Brand Coordinator

The University of Iowa Office of Strategic Communication is seeking a Brand Coordinator. The Brand Coordinator is a dynamic role that blends design, strategy, and coordination to support the consistent application of the University of Iowa brand. An integral member of the University of Iowa’s Office of Strategic Communication, this position reports directly to the Director of Brand Management and is responsible for supporting both strategic initiatives and operational functions.

A key focus of this role is the development and launch of a comprehensive online template library, along with the creation of brand-aligned tools and resources designed for broad use across campus units. These efforts aim to enhance accessibility and ensure uniformity in the application of brand standards, while also empowering departments to communicate effectively within the university’s visual and messaging framework.

In addition to project-based responsibilities, the Brand Coordinator manages a variety of ongoing tasks essential to brand governance. These include providing guidance to campus partners on trademark usage and brand assets, coordinating with external vendors to ensure compliance with brand specifications, and maintaining the university’s brand manual to reflect current standards and best practices. The role demands a high level of attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.

Working within a highly creative and collaboratively driven team environment, the Brand Coordinator plays a key role in supporting brand governance.

There is an expectation that the person in this position will maintain effective, civil, and respectful working relationships with the University of Iowa campus community and uphold the University’s commitment to creating welcoming and respectful environments for all.

This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

This is a Specified Term position lasting 12 months.

Key Areas of Responsibilities

Concept and Brand Identity

• Collaborate with the brand management team to understand the needs of campus communicators and help create clear, practical tools that make brand policy easy to apply in everyday work.
• Translate brand standards into visual references, sample use cases, and guides that help educate campus units on how to apply the brand consistently across complex use cases.

Media and Materials Creation

• Design, organize, and maintain branded templates using Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, Canva, and/or Adobe Express for campus-wide use, ensuring they are easy to use, accessible, and aligned with brand standards.
• Create visuals and design assets such as presentations, website graphics, illustrations, and other materials to help users clearly understand how to apply the Iowa brand consistently. Ensure all visual materials, content, and tools meet accessibility standards and follow brand guidelines.
• Contribute to drafting, editing, and maintenance of brand-related content such as the brand manual website, training documents, presentations, campus updates and communications, and reports.

Project and Production Management

• Manage requests, logistics, and quality control for branded displays, signage, and merchandise to maintain alignment with brand standards, foster effective vendor and partner collaboration, and ensure a positive customer experience for campus units leveraging brand resources.
• Evaluate and recommend processes, systems, and resources that improve accessibility, usability, and efficiency in brand-related projects.

Operational Support and Management

• Coordinate brand-related workshops, trainings, and meetings by scheduling, preparing materials, and supporting delivery.
• Support the implementation and upkeep of tools and platforms for brand templates and assets, including organizing files, coordinating updates, and implementing surveys.
• Review, assess, and implement updates to the brand manual and related resources to ensure that accessibility standards are achieved.

Brand Management

• Serve as first-point of contact for brand related inquiries to monitor, assess scope, and organize the day-to-day inflow. Route to brand leadership or respond to questions to provide consistent guidance on proper asset use in alignment with brand policy.
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and the ability to provide clear, consistent educational direction to campus and external parties.
• Review artwork and materials submitted through the licensing process to ensure brand and trademark compliance.

Financial Responsibility

• Compile metrics and translate brand-related data into actionable reports, charts, and presentations for leadership.
• Track storefront pricing and assess product assortments to ensure fairness and brand alignment.

Supervision/Leadership

• Provide consultation and outreach to campus to build understanding and compliance.
• Identify and implement improvements to internal processes, tools, and systems supporting brand governance.
• May supervise or provide direction to student employees or temporary staff on creative or brand-related projects.

To obtain the full job description including key areas of responsibility, technical competencies, and desirable qualifications, please contact Libby Kleppe at libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu.