Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: University of New Hampshire (Keene State College)

Location: Keene, New Hampshire, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

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

Date Posted: 2026-05-07T00:00:00

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design visually compelling print and digital assets to support student recruitment and campus-wide marketing initiatives for Keene State College.

• Produce high-quality creative content for campaigns, social media, email, and web, ensuring alignment with college brand standards and driving engagement.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including writers, photographers/videographers, and digital media strategists to deliver integrated marketing materials.

• Maintain and update brand guidelines, ensuring visual consistency and adherence to typography, color, and imagery standards across all college communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on supporting student recruitment and campus-wide marketing efforts within a higher education setting. The emphasis on "Capture Once, Distribute Many" (CODM) suggests a strategic approach to content repurposing, requiring efficiency and creative reformatting of assets.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and maintain the admissions print suite, including travel pieces (viewbooks), flyers, postcards, mailers, financial aid/scholarship materials, and acceptance packages, ensuring all adhere to brand guidelines and are optimized for recruitment.

• Create a wide range of digital assets for social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn), digital ads for paid campaigns (search, display, social), and visual elements for web and email.

• Develop icons and visual storytelling assets that enhance user experience and engagement across digital channels, including designing conversion-focused landing pages in collaboration with strategists.

• Apply the Capture Once, Distribute Many (CODM) methodology by transforming primary assets like videos and photos into various social graphics, ads, and email visuals to maximize content reach and efficiency.

• Manage and update brand guidelines for typography, color, and imagery, and provide design support to campus partners while prioritizing enrollment-driven projects and overseeing the Brand Comply platform for licensed merchandise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The breakdown of responsibilities into percentages (Print & Collateral 40%, Digital & Social Media, Web, Content Repurposing 50%, Brand Governance 10%) provides a clear indication of the role's priorities and time allocation, guiding candidates on where to focus their skill demonstration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in graphic design, specifically for marketing or within a higher education environment.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to create visually compelling designs across various media.

• Adobe Creative Suite Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator is essential.

• Print Design Expertise: Proven experience designing and preparing files for print production, including understanding of typography and layout for collateral.

• Digital Design Skills: Experience designing for digital platforms, including social media, web banners, and email graphics, with an understanding of responsive design principles.

• Brand Governance: Ability to maintain and enforce brand standards, ensuring visual consistency across all outputs.

• Visual Storytelling: Skill in translating marketing objectives into engaging visual narratives.

• Social Media Design: Experience creating optimized assets for various social media platforms.

• Accessibility Standards: Familiarity with designing for web accessibility to ensure inclusivity.

• Creative Problem-Solving: Aptitude for translating strategic goals into effective visual solutions.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Ability to work effectively and constructively with writers, videographers, and digital strategists.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous in ensuring accuracy, consistency, and quality in all design work.

• Time Management & Organization: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within a higher education institution or a non-profit organization.

• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) or web design platforms.

• Experience with animation or motion graphics for digital content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Other Requirements" section explicitly lists essential technical proficiencies (Adobe Creative Suite, print/digital platforms, social media formats, responsive design, accessibility) and the need for a strong portfolio, which are critical for assessing candidate suitability. The "Preferred Qualifications" indicate areas that could set a candidate apart.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing multi-channel design work, including print collateral, digital ads, social media graphics, and web assets.

• Include case studies or examples that highlight the process of translating strategic marketing goals into compelling visual designs, especially for student recruitment.

• Showcase ability to maintain brand consistency across diverse projects and platforms.

• Present examples of content repurposing (CODM) where original assets have been creatively adapted for different channels.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of a systematic approach to design project management, from initial brief to final asset delivery.

• Examples of how brand guidelines were developed, maintained, or updated.

• Documentation or case studies illustrating collaboration with other marketing functions (e.g., content writing, digital strategy) to achieve project objectives.

• Demonstrations of how designs were optimized for specific platforms (e.g., social media dimensions, web loading speeds, print resolution).

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a "portfolio of your graphic design work" and the detailed "Applicant Instructions" for uploading documents (including the portfolio) underscore its critical importance for this role. Candidates should curate their portfolio to specifically address the responsibilities outlined, particularly those related to student recruitment and multi-channel marketing.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $47,920.00 - $85,410.00 per year.

Explanation of Range: This salary range is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, internal equity, and relevant business considerations. The provided range is typical for a Graphic Designer role with 2-5 years of experience in a higher education setting in the Northeast United States, factoring in the cost of living in New Hampshire.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plans (e.g., 403(b) or similar).

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

• Professional development opportunities and tuition assistance for eligible employees.

• Access to campus amenities and resources.

• Employee assistance programs.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided explicitly. The note about actual offer being based on multiple factors is standard for compensation discussions. The benefits information is general; candidates should refer to the provided link for detailed specifics. The role is designated as full-time with standard working hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Public University System)

Company Size: Keene State College is part of the University System of New Hampshire (USNH), which is a large public university system. The college itself has a significant student and staff population, suggesting a structured but potentially collaborative environment typical of educational institutions.

Founded: Keene State College was founded in 1909, and the University System of New Hampshire has a long-standing history, indicating stability and established traditions.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will work within a marketing or communications department.

• They will collaborate closely with a Strategic Writer, Photographer/Videographer, and Digital Media Strategist, suggesting a project-team approach for key initiatives.

• The role also provides design support to campus partners, indicating a broader network of stakeholders.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making for marketing initiatives, particularly student recruitment.

• "Capture Once, Distribute Many" (CODM) methodology highlights a focus on efficiency and strategic content leveraging.

• Brand governance ensures consistent messaging and visual identity across all communications.

• Collaborative approach to creative development, integrating input from various marketing specialists.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of higher education implies a mission-driven environment with a focus on student success and community engagement. The specific mention of the KSCSA provides clarity on the employment structure. The CODM approach is a key operational methodology to highlight.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an individual contributor position at an intermediate level, typically requiring 2-5 years of experience. It focuses on executing design strategies and producing creative assets rather than setting high-level design strategy.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Director, Communications Manager, or a similar leadership role within the marketing department. They will work collaboratively with peers in writing, photography/videography, and digital strategy.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts student recruitment and campus-wide engagement by creating visually appealing and effective marketing materials. Successful designs contribute to the college's brand perception, enrollment numbers, and overall communication effectiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas like digital marketing design, branding, or motion graphics.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Exposure to content strategy, digital marketing, and video production through collaboration.

• Advancement: Potential to move into Senior Graphic Designer roles, Art Director positions, or specialized design leadership roles within higher education or other organizations.

• Professional Development: Access to training and development resources provided by USNH and Keene State College, potentially including workshops, conferences, or certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a key contributor to the college's external communications and recruitment efforts. Growth opportunities are tied to deepening design expertise and potentially moving into leadership or more specialized roles within the marketing and communications field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site position at Keene State College. This implies a traditional office environment within a campus setting.

Office Location(s): Keene, New Hampshire. The college is located in the scenic Monadnock region, offering access to outdoor recreation and a community feel, while also being within driving distance of major cities like Boston.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely to be collaborative, with regular interaction with writers, photographers/videographers, and digital strategists.

• Access to industry-standard design software and hardware (Adobe Creative Suite) is expected.

• The environment may involve working on various projects simultaneously, requiring flexibility and adaptability.

• The campus setting offers a unique atmosphere that may include interacting with students and faculty.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, likely during regular business hours, with potential for occasional evening or weekend work during peak campaign periods, though this is not explicitly stated.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role is clearly defined. The description of the Keene region adds context for potential candidates considering relocation or local candidates. The emphasis on collaboration suggests a dynamic and interactive workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing their design process, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of their work. Be prepared to walk through specific projects relevant to higher education marketing and recruitment.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or exercise to evaluate technical skills, creative thinking, and ability to work within brand constraints under time pressure.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions will likely assess collaboration skills, time management, creative problem-solving, and understanding of marketing objectives.

• Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion to gauge alignment with Keene State College's values and the marketing team's collaborative style.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-10 of your strongest projects that best represent the requirements of this specific role (higher education, recruitment, multi-channel marketing).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your design process, your role, the tools used, and the measurable results or impact.

• Showcase Range: Include examples of both print and digital design, social media assets, and any content repurposing work.

• Highlight Brand Work: Demonstrate your ability to adhere to and manage brand guidelines.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to talk about your creative choices, how you handle feedback, and your understanding of the target audience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Keene State College's current branding and marketing materials.

• Practice creating quick social media graphics or ad concepts based on hypothetical campaign briefs.

• Be prepared to articulate your design process and rationale concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application instructions specifically mention uploading a portfolio, making it a crucial component of the review process. Candidates should treat the portfolio presentation as a key part of the interview.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required in:

  • Adobe InDesign: For layout and print design (e.g., viewbooks, flyers, brochures).
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.

• Brand Comply Platform: Experience or willingness to learn managing this platform for licensed merchandise partners.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Understanding of how design impacts digital marketing metrics (e.g., click-through rates for ads, engagement on social media).

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary tool for this role, an understanding of how design assets are used within CRM and marketing automation platforms (for email campaigns, landing pages) would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) as a requirement is critical. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency and experience with these tools, and potentially demonstrate skills during an interview or design challenge.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with writers, photographers, and digital strategists to achieve shared marketing goals.

• Brand Integrity: Commitment to upholding and advancing the college's brand identity and standards across all communications.

• Data-Informed Creativity: Using insights from recruitment and marketing data to inform design decisions and maximize impact.

• Efficiency & Optimization: Embracing methodologies like CODM to streamline content creation and distribution.

• Student-Centricity: Designing with the needs and perspectives of prospective and current students in mind.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional teamwork is paramount, requiring open communication and mutual respect among creative and marketing professionals.

• A culture that likely values feedback exchange to refine designs and campaign strategies.

• Emphasis on shared ownership of marketing outcomes, particularly student recruitment.

• Potential for a dynamic workflow where projects require quick turnarounds and adaptable creative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture appears to be highly collaborative and focused on achieving specific marketing objectives, particularly student recruitment, within the framework of established brand guidelines and efficient processes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Priorities: Effectively managing and prioritizing diverse design requests from various campus partners while ensuring enrollment-driven projects receive primary focus.

• Brand Consistency Across Diverse Needs: Maintaining a cohesive brand identity across a wide range of print and digital applications for different departments and initiatives.

• Adapting to Evolving Digital Trends: Staying current with the latest social media formats, digital design best practices, and accessibility standards to ensure designs remain effective and compliant.

• Content Repurposing Efficiency: Creatively and effectively transforming existing assets into multiple new formats without compromising quality or brand integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to enhance skills in Adobe Creative Suite or explore new design software/tools.

• Digital Marketing & Strategy Exposure: Learning about campaign planning, SEO considerations for web design, and social media marketing strategies through collaboration.

• Higher Education Marketing Best Practices: Gaining deeper insights into effective recruitment and enrollment marketing within the academic sector.

• Professional Network Development: Building relationships with colleagues across the college and within the USNH system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to learning. Growth opportunities are linked to both technical skill enhancement and strategic marketing understanding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing design priorities. How did you decide which projects to focus on?" (Assesses prioritization and time management)

• "How do you approach translating a strategic marketing goal, like increasing student applications, into a visual design concept?" (Evaluates creative problem-solving and strategic thinking)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Keene State College and the University System of New Hampshire?" (Assesses alignment with higher education and institutional mission)

• "How do you collaborate with non-designers, such as writers or strategists, to bring a project to completion?" (Evaluates teamwork and communication skills)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, explain the objective, your role, your design process (sketches, iterations, tool usage), your creative choices, and the outcome/impact.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use data (e.g., increased engagement, higher click-through rates, successful print runs) to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.

• Highlight CODM: Be ready to showcase examples of how you've repurposed content effectively.

• Address Brand Governance: Explain how you ensured brand consistency and adhered to guidelines in your presented work.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about your specific software usage and design techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe for evidence of creative problem-solving, collaboration, brand adherence, and strategic thinking, all framed within the context of higher education marketing and student recruitment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Workday portal at the provided URL.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature examples relevant to higher education marketing, student recruitment, print collateral design, and digital/social media assets. Ensure it showcases your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight experience with graphic design for marketing, brand governance, and collaborative project work. Quantify achievements where possible, focusing on impact related to campaign success or recruitment.

• Cover Letter Strategy: Clearly articulate your interest in Keene State College and how your skills and experience align with the specific responsibilities and requirements of this Graphic Designer role. Reference your portfolio and highlight relevant projects.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Keene State College's mission, target audience (prospective students), current marketing campaigns, and overall brand aesthetic to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding.

⚠️ 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.