Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: University of Rhode Island Foundation

Location: Kingston, RI, United States

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Category: Marketing & Communications Design

Date Posted: August 18, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is centered on creating impactful digital and print design assets to support the University of Rhode Island Foundation's fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor relations initiatives.

• Responsibilities include developing reusable design systems and branded templates to empower the broader team for routine requests, ensuring brand consistency across various platforms.

• The position requires a strong focus on digital-first execution and production, with an emphasis on visual storytelling that resonates with donors, alumni, students, and university partners.

• The Graphic Designer will manage multiple projects concurrently, translating strategic briefs into compelling visual concepts while adhering to established University and Foundation brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the URI Foundation's Marketing and Communications department, reporting to the Director of Foundation Marketing and Communications. The emphasis on "production-forward" and "design systems" suggests a need for efficiency and scalability in design output, crucial for sustained advancement efforts.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a wide range of marketing materials, including digital assets (email, social media, web graphics) and print collateral (reports, event programs, signage, invitations, direct mail).

• Manage the end-to-end design process for multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project deadlines.

• Interpret strategic briefs, asking clarifying questions to develop effective visual concepts that align with campaign objectives.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive design systems, including branded templates for platforms like Canva and email service providers, to facilitate consistent and on-brand usage by non-designers.

• Ensure strict adherence to University and Foundation brand guidelines, maintaining visual identity consistency across all Foundation communications.

• Create digital assets that comply with accessibility standards, focusing on aspects like color contrast, alt text, and readable typography for web and email.

• Prepare print-ready files and act as the liaison with external print and mail vendors, overseeing production quality.

• Collaborate closely with writers, editors, and advancement staff to execute integrated, multi-channel marketing campaigns.

• Source, select, crop, and color-correct photography for both print and digital applications.

• Manage external professional photographers and videographers as required for specific projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility for building "reusable design systems and branded templates" is a key indicator of a need for process optimization and scalable design solutions. This implies the role should not only execute individual designs but also contribute to the foundational elements of the Foundation's visual communication strategy, enabling greater efficiency for the entire team.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Experience: A minimum of 3-5 years of professional graphic design experience, gained in-house or within an agency setting, with a demonstrated track record in both print and digital production.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with specific expertise in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

• Fluency in Canva for template creation and user-friendly design solutions.

• Experience designing within email marketing platforms and understanding of email design best practices.

• Working knowledge of print production processes and the preparation of press-ready files.

• Familiarity with digital accessibility standards for web and email graphics (e.g., WCAG principles related to color contrast, typography).

• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• Strong understanding of brand consistency and visual identity management.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively within a team and with external vendors. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics and video editing, including the ability to create short-form assets from longer videos (e.g., using Adobe After Effects, Premiere, or Animate).

• Prior experience in an academic institution, fundraising organization, or non-profit setting.

• Experience managing or working within multiple brand identities or sub-brands.

• Familiarity with project or job-tracking software for workflow management.

• Experience with photography and videography sourcing and management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio that includes "at least one template or design system that other people went on to use" strongly suggests that candidates with experience in creating scalable design solutions and empowering others through design resources will be highly valued. This points to a need for strategic thinking beyond individual asset creation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory with the application.

• Showcase a diverse range of work, demonstrating proficiency across both print and digital design mediums.

• Include at least one case study or example of a design system, template, or reusable asset that has been successfully implemented and utilized by others within an organization.

• Highlight projects that demonstrate an understanding of brand consistency and the ability to adapt designs across different platforms or campaigns.

• Present work that reflects an ability to translate strategic objectives into compelling visual narratives, evoking emotion and inspiring action. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in managing design projects from initial brief to final production, highlighting workflow efficiency and deadline adherence.

• Showcase your approach to developing and maintaining design systems and templates, emphasizing their role in team-wide efficiency and brand governance.

• Illustrate your process for collaborating with cross-functional teams (writers, editors, advancement staff) on integrated campaigns.

• Provide examples of how you ensure digital accessibility and print production readiness in your design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of a "design system" and its use by others in the portfolio requirement emphasizes a need for candidates who can contribute to scalable and efficient operational processes within the marketing and communications function. This goes beyond individual design skills to encompass system thinking and team enablement.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $70,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) package.

• Robust retirement savings programs.

• Opportunities for professional development within a mission-driven organization.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week. The role is described as "production-forward," suggesting a need for consistent availability to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and aligns with mid-level graphic design roles in the higher education and non-profit sector in the Northeast US. Benefits are standard for full-time exempt positions in such organizations, emphasizing comprehensive health coverage and retirement planning.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education / Non-Profit (University Foundation)

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the URI Foundation likely operates as a significant entity supporting a large university, implying a mid-to-large size departmental structure.

Founded: The University of Rhode Island was founded in 1892, and its Foundation operates to support its mission. This legacy implies a culture rooted in tradition, academic excellence, and long-term vision.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing and Communications department within the URI Foundation.

• The role reports directly to the Director, Foundation Marketing and Communications.

• Collaboration is expected with writers, editors, engagement staff, and development staff, indicating a cross-functional team dynamic focused on advancement goals. Methodology:

• Emphasis on digital-first and production-forward design, prioritizing efficiency and impactful visual communication.

• A structured approach to brand management, ensuring consistency across multiple platforms and within established University and Foundation guidelines.

• Focus on creating reusable design systems and templates to empower team members and streamline routine design requests.

• Data-driven approach to design is implied through the need for assets that "inspire action" and support fundraising/engagement metrics.

Company Website: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=533f7f85-15af-4310-925e-839a25648729&jobId=593547&ccId=9203066951752_2 (Note: This is the ADP recruitment link, not the direct Foundation website.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of a university foundation implies a mission-driven environment that values long-term relationships, donor stewardship, and academic advancement. The design role is critical in visually communicating the impact of these efforts.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level, individual contributor role focused on specialized design execution and system development. It's a step beyond entry-level design positions and offers significant responsibility within its domain.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Director of Foundation Marketing and Communications, providing direct oversight and guidance on strategic design initiatives.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences the effectiveness of fundraising campaigns, alumni engagement efforts, and donor relations by creating compelling visual narratives that communicate the value and impact of the URI Foundation. The development of design systems amplifies this impact by enabling broader team efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in motion graphics, video editing, or advanced digital accessibility standards.

• Brand Management: Potentially take on more responsibility for managing sub-brands or evolving brand guidelines.

• Team Leadership: With demonstrated success in creating design systems and mentoring colleagues, opportunities for a Senior Designer or Art Director role could emerge within a larger team structure.

• Cross-Functional Impact: Develop a strong understanding of fundraising and alumni engagement strategies, becoming a more strategic partner in campaign development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "design systems" and "templates" suggests a potential career path towards roles focused on operationalizing creative processes and enabling non-creative teams, which is a valuable skill set in many GTM and Marketing Operations contexts.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Kingston, RI, within the University of Rhode Island Foundation's facilities. This implies a professional office environment.

Office Location(s): Kingston, RI. This location is part of the greater South Kingstown area, providing access to university resources and the broader Rhode Island community.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office setting is expected, fostering interaction with writers, editors, and other marketing/communications professionals.

• Access to design software and technology is presumed, essential for fulfilling job duties.

• Opportunities for team meetings and cross-departmental collaboration will be present, supporting integrated campaign efforts.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week. The "production-forward" nature of the role may require flexibility to meet critical deadlines, especially around campaign launches or events.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in a university setting often provides a stable and resource-rich work environment, with opportunities for professional networking and engagement with academic and development communities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess foundational design skills, relevant experience, and alignment with job requirements.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A deeper dive into the candidate's portfolio, focusing on specific projects, design process, problem-solving approaches, and the creation/impact of design systems or templates. Expect questions about translating briefs into visuals and maintaining brand consistency.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a practical design exercise or a discussion about specific software proficiency (Adobe Suite, Canva) and print/digital production knowledge.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of collaboration style, ability to manage deadlines, initiative, and fit with the Foundation's mission-driven culture. Interviews with the Director and potentially other team members.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Range: Present a balanced selection of print and digital work.

• Highlight Systems: Clearly present any design systems, templates, or reusable assets. Explain their purpose, development process, and the impact they had on efficiency or brand consistency.

• Tell the Story: For each project, explain the brief, your role, the design challenges, your solutions, and the outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., engagement metrics for digital assets, successful vendor production for print).

• Demonstrate Brand Savvy: Include examples that show your ability to work within established brand guidelines and adapt designs for different audiences or platforms.

• Accessibility & Production: If possible, include examples that specifically address digital accessibility considerations or complex print production requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing for specific URI Foundation initiatives (e.g., a fundraising campaign, an alumni event invitation).

• Review the University of Rhode Island's brand guidelines and the Foundation's existing materials to understand their visual identity.

• Practice articulating your design process and how you ensure projects meet strategic goals and deadlines.

• Prepare examples of how you have managed competing priorities and tight turnarounds.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that includes "template or design system that other people went on to use" is a critical differentiator. Candidates should be ready to clearly articulate the strategic value and operational benefit of such contributions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for professional graphic design.

  • InDesign: For layout design of reports, brochures, invitations, and other print collateral.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex illustrations.

• Canva: For creating user-friendly templates and empowering non-designers within the team.

• Email Service Provider (ESP) / Marketing Email Platform: For designing and implementing email campaigns (specific platform not named, but proficiency in email design principles is key).

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this design role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital assets, event attendance) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics dashboards might be a plus.

CRM & Automation: Not directly listed as a requirement, but understanding how marketing materials integrate with CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) could be advantageous, especially in a university advancement context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Canva alongside Adobe Creative Suite highlights a need for versatility and the ability to create accessible design tools for a broader team, which is a key operational efficiency driver.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to the University of Rhode Island Foundation's mission of supporting higher education and student success.

• Collaboration: An emphasis on teamwork and partnership across departments to achieve common goals.

• Excellence: A dedication to producing high-quality work that reflects positively on the University and its donors.

• Efficiency: A focus on streamlining processes and leveraging design systems to maximize output and impact.

• Brand Stewardship: A deep respect for and adherence to established brand guidelines to maintain a consistent and professional image.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with writers, editors, and advancement professionals to ensure cohesive campaign messaging and design.

• Feedback & Iteration: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to refine designs and achieve optimal results.

• Empowerment: A willingness to create resources (templates, systems) that enable other team members to execute design tasks confidently and on-brand.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication regarding project status, timelines, and any potential challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values suggest an environment where creativity meets purpose, and where individual contributions are geared towards collective success in advancing the university's mission.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Brands: Effectively designing for both the University of Rhode Island and the URI Foundation brand identities, potentially requiring adaptation to different visual styles or guidelines.

• Digital Accessibility Compliance: Staying current with and implementing evolving digital accessibility standards across various platforms.

• Production-Forward Demands: Managing a high volume of design requests with tight deadlines while maintaining creative quality and strategic alignment.

• Empowering Non-Designers: Successfully creating and implementing design systems and templates that are intuitive and widely adopted by colleagues with varying design skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software: Opportunities to gain deeper expertise in motion graphics, video editing, or specialized design software.

• Brand Strategy: Learning to contribute more strategically to brand development and evolution within the higher education/non-profit sector.

• Accessibility Best Practices: Participating in workshops or training to become an expert in digital and print accessibility.

• Project Management Skills: Enhancing skills in managing complex projects, vendor relationships, and cross-functional team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of "balancing multiple brands" is common in educational institutions and their associated foundations, requiring a nuanced understanding of brand architecture and application.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a design system or set of branded templates. What factors do you consider to make them user-friendly for non-designers?"

• "How do you approach translating a strategic brief for a fundraising campaign into a compelling visual concept for both digital and print?"

• "Walk us through a project where you had to manage multiple urgent design requests simultaneously. How did you prioritize and ensure quality?"

• "How do you ensure brand consistency when working across different brand identities, such as the University and the Foundation?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for a university foundation, and how does your design philosophy align with our mission?"

• "Describe your experience working in a collaborative team environment. How do you handle feedback on your designs?"

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and best practices, particularly in areas like digital accessibility?"

• "Can you provide an example of a time you took initiative to improve a design process or create a new design resource?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (print, digital, systems) or by campaign.

• Narrative: For each key project, prepare a concise story: the challenge, your role, your process, the solution, and the outcome/impact.

• Systems Focus: Clearly highlight and explain your design system/template examples. Demonstrate how they function and the benefits they provide.

• Metrics: Where possible, include quantifiable results related to your designs (e.g., increased engagement, successful event turnout, positive donor feedback).

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most relevant work efficiently, focusing on quality over quantity.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be ready to demonstrate not just their design aesthetic but also their strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and capacity for operationalizing design through systems and templates.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP recruitment link.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, print/digital production, brand consistency, and any experience building design systems or templates. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features a range of print and digital work, and critically, include examples of design systems or templates you've created and how they've been utilized. Prepare to discuss the strategic impact and operational benefits.

• Prepare for Interview Questions: Practice articulating your design process, how you handle feedback, your approach to brand management, and your experience with project management and deadline-driven environments. Be ready to discuss your interest in the URI Foundation's mission.

• Research the Foundation: Familiarize yourself with the University of Rhode Island's brand guidelines and the URI Foundation's mission and recent communications to demonstrate your understanding of their context.

⚠️ 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.