Graphic Designer (Term)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Term)

Company: University of Toronto

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary

Category: Marketing & Communications Operations

Date Posted: August 21, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for supporting the Spaces & Experiences (S&E) division's marketing and communications efforts through strategic graphic design execution.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for creating visually compelling assets that align with brand identity and support diverse business objectives across housing, hospitality, and campus services.

• This position requires a strong understanding of design principles, digital and print media, and the ability to manage multiple projects with strict deadlines.

• The Graphic Designer will collaborate closely with internal teams and external vendors to ensure high-quality creative output and adherence to university standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the context of supporting a "self-funded division" focused on "revenue generating assets," "joint-venture partnerships," and "financial returns" suggests a strong business-oriented approach to design. This role operates within a larger organizational framework that requires understanding business objectives and translating them into effective visual communications, a key aspect of marketing operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and produce a wide range of graphic designs for digital and print media, including brochures, presentations, web graphics, social media content, and event materials, ensuring they meet departmental and divisional objectives.

• Consult with internal clients across various S&E business units to understand their design needs, provide expert advice, and ensure creative solutions effectively communicate key messages and support business goals.

• Manage and coordinate production activities with external creative professionals, printers, and other vendors, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality materials and adherence to budget.

• Ensure all marketing and communication collateral strictly adheres to the University of Toronto's brand identity guidelines and relevant accessibility standards (AODA).

• Maintain and manage a digital asset management system, organizing and cataloging design assets for easy retrieval and consistent brand application across the portfolio.

• Provide art direction for social media campaigns, photography, and video production, ensuring visual consistency and alignment with target audience objectives and overall brand aesthetics.

• Liaise with suppliers to ensure goods are delivered in a timely manner and meet quality expectations.

• Foster positive and collaborative relationships with internal clients and stakeholders, acting as a trusted creative partner.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "support tri-campus development of revenue generating assets" and "seek to generate financial returns" implies that the design work will directly contribute to business development and revenue streams. This goes beyond standard marketing design and requires an understanding of how design impacts commercial outcomes, a nuanced requirement for operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced College Diploma (3 years) in Creative Arts, Media Arts, Graphic Design, or other disciplines directly relevant to the position.

• An acceptable combination of equivalent experience may be considered. Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in graphic design, with a strong portfolio showcasing diverse creative projects.

• Demonstrated experience in producing promotional and outreach materials for various audiences.

• Proven experience in managing design processes that require high precision, meticulous attention to detail, and adherence to strict guidelines. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite for document creation and integration.

• Expertise in designing for digital and online media, including web graphics and social media platforms.

• Proven ability to implement and understand AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) requirements in design projects.

• Demonstrated experience in managing a digital asset management system.

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, for effective client consultation and team collaboration.

• Superior organization and time management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple overlapping tasks and meet strict deadlines.

• Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, empathy, sound judgment, and discretion in all interactions.

• Strong customer service orientation, with the ability to provide detailed information and support to clients.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in photography (filming and editing) and video production.

• Experience providing art direction for photography and video production.

• Experience liaising with suppliers to ensure timely and quality delivery of goods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "Advanced College Diploma (3 years)" combined with "Minimum five (5) years of professional experience" suggests a mid-level to senior role within the design function, requiring not just execution but also strategic input and client management, typical of operations support roles that bridge creative execution with business objectives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong understanding of design principles, visual hierarchy, and brand consistency across various media (print, digital, social).

• Case studies that highlight projects where design directly contributed to achieving specific business objectives, such as increased engagement, lead generation, or brand recognition for the Spaces & Experiences division.

• Examples of design work that adhere to accessibility standards (AODA) and showcase an understanding of inclusive design practices.

• Documentation of experience managing design projects from concept to completion, including client consultation, vendor coordination, and final delivery.

• Evidence of proficiency in maintaining and organizing digital assets within a management system. Process Documentation:

• Showcase experience in developing and executing design processes that are efficient, collaborative, and yield high-quality results.

• Provide examples of how design workflows were optimized to meet tight deadlines and manage multiple competing priorities.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how design outputs are measured for effectiveness against defined business and marketing objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on supporting a revenue-generating division, a portfolio that demonstrates how design directly impacts commercial outcomes, such as driving engagement for leasing opportunities or promoting event services, will be highly valued. This aligns with the operations focus on measurable results and ROI.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The provided pay scale group and hiring zone indicates a salary range of $81,312 to $103,986 CAD per year. This is based on the USW Pay Band 12, with annual step progression.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is based on the University of Toronto's internal pay scale for the USW (University of Toronto Staff Association) unionized employees. Regional salary research for Graphic Designers in Toronto, Ontario, for individuals with 5-10 years of experience typically falls within this range, with variations based on the specific organization and industry. Factors like the university's self-funded division structure and the term nature of the position are considered. Data sources include industry salary aggregators and comparable university positions.

Benefits:

• Term Appointment: While a term position, it offers full-time employment with benefits.

• Health & Wellness: Access to comprehensive health benefits, likely including medical, dental, and vision coverage, typical for university positions.

• Retirement Savings: Contributions to a pension plan or retirement savings program, as per union agreements.

• Paid Time Off: Entitlement to vacation days, sick leave, and statutory holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training and development to enhance design skills and stay current with industry trends.

• Work-Life Balance: The university environment often promotes a balanced work schedule.

Working Hours:

• Full-time position, typically 35-40 hours per week.

• The stated schedule is Full-Time, implying a standard work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: University positions often come with robust benefits packages and defined pay scales, especially for unionized roles. The "Budget - Term" appointment type indicates a funded position for a specific duration, ending October 2027.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education / Real Estate & Campus Services

Company Size: The University of Toronto is a large, complex organization. The VP-Facilities & Real Estate division, and specifically the Spaces & Experiences (S&E) team, operates as a self-funded division within this larger entity. This implies a dynamic environment with a focus on operational efficiency and revenue generation, even within an academic institution.

Founded: The University of Toronto was founded in 1827, bringing a rich history and established institutional culture. Spaces & Experiences likely focuses on modernizing and commercializing campus assets.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Manager, Marketing & Communications – Creative Lead within the S&E Marketing & Communications team.

• This team comprises brand, web, media, design, and social media experts, indicating a specialized and collaborative marketing function.

• The team works closely with S&E business unit partners, suggesting a cross-functional operational model where marketing supports various service and asset management streams. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The emphasis on supporting "business objectives" and "financial returns" suggests that design decisions will be informed by data and performance metrics, a core principle in operations.

• Collaborative Workflow: The team is described as "highly collaborative," and the Graphic Designer is expected to "foster positive relationships with clients" and work in a "collaborative, team environment."

• Brand Governance: Strict adherence to "brand identity and University style guides" is a key operational requirement, ensuring consistency and brand integrity across all communications.

Company Website: [University of Toronto Website URL - typically www.utoronto.ca]

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within a large university structure, especially in a self-funded division, requires navigating institutional processes while maintaining agility and a business-centric mindset. The "Spaces & Experiences" division explicitly aims to commercialize university assets, blending academic mission with entrepreneurial operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is a mid-level to senior Graphic Designer role within a specialized Marketing & Communications function that supports operational business units. It requires significant independent work, client consultation, and strategic creative input, bridging creative execution with business outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Manager, Marketing & Communications – Creative Lead. This structure suggests a clear chain of command for creative direction and project management within the marketing team.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences the perception and success of the Spaces & Experiences division's revenue-generating initiatives. Effective design can drive engagement with student housing, conference services, commercial leasing, and innovation spaces, thereby contributing to financial returns that support the university's academic mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as digital media, accessibility compliance, or art direction for multimedia projects.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working with diverse business units within S&E, understanding their unique operational challenges and marketing needs.

• Project Leadership: Potential to lead design aspects of larger marketing campaigns or new initiative launches, demonstrating project management capabilities.

• University System Navigation: Develop expertise in navigating the operational and administrative structures of a large, complex institution like the University of Toronto.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a term position, the experience gained in a high-profile university setting, particularly in a division focused on commercial operations, can be highly valuable for future roles in higher education, real estate marketing, or broader corporate marketing operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site position at the St. George (Downtown Toronto) campus. This implies a traditional office environment within a university setting.

Office Location(s): St. George Campus, Downtown Toronto. This location offers access to a vibrant urban environment and university resources.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Space: The team structure emphasizes collaboration, suggesting an environment where designers work together, share ideas, and receive feedback.

• Technology-Rich: As a design role at a major university, expect access to up-to-date hardware and software, including the Adobe Creative Suite and potentially other design and project management tools.

• Interdisciplinary Interaction: Opportunities to interact with marketing specialists, web developers, communications experts, and business unit partners within S&E.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, term position ending October 2027.

• Standard working hours are expected, with the potential for occasional extended hours to meet project deadlines, typical for design and operations roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a need for candidates comfortable with a physical presence on campus, participating in in-person meetings and collaborative sessions, which can be beneficial for operations roles requiring close team interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and cover letter, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design rationale, and the impact of their work, particularly how it supported business objectives.

• Technical Assessment: A practical design exercise or a case study related to creating marketing collateral for a university service or event might be administered to assess design skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of brand guidelines.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions will focus on collaboration, problem-solving, time management, client consultation, and experience with AODA compliance.

• Team/Manager Interview: Assessment of cultural fit, communication style, and ability to integrate into the marketing team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates experience with brand guidelines, digital/print media, and ideally, projects with a clear business objective or measurable outcome.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your design process, challenges faced, and the final solution. Highlight any AODA considerations.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or examples of how your design contributed to success (e.g., increased event attendance, higher click-through rates, positive client feedback).

• Highlight Collaboration: Be prepared to discuss how you collaborated with clients and stakeholders.

• Tailor to U of T: If possible, include a sample project or concept that demonstrates an understanding of university branding or the S&E division's focus areas.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve creating a concept for a new campaign or adapting existing collateral for a specific S&E service.

• Focus on demonstrating your ability to quickly understand a brief, apply brand standards, and articulate your creative choices clearly and concisely.

• Practice presenting your design rationale under timed conditions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-focused roles like this, interviewers will be looking for not just creative talent but also the ability to translate business needs into effective design solutions, manage projects efficiently, and collaborate seamlessly within a structured environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

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

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • Word: For creating text-heavy documents and integrating design elements.
  • PowerPoint: For developing presentations that incorporate visual design.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) System: Experience maintaining and utilizing a DAM for organizing and retrieving design assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how to design for trackable digital assets (e.g., UTM parameters in web graphics, QR codes) would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM systems (e.g., email templates, landing page graphics) is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is a fundamental requirement. Experience with DAM systems points towards an organized approach to asset management, which is critical for maintaining brand consistency across an organization's operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to producing high-quality, error-free design work that meets client expectations and brand standards.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working cooperatively with colleagues, clients, and vendors to achieve shared goals.

• Efficiency and Timeliness: The ability to manage workload effectively, meet deadlines, and contribute to the smooth operation of the marketing and communications function.

• Brand Stewardship: A dedication to upholding and enhancing the University of Toronto's brand identity through consistent and impactful design.

• Accessibility and Inclusivity: A commitment to designing materials that are accessible to all members of the university community, adhering to AODA requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Client-Centric: Proactive engagement with internal clients to understand their needs and deliver tailored design solutions.

• Team-Oriented: Open communication, willingness to share feedback constructively, and support for colleagues' projects.

• Process-Driven: Following established workflows for project intake, creative development, review, and delivery to ensure clarity and efficiency.

• Responsive: Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and priorities while maintaining a positive and professional demeanor.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Spaces & Experiences" suggests a culture that values innovation within established frameworks, balancing the need for revenue generation with the core academic mission of the university.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Needs: Juggling design requests from multiple S&E business units, each with unique objectives and target audiences, while maintaining brand consistency.

• Meeting Strict Deadlines: Working in a fast-paced university environment with frequent demands for quick turnaround on creative assets.

• Adhering to Brand and Accessibility Standards: Ensuring all designs meet both the University's established brand guidelines and the legal requirements of AODA.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively consulting with and advising clients who may have varying levels of design understanding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to attend workshops or online courses to master new design software features or emerging design trends.

• Accessibility Design Expertise: Deepen knowledge and practical application of AODA compliance in design.

• Multimedia Production: Develop skills in photography, video editing, and art direction for dynamic content creation.

• University Operations Insight: Gain a deeper understanding of how marketing and design support the operational and financial objectives of a large academic institution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The term nature of the role presents a challenge in terms of long-term career stability but also offers an opportunity to gain diverse experience within a prestigious institution within a defined timeframe.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to consult with a client who had a very different vision for a design project than you did. How did you navigate that situation to achieve a successful outcome?" (Assesses client management, diplomacy, and problem-solving).

• "How do you ensure your designs comply with accessibility standards like AODA, especially when working under tight deadlines?" (Assesses technical knowledge and operational diligence).

• "Walk us through a design project where your work directly contributed to a specific business objective for an organization. What was the objective, what was your role, and what was the result?" (Assesses impact-oriented design and strategic thinking). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the University of Toronto, specifically within the Spaces & Experiences division?" (Assesses research and cultural alignment).

• "How do you approach collaborating with team members who have different creative styles or technical expertise?" (Assesses teamwork and communication).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest graphic design trends and technologies, and how do you incorporate them into your work?" (Assesses proactivity and continuous learning). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type or by impact. For each project, clearly state the client, objective, your role, the solution, and the outcome.

• Highlight Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with brand guidelines, digital media, print production, and accessibility. If you have experience in higher education or real estate marketing, highlight it.

• Quantify Success: Where possible, use metrics to show the impact of your designs.

• Articulate Process: Be ready to discuss your design thinking, the tools you used, and how you collaborated with stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, interviewers will be keen to understand your ability to translate business requirements into effective design solutions and manage projects efficiently within a structured university environment. Demonstrating an understanding of accessibility (AODA) and brand governance is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the University of Toronto's careers portal, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Customize your resume: Highlight your 5+ years of graphic design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, AODA compliance knowledge, and any experience with digital asset management or art direction. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Select your strongest, most relevant projects. Ensure it showcases a range of work (digital, print), demonstrates adherence to brand guidelines, and ideally includes examples of how your design supported business objectives or accessibility standards. Be ready to present and discuss your work.

• Research the University of Toronto's Spaces & Experiences division: Understand their mandate, services, and target audiences. Familiarize yourself with the University's brand guidelines.

• Practice your interview responses: Prepare for questions about your design process, client management, collaboration, and how you handle tight deadlines and multiple projects. Be ready to discuss your portfolio and any design challenges.

⚠️ 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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