Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Seton Hill University

Location: Greensburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Education

Date Posted: 2026-07-24T15:09:54

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Manages and executes design projects for Seton Hill University's Institutional Advancement (IA) department, focusing on enhancing fundraising, alumni relations, and overall university visibility.

• Creates a wide array of print and digital marketing materials, including major publications like the "Forward" magazine and donor honor rolls, ensuring strict adherence to brand standards.

• Collaborates with internal teams and external vendors to oversee the entire design lifecycle, from concept development to final print production and digital deployment.

• Plays a key role in maintaining and evolving the university's visual identity across all IA-related communications and marketing collateral.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the needs of Institutional Advancement, requiring a strong understanding of donor relations, alumni engagement, and fundraising campaign aesthetics. The emphasis on publications like "Forward" magazine and donor honor rolls indicates a need for sophisticated layout and storytelling capabilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the creative strategy, design, and production of diverse communications, including advertising, event collateral (print/digital), web and social media graphics, signage, logos, and other branded materials.

• Execute the layout, design, and production of two annual issues of "Forward" magazine, including the "Forward/Honor Roll of Donors" edition, in strict accordance with the University Style Guide and brand standards.

• Design specialized publications supporting fundraising and donor relations, such as Alumni Weekend brochures, Homecoming materials, Distinguished Alumni programs, and Day of Giving campaigns.

• Manage and refine photographic assets through editing, retouching, and color correction to ensure high-quality visual output.

• Lead the print production process, ensuring all files are properly prepared and set up for optimal print results, and liaise with select vendors.

• Develop and maintain a production calendar for IA projects, effectively managing deadlines, priorities, and incoming requests via the Graphic Design Request Form.

• Collaborate with the Associate Vice President for Communications and Media Relations to estimate project timelines and recommend freelance support when necessary.

• Generate innovative design concepts and ideas for IA materials that align with the university's strategic objectives and style guide.

• Stay current with emerging design trends, programs, and technologies through professional engagement and collaboration with the Senior Graphic Designer.

• Mentor and delegate projects to graphic design interns, fostering their development while ensuring project completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for robust project management skills alongside creative design expertise, particularly in managing multiple publication cycles and diverse collateral types within a university advancement context. The requirement to mentor interns suggests an expectation of leadership potential.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in project management.

• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat).

• Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive). Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level command of Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign for layout and print production, Illustrator for vector graphics, and Photoshop for image manipulation.

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, from initiation to completion, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met.

• Brand Adherence: Strong understanding and application of brand guidelines, ensuring all designs are consistent with university and departmental visual identity standards.

• Print Production Management: Comprehensive knowledge of print processes, file preparation, color management, and vendor coordination for high-quality print outputs.

• Digital Design: Skill in creating effective graphics for digital platforms, including social media, websites, and digital marketing campaigns, with an understanding of motion graphics principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within a higher education institution or the nonprofit sector.

• Additional skills in animation, illustration, photography, and/or video production.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on publications and donor-facing materials, advanced proficiency in InDesign for complex layouts and typography is critical. Experience with digital marketing assets and potentially motion graphics is increasingly important for modern university communications. The preference for higher education experience suggests an understanding of academic branding and stakeholder engagement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects demonstrating a strong command of graphic design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Include at least one significant publication design (e.g., magazine, annual report, brochure series) that highlights project scope, design execution, and audience engagement.

• Present examples of digital marketing assets (social media graphics, web banners, email templates) that illustrate adaptability to different platforms and formats.

• Feature projects that showcase adherence to brand guidelines or the ability to develop and maintain a consistent visual identity across multiple touchpoints.

• Incorporate a project that demonstrates problem-solving through design, such as redesigning a dated piece or creating collateral for a specific campaign objective. Process Documentation:

• Highlight your project management process, including how you manage timelines, client feedback, and revisions for design projects.

• Detail your workflow for preparing files for print production, including preflight checks, color separations, and vendor communication.

• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with stakeholders (e.g., writers, advancement officers) to translate their needs into compelling visual designs.

• Provide examples of how you ensure design consistency and adherence to brand standards throughout a project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should strongly emphasize print design capabilities, particularly for publications like magazines and donor reports. Demonstrating the ability to manage the full print production cycle and adhere strictly to brand guidelines will be crucial. Including examples of digital assets for campaigns will also be beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry standards for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and considering the nonprofit/educational sector, an estimated salary range would be $50,000 - $65,000 annually. This estimate accounts for the required bachelor's degree, project management experience, and advanced software proficiency.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions.

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

• Professional development opportunities, including training for design software and industry conferences.

• Tuition remission benefits for employees and potentially their dependents.

• Access to university facilities and programs. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• While the role is on-site, some flexibility may be available for project deadlines, with occasional evening or weekend work potentially required during peak production periods for publications or events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range is based on current market data for graphic design roles in Pennsylvania, adjusted for the specific requirements of a university setting and the nonprofit sector. Benefits are typical for full-time positions at educational institutions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (University)

Company Size: Approximately 500-1,000 employees.

Founded: Chartered in 1918, Seton Hill University has a long-standing history and commitment to liberal arts education.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer reports to the Associate Vice President for Communications and Media Relations within the Institutional Advancement (IA) department.

• This role will collaborate closely with the Senior Writer for Advancement and other IA staff, as well as the Senior Graphic Designer and Visual Identity Officer in the Office of Marketing.

• The IA department likely comprises teams focused on development, alumni relations, and donor stewardship, all of which will be key internal clients. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creativity is paramount, designs should be informed by an understanding of audience engagement metrics and campaign objectives.

• Collaborative Workflow: Emphasis on teamwork and clear communication between IA, Marketing, and external vendors to ensure cohesive and effective visual communication.

• Brand Consistency: A rigorous approach to maintaining and evolving the university's visual identity across all platforms, guided by the University Style Guide.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Seton Hill University's Catholic, liberal arts foundation suggests a culture that values critical thinking, ethical conduct, and community. For operations roles, this implies a commitment to mission-driven work and a collaborative environment focused on student success and institutional growth.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer. This position requires a solid foundation in graphic design principles and project management, with the capacity to work independently on significant projects and mentor junior staff.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Communications and Media Relations, indicating a significant level of responsibility and direct impact on departmental goals. Collaboration with the Senior Graphic Designer in Marketing provides mentorship and ensures brand alignment.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences the university's external perception, donor engagement, and alumni loyalty. By creating compelling visual narratives for fundraising campaigns and alumni events, this role is critical to the financial health and reputational strength of Seton Hill University.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like publication design, digital marketing visuals, or motion graphics through ongoing professional development.

• Leadership Development: Potential to take on more complex projects, lead design initiatives for major campaigns, and further develop mentorship skills with interns.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Gaining broader experience by working on diverse projects across different IA functions and collaborating with the central Marketing office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers clear pathways for growth within the university's creative and communications functions. The direct reporting line and collaboration with senior leadership provide visibility and opportunities for increased responsibility in design strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at Seton Hill University's campus in Greensburg, PA.

Office Location(s): 1 Seton Hill Dr, Greensburg, PA 15601. The campus is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, approximately 35 miles from Pittsburgh.

Workspace Context:

• The role is situated within the Institutional Advancement department, likely in a collaborative office setting.

• Access to standard office equipment, design software, and potentially a dedicated design workstation.

• Opportunities for interaction with IA staff, marketing colleagues, and potentially students involved in design internships.

• The university environment fosters a professional and academic atmosphere. Work Schedule:

• Primarily a standard 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday.

• Occasional flexibility may be required to meet critical deadlines for publications or events, potentially involving some evening or weekend work.

📝 Enhancement Note: As an on-site role within a university, the environment is expected to be professional, community-oriented, and focused on supporting the institution's mission. Proximity to Pittsburgh offers access to a larger metropolitan area for professional networking and personal amenities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume, cover letter, and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, and their role in achieving project objectives. This stage will assess project management and creative problem-solving skills.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design exercise or case study focusing on a specific challenge relevant to university advancement communications (e.g., designing a concept for a fundraising campaign piece).

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meetings with key stakeholders, including the Associate Vice President and Senior Writer, to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with university values.

• Final Interview: May involve a broader discussion about strategic vision for university design and further assessment of leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates publication design, donor/alumni engagement collateral, and adherence to brand standards.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, and the outcome or impact. Quantify results where possible.

• Showcase Process: Include sketches, mood boards, or early concepts to illustrate your creative thinking and problem-solving approach.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with specific Adobe Creative Suite tools and how you leverage them for efficient and effective design.

• Tailor to University Advancement: Emphasize projects that show an understanding of the nuanced communication needs within higher education and development.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Seton Hill University's current branding, recent publications ("Forward" magazine), and IA initiatives.

• Practice articulating your design process and rationale concisely and persuasively. Be ready to defend your creative choices.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing for a specific university campaign or event, considering audience and objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on publications and donor relations means interviewers will look for strong storytelling through design and an understanding of how visual elements can drive engagement and support for university initiatives. The "reflection statement to Seton Hill's Mission" suggests a need to align personal values with the university's ethos.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign (essential for publications), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos), Photoshop (image editing, retouching), Acrobat (PDF creation and management).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word (for copy integration), PowerPoint (for presentations).

• Google Workspace: Google Docs, Sheets, Drive (for collaboration and file sharing).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, an understanding of how design impacts engagement (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads, readership of publications) is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge) is not explicitly required but can be helpful for understanding how design assets are used in donor communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, is paramount for this role. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace is standard for professional communication and collaboration within a university setting.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Service-Oriented: A commitment to serving the needs of the Institutional Advancement department and the broader university community through high-quality design.

• Mission-Driven: Understanding and integrating Seton Hill University's Catholic, liberal arts mission into design work, particularly for materials related to its heritage and values.

• Collaborative Spirit: Working effectively with colleagues across IA and Marketing, valuing input and fostering a shared sense of purpose.

• Excellence & Precision: Striving for high standards in design execution, print production, and brand consistency, demonstrating attention to detail.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new design trends and technologies while remaining grounded in established brand principles.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Communication: Engaging proactively with stakeholders to understand project requirements and provide timely updates.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to constructive criticism and the ability to incorporate feedback effectively into design iterations.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Working closely with writers, development officers, and marketing specialists to ensure cohesive messaging and visual impact.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design expertise and mentor interns, fostering a learning environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The university's founding principles and mission are likely to influence the team's values, emphasizing ethical practices, community impact, and a dedication to educational excellence. Collaboration is key, especially between IA and Marketing, to maintain a unified brand voice.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Demands: Juggling numerous projects with competing deadlines from various IA teams, requiring strong prioritization and time management skills.

• Strict Brand Adherence: Consistently applying university and departmental brand guidelines across diverse projects while still allowing for creative expression.

• Print Production Nuances: Navigating the complexities of print production, including color accuracy, paper selection, and vendor management, to ensure high-quality deliverables.

• Evolving Digital Landscape: Keeping pace with rapid changes in digital design trends and platforms to create effective social media and web graphics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to attend workshops or online courses to master new features or advanced techniques in Adobe Creative Suite.

• Higher Education Marketing/Design Conferences: Attending industry events to learn best practices in university branding, donor communications, and design trends.

• Mentorship from Senior Designers: Learning from the Senior Graphic Designer and Visual Identity Officer in the Office of Marketing to refine skills and gain strategic insights.

• Project Leadership: Opportunities to lead design for significant university campaigns or publications, enhancing project management and strategic design capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around managing workload, maintaining brand integrity, and mastering technical aspects of design production. Growth opportunities are focused on deepening design expertise and developing leadership within the university's communications framework.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for managing a complex design project from initial brief to final delivery, using an example from your portfolio." (Focus on project management, stakeholder communication, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different types of collateral for a single campaign or initiative?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and application.)

• "Imagine you're tasked with designing a new alumni engagement campaign. What visual elements would you consider, and how would you tailor them to different platforms (print vs. digital)?" (Assess creative thinking, audience awareness, and platform adaptability.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Seton Hill University specifically, and how do you see your design work contributing to our mission?" (Demonstrate research into the university's mission and values.)

• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating feedback on your designs, especially from stakeholders who may not have a design background?" (Evaluate collaboration and communication skills.)

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision. How did you present your rationale?" (Assess persuasive communication and confidence in your design expertise.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by chronological order of creation.

• Highlight Key Projects: Dedicate more time to 2-3 projects that best represent your capabilities for this specific role (e.g., publication design, campaign collateral).

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, discuss the results or impact of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, positive feedback, successful event turnout).

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss the software and techniques you used for specific projects and how you troubleshot any design or production challenges.

• Showcase Your Process: Explain your thought process, from understanding the brief to concept development, execution, and finalization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with higher education, fundraising, or alumni relations communications. Emphasize projects that demonstrate your ability to translate complex information into visually appealing and effective designs that support institutional goals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Seton Hill University career portal, ensuring all required materials are uploaded.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 3-5 projects that best align with the responsibilities outlined, particularly publication design, donor relations collateral, and digital marketing assets.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in project management, proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign), and any relevant experience in higher education or the nonprofit sector. Use keywords from the job description.

• Cover Letter Crafting: Write a compelling cover letter that addresses your interest in Seton Hill University, your understanding of its mission, and how your design skills and experience can contribute to the Institutional Advancement department's goals.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, articulating your design process, and preparing thoughtful answers to potential interview questions, focusing on strategy, collaboration, and brand adherence. Research Seton Hill University's recent IA initiatives and publications.

⚠️ 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.