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Job Description
Salary Range:
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
About SMU
SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. The University’s entrepreneurial spirit lives in people from every academic discipline who see opportunities to create something new in the world – and work hard to bring their innovations to life. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for our students, faculty and alumni to make a global impact. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities – from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.
About the Department:
Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.
DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.
SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fund-raising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.
About the Position:
Join SMU to help take the University to the next level in shaping world changers. The Senior Designer will create highly creative content that inspires prospective students, alumni, North Texans and supporters across the country to engage with SMU. Reporting to the Creative Director, the Senior Designer brings the SMU brand to life in ways that reinforce the University’s key messages and will collaborate with the extended marketing and fundraising teams to support SMU’s long-term vision.
Essential Functions:
Serve as a lead designer for SMU’s multiple marketing and advertising efforts, editorial stories and other content that inspires and strengthens engagement with current and prospective SMU community members. Responsible for leading the effort to apply strong SMU branding to all relevant content to reinforce and communicate consistent messaging.
Team with writers, social/digital content creators, photographers, videographers, project managers and others to produce highly creative, visual and compelling digital and print communications targeting, prospective students, alumni and supporters. This includes creating concepts for advertising campaigns and the visual look of stories on the homepage to event content and fundraising campaigns. This position will assist in template and resource building to simplify the delivery of work across channels and platforms.
Obtain estimates, build budgets and team with the project manager on production schedules. Coordinate production, art direct photography and videography and work with writers and other Marketing & Communications colleagues. Communicate job status to team members. Oversee production and attend press checks as needed.
Approve vendor invoices, submit disks to be archived, check in samples for files, close jobs, and other duties as needed to support the Creative Marketing team.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in Visual Communications or related design field.
A minimum of five years’ design experience throughout multiple forms of media is required.
Digital & social experience preferred. Experience designing for gen Z and millennials desired. Experience working across all levels of an organization is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must possess strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills with the ability to successfully work with a wide range of stakeholders. Must also be a collaborator used to working with fellow creatives, marketing associates and a diverse set of clients in the development of content. The ability to be an active listener and take feedback well is required.
Candidate must demonstrate strong written communication skills with ability to produce error-free written communications. Candidate must be a strategic thinker who can develop high concept designs for omnichannel applications. Professional presentation and negotiation skills, as well as strength in highly creative solutions based on marketing problems with the ability to transfer concepts into an easily executable and visually appealing package are essential.
Candidate must possess strong organizational and planning skills, including the ability to prioritize projects and workflow, as well the ability to work with project managers in the delivery of projects. Must also be a fast designer, able to meet tight deadlines and work proactively in a team environment. The ability to work in team situations effectively, cooperatively, and courteously, with sensitivity to others and a commitment to resolve conflict appropriately is essential.
Candidate must have strong problems solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems. Must also demonstrate resourcefulness in finding, presenting and implementing appropriate solutions to problems. Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing priorities is essential.
Knowledge of digital experience best practices required. An understanding of mobile-first mentality and approach is also required.
Candidate must demonstrate a strong working knowledge of Macintosh OS; full Adobe Creative Suite (on both digital and print projects); Microsoft Word (or equivalents).
Experience and/or a strong knowledge of FileMaker Pro, Asana, Dreamweaver preferred. Familiarity with UX/UI best practices preferred.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply:
The position is open until filled.
Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by September 30, 2022.
EEO Statement:
SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, [email protected].
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU’s retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn’t just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
