Creative Graphic Designer I - OSD Creative

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Graphic Designer I - OSD Creative

Company: Liberty University

Location: Lynchburg, VA

Job Type: Full time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Education

Date Posted: July 30, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the development and execution of high-quality creative assets for OSD (Office of Student Development) and its affiliated offices, encompassing live events, digital platforms, and print materials.

• It involves managing project timelines, prioritizing tasks, and collaborating effectively across various creative disciplines to ensure brand consistency and audience-centric design.

• The position requires proactive communication, integration of feedback, and a commitment to upholding established brand standards and audience-first principles.

• Success in this role contributes to OSD’s mission through purposeful, high-impact creative work, emphasizing craft excellence, reliability, and a team-first approach within a higher education context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "OSD Creative" designation within Liberty University indicates a focus on creative output for student development initiatives, requiring an understanding of university-specific branding and audience engagement strategies relevant to educational institutions. The "Tier 1" designation suggests an entry-level position with a focus on foundational creative execution and learning.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Produce compelling and visually engaging creative assets for a wide range of platforms and events, supporting key university initiatives such as Convocation, Campus Community, Liberty Worship Collective, LU Stages, LU Shepherd, LU Serve, LU Send, and Liberty Pastoral Counseling & Care.

• Provide direct support to OSD Creative staff by developing discipline-specific assets as needed, ensuring a cohesive visual identity across all OSD communications.

• Manage multiple creative projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment, strictly adhering to brief specifications, project deadlines, and budget constraints.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of creative industry trends, particularly those relevant to higher education, ministry culture, and the specific target audiences of Liberty University.

• Stay current with industry-standard creative software and workflows, actively exploring innovative techniques to enhance creative output and drive forward creative execution.

• Ensure all creative work is audience-first, effectively meeting the intent of the design brief and strategic communication goals.

• Take ownership of creative projects from conceptualization through final delivery, demonstrating excellence, accountability, and meticulous file hygiene for organized handoffs.

• Handle projects with a clear vision, strong execution, and thoughtful integration of constructive feedback from stakeholders.

• Communicate proactively with project stakeholders, managing deadlines, deliverables, and expectations transparently.

• Contribute fresh ideas and propose improvements to elevate both the quality of creative work and the efficiency of team workflows.

• Embody and multiply OSD Creative’s core team values: proactive growth, team-first mindset, ownership and accountability, positive culture building, transparency, encouragement of others, and demonstrating character reflective of Christian principles (Galatians 5:22–23).

• Actively contribute to a team culture that embraces feedback, celebrates growth, and cultivates spiritual, relational, and creative development within the team.

• Participate in teamwide creative brainstorms, contributing to the ideation of campaigns, series, and social content strategies.

• Model respectful and constructive communication in all feedback exchanges, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on supporting a broad range of university student life and ministry programs, necessitating an understanding of diverse audience segments and communication objectives within a faith-based educational setting. The requirement for "clear file hygiene and organized handoffs" is critical for efficient workflow in a multi-project environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A four-year college degree is preferred, with a concentration in a relevant creative field such as Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related discipline.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience in a professional creative position, with a focus on developing creative assets for diverse platforms. Experience within a higher education or ministry context is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in discipline-relevant design tools and programs (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite - Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Demonstrated ability in creative execution and visual design across digital and print mediums.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities effectively.

• Proficiency in communication and operational software, including Asana, Slack, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Outlook.

• Understanding and application of brand standards and audience-first design principles.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey clear, well-articulated information.

• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.

• Ability to understand, speak, and write English fluently for professional communication.

• Problem-solving skills with the ability to reason, analyze information, and apply judgment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with live event creative asset development.

• Familiarity with creative software and workflows beyond the standard Adobe Suite, demonstrating a willingness to innovate.

• Experience in a higher education or ministry communications environment.

• Basic understanding of video editing or motion graphics software.

• Familiarity with social media content creation and platform best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software like Asana and Slack, alongside the core Adobe Suite, indicates a need for candidates who can integrate into an existing project management and communication workflow. The "Tier 1" experience level suggests that foundational skills and a strong portfolio are paramount, with on-the-job learning expected for advanced or specialized areas.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A current, professional graphic design portfolio is required for employment consideration. This demonstrates practical application of design skills and creative problem-solving.

• The portfolio should showcase a range of creative assets developed for diverse platforms and project types, reflecting the breadth of responsibilities outlined.

• Include examples of digital assets (social media graphics, web banners, digital ads) and print materials (brochures, flyers, event signage).

• Demonstrate the ability to adhere to brand guidelines and develop cohesive visual identities for specific campaigns or initiatives. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly required for submission, be prepared to discuss your personal workflow for managing creative projects from brief to final delivery, including file organization and version control.

• Highlight your process for receiving and integrating feedback from stakeholders, demonstrating how you manage revisions effectively.

• Be ready to articulate your approach to staying current with industry trends and incorporating new software or techniques into your creative process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mandatory portfolio requirement is a critical gatekeeper for this role. Candidates should curate their portfolios to specifically highlight projects that align with the responsibilities, such as event graphics, digital marketing assets, and materials for an educational or ministry context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k, 403b) with potential employer matching.

• Tuition assistance programs, potentially for employees and/or their dependents, aligning with Liberty University's educational mission.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. While the description doesn't specify, typical university roles may offer some flexibility, but on-site presence is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is typical for an entry-level graphic design position in a medium cost-of-living area like Lynchburg, VA. The benefits package is standard for a large university institution, with tuition assistance being a notable perk given the employer.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education / Christian Ministry. Liberty University is a prominent private Christian university.

Company Size: Large (10,000+ employees). This indicates a structured environment with established processes and a wide range of internal departments and initiatives.

Founded: 1971. This long history suggests a stable institution with a well-defined mission and established operational frameworks.

Team Structure:

• The role is within OSD Creative, which is part of the Office of Student Development (OSD). This suggests a creative team that directly supports student-focused programs and events.

• The team is likely structured to handle various creative disciplines, with this role potentially specializing in specific areas while also supporting broader OSD Creative staff needs.

• Collaboration within OSD Creative and with other departments within OSD and Liberty University is expected, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: While not explicitly stated for design, operations within a university often rely on data for audience engagement and program effectiveness; creative work should ideally align with these insights.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The role emphasizes managing multiple projects, deadlines, and efficient task handoffs, indicating a need for structured workflow management.

• Automation & Efficiency: Staying current with software and workflows suggests a drive for efficiency and adopting tools that streamline the creative process.

Company Website: https://www.liberty.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Liberty University's Christian mission and its implications for communication and brand messaging is crucial. The OSD Creative team likely operates with a strong sense of purpose tied to student development and spiritual growth, influencing the tone and style of creative work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level "Tier 1" position (0-2 years of experience). It's designed for individuals starting their professional creative careers, focusing on foundational execution and learning within a structured environment.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to OSD Creative staff, likely a Creative Lead or Manager within the Office of Student Development. The "None" for Supervisory Responsibilities confirms this is an individual contributor role.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "revenue operations" role, the impact is significant within the university's student development sphere. High-quality creative assets directly influence student engagement with events, programs, and campus life, contributing to a vibrant university community and supporting the university's mission. Effective visual communication is key to disseminating information and fostering participation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to develop advanced proficiency in design software, explore new creative techniques, and gain experience across a wider range of creative projects (live events, digital, print).

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience within a large, established higher education institution, understanding university branding and communication strategies.

• Team Leadership Potential: With demonstrated growth and experience, potential to move into higher tiers (Tier 2, Tier 3) within OSD Creative, taking on more complex projects and potentially mentoring junior designers.

• Specialization: Develop expertise in specific areas like event branding, digital campaign design, or motion graphics based on project needs and personal interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path within OSD Creative is likely tiered, with advancement tied to demonstrated skill, project complexity, and contribution to team goals. The "Tier 1" designation implies a strong learning curve and mentorship opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "Onsite" and the work environment is a "climate-controlled setting" that is "well lighted, and the noise level is moderate." This suggests a standard office environment.

Office Location(s): Lynchburg, VA. The specific office would be within the Liberty University campus.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is conducive to focused creative work, with opportunities for collaboration through team brainstorms and feedback sessions.

• Access to industry-standard creative software and relevant operational tools (Asana, Slack) will be provided.

• Close interaction with the OSD Creative team and potentially other professionals within the Office of Student Development is expected, fostering a collaborative and mission-driven atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week). While the core hours are standard, the nature of event support might occasionally require flexibility, though this is not explicitly stated. The focus is on meeting deadlines and project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "climate-controlled setting" and "moderate noise level" describe a typical, comfortable office space. The mention of "facilitation of events outdoors occasionally" suggests that while the primary work is indoors, there might be occasional on-site event support that involves outdoor elements.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Portfolio Submission: Submit resume and the mandatory portfolio through the Workday portal. Ensure the portfolio is easily accessible and showcases relevant work.

• Screening: Recruiters or hiring managers will review applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications, experience level, and alignment with creative requirements.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Candidates may be given a design challenge or asked to present specific portfolio pieces during an interview. This could involve creating a sample asset based on a brief or discussing the strategic thinking behind a past project.

• Interviews: Expect interviews with the OSD Creative team and potentially OSD leadership. These will assess technical skills, creative thinking, problem-solving abilities, cultural fit, and understanding of the university's mission.

• Final Evaluation: Decision based on overall assessment of skills, portfolio, interview performance, and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this role (digital assets, print design, event graphics, adherence to brand).

• Showcase Process: For key projects, briefly outline the brief, your concept development, the design process, and the final outcome. Highlight problem-solving and strategic thinking.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include a mix of project types if possible, showing adaptability.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate (e.g., PDF, personal website link).

• Contextualize: For university-related projects, explain how your design served the specific audience or objective.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Audience: If given a design challenge, consider the target audience (students, faculty, staff, parents) and the university's mission.

• Adhere to Brief: Pay close attention to all requirements, constraints (time, budget if implied), and objectives outlined in the challenge brief.

• Communicate Rationale: Be prepared to clearly articulate your design choices, explaining why you made certain decisions based on strategy and best practices.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a given timeframe, prioritizing key elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio is paramount. Candidates should tailor their portfolio presentation to reflect the type of work OSD Creative produces, showing an understanding of the university's context and mission.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design tasks. Proficiency expected in:

  • Photoshop: For raster image editing and manipulation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For page layout and print design (brochures, flyers).

• Project Management Software:

  • Asana: Used for task management, project tracking, and team collaboration. Familiarity with creating tasks, updating progress, and managing deadlines is key.

• Communication Platforms:

  • Slack: For real-time team communication, quick updates, and informal discussions.
  • Microsoft Outlook: For official email communication and calendar management.
  • iMessage: Likely for internal team communication within the Apple ecosystem.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • Microsoft Word: For creating documents and text-based content.
  • Microsoft Excel: For basic data organization, potentially tracking project details or simple budgets.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly listed, understanding how creative assets perform on digital platforms (e.g., social media engagement rates) would be beneficial for informing future design decisions.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this creative role, but understanding how OSD's communication efforts integrate with university systems might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Familiarity with Asana and Slack indicates a need for candidates who are comfortable with modern digital collaboration tools and structured project workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Proactive Growth: Commitment to continuous learning, skill development, and seeking new ways to improve creative output and personal capabilities.

• Team-First Mindset: Prioritizing team success and collaboration over individual recognition, supporting colleagues, and contributing positively to team dynamics.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for tasks, projects, and outcomes, delivering on commitments with reliability and integrity.

• Positive Culture Builder: Actively contributing to a supportive, encouraging, and optimistic team environment, fostering strong relationships.

• Transparency: Open and honest communication regarding progress, challenges, and feedback.

• Encouragement of Others: Actively supporting and uplifting team members, celebrating successes, and offering constructive feedback.

• Fruit-Bearing Character: Embodying Christian values (Galatians 5:22–23 - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) in all professional interactions and work.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with OSD Creative staff and potentially other departments within OSD and across the university to align creative efforts with broader institutional goals.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture that embraces constructive feedback, both giving and receiving, to improve creative work and foster team development.

• Knowledge Sharing: Openness to sharing design techniques, industry insights, and best practices within the team to elevate collective skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The strong emphasis on Christian values and character is central to Liberty University's culture. Candidates must demonstrate alignment with these values and a collaborative, team-oriented approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Effectively managing competing deadlines and creative demands from various university departments and events.

• Adhering to Brand Guidelines: Consistently delivering creative assets that align with Liberty University's established brand standards while still being innovative and engaging.

• Integrating Diverse Feedback: Navigating feedback from multiple stakeholders with potentially different perspectives and ensuring final designs meet objectives.

• Staying Current with Trends: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving design trends and technologies, especially within the dynamic higher education landscape.

• Mission Alignment: Ensuring all creative output effectively communicates the university's mission and values in an authentic and impactful way.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, explore new design software, and learn advanced techniques in digital and print design.

• Industry Exposure: Gain practical experience in creative production for a large university, understanding strategic communication within higher education and ministry.

• Mentorship: Benefit from guidance and mentorship from more experienced members of the OSD Creative team, fostering professional and personal growth.

• Creative Brainstorms: Participate in ideation sessions that foster innovative thinking and contribute to campaign development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity lies in gaining broad, hands-on experience within a structured university environment, developing both technical design skills and an understanding of institutional communication strategies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing creative assets for a live event. How do you ensure all necessary materials are produced on time and meet the event's objectives?" (Focus on project management, timeline adherence, and stakeholder alignment).

• "How do you approach incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders when it may seem contradictory or challenging?" (Highlight communication, problem-solving, and diplomatic integration of input).

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to adhere to strict brand guidelines. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate understanding of brand standards and creative execution within constraints).

• "How do you stay current with design trends and new creative software, and how do you decide which trends are relevant to adopt?" (Showcase initiative, continuous learning, and strategic application of new knowledge). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in a university environment, specifically at Liberty University?" (Research the university's mission, values, and recent initiatives).

• "How do you see your creative skills contributing to our mission of 'Training Champions for Christ'?" (Connect your work to the university's overarching purpose).

• "Describe a time you worked as part of a team to achieve a creative goal. What was your role, and how did you contribute to the team's success?" (Emphasize collaboration, team-first mindset, and positive contributions). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Key Projects: Choose 3-5 projects that best showcase your skills relevant to the job description (digital assets, event graphics, print materials).

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the final outcome or impact.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Briefly mention the software and techniques used for each project.

• Emphasize Brand Adherence: If applicable, show how you maintained brand consistency or developed a new brand identity within project parameters.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, problem-solving approach, and how your work aligns with the university's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their portfolio in detail, linking their creative decisions to strategic objectives and demonstrating an understanding of the university's unique context and mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Liberty University Workday job portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio prominently features examples of digital graphics (social media, web banners), print collateral (flyers, brochures), and any event-specific design work. Tailor your selection to reflect the diverse needs of OSD initiatives.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight relevant skills and software proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite, Asana, Slack) and quantify achievements where possible. Emphasize any experience in higher education or ministry contexts.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving skills, and how your work aligns with Liberty University's mission. Prepare to discuss specific projects from your portfolio in detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Liberty University's mission, values, and the Office of Student Development's role. Understand their target audiences and communication style.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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