Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant

Company: University of Melbourne

Location: Parkville, Australia

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: 2026-02-19

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive student engagement through innovative design and strategic collaboration within the Student Communications team.

• Develop and maintain impactful visual assets for diverse channels including web, social media, and print, adhering to University of Melbourne Brand guidelines.

• Collaborate closely with stakeholders to align communications with business objectives and the established Student Communications Framework.

• Enhance student services and engagement by delivering impactful content that contributes to the University's strategic goals.

• Leverage expertise in graphic design, visual communications, and UX/UI design to elevate the student experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Consultant," the responsibilities and team context (Student and Scholarly Services, Student Communications) strongly indicate this role is integral to marketing and communications operations, focusing on the creation and dissemination of visual content to support student engagement and services. The emphasis on brand guidelines, stakeholder alignment, and strategic goals places it within a broader GTM/Marketing Ops framework.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create and maintain student-focused campaigns and visual assets: Develop engaging content for web, email, print, and social media platforms, ensuring strict adherence to University of Melbourne Brand guidelines.

• Collaborate with stakeholders: Work closely with internal clients and colleagues to understand communication needs, align messaging with business goals, and integrate strategies within the Student Communications Framework.

• Enhance student services and engagement: Design and produce visual materials that effectively communicate information, promote services, and foster a positive student experience.

• Contribute to strategic communication initiatives: Play a pivotal role in the delivery of impactful content, supporting the University's overarching strategic objectives.

• Provide training and support: Deliver effective training sessions to stakeholders on brand guidelines and the use of communication tools/assets.

• Maintain brand consistency: Ensure all visual assets are on-brand and reflect the University's identity and values across all platforms.

• Manage multiple projects: Effectively plan and organize design tasks, manage timelines, and deliver high-quality work under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities detail a blend of creative execution and operational alignment. The emphasis on "maintaining student-focused campaigns and assets" and "collaborating with stakeholders to align communications with business goals" highlights the operational aspect of ensuring consistent, effective communication delivery within a defined framework.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Significant experience in graphic design and visual communications, with a strong track record of creating best-practice, on-brand visual assets across various channels (web, social media, print, email).

• Proven experience in managing stakeholder relationships and delivering effective training.

Required Skills:

• Advanced graphic design proficiency and a strong understanding of visual communication principles.

• Expertise in creating on-brand visual assets across a range of digital and print media.

• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

• High-level planning and organizational abilities, with a demonstrated capacity for managing multiple projects and deadlines.

• Familiarity with University of Melbourne Brand guidelines or similar corporate branding standards.

Preferred Skills:

• UX/UI design skills and understanding of user-centered design principles.

• Experience in digital content strategy and campaign development.

• Knowledge of student administration and services within a higher education context.

• Experience with content management systems (CMS) for web content deployment.

• Ability to interpret and apply strategic goals to creative outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "significant experience" requirement, coupled with the need for stakeholder management, training delivery, and strategic alignment, suggests this role requires a mid-to-senior level professional, aligning with the 5-10 year experience range. The inclusion of UX/UI as a preferred skill indicates a forward-thinking approach to digital design within the University.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of on-brand visual assets created for various platforms (web, social media, print, email).

• Include case studies demonstrating how design solutions addressed specific communication objectives or challenges for student engagement.

• Highlight examples of successful collaboration with stakeholders or clients, illustrating communication and alignment processes.

• Demonstrate proficiency in applying brand guidelines consistently across different projects.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how design processes were managed, from initial brief to final asset delivery.

• Illustrate how feedback was incorporated and iterated upon during the design process.

• Showcase any workflow optimization or efficiency improvements introduced in previous design roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Consultant role, a strong visual portfolio is paramount. The emphasis should be on demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also the ability to translate strategic objectives into effective visual communications and manage the design process efficiently within an organizational framework.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,847 - $109,163 AUD per annum (pro rata for part-time)

Benefits:

• Salary packaging options available.

• Access to a comprehensive health and well-being program.

• Discounted services, including Bupa health insurance.

• Extensive professional development and training opportunities.

• 25% discount on UniMelb graduate courses for immediate family members.

• Access to a leading Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (Full-time)

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and aligns with a mid-to-senior level position in Australia. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting the offerings of a large educational institution. The role is full-time, with standard working hours, but the "Fixed Term" nature should be noted.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (University)

Company Size: Large (The University of Melbourne is a major global research institution with tens of thousands of employees and students.)

Founded: 1853

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Student and Scholarly Services division, specifically in the Student Communications team.

• This team is responsible for student administration and services from recruitment to graduation, and also delivers wellbeing and scholarly services.

Methodology:

• The University emphasizes a data-driven approach to improve student services and engagement.

• Communication strategies are guided by the Student Communications Framework and University of Melbourne Brand guidelines.

• A commitment to inclusivity, equity, and creating a barrier-free recruitment process is a core value.

• Emphasis on continuous improvement and professional development for staff.

Company Website: https://about.unimelb.edu.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: The University of Melbourne is a prestigious institution with a strong academic and research focus. Its culture likely emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to societal benefit. For operations roles, understanding the established frameworks (brand, communications) and the diverse stakeholder landscape is crucial.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-to-Senior Level Design/Communications Professional. This role requires significant experience in graphic design and visual communications, with a focus on applying these skills within an organizational framework to achieve strategic objectives. It's not a junior design role but a consultant position leveraging design expertise for operational communication effectiveness.

Reporting Structure: The Design Consultant will report to a manager within the Student Communications team, which is part of the larger Student and Scholarly Services division. They will likely work closely with various internal clients (stakeholders) who commission design work.

Operations Impact: The Design Consultant's work directly impacts student engagement, service uptake, and the overall perception of University communications. By creating clear, on-brand visual assets, they help streamline information dissemination, enhance user experience, and support the University's mission and strategic goals for student success and retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX/UI design, digital campaign strategy, or specific areas of visual communications relevant to higher education.

• Project Leadership: Take ownership of larger design projects or lead specific campaign initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working with diverse departments and understanding their unique communication needs.

• Training & Development: Access university-provided professional development opportunities, potentially leading to specialized certifications or advanced training.

• Contribution to Strategy: Influence the visual direction and effectiveness of student communications through expert consultation.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "revenue operations" role, the strategic importance of clear, engaging communications in student recruitment, retention, and service delivery makes this a critical operational function. Growth here involves deepening design expertise and expanding strategic influence within the communications domain.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site at the University of Melbourne's Parkville campus. The environment is likely a professional office setting within a large academic institution.

Office Location(s): Parkville, Victoria, Australia. This is the main campus of the University of Melbourne.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office environment where interaction with colleagues in the Student Communications team and with various university departments is expected.

• Access to University IT infrastructure, design software, and potentially other creative tools and resources.

• The workspace will support creative work, project collaboration, and stakeholder meetings.

• Opportunities to engage with a diverse community of students and staff.

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with standard business hours. While not explicitly stated as flexible, university environments often offer some degree of work-life balance consideration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement means candidates should be prepared for a traditional office-based work environment within a large, established university setting. Collaboration and in-person interaction are key components.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit resume and cover letter. Note that detailed responses to selection criteria are not required, but a strong cover letter highlighting interest and experience is crucial.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to submit a portfolio showcasing relevant design work.

This is a critical step.

• Interviews: Expect one or more interview rounds. This may include:

  • A discussion with the hiring manager (Alexandra Beasley) and potentially other members of the Student Communications team.
  • A review and discussion of your portfolio, focusing on your design process, stakeholder collaboration, and problem-solving approach.
  • Potential scenario-based questions or a small design exercise (though not explicitly stated, this is common for design roles).
  • Assessment of cultural fit and alignment with University values.

• Final Stages: Reference checks and confirmation of background checks (Working with Children Check).

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in visual design, brand adherence, and stakeholder communication, ideally with a focus on student-facing communications or similar organizational contexts.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your design process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the impact of your design. Visuals are key, but context is crucial.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include examples that demonstrate how you worked with clients or stakeholders to achieve objectives.

• Demonstrate Brand Mastery: Explicitly show how you applied brand guidelines or developed visual systems for organizations.

• UX/UI (if applicable): If you have UX/UI experience, include projects that showcase user flow, wireframing, or interface design, explaining the rationale behind your decisions.

• High Quality Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. PDF format is often preferred.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the University: Research the University of Melbourne's mission, values, strategic priorities, and current student initiatives. Familiarize yourself with their brand guidelines and recent communications.

• Prepare for Design Discussion: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, explain your choices for specific portfolio pieces, and discuss how you approach design problems.

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Think about how you would handle situations with difficult stakeholders, conflicting feedback, or tight deadlines.

• Brand Application: Prepare to discuss how you would ensure design consistency across a large institution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit instruction not to respond to selection criteria in the PD, but to provide a cover letter, is a key differentiator. The emphasis on portfolio review and the mention of a Working with Children Check are vital practical details for applicants.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design. This includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and potentially After Effects or Premiere Pro for motion graphics or video.

• UX/UI Design Tools (Preferred): Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for wireframing, prototyping, and user interface design.

• Presentation Software: PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides for creating presentations and training materials.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable for this role's core design responsibilities, but understanding how visual assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email campaigns) or CMS systems is useful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is a given. The inclusion of UX/UI design tools as preferred indicates the University's interest in modern digital design practices.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: Commitment to producing high-quality, on-brand visual assets that effectively serve the University's goals.

• Collaboration and Partnership: Working effectively with colleagues and stakeholders across the organization to achieve shared objectives.

• Student-Centricity: Prioritizing the student experience in all design and communication efforts.

• Inclusivity and Equity: Adhering to the University's commitment to diversity, accessibility, and creating a welcoming environment.

• Continuous Improvement: A drive to enhance design processes, skills, and the impact of communications.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with various departments, faculties, and the wider Student and Scholarly Services division.

• Feedback-Driven: An openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from stakeholders and team members to refine designs.

• Proactive Communication: Engaging stakeholders early and often to ensure alignment and manage expectations.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the team's collective knowledge by sharing design best practices and insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The University's explicit commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity should be a key consideration for candidates. This translates into design practices that are accessible and considerate of all users.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Managing diverse requests and feedback from various stakeholders with potentially competing priorities.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring adherence to strict brand guidelines across a vast institution with numerous communication channels.

• Adapting to Evolving Digital Trends: Keeping design skills and approaches current with rapid changes in digital media and user expectations.

• Working within a Large Organization: Navigating the processes and structures of a large university environment.

• Fixed-Term Contract: Managing career progression and job security awareness within a 12-month fixed-term role.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Workshops: Access to professional development courses on new design software, techniques, or UX/UI principles.

• Higher Education Communications Best Practices: Gaining insights into effective communication strategies within the academic sector.

• Project Management Skills: Developing skills in managing complex design projects and stakeholder relationships.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced design and communications professionals within the University.

• Networking: Building a professional network within the University of Melbourne.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fixed-term nature of the role is a significant factor. Candidates should consider their long-term career goals and how this role fits into their overall path, focusing on the learning and networking opportunities it provides.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing design requests from multiple stakeholders. How did you prioritize and manage expectations?"

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive, particularly for a diverse student population?"

• "Walk us through your process for developing a visual campaign for a new student service or initiative."

• "How do you stay current with design trends and incorporate them into your work while adhering to brand guidelines?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the University of Melbourne, specifically within Student Communications?"

• "How do your personal values align with the University's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion?"

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative culture."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each portfolio piece, tell a story about the project. Start with the objective, explain your role and process, highlight key design decisions, and discuss the outcome or impact.

• Focus on Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with similar types of content (student-facing, educational, institutional) or skills (brand adherence, multi-channel design).

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your technical skills, design choices, problem-solving approach, and how you handle feedback.

• Conciseness: Present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most impactful examples and key takeaways.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the explicit instruction about the cover letter and lack of selection criteria response, the interview and portfolio review will be the primary evaluation stages. Candidates must be ready to speak articulately about their work and alignment with the University's mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the University of Melbourne careers portal.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your significant experience in graphic design, visual communications, stakeholder management, and any UX/UI experience. Use keywords from the job description such as "visual assets," "brand guidelines," "student engagement," and "digital communications."

• Cover Letter Crafting: Write a compelling cover letter that clearly articulates your interest in this specific role at the University of Melbourne and your relevant experience. Focus on how your skills and passion align with enhancing student communications and engagement.

• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your design portfolio is up-to-date, well-organized, and showcases your best work relevant to the responsibilities outlined. Be ready to present and discuss your portfolio during the interview process.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research the University of Melbourne, its mission, values, brand guidelines, and the Student and Scholarly Services division. Understand their strategic goals for student engagement and communications.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description provides insights and context based on industry standards and the provided information. While aiming for accuracy, candidates should always refer to the official Position Description and direct any queries to the listed contacts for definitive details. The fixed-term nature of this role should be carefully considered.