Graphic Designer II - 530244

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer II - 530244

Company: The University of Alabama

Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: 2026-08-10

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Designs and implements moderately complex graphic design projects, supporting the Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering's communication and marketing objectives.

• Creates and updates visual content, including photography and video, for college-wide events and promotional materials.

• Manages relationships with external vendors and collaborates with the University's Division of Strategic Communications.

• Ensures brand consistency and visual appeal across all marketing and promotional collateral.

• May provide guidance and training to entry-level Graphic Designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer II," the responsibilities lean heavily into marketing operations support, content creation, and vendor management, indicating a role that bridges creative execution with strategic marketing initiatives within an academic engineering college. This role requires not just design skills but also an understanding of how visual assets contribute to broader GTM and communication strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute graphic design concepts for a wide range of marketing and promotional materials, including brochures, flyers, digital assets, presentations, and event collateral, ensuring alignment with the College of Engineering's brand guidelines.

• Capture, edit, and maintain high-quality photography and video content to support college-wide events, faculty achievements, student life, and departmental initiatives.

• Manage and oversee relationships with external vendors for printing, production, and specialized creative services, ensuring project delivery within scope, budget, and timeline.

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders within the College of Engineering and the University's Division of Strategic Communications to understand project requirements, gather feedback, and ensure successful campaign execution.

• Maintain and update digital asset libraries, ensuring organized storage and easy accessibility of visual content for various marketing and communication channels.

• Design and format text and graphics for print and digital publications, preparing layouts and specifications for pre-print production and online distribution.

• Stay abreast of current design trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in visual communication to continuously enhance the quality and effectiveness of design output.

• Provide guidance and mentorship to entry-level designers, sharing expertise and fostering a collaborative design environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strong project management skills, vendor negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration, which are core competencies in operations roles. The focus on "marketing and promotional materials" and "communication objectives" highlights the role's strategic contribution to the college's overall outreach and recruitment efforts, aligning it with GTM principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Art, Commercial Art, Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field.

• OR Master's degree in a related field with relevant art, commercial art, graphic design, or visual communication experience. Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in graphic design, commercial art, or visual communication.

• Experience with print and digital marketing campaigns.

• Professional photography and content creation experience.

• Project management experience. Required Skills:

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

• Adobe Creative Suite Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other relevant design software.

• Photography & Videography: Skill in capturing, editing, and managing high-quality photographic and video content.

• Content Creation: Ability to develop engaging visual content that aligns with marketing objectives.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication for effective stakeholder interaction and project briefing.

• Organizational Skills: Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.

• Proficiency in Capture Software: Familiarity with software used for image and video capture and initial processing.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with digital marketing platforms and best practices.

• Experience managing external vendors and production processes.

• Familiarity with University or higher education marketing and communications.

• Knowledge of project management methodologies and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and capture software, alongside experience in photography, video editing, and content creation, points to a need for robust technical and creative execution capabilities. The emphasis on managing multiple projects and deadlines underscores the importance of organizational and time management skills, critical for operational efficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a diverse range of graphic design projects, demonstrating creative range and technical skill.

• Examples of integrated marketing campaigns, highlighting how visual assets supported broader communication strategies.

• Case studies detailing the process from concept to completion for key projects, including problem definition, design solutions, and outcomes.

• Demonstrations of proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with specific examples of complex design challenges overcome.

• Visual documentation of photography and video work, showcasing editing and content creation capabilities. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of workflow design and optimization for design projects, illustrating how projects are managed from brief to final delivery.

• Examples of system implementation or integration related to asset management or design production pipelines.

• Metrics and analysis of design project performance, demonstrating impact on marketing objectives or audience engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio is essential to demonstrate practical application of design skills and understanding of marketing objectives. Applicants should focus on showcasing projects that highlight not just aesthetic quality but also strategic thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to deliver tangible results aligned with institutional goals. Demonstrating an understanding of production workflows and vendor collaboration within the portfolio will be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Minimum: $48,600 per year

• Midpoint: $60,800 per year

• Note: This range is based on the provided salary information (E7 Salaried). Actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's qualifications and experience.

Benefits:

• Eligibility for benefits as per University of Alabama employment policies.

• This typically includes health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other standard employee benefits. Working Hours:

• Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, totaling 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified salary range ($48,600 - $60,800) falls within the typical compensation for a Graphic Designer II role in a university setting, particularly in a mid-sized city like Tuscaloosa. While not explicitly stated, benefits at a public university like The University of Alabama are generally comprehensive and competitive, often including robust health, retirement, and paid time off packages. The standard Monday-Friday, 8-5 schedule indicates a predictable work environment, though occasional flexibility may be required for events.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Academic Engineering)

Company Size: Large (The University of Alabama is a major public research university with tens of thousands of employees and students).

Founded: 1831 (The University of Alabama has a long-standing history and established institutional culture).

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer II reports to the Engineering Development department, specifically supporting the Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering.

• This role operates within a department focused on development, communications, and marketing for the college.

• Collaboration is expected with internal college departments, University-wide divisions (like Strategic Communications), and external vendors. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not directly a data analysis role, the designer will interpret marketing objectives and audience insights to inform visual strategies.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Expected to manage design projects efficiently, potentially optimizing workflows for content creation and production.

• Automation & Efficiency: May leverage software features for efficiency, but the primary focus is on creative execution and project management.

Company Website: https://www.ua.edu/ (The University of Alabama) and https://eng.ua.edu/ (College of Engineering)

📝 Enhancement Note: The University of Alabama operates within the structured environment of a large public institution. The culture likely emphasizes academic rigor, research, and community engagement. Within the College of Engineering, the culture will be geared towards innovation, technical excellence, and supporting the college's mission. The operations aspect of this role lies in ensuring that marketing and communication efforts are executed efficiently and effectively to support these broader institutional goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Graphic Designer II, indicating an intermediate level of experience. It suggests a capacity for independent work on moderately complex projects and potential mentorship of junior staff, rather than entry-level execution or senior-level strategic leadership.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Engineering Development department, likely within a communications or marketing unit. This positions the designer to work closely with development officers, marketing managers, and college leadership to translate strategic goals into visual assets.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts the College of Engineering's external perception, brand recognition, and communication effectiveness. High-quality visual content is crucial for attracting prospective students, faculty, donors, and partners, thereby contributing indirectly to the college's enrollment, research funding, and reputation – key GTM metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

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

• Project Leadership: Potential to lead design efforts for major college initiatives or campaigns.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience collaborating with diverse university departments, broadening understanding of institutional operations.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor and guide entry-level designers, developing leadership and training skills.

• Advancement: Potential to progress to a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role within the university, depending on performance and further development.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, understanding the impact of creative services on GTM is key. This role demonstrates how visual communication supports recruitment, fundraising, and brand building, all critical for institutional growth. Growth opportunities here focus on deepening creative expertise and developing leadership within a specialized function, rather than traditional operations management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, within the Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering at The University of Alabama.

Office Location(s): Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Workspace Context:

• The role is integrated within the Engineering Development department, suggesting a collaborative office environment where creative professionals work alongside development and marketing staff.

• Access to standard office technology, design software (Adobe Creative Suite), and potentially photography/videography equipment is expected.

• Opportunities for collaboration with faculty, students, and administrative staff across the College of Engineering and other University divisions.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm) provide a structured work environment. While core hours are defined, occasional flexibility may be necessary to cover events or meet critical project deadlines, which is common in marketing and communication roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes a traditional work environment where direct collaboration and access to physical resources (like studios or event spaces) are prioritized. This setup is conducive to team-based creative projects and direct interaction with stakeholders, which can be beneficial for understanding project nuances and fostering strong working relationships.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and creative output.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing their design process, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of their work on specific projects. Be prepared to articulate how your design decisions supported objectives.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a practical design exercise or a case study to evaluate design skills, creative thinking, and ability to work under a defined brief.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions assessing communication skills, organizational abilities, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability to the university environment.

• Meet the Team/Hiring Manager: Opportunity to discuss role specifics, team dynamics, and cultural fit with members of the Engineering Development department.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Diversity: Include examples of print, digital, photography, and video projects.

• Highlight Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your approach, challenges, and the outcome.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, mention how your designs contributed to marketing goals (e.g., increased engagement, successful event promotion, donor response).

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects relevant to academic institutions, engineering, or marketing communications.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and any other relevant tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly.

• Prioritize clarity, brand consistency, and strategic alignment in your solution.

• Be prepared to articulate your design rationale and justify your choices.

• Practice time management to deliver a complete and well-reasoned response.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their creative process and its strategic impact. Operations candidates should focus on demonstrating their project management, problem-solving, and communication skills, framing their creative contributions within a broader operational context of achieving institutional goals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for creating and editing graphics, illustrations, and layouts.

• Capture Software: Familiarity with software used for capturing and initial processing of images and video.

• Microsoft Office Suite/Google Workspace: For general productivity, communication, and document creation (Word/Docs, PowerPoint/Slides, Excel/Sheets).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how to interpret marketing campaign performance data to inform design choices may be beneficial. Familiarity with website analytics (e.g., Google Analytics) or social media analytics could be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tool requirements are specified, but experience with Content Management Systems (CMS) for web content or digital asset management (DAM) systems could be advantageous for organizing and deploying visual assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is a non-negotiable technical requirement. For operations professionals, understanding how these creative tools integrate with broader marketing technology stacks (like CMS or DAM) can demonstrate a more holistic understanding of GTM operations and content lifecycle management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence: Commitment to high-quality design and execution that reflects positively on the College of Engineering.

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders across departments and with external partners.

• Efficiency: Managing projects effectively to meet deadlines and optimize resource utilization.

• Innovation: Staying current with design trends and exploring new visual communication approaches.

• Service-Oriented: Supporting the marketing and communication needs of the College of Engineering and its constituents.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with marketing, development, and administrative teams within the college.

• Stakeholder Communication: Maintaining clear and proactive communication with all project stakeholders to ensure alignment and manage expectations.

• Feedback Incorporation: Openness to constructive criticism and the ability to incorporate feedback into design revisions.

• Team Support: Willingness to assist colleagues and contribute to a positive and productive team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of creative quality and operational efficiency, which is characteristic of successful GTM support functions. The collaboration style highlights the importance of interpersonal skills and effective communication, crucial for managing projects and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction in a university setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Institutional Constraints: Navigating university branding guidelines, budget limitations, and diverse stakeholder preferences while maintaining design integrity.

• Managing Multiple Demanding Projects: Juggling numerous design requests from various departments with competing deadlines and priorities.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Design Trends and Technologies: Continuously learning and adapting to new software, platforms, and visual communication strategies.

• Demonstrating ROI of Design Efforts: Quantifying the impact of graphic design work on marketing objectives, enrollment, or fundraising.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Workshops: Opportunities to attend workshops or online courses to enhance skills in specific design software or techniques.

• Industry Conferences: Potential to attend marketing or design conferences to gain insights into best practices and emerging trends.

• Cross-Departmental Training: Exposure to other areas within the university's marketing and communications, broadening understanding of institutional operations.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal mentorship from senior designers or marketing professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: These challenges and growth opportunities are typical for creative roles embedded within larger organizations. For operations professionals, recognizing these challenges highlights the need for strong process management, communication, and adaptability. The growth opportunities focus on enhancing specialized skills and broadening operational understanding within the university context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize and manage your workload?" (Assesses project management and organizational skills)

• "How do you ensure your designs align with a client's or institution's brand guidelines and strategic objectives?" (Evaluates understanding of brand strategy and client needs)

• "Walk us through a specific design project from concept to completion. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?" (Tests problem-solving, creative process, and impact articulation) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for The University of Alabama, specifically the College of Engineering?" (Assesses motivation and cultural fit)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Evaluates adaptability and collaborative spirit)

• "How would you collaborate with the Division of Strategic Communications and external vendors to ensure cohesive messaging?" (Tests communication and partnership skills) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as mini-case studies. Explain the problem, your solution, and the results.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize your thought process, tool usage, and how you overcame challenges.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data to support the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., "This flyer increased event attendance by 15%").

• Be Concise: Respect the interviewer's time; focus on your strongest and most relevant work.

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with specific software and techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also operational competence. Candidates should be prepared to discuss project management, stakeholder collaboration, and how their design work contributes to broader institutional goals, aligning with GTM and marketing operations principles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the University of Alabama's careers portal link provided.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight experience in graphic design, content creation, photography, video editing, and project management, using keywords from the job description such as "Adobe Creative Suite," "marketing materials," and "visual communication."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest and most relevant design projects. Prepare to discuss your process, challenges, and the impact of your work. Ensure it showcases a range of skills applicable to marketing and communications within an academic setting.

• Prepare for Interview Questions: Practice articulating your experience with strategy, collaboration, and problem-solving, particularly how your creative contributions support organizational objectives.

• Research The University of Alabama and the College of Engineering: Understand their mission, values, and recent initiatives to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.

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