Graphic Designer & Content Creator at SUNY Onondaga Community College

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer & Content Creator

Company: SUNY Onondaga Community College

Location: Syracuse, NY

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Education

Date Posted: June 09, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive college brand engagement and messaging through the creative design and implementation of high-quality marketing collateral across print, digital, and web platforms.

• Foster brand consistency and visual identity by collaborating with internal stakeholders and adhering to established branding guidelines.

• Enhance digital presence and asset management by organizing and maintaining the College's digital asset library.

• Proactively identify opportunities to elevate visual communications and explore innovative design solutions, staying abreast of industry trends and best practices.

• Support broader marketing initiatives through contributions to web design, social media content, photography, and videography projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for maintaining and evolving the visual identity of a community college, requiring a blend of creative design, brand stewardship, and cross-functional collaboration within an educational institution. The emphasis on "stretching the brand's potential" and "taking meaningful risks" suggests an environment that values innovation and creative problem-solving.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce compelling marketing collateral, including brochures, flyers, posters, social media graphics, web banners, and email templates, ensuring alignment with OCC's mission and messaging.

• Translate stakeholder needs and project objectives into visually effective and on-brand design solutions for various internal departments and external campaigns.

• Develop and enforce adherence to Onondaga Community College's brand guidelines, ensuring all visual communications are consistent and professional.

• Manage the digital asset management system (DAMS), organizing, categorizing, and archiving design files, images, and other visual assets for easy retrieval and use.

• Research and implement emerging design trends, software features, and content creation techniques to continuously improve the quality and impact of OCC's visual communications.

• Assist with photography and videography needs for college events, programs, and promotional materials, potentially including basic editing.

• Contribute to website content updates and enhancements, ensuring visual elements are optimized for web performance and user experience.

• Support social media strategy by creating engaging visual content tailored for various platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on role requiring proficiency in a wide range of design applications and an understanding of how design contributes to broader institutional goals in higher education marketing. The need to support photography, videography, and web content suggests a versatile designer capable of contributing across multiple creative channels.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, college, or foreign equivalency in Graphic Design, Communication, Marketing, or a closely related field.

Experience: Two years of professional experience in a graphic design role, with a strong emphasis on creating marketing collateral and managing brand consistency.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, for creating and editing digital and print assets.

• Proven ability to translate marketing objectives and stakeholder requirements into effective visual designs.

• Strong understanding of branding principles, visual identity development, and brand guideline adherence.

• Experience in managing and organizing digital assets, maintaining file integrity and accessibility.

• Demonstrated creativity and innovative thinking in design problem-solving.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Preferred Skills:

• Two years of agency experience as a graphic designer, providing exposure to diverse client needs and fast-paced environments.

• Experience working within a higher education institution, understanding the unique communication needs and audiences of colleges and universities.

• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development in graphic design, content creation, and emerging digital technologies.

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, enabling broader communication and content creation for a diverse student body and community.

• Basic photography and videography skills, including shooting and editing, for supporting college marketing efforts.

• Familiarity with web design principles and content management systems (CMS) for website updates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred qualifications, particularly agency experience and higher education background, suggest that the hiring committee values candidates who can bring external best practices and institutional understanding to the role. Bilingual skills are a significant plus, indicating a commitment to inclusivity and broader community outreach.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of two years of professional graphic design work, with a strong emphasis on marketing collateral for diverse audiences.

• Demonstrations of creative problem-solving through case studies or project explanations, illustrating how design challenges were overcome.

• Examples of projects that required adherence to strict brand guidelines and maintained visual consistency across multiple platforms (print, digital, web).

• Evidence of skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) through high-quality examples of digital and print designs.

• Inclusion of projects that highlight an understanding of user experience and engagement for digital platforms. Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, from initial concept development and client consultation to final asset delivery and revision management.

• Examples of how they have managed feedback from multiple stakeholders and incorporated it into design iterations.

• Documentation or discussion of how they organize and manage project files and digital assets for efficiency and future use.

• Ability to articulate the thought process behind design choices, explaining how they align with project objectives and brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of design capability and problem-solving acumen. Candidates should prepare to walk through their portfolio, explaining their process, rationale, and the impact of their designs, particularly in the context of an educational institution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $44,000 - $55,000 per year. This range is commensurate with credentials and relevant experience, reflecting industry standards for a Graphic Designer & Content Creator with 2-5 years of experience in the Syracuse, NY area, considering the cost of living and the public sector employment context.

Benefits:

• Retirement: Participation in the New York State Local Retirement System (pension) or an Optional Retirement Plan (401a).

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans.

• Dental Insurance: Robust dental coverage.

• Vision Insurance: Vision care benefits.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program for eligible borrowers, a significant benefit for those with federal student loans.

• Paid Time Off: (Implied, typical for full-time roles in public institutions) – Details to be confirmed.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing learning and skill enhancement.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely 40 hours per week. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to meet project deadlines or support events, with flexibility expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for the region and experience level, particularly when combined with the comprehensive benefits package offered by a public institution, including robust retirement options and the potential for student loan forgiveness.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Community College)

Company Size: Approximately 500-1,000 employees (estimated based on typical community college structures and the provided description of serving 40,000+ alumni).

Founded: Onondaga Community College was founded as part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, a well-established public higher education network.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer & Content Creator likely reports to a Marketing or Communications Director/Manager.

• The role is part of a broader marketing and communications department that may include writers, social media specialists, web developers, and administrative support.

• Close collaboration is expected with various college departments, including admissions, student affairs, academic divisions, and administrative offices. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, designs are expected to support institutional goals and be informed by an understanding of audience engagement and marketing effectiveness.

• Brand Stewardship: A strong emphasis on maintaining brand integrity and consistency across all communications.

• Collaborative Workflow: Working closely with internal stakeholders to understand needs and deliver solutions.

• Continuous Improvement: Encouragement to stay current with design trends and explore innovative approaches.

Company Website: https://www.sunyocc.edu/ (This is the general college website; the job posting links to a specific career portal).

📝 Enhancement Note: Working in higher education, especially at a community college, often involves a mission-driven culture focused on student success and community impact. The environment likely values collaboration, accessibility, and a commitment to serving a diverse population.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an individual contributor role at an intermediate level, requiring specific creative and technical skills. It sits within the broader marketing and communications function, contributing to the operational efficiency of outreach and brand management.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Marketing Manager, Communications Director, or similar leadership role within the college's administrative structure.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer & Content Creator's work directly impacts the college's public image, student recruitment, community engagement, and overall brand perception. Effective visual communication is essential for operational success in marketing and outreach efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like web design, motion graphics, UX/UI design, or advanced digital marketing visual strategies.

• Leadership Potential: With experience and demonstrated success, potential to move into a Senior Graphic Designer, Art Director, or Marketing Team Lead role within the department or at another institution.

• Broader Institutional Impact: Opportunity to take on larger, more strategic design projects that have a significant impact on college-wide initiatives.

• Professional Development: Access to training, workshops, and conferences relevant to graphic design, digital media, and higher education marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" role, this position is integral to the operational success of the college's marketing and student acquisition efforts. Growth often involves expanding creative scope, developing strategic design leadership, or specializing in high-demand digital design areas.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at SUNY Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY. The role is not remote.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is the main campus of Onondaga Community College, situated at 4585 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely within the college's marketing and communications department, offering opportunities for collaboration with colleagues.

• Access to standard office equipment, design software, and potentially college-specific creative resources.

• The environment is expected to be professional, academic, and geared towards supporting the college's educational mission.

• Opportunities for interaction with faculty, staff, and students from various departments.

Work Schedule: Primarily standard business hours, Monday through Friday. Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary to meet deadlines for events or campaigns. The role requires flexibility to manage multiple projects and occasional urgent requests.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and integration within the campus community. Professionals in this role will be part of the physical and operational fabric of the college.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, focusing on resume, cover letter, and portfolio.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing their design process, rationale, and how their work aligns with the college's brand and objectives. This may include a design challenge or practical test.

• Interviews: Multiple rounds of interviews, potentially including hiring managers, department heads, and key stakeholders from departments they will support. Focus on collaboration, problem-solving, and cultural fit.

• Final Selection: Reference checks and background checks.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in graphic design, content creation, and brand consistency, particularly those relevant to an educational or marketing context.

• Showcase Process: For each project, be ready to articulate your design process, the problem you were solving, your creative rationale, the tools you used, and the outcome or impact.

• Highlight Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully applied or developed brand guidelines.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs led to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, higher attendance), be prepared to share that data.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether it's a digital link or a physical presentation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge that tests your ability to quickly grasp a brief, generate creative concepts, and produce a design within a set timeframe.

• Practice articulating your design choices clearly and concisely, justifying your decisions based on project objectives and best practices.

• Understand the target audience for a community college and how to tailor communications effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process and strategic thinking. Demonstrating an understanding of higher education marketing and a collaborative spirit will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are essential. Acrobat Pro for PDF creation and editing.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) System: Familiarity with organizing and managing digital assets.

• Microsoft Office Suite / Google Workspace: Word/Docs, PowerPoint/Slides for general document creation and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Basic understanding of web analytics (e.g., Google Analytics) to inform web design choices.

• Familiarity with social media analytics to gauge the performance of visual content. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing a CRM, understanding how design assets integrate with CRM-driven marketing campaigns (e.g., email marketing platforms like Mailchimp, Constant Contact) is beneficial.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) for managing workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with DAM systems and an understanding of how design supports digital marketing workflows are highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Commitment to Education: A dedication to the mission of higher education and student success.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding the college's reputation and visual identity with professionalism and care.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with colleagues across departments to achieve shared goals.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging fresh ideas and exploring new design solutions.

• Efficiency & Organization: Managing projects effectively and maintaining organized digital assets.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: Creating communications that resonate with and respect a diverse community.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires a highly collaborative approach, working closely with marketing colleagues, faculty, staff, and administrators.

• Open communication and a willingness to receive and incorporate feedback are essential.

• Proactive engagement with stakeholders to understand their needs and contribute creative solutions.

• A team-oriented mindset, contributing to the collective success of the marketing and communications department.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a mission-driven approach, where creative work directly supports the educational goals of the college and its community. Collaboration is key to navigating the diverse needs of various academic and administrative departments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Needs: Juggling design requests from numerous departments with varying priorities and creative briefs.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all visual output aligns with OCC's established brand guidelines across a wide range of applications.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying current with design software, digital platforms, and visual communication trends while meeting institutional needs.

• Resource Constraints: Working within budget and time limitations common in public institutions.

• Measuring Design Impact: Quantifying the effectiveness of design work in achieving marketing and communication objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Workshops & Webinars: Access to professional development sessions focused on new design software, digital marketing trends, and higher education marketing strategies.

• Conferences: Potential to attend industry conferences related to graphic design, marketing, or higher education communications.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunities to learn new design techniques, explore motion graphics, or delve deeper into web design principles.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced marketing and communications professionals within the college.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to grow by tackling complex design challenges within a stable, mission-oriented environment. The key is to leverage these challenges as learning experiences, enhancing both creative skills and strategic understanding of educational marketing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a design brief from initial concept to final deliverable. How do you handle revisions and feedback from multiple stakeholders?"

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various marketing materials for an institution like Onondaga Community College?"

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio that you are particularly proud of. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?"

• "How do you stay current with design trends and emerging technologies in graphic design and digital content creation?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for a community college like Onondaga Community College?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers or individuals with different communication styles?"

• "Describe a time you had to be innovative or take a creative risk in your design work."

• "What are your thoughts on visual storytelling in higher education marketing?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a story – the problem, your solution, and the impact.

• Visual Focus: Let your designs speak for themselves, but be prepared to articulate the strategic thinking behind them.

• Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate your ability to create marketing collateral, maintain brand consistency, and work with diverse audiences.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; present your strongest work efficiently and be ready for deeper dives into specific projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their design philosophy, problem-solving skills, and ability to integrate within an academic environment. Demonstrating an understanding of the college's mission and audience will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer & Content Creator position:

• Submit Application: Apply through the provided MACNY's Job Board link, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Tailor Resume & Cover Letter: Customize your resume to highlight graphic design, content creation, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, and any relevant experience in marketing, higher education, or agency settings. Your cover letter should express your passion for visual storytelling and explain why you are a good fit for SUNY Onondaga Community College.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, visually appealing, and showcases your best work, particularly projects demonstrating brand consistency, marketing collateral design, and creative problem-solving. Be ready to discuss your process for each piece.

• Research the College: Familiarize yourself with SUNY Onondaga Community College's mission, programs, student body, and current marketing efforts. Understand their brand identity and target audiences.

• Reference Preparation: Identify three professional references, including at least one current or former supervisor, who can speak to your design skills, work ethic, and collaborative abilities.

⚠️ 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.

---