Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: University of New Hampshire

Location: Durham, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing & Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-17

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and execute high-quality visual materials across print and digital channels to support university-wide marketing, communications, and advancement efforts.

• Collaborate closely with Advancement partners, content creators, and project managers to translate strategic goals into effective, brand-aligned design solutions.

• Ensure all design outputs strictly adhere to the University of New Hampshire's brand standards, visual identity, and messaging frameworks.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing execution-focused deliverables within a centralized, audience-centric, brand-led creative model.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically tailored for a graphic designer with a strong emphasis on supporting Advancement initiatives, including fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship. While core design execution is paramount, the ability to understand and design for specific Advancement audiences (donors, alumni, prospects) is a key differentiator for success in this position within the university's central creative team.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and execute a wide range of design deliverables including fundraising appeals, donor communications, event materials, publications, social media graphics, digital advertisements, presentations, signage, and campaign assets.

• Translate creative direction, project briefs, and feedback from stakeholders into polished, high-quality design work that meets strategic objectives.

• Maintain rigorous adherence to UNH's visual identity and brand guidelines, ensuring consistency and professionalism across all assigned projects.

• Collaborate effectively with writers, photographers, video producers, and project managers to develop cohesive, multi-channel marketing and communication materials.

• Develop a nuanced understanding of various Advancement audiences to inform design choices and ensure materials are appropriate for specific objectives and recipient groups.

• Support university and Advancement events through the timely creation of collateral and environmental graphics, contributing to overall engagement and brand presence.

• Proactively stay current with emerging design trends, tools, and best practices relevant to higher education, fundraising, and brand communications to continuously enhance design quality and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong execution focus, with a significant portion of time dedicated to producing tangible design assets. The collaborative aspect highlights the need for effective communication and partnership with non-design teams within the Advancement and broader university structure, requiring designers to be adept at translating business needs into visual strategies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field, OR equivalent professional experience demonstrating equivalent competency.

Experience: 3–5+ years of professional graphic design experience, preferably gained within an in-house creative team or an agency environment.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of thoughtful, well-crafted design solutions across both print and digital formats.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple design projects concurrently, effectively prioritizing tasks and meeting established deadlines.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design concepts and collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners and stakeholders.

• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a proven ability to follow through on project requirements from concept to completion.

• Understanding of typography, composition, color theory, and layout principles to create visually appealing and effective designs.

• Familiarity with accessibility best practices in design to ensure inclusivity and compliance. Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within Advancement, fundraising, or nonprofit communications environments.

• Familiarity with the unique design challenges and opportunities within higher education institutions or other brand-driven organizations.

• Basic understanding of UX/UI principles for digital design applications.

• Experience with environmental graphics and event branding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 3-5+ years positions this role as a mid-level contributor, expected to work with a degree of autonomy while integrating into a larger creative team. The portfolio is critical, serving as the primary evidence of design capability and alignment with the university's aesthetic and functional needs. The preference for Advancement or higher education experience suggests a desire for candidates who can quickly adapt to the specific industry nuances.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5-7 distinct projects demonstrating a range of design skills across print and digital media.

• Include examples of work created for specific audiences and objectives, particularly those aligned with marketing, communications, or engagement goals.

• Highlight projects that required adherence to strict brand guidelines and visual identity systems.

• Demonstrate the ability to translate complex information or objectives into clear, compelling visual narratives.

• Include examples of social media graphics, digital ads, or other web-based visual assets.

• Showcase print collateral such as brochures, event invitations, or informational publications.

• For Advancement-focused projects, include examples that illustrate donor communications, fundraising appeals, or alumni engagement materials if available. Process Documentation:

• While not a formal requirement for submission, candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, including:

• How they approach a new design brief and initial concept development.

• Their methods for incorporating feedback and iterating on designs.

• How they ensure brand consistency and adherence to project requirements.

• Their workflow for preparing final files for print and digital production.

• Their approach to managing multiple projects and deadlines effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. It should not only display aesthetic talent but also the ability to execute designs that serve a strategic purpose, particularly within the context of university advancement. The emphasis on process discussion indicates that the hiring team values a thoughtful and organized approach to design execution and project management.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

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

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance plans (medical, dental, vision).

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

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

• Tuition assistance or professional development opportunities for employees and potentially dependents.

• Access to university facilities and resources.

• Employee assistance programs (EAP) for mental and emotional well-being.

• Potential for participation in university-wide events and initiatives.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected to be approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, occasional flexibility may be required to meet event deadlines or critical project needs, with appropriate communication and approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a broad estimate for a mid-level Graphic Designer in a university setting within the United States. Actual compensation will be determined based on a combination of the candidate's demonstrated skills, years of experience, educational background, and internal equity considerations within the University of New Hampshire's compensation structure. The listed benefits are standard for a large educational institution in the US and are designed to attract and retain talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Public Research University)

Company Size: Large (The University System of New Hampshire is a significant employer, with the university itself having over 13,000 students and 600+ full-time faculty, indicating a large operational structure with many departments and initiatives.)

Founded: The University of New Hampshire was founded in 1866, providing a long-standing history and established institutional culture.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of UNH's central creative team, a specialized unit focused on brand-led marketing and communications.

• This team likely includes other designers, content strategists, writers, project managers, and potentially photographers or videographers.

• The role reports within this central creative structure, with a primary focus on supporting the Advancement division, which itself is a large, multi-faceted department within the university.

• Close collaboration is expected with Advancement partners, Creative leadership, Content teams, and Project Management. Methodology:

• The university operates under a centralized, audience-centric, brand-led creative model, emphasizing consistency and strategic alignment across all communications.

• Design projects are driven by specific marketing, communications, or engagement goals, requiring designers to understand the strategic intent behind their work.

• Data and audience insights are likely used to inform creative strategies and design decisions, particularly in Advancement.

• Workflow management and project prioritization are key, ensuring efficient delivery of creative assets.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The university setting implies a culture that values education, research, and community. The central creative team's structure suggests a collaborative environment where brand consistency and strategic communication are prioritized. The specific focus on Advancement indicates that this role will be instrumental in supporting the university's fundraising and alumni relations efforts, requiring an understanding of donor psychology and engagement strategies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer role is positioned at a mid-level, requiring 3-5+ years of experience. It is an execution-focused position within a larger creative operations framework. The designer is expected to independently produce high-quality work based on briefs and creative direction.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Creative Director or Design Lead within the central UNH creative team. While the primary work is for Advancement, the reporting line is within the creative operations structure, ensuring alignment with broader university branding and standards.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the university's ability to effectively communicate its brand, engage its stakeholders (alumni, donors, prospective students), and achieve its fundraising goals. High-quality, on-brand design is crucial for building trust, conveying professionalism, and differentiating UNH in a competitive landscape. Thoughtful design can significantly influence donor perception and engagement rates, directly contributing to Advancement objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas, such as digital campaign design, event branding, or advanced print production techniques.

• Advancement Design Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge and a strong portfolio in higher education advancement design, a niche and valuable skill set.

• Cross-Functional Project Leadership: Potential to take on more complex projects requiring coordination across multiple university departments or Advancement initiatives.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers or interns as the team grows.

• Professional Development: Access to university-provided training, workshops, and potentially support for attending relevant design conferences or pursuing further certifications.

• Internal Mobility: Potential to move into senior designer roles or specialized creative positions within the university system over time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for this role focuses on deepening design expertise, specializing in the unique demands of higher education advancement, and potentially taking on more project leadership. The university environment offers stability and opportunities for continuous learning, aligned with the long-term career development of operations professionals in creative fields.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is on-site at the University of New Hampshire's main campus in Durham. This suggests a traditional office environment within a larger institutional setting.

Office Location(s): University of New Hampshire - Main Campus, Durham, NH. This location is described as being 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast, offering a balance between academic focus and proximity to urban amenities and natural landscapes.

Workspace Context:

• The designer will likely work within a shared studio or office space with other members of the central creative team, fostering a collaborative atmosphere.

• Access to standard office equipment, high-performance workstations, and necessary software licenses (Adobe Creative Suite) is expected.

• The environment is expected to be professional, with opportunities for interaction with colleagues from various university departments and Advancement teams.

• The campus setting itself provides a unique work environment with access to academic resources and a vibrant community.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time (approximately 40 hours per week). While the role is on-site, the university may offer some flexibility in scheduling for individuals who demonstrate strong time management and project delivery capabilities, particularly for meeting critical deadlines, subject to departmental approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is standard for many university roles, emphasizing the value of in-person collaboration and access to campus resources. The workspace context suggests a blend of individual focused design work and team-based collaboration, typical of a central creative department.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, focusing on resume, cover letter, and portfolio. Candidates are expected to have all required documents uploaded.

• Portfolio Review & Skill Assessment: A more in-depth review of the candidate's portfolio, likely followed by a skills-based assessment or a design challenge. This stage assesses technical proficiency, creative thinking, and brand adherence.

• Interviews: Typically involves interviews with the hiring manager (Creative Director/Design Lead), potential team members, and key stakeholders from the Advancement division. These interviews will assess cultural fit, collaboration style, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of Advancement objectives.

• Final Round: May involve a presentation of design concepts or a discussion of past projects, focusing on their strategic impact and design process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates your ability to design for specific audiences and achieve defined objectives, especially if you have Advancement or higher education experience.

• Showcase Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process for key projects. Explain your rationale, how you interpreted the brief, challenges you faced, and how you arrived at the final solution.

• Highlight Brand Alignment: Emphasize projects where you successfully adhered to or developed brand guidelines. For UNH, demonstrating an understanding of institutional branding is crucial.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If your design work contributed to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, successful fundraising campaigns), be ready to discuss those outcomes.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether it's a digital PDF or an online platform.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully understand the target audience, objectives, and any specific constraints provided.

• Focus on Strategy: Demonstrate how your design choices support the stated goals. Think beyond aesthetics to the strategic purpose of the design.

• Brand Adherence: Apply UNH's brand guidelines as much as possible within the scope of the challenge.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a set timeframe, as challenges often have strict deadlines.

• Clear Communication: Be prepared to articulate your design decisions and process clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily emphasizes the portfolio as proof of capability. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their design work but also articulate the strategic thinking and process behind it, particularly in relation to the university's Advancement goals. Design challenges are likely to assess practical application of skills under pressure.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required in Adobe InDesign (for layout and print production), Adobe Illustrator (for vector graphics and illustrations), and Adobe Photoshop (for image editing and digital assets).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word (for copy integration), PowerPoint (for presentation design), and potentially Excel for basic data handling related to projects.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary function, an understanding of how design impacts digital analytics (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic web analytics concepts may be helpful for interpreting performance data. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tool experience is explicitly required for this role, as it is focused on design execution rather than operational process management. However, understanding how designs will be deployed through marketing automation platforms or CRM-based communications could be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite. While direct experience with analytics or CRM tools isn't mandatory, an awareness of how design integrates into broader marketing and communication workflows will be advantageous for candidates aiming to demonstrate strategic thinking.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Integrity: A strong commitment to upholding and enhancing the University of New Hampshire's brand identity and visual standards across all communications.

• Collaboration & Partnership: A proactive and positive approach to working with diverse teams, particularly Advancement partners, to achieve shared goals.

• Audience-Centricity: Designing with a deep understanding of target audiences and their needs, ensuring communications are relevant and impactful.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished, and effective design work with meticulous attention to detail.

• Efficiency & Timeliness: Commitment to managing workflows effectively to deliver projects on time, supporting critical university initiatives.

Collaboration Style:

• The team operates on a model of cross-functional collaboration, where designers work closely with writers, project managers, and subject matter experts from various university departments, especially Advancement.

• Open communication, constructive feedback exchange, and a willingness to iterate on designs are expected.

• The central creative team likely fosters a supportive environment where ideas are shared, and collective problem-solving is encouraged.

• Designers are expected to be responsive to feedback and proactive in communicating project status and potential challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at UNH's central creative team emphasizes brand stewardship, collaborative problem-solving, and a results-oriented approach to design. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to integrate into a team that values both creative excellence and strategic alignment with university objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Priorities: Effectively managing numerous design requests from different departments and stakeholders, particularly the high volume and specific needs of Advancement.

• Translating Complex Concepts: Visually representing abstract or complex university initiatives, fundraising goals, or research findings in an accessible and compelling manner.

• Adhering to Strict Brand Guidelines: Consistently applying established brand standards while still producing creative and engaging designs.

• Feedback Integration: Navigating and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders, which may sometimes be conflicting or subjective, while maintaining design integrity.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with evolving design trends and technologies, especially within the dynamic fields of higher education marketing and fundraising.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advancement Design Specialization: Gain deep expertise in designing for fundraising, alumni relations, and donor stewardship, a highly sought-after skill in higher education.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Work on a wide array of projects across different university units, broadening design experience and understanding of institutional operations.

• Professional Development: Access to workshops, webinars, and potentially conferences focused on graphic design, higher education marketing, and advancement communications.

• Mentorship: Learn from senior creative professionals within the UNH central team and gain insights into strategic brand management.

• Tool Proficiency: Opportunity to master advanced features of Adobe Creative Suite and explore new design software or techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around managing diverse demands within a structured environment and translating strategic needs into effective visuals. Growth is geared towards developing specialized expertise in advancement design and broadening experience across institutional initiatives.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach a design brief for a fundraising campaign? What are the key considerations?" (Focus on understanding objectives, audience, and messaging.)

• "Describe a time you had to adapt your design based on feedback from multiple stakeholders. How did you manage conflicting input?" (Highlight collaboration, problem-solving, and diplomacy.)

• "How do you ensure your designs align with brand standards while still being creative and engaging?" (Discuss balance, strategic interpretation, and brand guidelines.)

• "What is your process for creating social media graphics or digital ad creatives?" (Detail your workflow for digital assets, considering platform constraints and engagement.)

• "How would you visually represent UNH's commitment to research or community impact?" (Be prepared to brainstorm creative concepts for abstract themes.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the University of New Hampshire specifically?" (Research UNH's mission, values, recent achievements, and its Advancement efforts.)

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to the goals of Advancement?" (Connect your portfolio and experience to fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship.)

• "Describe your experience working within a centralized creative team or adhering to established brand guidelines." (Emphasize your understanding of brand consistency and collaborative workflows.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends relevant to higher education or non-profit sectors?" (Showcase your proactive approach to professional development.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, don't just show the final piece. Explain the problem, your solution, and the outcome.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially in collaborative projects.

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize projects that align with the job description, particularly those involving fundraising, alumni engagement, or institutional branding.

• Showcase Process: Be ready to discuss your design thinking, software usage, and any challenges overcome.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating an understanding of UNH's mission and Advancement goals, showcasing strategic design thinking, and articulating a collaborative and process-oriented approach. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring candidates to effectively communicate their capabilities and potential impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application online through the University of New Hampshire's careers portal.

• Resume/CV: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your years of professional graphic design experience, proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, and any relevant experience in higher education, advancement, or non-profit communications. Tailor your resume to match keywords from the job description.

• Cover Letter: Craft a compelling cover letter that expresses your enthusiasm for the role and UNH. Specifically address why you are a good fit for supporting Advancement initiatives and how your design philosophy aligns with a brand-led, audience-centric approach.

• Portfolio Upload: Prepare and upload a strong portfolio (PDF or link to online portfolio) that showcases 5-7 of your best design projects, demonstrating breadth across print and digital media, with a focus on strategic execution and adherence to brand standards. Be ready to discuss specific projects during the interview process.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with the University of New Hampshire's mission, values, recent campaigns, and the specific goals of its Advancement division. Understand their current brand identity and marketing efforts.

⚠️ 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.