Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer
Company: Flinders University
Location: Tonsley, South Australia, Australia
Job Type: Part-Time (0.5 FTE)
Category: Marketing & Communications Operations / Creative Services
Date Posted: 2026-05-07
Experience Level: Mid-Level (Estimated 2-5 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute high-quality visual content across a variety of print and digital channels to support marketing and communication initiatives.
• Translate strategic briefs into creative design solutions that align with the brand identity and style guidelines of ARIIA (Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia) and Flinders University.
• Create engaging multimedia assets, templates, and presentations to enhance organizational communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders to understand design needs and deliver impactful visual assets that drive campaign success and brand consistency.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks to meet competing deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Graphic Designer," its responsibilities within a university and research innovation context, particularly under the ARIIA initiative, suggest a strong need for operational understanding of brand management, content strategy execution, and stakeholder communication through visual mediums. The emphasis on "delivering high-quality visual content across campaigns, publications, and promotional materials" and "translating briefs into effective design solutions" indicates a role that bridges creative output with strategic GTM (Go-To-Market) and internal communications operations. The requirement to work with "diverse audiences" and "internal stakeholders" points to a need for adaptable visual communication strategies, aligning with marketing operations and communications operations functions within a larger educational and research institution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce compelling visual assets for integrated marketing campaigns, ensuring brand consistency across all touchpoints.
• Develop creative concepts and execute designs for publications, brochures, event materials, and digital advertisements.
• Create and maintain a library of visual assets, including templates for presentations, social media graphics, and internal communications.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to conceptualize and produce engaging multimedia content, including short videos and motion graphics.
• Ensure all design outputs adhere to ARIIA and Flinders University brand guidelines, accessibility standards, and pre-press requirements.
• Manage the design process from brief to final delivery, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and ensuring timely completion of projects.
• Utilize data and audience insights to inform design decisions and optimize visual content for maximum impact and engagement.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of visual communication strategies to support organizational objectives.
• Stay abreast of current design trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in visual communication and content creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities are framed around core graphic design tasks. However, the context of ARIIA and Flinders University implies that these responsibilities are executed within a framework of marketing operations, communications operations, and GTM support. The need to "translate briefs into effective design solutions aligned with ARIIA’s brand and style guidelines" and "develop templates, presentations, and visual assets to support staff communication" highlights the operational aspect of ensuring brand consistency and internal alignment, crucial for any large organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Tertiary qualification in a design-related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant qualifications and practical experience.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in graphic design, with a strong portfolio showcasing print and digital design projects.
• Proven experience in developing visual content for diverse audiences and platforms.
• Experience working within a university, research institution, or similar large organizational environment is advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Proficiency: Advanced skills in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop for creating and manipulating graphics, layouts, and images.
• Adobe Premiere Pro Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to edit and produce video content for digital platforms.
• Canva Expertise: Advanced experience using Canva for efficient, high-quality, on-brand content production.
• Print Production & Pre-press: Solid understanding of pre-press preparation and print production processes to ensure accurate and consistent final outputs.
• Digital-First Content Creation: Confidence and skill in producing engaging digital assets tailored for various online platforms (e.g., social media, web, email).
• Brand Alignment: Ability to interpret and consistently apply brand and style guidelines.
• Creative Concept Development: Capability to translate briefs into innovative and effective design concepts.
• Time Management & Organization: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing deadlines and manage workload independently.
• Stakeholder Communication: Skill in effectively communicating design concepts and gathering feedback from internal stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics or animation software.
• Familiarity with UX/UI design principles.
• Knowledge of content management systems (CMS) for web publishing.
• Understanding of accessibility standards in digital design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills list is comprehensive and directly drawn from the job description. The "Mid-Level" experience estimation (2-5 years) is based on the expectation of advanced proficiency in core design software and a solid understanding of production processes, which typically aligns with this experience bracket. The emphasis on "advanced experience" with specific tools and "solid understanding" of processes suggests more than an entry-level role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate Brand Consistency: Showcase examples where you successfully applied and maintained strict brand guidelines across multiple projects and platforms.
• Print & Digital Integration: Include projects that highlight your ability to create cohesive visual experiences across both print collateral and digital assets.
• Software Proficiency Showcase: Present work that clearly demonstrates your mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro) and Canva, highlighting specific uses of each tool.
• Process & Workflow Examples: Briefly explain your design process for key projects, from initial brief to final delivery, emphasizing how you managed feedback and revisions.
• Audience-Tailored Design: Provide examples of designs created for specific, diverse audiences, explaining the rationale behind your design choices.

Process Documentation:

• Brief Interpretation & Concepting: Examples of initial concept development based on a given brief, including mood boards or initial sketches.
• Workflow Management: Illustrate how you managed multiple design projects concurrently, including any systems or methods used for organization and tracking.
• Asset Creation & Templating: Showcase examples of reusable design templates (e.g., social media posts, presentation slides) and explain their purpose in streamlining future content creation.
• Output & Production Readiness: Demonstrate understanding of preparing files for both print (pre-press) and digital (various formats and resolutions) delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly requests a portfolio of "ten to twelve examples of your work" and a "Suitability Statement" addressing "Key Position Capabilities." This section infers the specific types of examples and process documentation that would best showcase an applicant's suitability for a role focused on operationalizing design within an academic and research context, emphasizing efficiency, brand adherence, and diverse output needs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $94,456 - $100,710 p.a. (pro-rata for 0.5 FTE)
Benefits:

• Generous Superannuation: 17% superannuation contribution.
• Salary Packaging Options: Opportunities for tax-effective salary packaging.
• Flexible Working: Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• Wellbeing Focus: Access to the 'Thriving@Flinders' wellbeing initiative.
• Professional Development: Wide range of professional development activities and services.
• Staff Study Offers: Exclusive study opportunities for staff.
• On-Campus Amenities: Access to on-campus health care services, gym, and childcare centre at Bedford Park.

Working Hours:

• Part-time, 0.5 FTE (approximately 18.5 hours per week).
• Exact working days and hours to be negotiated, offering flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly stated in the job description. The benefits are also comprehensively listed. The working hours are clarified as part-time (0.5 FTE), implying approximately 18.5 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling. This is typical for operations roles that require focused output but allow for adaptable schedules.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education, Research & Development, Aged Care Innovation.
Company Size: Flinders University is a large, established public university. ARIIA operates as a funded initiative within this ecosystem.
Founded: Flinders University was founded in 1966. ARIIA's founding is implied by its operational context.

Team Structure:

• Reporting Line: The Graphic Designer reports to the Manager, Marketing and Communications.
• Departmental Integration: The role is embedded within the Marketing and Communications team, likely collaborating closely with ARIIA stakeholders and potentially other university departments.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Expected to work with researchers, project managers, marketing specialists, and administrative staff to translate complex information into visually accessible formats.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Utilizing insights from audience research and campaign performance to inform design strategies.
• Brand Governance: Strict adherence to established brand and style guidelines for consistency and professional representation.
• Agile Content Development: Potential for iterative design processes to adapt to evolving project needs and stakeholder feedback.
• Efficiency Focus: Leveraging tools like Canva and templating to streamline content creation and ensure timely delivery.

Company Website: https://www.flinders.edu.au/ & https://www.ariia.org.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: This section synthesizes information about Flinders University and ARIIA. The "Industry" reflects the dual nature of the role. "Company Size" highlights the scale of Flinders, implying a structured environment. "Team Structure" infers reporting lines and collaboration patterns common in university marketing departments. "Methodology" focuses on how design is operationalized within such an institution, emphasizing efficiency and strategic alignment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Higher Education Officer Level 6, indicating a mid-level professional contributor role. It requires a solid foundation of technical skills and the ability to work independently, contributing to the operational efficiency of the marketing and communications function.

Reporting Structure: Direct reporting to the Manager, Marketing and Communications provides a clear line of management and support. This structure allows for guidance on strategic alignment and professional development within the marketing and communications operations framework.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is crucial for translating complex research and university initiatives into accessible, engaging visual narratives. This role directly influences the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, internal communications, and the overall perception of ARIIA and Flinders University by diverse stakeholders, including potential researchers, industry partners, and the public.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of visual communication, such as motion graphics, data visualization, or advanced digital asset creation.
• Cross-Functional Project Leadership: Potential to lead design aspects of larger marketing campaigns or ARIIA initiatives, fostering project management and strategic planning skills.
• Brand Stewardship: Evolving into a key guardian of the ARIIA and Flinders brands, potentially advising on visual strategy and brand evolution.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers or interns as the role progresses.
• Industry Engagement: Staying current with design trends through professional development and potentially contributing to industry best practices within higher education.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the "Graphic Designer" role within the context of operations. The "Operations Career Level" and "Operations Impact" sections translate the HE06 classification into operational significance, emphasizing how design contributes to the broader organizational goals of communication, brand management, and stakeholder engagement. "Growth Opportunities" are tailored towards career progression within a creative operations function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is based at Bedford Park / Tonsley, indicating a hybrid work environment. This suggests a blend of on-site collaboration and remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): Bedford Park / Tonsley, South Australia. This location provides access to university facilities and a professional working environment within an academic setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team and ARIIA stakeholders, suggesting a dynamic and interactive workspace.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva) and potentially university IT infrastructure.
• Creative Hub: The workspace is likely a hub for creative ideation and production, fostering innovation and effective visual communication.

Work Schedule: Part-time (0.5 FTE) with flexible working arrangements. This allows for focused work periods on specific days, balancing project deadlines with personal commitments and potentially enabling deeper work sessions without constant interruption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" work arrangement is inferred from the "Bedford Park / Kaurna Country" location and the mention of "Flexible working arrangements." This section frames the physical and collaborative workspace context relevant to a creative operations role within a university setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and Suitability Statement (max 3 pages) addressing Key Position Capabilities from the Position Description.
• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be required to submit a portfolio (max 3 pages) with 10-12 work examples. This will be a critical component for assessing design skills and experience.
• Interview Stage: Likely to involve discussion of design philosophy, approach to briefs, stakeholder management, and problem-solving scenarios. Expect questions related to brand application, print vs. digital strategy, and workflow management.
• Technical/Practical Assessment: Potentially a short design exercise or case study to evaluate practical skills and problem-solving under timed conditions.
• Cultural Fit: Assessment of alignment with Flinders University's values (excellence, innovation, courage, integrity) and collaborative working style.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select a diverse range of 10-12 projects that best showcase your proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, print production, and digital content creation.
• Highlight Impact: For each project, briefly describe the brief, your role, the design solution, and the outcome or impact (if quantifiable). Focus on how your design supported the client's objectives.
• Showcase Process: Include 1-2 examples where you can walk through your design process, from initial concept to final asset, demonstrating your problem-solving approach.
• Brand Adherence: Explicitly point out how you applied brand guidelines in your work, especially for ARIIA or similar organizational contexts.
• Technical Readiness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Provide clear descriptions for each piece.

Challenge Preparation:

• Review ARIIA & Flinders Branding: Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the visual identity, core messaging, and recent campaigns of both ARIIA and Flinders University.
• Understand the Audience: Consider the diverse audiences for aged care research and higher education communications (e.g., researchers, industry partners, government, general public).
• Practice Presentation: Be prepared to articulate your design rationale clearly and concisely, especially for your portfolio pieces. Practice explaining technical aspects and creative decisions.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle a challenging brief, conflicting feedback, or a tight deadline.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is built around the explicit application instructions provided in the job description (CV, Suitability Statement, Portfolio) and common interview practices for creative roles in academic/research environments. The advice is tailored to ensure applicants present their work and themselves effectively for this specific role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite:
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For page layout, publications, brochures, and multi-page documents.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Premiere Pro: For video editing and production of multimedia content.
• Canva: For rapid creation of on-brand digital assets, social media graphics, and presentations, emphasizing efficiency.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a required tool for the designer, understanding how to interpret basic analytics (e.g., engagement metrics for digital content) can inform design decisions. Familiarity with tools used by the Marketing team for reporting on campaign performance would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the Graphic Designer's core function, but understanding how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM campaigns could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the specific software mentioned in the job description. It categorizes them by function and highlights their relevance to the Graphic Designer's operational tasks, emphasizing the blend of professional design software and more accessible content creation tools like Canva.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence: Commitment to delivering high-quality, professional visual content that meets or exceeds expectations.
• Innovation: Embracing new design techniques, tools, and creative approaches to enhance communication and engagement.
• Courage: Willingness to present bold design concepts and provide constructive feedback to stakeholders.
• Integrity: Maintaining honesty and transparency in design processes, respecting intellectual property, and adhering to ethical communication standards.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve shared communication and marketing goals.
• Efficiency: Optimizing design workflows and leveraging tools to produce impactful content within established timelines and resources.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Actively engaging with marketing, communications, and research teams to understand project requirements and contribute design expertise.
• Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from stakeholders to refine designs and ensure alignment with objectives.
• Proactive Communication: Regularly updating team members on project status, potential challenges, and design progress.
• Shared Vision: Contributing to a collective effort to enhance the visual presence and communication effectiveness of ARIIA and Flinders University.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates Flinders University's stated core values and applies them to the operational context of a Graphic Designer. The "Collaboration Style" is inferred from the need to work with multiple internal stakeholders and the hybrid work environment, emphasizing effective communication and teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Creativity: Ensuring all designs adhere strictly to established brand guidelines while still being fresh, engaging, and innovative.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Effectively translating varied and potentially conflicting requirements from different internal teams (e.g., researchers, marketing, administration) into cohesive visual deliverables.
• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Keeping pace with rapid changes in design software, digital platforms, and content creation trends to maintain relevance and effectiveness.
• Working in a Hybrid Environment: Maintaining strong communication and collaboration with team members and stakeholders when not physically co-located.
• Translating Complex Information: Visually representing technical or research-heavy information in an accessible and engaging manner for broad audiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud (e.g., After Effects for motion graphics) or explore new design tools.
• Data Visualization Skills: Developing the ability to create compelling infographics and data visualizations to communicate research findings effectively.
• Project Management Basics: Gaining experience in managing design projects from inception to completion, enhancing organizational and strategic planning skills.
• Industry Trends Exploration: Staying current with best practices in digital marketing, content creation, and visual communication through workshops, webinars, and industry publications.
• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Learning about the strategic objectives and communication challenges of different university and research departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges inherent in a mid-level design role within a large institution and frames them as opportunities for professional growth, aligning with the "Growth Opportunities" section in the template. The challenges are specific to the role's operational demands and the industry context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a design brief from a non-designer (e.g., a researcher) to a final visual asset." (Assesses communication, interpretation, and execution skills)
• "How do you ensure brand consistency across both print and digital channels for an organization like Flinders University or ARIIA?" (Tests understanding of brand governance and operationalization)
• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to translate complex information into an easily understandable visual format. What was your approach?" (Evaluates problem-solving, creativity, and communication impact)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about ARIIA and its mission? How do you see graphic design supporting its goals?" (Gauges research and strategic alignment)
• "How do you approach collaboration with internal stakeholders who may have different priorities or creative visions?" (Assesses teamwork and stakeholder management)
• "Flinders University values excellence, innovation, courage, and integrity. Can you provide an example of how you've demonstrated one of these values in a previous design role?" (Measures cultural fit)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Thematic Curation: Group your 10-12 portfolio pieces thematically (e.g., by project type, by skill demonstrated, or by campaign).
• Storytelling: For each piece, be ready to tell a brief story: the challenge, your creative solution, the tools used, and the outcome.
• Process Walkthrough: Select 1-2 key projects to demonstrate your end-to-end design process, highlighting your workflow, decision-making, and problem-solving.
• Tool Proficiency Display: Visually or verbally emphasize how you leveraged specific tools like Adobe CC and Canva to achieve the final results.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio within a designated timeframe, focusing on the most relevant and impactful examples.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are designed to address the specific requirements and context of the Graphic Designer role at Flinders University, focusing on operational aspects like brand management, stakeholder collaboration, and translating strategic briefs into effective visual outputs.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit Your CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and highlights your relevant design experience, software proficiency, and any experience in higher education or research contexts.
• Craft a Compelling Suitability Statement: Write a document of no more than 3 pages that directly addresses the Key Position Capabilities outlined in the Position Description. Tailor this statement to showcase how your skills and experience align with the responsibilities of this role, emphasizing your understanding of brand management, digital content creation, and collaborative workflows.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a document (no more than 3 pages) containing 10-12 high-quality examples of your design work. Select projects that best demonstrate your proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro) and Canva, as well as your experience with print production and digital content. Ensure your portfolio is visually appealing and clearly communicates the context and impact of each project.
• Research Flinders University & ARIIA: Thoroughly investigate Flinders University's mission, values, and recent initiatives, as well as ARIIA's goals and workstreams. Understand their target audiences and communication objectives to better tailor your application and prepare for interview questions.
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and Suitability Statement. Be ready to articulate your design process, rationale, and how your skills can contribute to the operational success of the Marketing and Communications team.

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