About

• American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University Department: Design Time Type: Full time Job Type: Regular FLSA Status: Exempt Work Modality: Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week) Union: SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division. Job Description: Summary: The Designer is responsible for developing creative concepts that ensure brand consistency for campus partners and support the university strategic plan, bringing awareness and recognition to American University. The scope of work entails research, planning, conceptual development, design and production across digital and print communication platforms. The position works collaboratively with the production manager, account executives, copywriters, copyeditors, photographer, videographer, and content strategists to produce a wide range of deliverables to support AU’s brand strategy and priorities. Responsibilities include photo preparation and editing, producing digital files for publishing to targeted platforms, and archiving projects when completed. The Designer ensures high-quality, compelling imagery that supports American University’s storytelling and recruitment efforts by helping plan and coordinate photoshoots and assists senior designer with art direction. This role may also receive functional supervision from senior designers and account directors/project managers. Essential Functions: Design and produce creative solutions and final art for a variety of projects/campaigns based on institutional priorities, project requirements, and budget parameters. Works closely with the associate director-design for creative direction and concept assessment and critique. Participates in project kick-off meetings, planning, research, brainstorming, conceptual development, and prepares design concepts for presentations. Present concepts to associate director-design for milestone review and presents creative to account managers and campus partners. Provide design support for UCM, including digital, communications, government relations, and marketing. Contributes to project schedules and creative briefs. Design lead on select project teams. Helps expand and refresh the University Communications and Marketing (UCM) photo library to support digital, print, and external requests. Collaborates with marketing, web, design, and external teams to assess and fulfill photo needs. Helps build and maintains relationships with university partners to secure models, locations, and permissions. Works closely with photographer to schedule and execute at least one photoshoot per month. Plan, manage, and maintain an ongoing photoshoot schedule. Assist with communicating logistics with models and building managers, including agenda, attire, and space setup. Provides creative direction with the support of senior designers during photoshoots. Reviews and organize photos, providing contact sheets to university partners and curating selections for UCM use. Project administration and post-production tasks. Works with account directors and project manager on creative briefs, project requirements, print specifications, logistics, and other creative and business processes. Monitor industry trends in design, photography, illustration and advertising. Participate in professional development opportunities. Monitor use of new technology, tools and creative talent that extend our internal staff capacity. Review portfolios, demos, online seminars, etc. Other duties as assigned. Competencies: Displaying Creativity. Prioritizing and Organizing. Evaluating and Implementing Ideas. Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions. Supporting Coworkers. Acquiring and Analyzing Information. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Full-Time. 35 hours per week. Salary Range: $75k - $80k annually. Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree or equivalent. 3-5 years of relevant experience. In commercial advertising agency or design studio. Demonstrated ability to design and produce projects from start to finish. Demonstrated experience implementing identity and brand guidelines, campaigns, print production, design for web/social media, and working within tight deadlines. Must have excellent communication and organizational skills, be detail oriented, and can manage time efficiently. Should enjoy working with people and have strong relationship-building abilities. Requires familiarity with photography. Must have a solid working knowledge of MacOS, production, commercial printing, and experience with Adobe CC (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, and MS Office). Working knowledge of HTML, ADA guidelines and accessibility for web, information architecture, and user experience. Active engagement in expanding skills, and awareness of industry trends and emerging technologies. Preferred Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree or equivalent. in visual communication/graphic design. 4-6 years of relevant experience. Benefits AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options. Other Details Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university. Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. American University is an E-Verify employer. Current American University Employees American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Contact Us For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu. American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities. American University is a student centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.