Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Universities of Wisconsin

Location: Madison, WI

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Healthcare / Education

Date Posted: January 23, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on creating engaging and informative visual content for health communications within a university health services setting, emphasizing creative communication and marketing campaign development.

• The Graphic Designer will collaborate closely with health professionals and communications teams to translate complex health topics into accessible and impactful visual materials.

• Key responsibilities include managing project workflows, adhering to design standards, and potentially overseeing junior team members or freelancers, contributing to the strategic objectives of the organization.

• This position requires a strong foundation in graphic design principles and a proactive approach to managing creative projects from concept to completion within a regulated and mission-driven environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided job description is for a Graphic Designer, not an operations role. This enhancement will focus on interpreting the graphic design responsibilities through an "operations" lens where applicable, such as process management, workflow efficiency, and strategic communication delivery, as these are core to effective GTM and operational functions. The company, Universities of Wisconsin, is an educational institution with a focus on health services, suggesting a need for clear, compliant, and impactful communication strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a wide range of communication and marketing materials, including digital assets (web graphics, social media content, email templates), print collateral (brochures, posters, flyers), and presentations, ensuring brand consistency and adherence to health communication best practices.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including clinicians, public health professionals, and marketing specialists, to understand project objectives, gather requirements, and incorporate feedback to refine design concepts.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, from initial briefing and concept development through to final delivery, ensuring timely completion and efficient workflow management within the Marketing & Health Communications team.

• Develop and maintain design standards, style guides, and templates to ensure brand consistency across all communication channels and to streamline the creative production process.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of design elements and communication campaigns, potentially contributing to A/B testing or user feedback analysis to optimize visual impact and health messaging.

• May monitor unit budgets and financial records related to design projects, including managing vendor relationships and freelance creative professionals, ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to allocated resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary function is graphic design, the responsibilities listed, such as "May monitor the unit budget," "Develops, implements, and maintains design standards, policies, and procedures," and "Works collaboratively... manages project workflow and timing," indicate process-oriented tasks that are relevant to operations. These aspects highlight the need for efficiency, standardization, and resource management within the creative function, aligning with operational excellence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Strong understanding of visual design principles, typography, color theory, and layout composition.

• Ability to translate complex information and health-related topics into clear, concise, and visually engaging content.

• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and respond constructively to feedback.

Preferred Skills:

• Interest in emerging health topics and trends, demonstrating a proactive approach to staying informed in the public health space.

• Experience working with clinicians, public health professionals, or in a healthcare/university setting.

• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) or web design principles.

• Experience with video editing or motion graphics software.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) for digital content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize core graphic design proficiencies. For an operations-minded candidate, highlighting experience in process optimization within creative workflows, experience with standardized asset creation (templates), and any involvement in project management methodologies (even informal) would be beneficial. The preference for working with clinicians suggests a need for clear, compliant communication, a hallmark of operational rigor in regulated fields.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 1-3 high-quality work samples in PDF format, demonstrating proficiency in graphic design principles and software.

• Projects should highlight the candidate's ability to create impactful communication materials, particularly those related to health or educational initiatives.

• Examples should demonstrate a clear understanding of target audience needs and strategic communication objectives.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly required, candidates are encouraged to articulate their design process, including how they approach project briefs, conduct research, develop concepts, iterate based on feedback, and manage final asset delivery.

• Demonstrating an organized and systematic approach to design projects will be viewed favorably.

• Clarity on how feedback is managed and integrated into the design workflow is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, this section is crucial. The "portfolio" here translates to a demonstration of how well a candidate can execute and manage a process. Applicants should emphasize their systematic approach to design, their methods for ensuring quality and consistency, and how they manage project timelines and stakeholder input – essentially, the operational aspects of creative production.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The starting salary is $50,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave.

• Competitive insurance plans.

• Savings accounts.

• Retirement benefits.

Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week, consistent with a full-time role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is explicitly stated as starting at $50,000, with negotiation based on experience. For a mid-level role in Madison, WI, this is a competitive starting point, but experienced candidates could expect to negotiate higher. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical of large public institutions like the Universities of Wisconsin, offering strong support for employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education / Healthcare Services

Company Size: Large (Universities of Wisconsin is a large system with many campuses and departments.)

Founded: The University of Wisconsin-Madison was founded in 1848, with University Health Services (UHS) operating as a key department within its structure.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing & Health Communications team within University Health Services (UHS).

• This team likely includes other communication specialists, health educators, and potentially project managers who work collaboratively on health promotion initiatives.

Methodology:

• The team focuses on developing creative communication and marketing campaigns centered on student health issues, aligning with UHS and Student Affairs strategic objectives.

• Emphasis is placed on translating health information into accessible and impactful visual content.

• A collaborative approach, incorporating feedback from various health professionals, is central to their methodology.

Company Website: <a href="https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/</a>

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within a large university system and a health services department means adherence to institutional policies, brand guidelines, and potentially regulatory compliance (though less stringent for internal communications compared to clinical records). The culture is likely academic, research-oriented, and focused on student welfare, requiring designs that are informative, trustworthy, and sensitive to health-related topics.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, responsible for core creative production and workflow management within a specialized team. It's not a traditional "operations" role but involves operational aspects of creative execution.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to a manager within the Marketing & Health Communications department at UHS.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the effectiveness of health communication campaigns, influencing student health awareness, engagement with UHS services, and the overall perception of UHS as a trusted health resource. Efficient and clear visual communication is key to operationalizing health promotion strategies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to specialize in health communication design or digital media.

• Opportunities to take on more complex projects or lead design aspects of larger campaigns.

• Possibility of developing broader project management or team coordination skills within the communications department.

• Continuous learning through professional development related to design trends, health communication strategies, and emerging digital platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: For candidates with an operations mindset, growth could involve streamlining design processes, developing standardized asset libraries, or taking on roles that bridge creative execution with strategic campaign operations. The emphasis on "emerging health topics" also suggests a dynamic environment where adapting to new information is key, a common operational challenge.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "TELECOMMUTE" in the raw data but "On-site" in the derived data, with the primary location being "East Campus Mall 333-0467" in Madison, WI. This suggests an on-site role within a university campus setting.

Office Location(s): East Campus Mall, Madison, WI. This is a central campus location for UW-Madison.

Workspace Context:

• Work is conducted collaboratively with communications and health professionals, indicating an environment that values teamwork and cross-disciplinary input.

• Access to relevant design software and technology is implied.

• The setting is within a university health center, suggesting a professional, service-oriented, and potentially fast-paced environment during peak academic periods.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with potential for flexibility depending on project demands, though likely centered around typical business hours for collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "TELECOMMUTE" vs. "On-site" discrepancy needs clarification. Assuming it's on-site, the environment is likely conducive to creative work within a structured institutional framework. The collaboration aspect is key for operations professionals, as it highlights the need for clear communication and integration with other departments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Cover letter, resume, and 1-3 PDF work samples are required. Reviewers will use these materials to assess qualifications.

• Second Round: Qualified candidates will be assigned a short presentation assignment.

• Potential Stages: Likely includes interviews with the hiring manager (Lana Martin), team members, and potentially other stakeholders from UHS or Student Affairs. Behavioral and situational questions related to design process, collaboration, and problem-solving are expected.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 1-3 strong, relevant pieces. Prioritize quality over quantity. Ensure PDFs are well-formatted and easy to navigate.

• Showcase Process: Within your cover letter or resume, briefly describe your design process for key projects. Highlight how you approach briefs, iterate on designs, and manage feedback.

• Demonstrate Impact: If possible, include brief context for each piece: the objective, target audience, and any measurable outcomes or intended impact. For this role, focus on how your designs effectively communicate health information or promote services.

• Highlight Collaboration: If any portfolio pieces were developed collaboratively, mention your role and how you worked with others.

Challenge Preparation:

• Presentation Assignment: Prepare a concise presentation that addresses the prompt thoroughly. Focus on clarity, visual appeal, and strategic thinking. Rehearse to ensure smooth delivery within any allotted time.

• Portfolio Walkthrough: Be ready to discuss your portfolio pieces in detail, explaining your design choices, challenges faced, and how you overcame them.

• Situational Questions: Prepare for questions about handling difficult feedback, managing competing priorities, working with non-designers, and staying updated on health communication trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio and presentation assignment are critical. For operations-minded candidates, framing this as a demonstration of process management, strategic execution, and effective communication of results will be highly advantageous. Emphasize efficiency and clarity in your presentation approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are explicitly required. Proficiency in these is essential.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word (for cover letter/resume), PowerPoint (for presentations), Excel (potentially for budget monitoring).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but familiarity with marketing automation platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, HubSpot) for email campaign design could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite is standard for graphic designers. For an operations perspective, a candidate could highlight any experience in creating templates within these tools that streamline future content creation, or any work with digital asset management (DAM) systems if applicable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Student-Centricity: A core focus on enhancing student well-being through effective communication and services.

• Collaboration: Working closely with diverse professionals (health, communications, administration) to achieve shared goals.

• Accuracy & Clarity: Ensuring health information is conveyed accurately, clearly, and sensitively.

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

• Innovation: Staying current with design trends and health communication strategies to improve outreach.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, involving close interaction with health professionals, communicators, and potentially students.

• Requires active listening, incorporating feedback, and adapting designs based on input from subject matter experts.

• Openness to constructive criticism and a team-oriented approach are vital.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize service, accuracy, and collaboration – all critical components of operational success. A candidate can demonstrate alignment by discussing how they ensure accuracy in their designs, manage feedback loops efficiently, and contribute to team objectives beyond just individual task completion.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating complex and sensitive health information into easily understandable and engaging visuals.

• Balancing creative vision with institutional guidelines, brand standards, and feedback from diverse stakeholders.

• Managing project timelines in a dynamic university environment where priorities can shift.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Professional development in health communication strategies and best practices.

• Training on new design software features and emerging digital design trends.

• Opportunities to attend relevant workshops, webinars, or conferences.

• Gaining experience in specialized areas of design, such as data visualization for health reports or interactive digital content.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-focused individuals, viewing these challenges as opportunities to implement process improvements (e.g., better feedback loops, template development for efficiency, clearer project scoping) is key. Growth can be framed around developing operational excellence within the creative function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a health communication concept from brief to final design." (Focus on your workflow, research, iteration, and final delivery steps.)

• "How do you handle receiving critical feedback on your designs, especially from non-designers?" (Emphasize active listening, understanding the underlying concern, and collaborative problem-solving.)

• "Tell me about a time you had to balance creative requirements with strict brand guidelines or institutional policies." (Highlight your ability to adhere to standards while still producing effective designs.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for student health at the University of Wisconsin?" (Show genuine interest in the mission and audience.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with subject matter experts, such as clinicians or public health professionals, to ensure accuracy and effectiveness in your designs?" (Focus on communication, asking clarifying questions, and respecting expertise.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Be Concise: For each piece, briefly introduce the project goal, your role, the key design decisions, and the outcome or intended impact.

• Highlight Process: Explain why you made certain design choices, referencing design principles or audience needs.

• Showcase Adaptability: If you have pieces that demonstrate adapting to different brand styles or project constraints, be ready to discuss them.

• Prepare for the Assignment: Practice your presentation for the assigned task, focusing on clarity, visual appeal, and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: Frame your answers and portfolio presentation through an operations lens: emphasize efficiency, process, clarity, impact, and collaboration. For example, when discussing feedback, talk about how you manage the feedback loop to optimize the design outcome efficiently.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Resume and Cover Letter: Tailor your resume to highlight at least two years of graphic design experience, emphasizing skills in Adobe Creative Suite, communication design, and project management. Your cover letter should clearly articulate your interest in health communication and how your skills align with the role's requirements, especially your ability to collaborate and manage projects.

• Portfolio Submission: Carefully select 1-3 of your strongest and most relevant work samples in PDF format. Ensure they showcase your ability to create impactful visual communications, particularly for health-related or educational contexts.

• Prepare for Presentation: If you advance, be ready to complete a short presentation assignment. Practice delivering clear, concise, and visually appealing presentations that demonstrate your design thinking and strategic approach.

• Research UHS: Familiarize yourself with University Health Services (UHS) at UW-Madison. Understand their mission, the services they offer, and their target audience (students). This will help you tailor your application and prepare for interview questions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description interprets the Graphic Designer role through an operational lens, focusing on process, efficiency, and strategic communication. While the core function is design, the principles of effective operations can be applied to creative workflows. Applicants should verify all job requirements and expectations directly with the hiring organization.