Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator

Company: University of Colorado Anschutz - Colorado School of Public Health

Location: Aurora, Colorado, United States (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing & Communications Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-21

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for developing and executing multi-channel marketing strategies, with a primary focus on digital recruitment of prospective students for the Colorado School of Public Health.

• It involves the creation of compelling visual assets and content across various platforms, including digital advertising, print materials, website, social media, and email campaigns.

• The position requires strong analytical skills to track and evaluate marketing tactics and their performance metrics, contributing to data-driven decision-making for enrollment growth.

• Collaboration is key, as the Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator will work with internal teams and external partners to ensure consistent brand messaging and effective communication strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is titled "Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator," its responsibilities, particularly the focus on digital recruitment, campaign marketing, performance marketing, and analyzing enrollment pipelines, align it closely with a specialized marketing operations function within an educational institution. The emphasis on metrics and multi-channel campaign management suggests a need for operational rigor in marketing execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and design engaging graphics, layouts, and visual aesthetics for the Colorado School of Public Health's communication and marketing initiatives.

• Coordinate content creation for school-level marketing communications, including website updates, social media posts, and email newsletters.

• Create and manage an electronic viewbook and develop printed materials for various departments, centers, and programs to support student recruitment.

• Assist in maintaining and updating school-level web content, such as the website homepage, event calendar, and newsroom, ensuring accuracy and relevance.

• Drive prospective student acquisition and enrollment growth through the planning, execution, and optimization of integrated marketing campaigns.

• Design and manage the school's branded assets, ensuring consistency across all materials, including templates for presentations, flyers, email signatures, and business cards.

• Collaborate with the Director of Communications and Marketing and campus/department leads to identify, foster, track, and analyze enrollment pipelines with undergraduate institutions.

• Design content for student recruitment marketing efforts, including ad copy, social media posts, and email campaigns, tailored to target audiences.

• Analyze marketing campaign performance using relevant metrics and analytics tools to identify trends, measure effectiveness, and recommend improvements.

• Support event marketing efforts by designing promotional materials and coordinating outreach strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design and strategic marketing execution, with a clear operational focus on student recruitment. The need to "track and analyze enrollment pipelines" and "analyze and evaluate tactics and metrics" points to a requirement for systematic campaign management and performance reporting, characteristic of marketing operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, Business Administration, Business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

• A Master's degree in a related field is preferred.

• A combination of education and relevant technical, military, or paraprofessional experience may substitute for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis. Experience:

• Senior Professional: Two (2) years of professional experience in marketing, content development, social media management, web/digital marketing, and/or multi-channel marketing campaigns.

• Principal Professional: Three (3) years of professional experience in marketing, content development, social media management, web/digital marketing, and/or multi-channel marketing campaigns.

• Prospective student marketing experience within a university, higher education, or graduate program setting is preferred.

• Photography and video production experience, including editing, is preferred. Required Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of social media marketing strategies and execution.

• Proficiency in content development for various marketing channels.

• Ability to track and measure campaign success through analytics and other metrics.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with excellent command of the English language, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax.

• Ability to multitask and prioritize multiple projects effectively while meeting deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to foster a community that values a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.

• Strong creative skills with a flair for marketing, design, and content editing. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in design for digital marketing, including the ability to create simple ads, brochures, and videos in-house.

• Proficiency with design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) for creating graphics and layouts.

• Experience with website content management systems.

• Knowledge of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) principles.

• Video production and editing skills.

• Photography skills and editing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements clearly delineate between "Senior" and "Principal" professional levels, suggesting a structured career path within the role. The emphasis on analytics and metrics underscores the operational aspect of marketing campaign management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design and marketing campaign work, with a focus on projects related to student recruitment or educational program promotion.

• Examples demonstrating proficiency in digital marketing across various channels (social media, email, web advertising).

• Case studies or examples that highlight your ability to analyze marketing campaign performance and demonstrate measurable results or ROI.

• Visual examples of branded asset development and adherence to brand guidelines. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of managing marketing projects from concept to completion, including planning, execution, and reporting phases.

• Documentation or examples of how you have tracked and analyzed marketing metrics to inform strategy or optimize campaigns.

• Demonstrations of workflow for content creation and asset management across multiple platforms.

• Examples of how you have collaborated with stakeholders to align marketing efforts with institutional goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal "process and systems portfolio" isn't explicitly requested, the "How to Apply" section asks for a "letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications." This implies that candidates should be prepared to showcase their experience through their resume and potentially a portfolio, demonstrating their process for executing marketing campaigns and analyzing their effectiveness.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Senior Professional: $60,000 - $69,000 annually (1.0 FTE)

• Principal Professional: $63,000 - $79,000 annually (1.0 FTE)

• This range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting. The position may be eligible for overtime. Benefits:

• Medical: Multiple plan options available.

• Dental: Multiple plan options available.

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, and Vision insurance.

• Retirement: 401(a) Plan with a 10% employer contribution of gross pay.

• Paid Time Off: Generous accruals throughout the year.

• Vacation Days: 22 days per year (maximum accrual of 352 hours).

• Sick Days: 15 days per year (unlimited maximum accrual).

• Holiday Days: 10 days per year.

• Tuition Benefit: Available to employees on all CU campuses.

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate for RTD Bus and light rail service.

• Additional perks and programs through CU Advantage. Working Hours:

• Full-time (1.0 FTE), standard work week.

• Hybrid work arrangement, with an expectation of working on-site three days per week at the CU Anschutz Campus in Aurora, CO.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges are clearly defined for two distinct levels within the role. The provided benefits are extensive and a significant draw for candidates, especially the substantial employer contribution to the retirement plan and generous PTO. The hybrid work arrangement specifies on-site days, offering clarity for candidates. The salary ranges provided are based on the explicit statement in the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Public Health)

Company Size: The University of Colorado system is a large, complex institution. The Colorado School of Public Health is a collaborative school combining expertise from three universities (CU Anschutz, CSU, UNC), making it a significant entity within the Rocky Mountain region's public health landscape.

Founded: The Colorado School of Public Health was established to serve the Rocky Mountain Region, combining the strengths of its partner universities. Its founding emphasizes a commitment to addressing regional public health challenges.

Team Structure:

• This role is part of the Colorado School of Public Health's Central Administration.

• The position reports directly to the Director of Communications and Marketing.

• Collaboration is expected with various campus and department leads, as well as with undergraduate institutions in the state and region. Methodology:

• The school emphasizes a collaborative approach, leveraging the expertise of three different universities.

• Operations within the communications and marketing team likely involve data-driven decision-making, utilizing analytics to inform campaign strategies and measure success.

• A focus on innovation and addressing public health issues suggests a culture that values proactive problem-solving and continuous improvement in communication strategies.

Company Website: https://coloradosph.cuanschutz.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the Colorado School of Public Health highlights its unique multi-university structure and its role as the sole accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain region. This context is important for understanding the collaborative environment and the broad scope of its mission, which influences the marketing and communication strategies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as either a "Senior Professional" or "Principal Professional," indicating a mid-to-senior level within the communications and marketing operations function. It offers a degree of autonomy and responsibility in developing and executing marketing strategies.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Director of Communications and Marketing, providing a clear line of management and guidance. This structure allows for mentorship and strategic alignment with departmental goals.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator directly impacts student recruitment and the school's overall brand perception. Successful execution of marketing campaigns and compelling visual design can lead to increased enrollment, enhanced program visibility, and stronger engagement with prospective students and partner institutions. The role's ability to analyze metrics also contributes to the operational efficiency of marketing spend.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in digital marketing, graphic design, SEO, and marketing analytics through hands-on experience and potentially professional development.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to a Senior Principal Professional role or transition into specialized marketing roles (e.g., Digital Marketing Manager, Senior Graphic Designer) within the university system.

• Leadership Potential: Developing strong project management and campaign coordination skills can pave the way for future leadership opportunities within marketing departments.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Working with various departments and universities offers broad exposure to different operational approaches and strategic initiatives within higher education.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Open Rank Communications Senior – Principal Professional" designation suggests a clear path for growth within the role itself, with defined expectations for increasing experience and responsibility. The emphasis on analyzing metrics and driving student acquisition points to a significant operational impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, with an expectation to work on-site three days per week at the CU Anschutz Campus in Aurora, CO. This setup aims to balance the benefits of remote flexibility with the advantages of in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is the CU Anschutz Campus in Aurora, Colorado. This campus is a hub for health sciences and research, offering a dynamic and collaborative academic environment.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model allows for focused work at home and collaborative sessions or team meetings on campus.

• Access to campus resources and facilities will be available on designated on-site days.

• The role involves collaboration with a central administration team, suggesting opportunities for teamwork and knowledge sharing. Work Schedule:

• Full-time (1.0 FTE), typically aligning with standard university business hours.

• The hybrid nature of the role may offer some flexibility in structuring the on-site and remote work days, subject to departmental needs and manager approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of three days on-site clarifies the hybrid expectation, providing practical information for candidates planning their work arrangements. The CU Anschutz Campus setting suggests a professional academic and research-oriented environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Candidates will submit a letter of interest, CV/resume, and professional references. The hiring team will screen applications based on qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Review: Applicants will likely be asked to submit a portfolio showcasing their graphic design and marketing campaign work. This is a critical step to assess creative skills and strategic marketing capabilities.

• Interviews: Expect one or more rounds of interviews. These may include discussions with the hiring manager (Director of Communications and Marketing), potential team members, and other key stakeholders.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: It is common for roles involving design and marketing strategy to include a practical assessment or case study. This could involve a design challenge, a marketing plan development task, or a presentation of past work and strategic thinking.

• Final Evaluation: Focus will be on assessing technical skills (design, marketing execution), strategic thinking, analytical abilities, communication effectiveness, and cultural fit within the Colorado School of Public Health.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with the job description, particularly those related to student recruitment, digital marketing, and visual communication in an educational context.

• Showcase Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the strategies employed, the tools used, and most importantly, the measurable results or impact achieved (e.g., increased engagement, lead generation, conversion rates). Quantify results whenever possible.

• Highlight Process: Briefly explain your design process and marketing strategy development. This demonstrates your problem-solving approach and understanding of campaign lifecycle.

• Brand Consistency: If applicable, showcase projects where you successfully managed or adhered to brand guidelines, demonstrating your understanding of brand integrity.

• Digital Focus: Emphasize digital marketing projects, as the role has a strong focus on digital recruitment. Include examples of social media campaigns, email marketing designs, and web banner ads.

• Prepare a Presentation: Be ready to walk through your portfolio during an interview, explaining your contributions and the outcomes. Practice your narrative to be concise and impactful.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Audience: Research the Colorado School of Public Health, its programs, target audience (prospective students), and its current marketing efforts.

• Marketing Strategy: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a student recruitment campaign, considering different channels, messaging, and metrics.

• Design Thinking: Think about how you would create visually appealing and effective marketing materials for an academic institution. Consider the unique selling propositions of public health programs.

• Analytics & Metrics: Familiarize yourself with common marketing KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) relevant to student recruitment, such as application rates, inquiry conversions, website traffic, social media engagement, and ROI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "How to Apply" section requests a letter of interest and references, and the "Qualifications" section details experience. This implies that candidates should be ready to present their qualifications comprehensively, with a portfolio being a likely requirement for visual and strategic roles like this one. The emphasis on "analyzing and evaluating tactics and metrics" in the description suggests that interview questions will probe analytical capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Graphic Design Software: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools is essential. While not explicitly listed, expect experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) to be a strong asset.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience with website content management systems for updating web pages, news articles, and event listings.

• Social Media Management Platforms: Familiarity with tools for scheduling, publishing, and monitoring social media content (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social).

• Email Marketing Platforms: Experience with platforms for creating and sending email campaigns (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or university-specific systems).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Proficiency with tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic, user behavior, and campaign performance.

• Social Media Analytics: Ability to interpret data from social media platforms (Facebook Insights, Twitter Analytics, LinkedIn Analytics) to measure engagement and reach.

• Marketing Analytics Tools: Experience with tools that help track and analyze the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, including conversion tracking and ROI measurement.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Slate for higher education) used for student recruitment and management could be beneficial for understanding the broader enrollment pipeline.

• Automation tools for marketing workflows might be utilized, though specific tools are not listed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description mentions "website content management," "social media," "digital marketing," and "analyze and evaluate tactics and metrics." This strongly implies the need for proficiency in common digital marketing tools and analytics platforms. While specific software isn't named, a general understanding of the Adobe Creative Suite for design and Google Analytics for web performance would be highly relevant.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with diverse teams across multiple universities and departments to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Approach: Valuing the use of analytics and metrics to inform marketing strategies and demonstrate impact, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies and marketing approaches to effectively reach and engage prospective students in a dynamic environment.

• Commitment to Public Health Mission: A shared dedication to advancing public health through education, research, and community engagement, which likely influences the tone and messaging of marketing efforts.

• Inclusivity: Fostering a diverse and welcoming environment, as reflected in the university's Equal Opportunity Statement and commitment to diverse perspectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with the Director of Communications and Marketing, campus leads, and departmental representatives to ensure cohesive messaging and campaign execution.

• Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating with various stakeholders to gather input, present ideas, and gain alignment on marketing initiatives.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture that likely encourages constructive feedback on design and marketing strategies to refine approaches and improve outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a commitment to public health, collaboration across multiple institutions, and a growing emphasis on data-driven decision-making in marketing and communications. The role's success will depend on its ability to integrate into this collaborative and mission-oriented environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative and Analytical Demands: Effectively merging creative design skills with the analytical rigor required to measure marketing performance and student acquisition metrics.

• Multi-Channel Complexity: Managing diverse marketing channels (digital, print, social, email) and ensuring consistent branding and messaging across all touchpoints.

• University Bureaucracy: Navigating the processes and stakeholder dynamics within a large university system can present challenges in project execution and approval timelines.

• Evolving Digital Landscape: Staying current with rapid changes in social media, SEO, and digital marketing trends to maintain effective student recruitment strategies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Digital Marketing: Opportunities to deepen expertise in SEO, performance marketing, and digital advertising platforms relevant to higher education recruitment.

• Data Analytics for Marketing: Gaining advanced skills in interpreting marketing data, generating insights, and optimizing campaigns based on performance metrics.

• Graphic Design Specialization: Potential to refine skills in specific design areas or explore new design software and techniques.

• Higher Education Marketing Best Practices: Learning about successful strategies and operational approaches specific to marketing academic programs and recruiting students.

• Professional Certifications: Opportunities for professional development through workshops, webinars, or certifications in marketing or design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role are typical for marketing and communications positions within large educational institutions, requiring adaptability and a strategic mindset. The growth opportunities are substantial, particularly in the evolving fields of digital marketing and data analytics.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a successful student recruitment marketing campaign you managed or contributed to. What were the objectives, your role, the strategies used, and the key metrics that defined its success?"

• "How would you approach developing a new digital marketing strategy for one of the Colorado School of Public Health's graduate programs? What channels would you prioritize and why?"

• "Walk us through your process for designing marketing collateral for a specific audience, such as prospective graduate students. How do you ensure the design is both appealing and effective in communicating key messages?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about the Colorado School of Public Health and its mission?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in graphic design and digital marketing, particularly within the higher education sector?"

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with individuals from different departments or institutions. How did you ensure alignment and effective communication?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each portfolio piece as a mini-case study. Clearly articulate the problem, your solution (design/strategy), and the outcome (quantifiable results).

• Focus on Impact: Highlight how your work contributed to specific goals, such as increased applications, higher engagement rates, or improved brand perception. Use data and metrics to support your claims.

• Showcase Versatility: Present a range of projects that demonstrate your skills across different mediums (digital ads, social media graphics, print brochures, web content) and your ability to adapt your style to different needs.

• Explain Your Process: Briefly discuss your design thinking and marketing strategy development process for each project. This shows your approach to problem-solving and execution.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, strategic decisions, and how you handle feedback or challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of marketing operations principles (campaign execution, analytics, ROI) alongside creative design capabilities, specifically within the context of higher education student recruitment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the CU Taleo career portal.

• Customize Your Application: Tailor your cover letter to specifically address your experience in graphic design, marketing coordination, and student recruitment, highlighting how your skills align with the requirements for both Senior and Principal Professional levels.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your experience with digital marketing, content development, social media, and analytics. Use keywords from the job description to showcase your qualifications.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that prominently features your best work in graphic design and marketing campaigns, especially those related to educational institutions or student recruitment. Be ready to present and discuss your projects, focusing on outcomes and metrics.

• Research the Institution: Familiarize yourself with the Colorado School of Public Health, its programs, mission, and recent marketing activities to demonstrate your understanding and interest during the interview process.

⚠️ 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.