Graphic Communications Designer / Senior Graphic Designer

Graphic Communications Designer / Senior Graphic Designer

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with on-site work required at least three days a week.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

The University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and was founded in 1867. The university serves the people of Illinois through a shared commitment to excellence in teaching, research, public engagement, economic development and health care. Faculty, staff and students share their knowledge, expertise and resources with residents in every corner of the state through public service and outreach programs.

The Research Communications Office consists of a four-person team that collaborates closely to tell the exciting, campuswide story of research and innovation at Illinois. We pride ourselves on our ability to blend marketing strategy and creative approaches with high-level design, copywriting, and UX. The Community Impact Campaign we launched in September 2024 (which included a series of digital ads, video, billboards, bus boards, and a content-rich website) is an example of our work – one that has received national attention in higher education. While our team is small and nimble, it expands often as we collaborate with marcom colleagues at colleges and other units across campus – especially those who are under the OVCRI umbrella, including the 10 interdisciplinary research institutes, Research Park (RP), and the Office of Corporate Relations (OCR). (RP and OCR share our recently renovated office space in Research Park, which includes free parking.) Above all, the work we do is meaningful. We support a world-class research enterprise that’s making new discoveries each day to improve the lives of people in our community, state, nation, and around the world.

Job Summary

Work as part of a creative team to develop high-impact digital and print communications that tell the exciting story of research at Illinois and support the university's research community. Think strategically about institutional goals and audiences, develop creative solutions to design challenges (within the university's visual identity system), and translate core ideas into fresh, effective design deliverables.

Duties & Responsibilities

Graphic Communications Designer

• Design and Production:
  • Create clear, compelling design solutions that meet communication objectives and maintain brand standards. Projects could include but are not limited to: various print collateral, digital campaign assets, social media templates, web design, digital signage, environmental design, promotional materials, emails, slide decks, merchandise, and more.
  • Manage production of all design/marketing materials from conception to completion, ensuring work is produced on schedule and held to a high standard, with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Design and implement creative marketing and storytelling strategies for a broad range of audiences, from students, faculty, staff, and alumni to legislators, funding sources, and the general public – the communities and individuals our research serves through our land grant mission.
  • Effectively communicate and present design concepts to teammates, OVCRI stakeholders, and communications partners across campus.
  • Build and maintain relationships with area printers and other vendors regarding format and print processes to ensure materials meet specifications and standards while maintaining brand consistency. Obtain estimates and oversee installation when necessary.
  • Provide photo editing, photo direction, and basic photography when needed.
  • Research trends and technologies in visual communication, graphic design, typography, and web, digital, and social media.
  • Become well-versed in areas of digital and print accessibility according to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and best practices for color contrast, readability, and more.
• Collaboration and creative discovery / strategy:
  • Collaborate closely with OVCRI creative team members, paying special attention to how graphics and photography are woven into headlines and other copy, to create seamless, unified storytelling.
  • Participate in discovery and brainstorming sessions with the team, stakeholders, and communications partners across campus.
  • Support the communication needs of OVCRI units and stakeholders through thoughtful listening, strategy, creative problem solving, and timely execution of design materials.
  • Participate in unit and/or campus leadership/service opportunities.
• Management:
  • Create production schedules for all phases of projects that include design.
  • Help set up projects in the project management platform (Basecamp), and maintain project updates, sharing of design files, etc.
  • Maintain organized, up to date project folders, design files, and other assets in Box.
  • Archive completed projects and related information.
  • Help direct design interns.

Senior Graphic Designer

In addition to the above Duties and Responsibilities for Graphic Communications Designer:

• Design and Production:
  • Ensure digital and print accessibility and best practices for color contrast, readability, and more.
• Collaboration and creative discovery / strategy:
  • Participate in and help plan/lead discovery and brainstorming sessions with the team, stakeholders, and communications partners across campus.
  • Provide design leadership for other OVCRI marcom teams/individuals; participate in campus leadership/service.
• Management:
  • Supervise direct design interns.

Required Qualifications

Graphic Communications Designer

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
• One year of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.
• Demonstrated experience designing both print and digital assets.

Senior Graphic Designer

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years (36 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.
• Demonstrated experience designing both print and digital assets.

Preferred Qualifications

Graphic Communications Designer

• Bachelor's degree in design.
• Two years of full-time professional graphic design experience.
• Demonstrated experience working as part of a creative team and managing projects from conception through completion.
• Experience working with brand guidelines.
• Experience designing and reviewing for digital and print accessibility.

Senior Graphic Designer

• Bachelor's degree in design.
• Five or more years of full-time professional graphic design experience.
• Demonstrated experience working as part of a creative team and managing projects from conception through completion.
• Experience working with brand guidelines.
• Experience designing and reviewing for digital and print accessibility.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Graphic Communications Designer

• Expertise in graphic design elements, layouts, typography. Ability to translate complex ideas into creative visual solutions. Curiosity, flexibility, and commitment to creative thinking. Strong interpersonal communication skills (both verbal and written). Strong organizational skills and a thorough knowledge of all aspects of print and digital production. Excellent attention to detail. Advanced skills in current design software including Adobe Creative Cloud. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a sometimes-fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects at a time.
• Preferred: Demonstrated understanding of marketing strategy and audience distinctions. Ability to present and explain creative concepts and strategies. Skills in digital animation, photography, user experience design, and video. Clear understanding of Web Content and Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Senior Graphic Designer

• Expertise in graphic design elements, layouts, typography. Ability to translate complex ideas into creative visual solutions. Curiosity, flexibility, and commitment to creative thinking. Demonstrated understanding of marketing strategy and audience distinctions. Strong interpersonal communication skills (both verbal and written). Ability to present and explain creative concepts and strategies. Strong organizational skills and a thorough knowledge of all aspects of print and digital production, including Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Excellent attention to detail. Advanced skills in current design software including Adobe Creative Cloud. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a sometimes-fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects at a time.
Preferred: Demonstrated skills in digital animation, photography, user experience design, and video. Experience managing/mentoring design interns.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5004 - Marketing Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $61,000 to $66,000 at the Graphic Communications Designer level and $65,000 to $69,000 at the Senior Graphic Designer level. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a cover letter, resume, and names/contact information (including phone number and email address) for three professional references. Incomplete applications and applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Thurman Etchison at tetchis2@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1033323
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu