Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Highlands College

Location: Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-06

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute compelling visual branding content for Highlands College across various platforms, ensuring brand integrity and enhancing visual communication.

• Create a wide range of design assets, including digital graphics, print collateral, and promotional materials for college events, departments, and internal teams.

• Collaborate effectively within the Media & Design team, contributing creative ideas and solutions while working alongside other specialists to achieve project goals.

• Maintain a strong understanding of current design trends, tools, and techniques to continuously improve the quality and impact of design output.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within an educational institution with a strong emphasis on its faith-based mission. Candidates should be prepared to align with the college's Statement of Faith, Core Values, and DNA, demonstrating a commitment to both professional excellence and ministry participation. The "Director of Media & Design Operations" is likely the direct supervisor, and collaboration with external vendors for print projects is also a key aspect.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead graphic design initiatives for Highlands College events, promotions, departmental needs, and conferences, ensuring all visuals align with brand guidelines.

• Champion and uphold the Highlands College brand, actively contributing to its improvement and consistent representation through diverse creative content.

• Facilitate and manage collaborations with external vendors for print projects, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery.

• Proactively research and integrate current design tools, software, and techniques to enhance design capabilities and project outcomes.

• Generate innovative design ideas and provide strategic creative solutions that align with established brand direction and project objectives.

• Maintain open and effective communication channels with the Director of Media & Design Operations and cross-functional team members, providing regular updates and seeking necessary input.

• Be available for occasional, rare emergency design work outside of standard business hours to address urgent organizational needs.

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to assist the Media & Design team with other assigned duties, supporting overall departmental objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "participate in ministry at Church of the Highlands and Highlands College by leading small groups" indicates a unique expectation for this role, blending professional design duties with active community and spiritual engagement. This suggests the ideal candidate will be a team player with a passion for the organization's mission beyond just design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field is highly preferred and aligns with the "creative professional" experience requirement. Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience as a creative professional, with a demonstrable portfolio showcasing a range of design work.

• Experience working within a creative team, agency, or as a freelance designer is preferred.

• Proven experience in client relationship management and balancing client needs with high-quality design outcomes. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Strong foundational knowledge of core design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects and meet strict deadlines.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, essential for clear stakeholder interaction and team collaboration.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, enabling creative solutions to design challenges.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment, contributing ideas and constructively discussing project needs. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with additional design and productivity tools such as Canva, Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint), and project management software like Monday.com.

• Experience designing for an educational institution or non-profit organization.

• Ability to interpret and execute creative requests strategically, translating abstract concepts into tangible visual assets.

• Demonstrated ability to think ahead, anticipate needs, and proactively offer creative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Canva, Microsoft Suite, Monday" alongside Adobe Creative Suite suggests a need for versatility and familiarity with tools used for both advanced graphic creation and more accessible, collaborative content development. The requirement for a portfolio is paramount, indicating that practical demonstration of skills will be heavily weighted.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 2 years of professional design work, demonstrating a breadth of creative projects and problem-solving approaches.

• Evidence of successful collaboration with clients or internal stakeholders, highlighting the ability to manage needs and deliver satisfactory design solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain and enhance brand integrity through consistent visual application across various design projects.

• Examples of print design projects, illustrating understanding of print production processes and vendor collaboration. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how design requests are translated into actionable project plans, including task prioritization and deadline management.

• Demonstration of workflow for iterative design processes, including receiving feedback and implementing revisions effectively.

• Case studies or project examples that illustrate strategic thinking in design, showing how creative solutions addressed specific organizational or event objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly detailing "process documentation" in the traditional operations sense, the emphasis on managing projects, collaborating with stakeholders, and executing creative direction implies that candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process and how they manage workflow, feedback, and project completion. The portfolio is the primary vehicle for demonstrating this.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 2-5 years of experience in Birmingham, Alabama, the estimated salary range is $45,000 - $65,000 per year. This estimate considers the cost of living in Birmingham, the experience level required, and the typical compensation for similar roles in the education sector. Benefits:

• Full-Time Employee Benefits: Highlands College, as a full-time employer, typically offers a comprehensive benefits package which may include:

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Providing coverage for medical, dental, and vision needs.

  • Retirement Savings Plan: Such as a 401(k) or similar plan, often with employer matching contributions.

  • Paid Time Off (PTO): Including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

  • Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and conferences to enhance design skills and stay current with industry trends.

  • Ministry Engagement Opportunities: Active participation in church and college ministry activities, fostering community and personal growth. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week.

• While core hours are expected during the business day, the role may require occasional availability during non-business hours for rare emergency work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific details on benefits are not provided. The salary range is an estimation based on available data for the role, location, and experience level. Candidates are advised to inquire about the full benefits package during the interview process. The "rare emergency work" clause suggests a need for flexibility beyond standard office hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Christian College)

Company Size: The provided LinkedIn data indicates Highlands College is part of a larger organization (Church of the Highlands) which is significant in size, likely employing hundreds or thousands across its various entities. Highlands College itself is a specialized educational arm. This implies a structured environment with established processes and a strong organizational mission.

Founded: Highlands College is associated with Church of the Highlands, a large church founded in 2001. The college itself operates within this established faith-based framework.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Media & Design team, collaborating with specialists in various creative disciplines.

• The role reports to the Director of Media & Design Operations, indicating a clear reporting hierarchy within the media department.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with various college departments, event organizers, and potentially external vendors, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated, the emphasis on "excellent visual branding" and "improving" the brand suggests a data-informed approach to design, where effectiveness is considered.

• Brand Stewardship: A core methodology will be adhering to and enhancing the established Highlands College brand guidelines, ensuring consistency and visual integrity across all outputs.

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: The culture emphasizes teamwork, idea sharing, and creative solutions, indicating a process where designers contribute to solving communication challenges through their work.

Company Website: https://highlandscollege.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: The organizational context is crucial. Highlands College is deeply integrated with Church of the Highlands, meaning the culture, values, and operational priorities will be heavily influenced by its Christian mission and community focus. This is not just a design job; it's a role within a ministry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, requiring 2+ years of professional experience and the ability to work independently while also contributing to a team. It's a hands-on creative position focused on execution and brand support.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Director of Media & Design Operations. This structure suggests opportunities for mentorship from a senior creative leader and exposure to operational aspects of a media department.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is primarily on the visual communication and branding effectiveness of Highlands College. High-quality, on-brand design contributes to the college's ability to attract students, promote events, and communicate its mission clearly and effectively. Their work directly supports the marketing and operational goals of various departments and the college as a whole.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., motion graphics, web design, branding systems) through project work and potential training.

• Leadership in Projects: As experience grows, the designer may take lead roles on specific design projects or campaigns, managing them from concept to completion with less direct oversight.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Potential to contribute to design needs across different ministries or initiatives within the larger Church of the Highlands organization, broadening experience.

• Mentorship: Learning from the Director of Media & Design Operations and other senior team members, fostering professional development and career advancement within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth within this role is likely to be focused on creative mastery and project leadership rather than moving into pure operations management. The "Director of Media & Design Operations" title suggests that operational aspects are managed at a higher level, with the designer focusing on the creative output.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, implying a traditional office or studio environment within the Highlands College campus or associated facilities.

Office Location(s): Birmingham, Alabama. The specific campus or office location within Birmingham will be confirmed upon inquiry.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role is part of a "Media & Design team," suggesting an open or shared workspace designed to foster communication, idea exchange, and collaboration among creative professionals.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) and potentially other relevant tools for project management and collaboration will be provided.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with team members, the Director of Media & Design Operations, and stakeholders from other college departments is expected, facilitating a dynamic work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is anticipated, with the expectation of flexibility for occasional emergency situations outside of business hours. This schedule supports consistent project delivery and team availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role is a key differentiator. It suggests an environment where in-person collaboration, brainstorming, and team synergy are highly valued, which is common in creative departments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: An HR or hiring manager review of applications, with a strong emphasis on the submitted portfolio and resume.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design rationale, and problem-solving approaches. This may involve a practical design exercise or a case study related to the college's needs.

• Team & Cultural Fit Interview: Meetings with the Director of Media & Design Operations and potentially other team members to assess technical skills, creative thinking, collaboration style, and alignment with Highlands College's values and mission.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level administrator or leadership figure to discuss overall fit and long-term contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant design projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates versatility across digital and print, brand application, and creative problem-solving.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges, your design process, the solutions implemented, and the impact (if measurable). Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Brand Consistency: Showcase examples where you successfully upheld or enhanced a brand identity, demonstrating your understanding of brand guidelines and strategic application.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Include projects that clearly utilize Adobe Creative Suite, and if applicable, show how you've leveraged tools like Canva or Microsoft Suite for broader accessibility or specific project needs.

• Address "Other Duties": Be prepared to discuss how your creative skills can adapt to various needs and how you approach tasks outside your core design responsibilities, referencing your willingness to assist the team.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Design Briefs: Be ready for a hypothetical design challenge that requires you to create a concept or a visual element for a college event or promotional campaign.

• Focus on Process: Prepare to articulate your design process from brief to final output, emphasizing how you approach creative problem-solving, iteration, and stakeholder feedback.

• Brand Alignment: For any exercise, explicitly state how your design choices align with the Highlands College brand identity and mission.

• Time Management: Practice working under timed conditions, simulating a real-world scenario where deadlines are critical.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "ministry participation" and "Statement of Faith" means that interviewers will likely assess not only technical skills but also cultural fit and alignment with the organization's spiritual mission. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their faith and how it informs their work ethic.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for professional graphic design. Proficiency is required in:

  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital artwork.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For page layout, print design, and publications.

• Canva: Increasingly used for accessible design creation, social media graphics, and quick edits; familiarity is expected.

• Microsoft Suite: Specifically PowerPoint for presentations, and potentially Word for document design/layout.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, understanding how designs perform (e.g., engagement on social media graphics) may be beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics concepts related to content engagement could be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how design assets are used within marketing automation or CRM-driven campaigns could provide context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of Canva alongside Adobe Creative Suite highlights a need for versatility. Candidates should be comfortable with professional-grade tools for complex projects and more user-friendly platforms for rapid content creation and team collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Life-Giving Spirit and Attitude: The team and college value positivity, enthusiasm, and a supportive demeanor, essential for collaborative creative work.

• Pursuit of Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality work that reflects positively on the organization and its mission.

• Initiative and Creativity: Encouraging designers to be proactive, take ownership of projects, and propose innovative creative solutions.

• Out-of-the-Box Thinking: Valuing original ideas and novel approaches to visual communication challenges.

• Loyalty: Commitment to the vision of Highlands College, the immediate team, and the broader church community.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in work and lifestyle, aligning with the college's faith-based mission.

• Efficiency: A task-oriented approach that prioritizes meeting deadlines and delivering results effectively.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: Emphasis on working together, sharing ideas, and supporting colleagues. Open communication about needs, challenges, and creative input is encouraged.

• Process-Driven: While creative, there's an expectation of structured work, managing multiple projects, and adhering to timelines and brand directives.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture that likely involves constructive critique and feedback sessions to refine designs and ensure alignment with project goals and brand standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values listed are deeply rooted in the organization's faith-based identity. Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values and work ethic align with these principles, particularly "life-giving spirit," "loyalty," and "integrity."

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Effectively translating creative ideas while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines and organizational mission.

• Managing Diverse Project Demands: Juggling multiple design requests from various departments and events simultaneously, each with unique needs and deadlines.

• Adapting to Evolving Design Trends: Staying current with the latest design tools, techniques, and aesthetic trends while maintaining brand consistency.

• Stakeholder Communication: Clearly articulating design rationale and managing feedback from individuals with varying levels of design understanding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite or explore new design software and plugins.

• Brand Strategy Workshops: Gaining insights into brand management and how design contributes to broader organizational communication strategies.

• Industry Conferences/Webinars: Attending events focused on graphic design, visual communication, and higher education marketing to learn best practices and network.

• Mentorship from Leadership: Receiving guidance from the Director of Media & Design Operations on creative problem-solving, project management, and career development within the media field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "challenges" section highlights the need for adaptability and strong communication skills. The "growth opportunities" suggest a supportive environment for professional development, particularly within the realm of visual design and brand stewardship.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a design brief from a client (or internal stakeholder) to a final, approved design. How do you ensure it meets their needs and aligns with brand standards?"

  • Preparation: Detail your workflow, including initial consultation, concept development, feedback loops, revisions, and final delivery. Emphasize your approach to understanding client needs and translating them visually.

• "How do you balance creative innovation with the need to maintain brand consistency? Can you provide an example?"

  • Preparation: Discuss your understanding of brand guidelines and how you push creative boundaries within those constraints. Use a portfolio example where you successfully achieved this.

• "Imagine you're asked to design promotional materials for a major college event, but the budget is limited and the timeline is tight. What would be your approach to delivering impactful designs under these conditions?"

  • Preparation: Focus on prioritization, efficient use of resources (e.g., leveraging existing templates, focusing on high-impact visuals), clear communication with stakeholders about limitations, and creative problem-solving. Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Highlands College and Church of the Highlands, and how do you see your role as a Graphic Designer contributing to our mission?"

  • Preparation: Research the college's mission, values, and recent initiatives. Be ready to articulate how your design skills can support their educational and ministry goals.

• "Our team values a life-giving spirit and loyalty. How do these values translate into your approach to teamwork and creative collaboration?"

  • Preparation: Reflect on your experiences working in teams and how you contribute positively, support colleagues, and demonstrate commitment to shared goals.

• "How do you stay current with design trends, and how do you decide which trends are appropriate to incorporate into a brand like Highlands College?"

  • Preparation: Discuss your methods for staying informed (blogs, social media, industry publications) and your critical evaluation process for adopting trends that align with brand identity and audience. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation around compelling stories of impact. For each project, clearly define the problem, your solution, and the outcome.

• Highlight Process: Don't just show finished pieces; explain how you got there. Discuss your research, ideation, sketches, revisions, and why you made specific design choices.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have data on how your designs performed (e.g., increased event attendance, higher engagement rates), present it. If not, articulate the intended impact and how the design strategically supports goals.

• Show Versatility: Include a range of work that demonstrates your skills across different mediums (digital, print) and styles, showcasing your adaptability.

• Address "Other Duties": Be prepared to briefly discuss projects that might not be traditional graphic design but showcase your willingness to help the team, like basic video editing, social media content creation, or presentation design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the faith-based nature of Highlands College, interviewers will likely probe your understanding of and alignment with their Statement of Faith and Core Values. Be prepared to discuss your personal faith journey and how it informs your professional life and interactions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Highlands College careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight experience relevant to educational institutions and faith-based organizations. Showcase projects that demonstrate brand consistency, event promotion, and effective visual communication.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and other relevant tools. Quantify achievements where possible, such as "increased engagement by X%" or "completed Y projects within Z timeline."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and how your work aligns with the college's mission and values. Be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and your personal faith journey.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Highlands College and Church of the Highlands. Understand their mission, values, and recent activities. This will help you articulate your fit and ask informed questions during the interview.

⚠️ 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.