience mentoring and supervising junior designers, student employees, or interns is essential, as is a strong background in accessible, user-centered design practices. The position requires advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as well as strong skills in Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, and WordPress. Candidates should have a working knowledge of basic HTML and a strong background in front-end web design, including creating responsive, compliant, and accessible web pages and interactive digital experiences, and the ability to incorporate photography, video, and animation into digital designs. Advanced understanding of print design, simple animation, interaction design, current industry trends, and the ability to direct photo and video development and production processes. The role demands excellent presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills, a keen aesthetic sensibility, and the flexibility and problem-solving skills to adapt to evolving visual storytelling tools, print production processes, and new creative methods. An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Ten or more years of experience in graphic design, art direction, and / or creative management. Advanced knowledge of production methods for promotional items, as well as digital and offset printing processes. Familiarity with project management and content tools such as Canva, Asana, and BrightSign software is preferred. Project management certification or training. Additional experience in photography and videography is a plus, as is prior international experience gained through studying, working, or living abroad.

Salary Range

$80,000

Working Conditions

Work in a shared office environment. Work around standard office conditions. This position is located in Austin, Texas.

Required Materials

Resume / CV

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers : You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers : As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility :

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion / transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility :

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks :

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer :

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer ,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency :

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification :

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify :

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following :

Compliance :

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.