Graphic Designer - Strategic Communication & Branding

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Strategic Communication & Branding

Company: University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)

Location: Galveston, Texas, United States

Job Type: Regular

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: March 08, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is centered around the creation and execution of impactful visual communication strategies, focusing on graphic design to support the strategic priorities of a major academic medical institution.

• The position requires a blend of creative talent and operational understanding to translate complex institutional goals into engaging print and digital collateral.

• Key responsibilities include developing on-brand materials that advance awareness of patient care, research, innovation, and education, while also driving clinical business growth.

• Collaboration with internal teams, stakeholders, and content creators is essential for ensuring consistent messaging and brand integrity across diverse audiences and platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the description emphasizes "Strategic Communication & Branding" and the role's alignment with institutional strategic priorities, including driving clinical business. This indicates a need for a designer who understands marketing strategy and operations, not just pure aesthetics. The role is embedded within a large healthcare and education institution, requiring adherence to established brand guidelines and complex stakeholder management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce visually dynamic print and digital collateral, including clinic materials, provider promotional packets, advertisements, event outreach assets, website graphics, social media graphics, flyers, and banners.

• Support Faculty Group Practice and clinical initiative projects by developing standardized, on-brand collateral that strictly adheres to UTMB brand standards and marketing strategies.

• Create comprehensive suites of print and digital materials to support the clinical pillar of UTMB, including materials for new and existing providers, ensuring consistent messaging and visual identity.

• Develop and maintain robust promotional packet suites for provider recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing clinical marketing needs, optimizing for engagement and clear communication of value propositions.

• Ensure consistent branding across 49+ clinic sites and four campuses by creating collateral that maintains visual consistency, accuracy, and scalability, supporting operational efficiency in material deployment.

• Design marketing advertisements aligned with UTMB brand standards to support clinical outreach, service line promotion, and event initiatives, contributing to targeted customer acquisition and retention efforts.

• Develop and maintain design systems for the clinical pillar, establishing consistency in templates, layouts, typography, and visual elements to streamline creative workflows and enhance brand recognition.

• Follow established brand guidelines to develop cohesive campaign materials across various media, ensuring a unified and professional institutional image.

• Prepare and present design drafts for feedback, revision, and approval within the design and branding team, incorporating constructive criticism to refine creative output.

• Utilize a project management tool to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across the Academic Enterprise and Health System, managing multiple design projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining meticulous attention to detail.

• Stay current with industry design trends, tools, and techniques to ensure creative output remains relevant and innovative, contributing to the institution's competitive edge.

• Incorporate motion graphics and animations where applicable, enhancing engagement and visual appeal of digital content.

• Adhere to internal controls and reporting structures, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and procedures in all design and communication efforts.

• Perform related duties as required to support the strategic communication and branding objectives of UTMB Health.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on operational consistency and strategic alignment. The requirement to manage collateral across 49+ sites and four campuses, develop standardized packs for recruitment and marketing, and adhere to strict brand guidelines points to a need for a designer who understands the operational implications of their creative work. The mention of a "project management tool" and managing "multiple design projects simultaneously" underscores the operational aspect of workflow management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Associate’s degree in graphic design, visual arts, illustration, or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of dedicated experience in graphic design, with a focus on creating print and digital collateral.

• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered, demonstrating flexibility in candidate qualifications.

Required Skills:

• Strong Portfolio: A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a diverse range of successful print and digital design projects, demonstrating creative problem-solving and aesthetic proficiency.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign are critical for producing high-quality, on-brand materials.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Proven ability to meticulously follow and apply established brand standards and style guides to ensure visual consistency across all outputs.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design choices, receive constructive feedback, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (e.g., content creators, marketing strategists, other designers).

• Project Management: Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Attention to Detail: Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accuracy in all design elements, copy, and specifications.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Graphics/Animation: Experience with incorporating motion graphics and animations into designs is a significant plus, enhancing digital content engagement.

• Web Design Fundamentals: Basic understanding of web design principles and familiarity with HTML/CSS is advantageous for creating web-ready graphics and understanding digital platform constraints.

• Marketing Strategy Acumen: An understanding of marketing principles and how design contributes to achieving strategic business and communication objectives, particularly within healthcare or education sectors.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with CMS platforms for website content updates would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize not just artistic talent but also the operational aspects of design: adherence to standards, project management, and collaboration. The preference for a Bachelor's degree and experience with motion graphics or web fundamentals suggests a desire for a candidate who can contribute to more advanced and integrated communication strategies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Brand Consistency: Showcase projects that illustrate the ability to maintain consistent branding across multiple deliverables and platforms, highlighting adaptability to various campaign needs.

• Print & Digital Versatility: Include a strong mix of both print collateral (e.g., brochures, packets, advertisements) and digital assets (e.g., web banners, social media graphics, email templates) to prove breadth of skill.

• Strategic Application: Present case studies or project examples that clearly articulate the design challenge, the strategic objective, the creative solution, and the resulting impact or outcome, demonstrating an understanding of design's role in achieving business goals.

• Process Documentation Examples: If available, include examples of how you've documented design processes, managed revisions, or collaborated using project management tools to manage workflow.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you approach the design process from brief to final delivery, including stages for concept development, feedback integration, revisions, and final asset preparation.

• System Implementation Standards: Demonstrate an understanding of how design assets integrate into larger marketing campaigns, websites, or communication systems, ensuring technical feasibility and brand integrity.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: While not directly responsible for analytics, be prepared to discuss how your design choices aim to achieve specific communication or marketing goals and how you might interpret feedback on design effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, the portfolio is crucial. It needs to go beyond just showcasing aesthetics. Candidates should be ready to articulate the strategic thinking behind their designs, how they manage projects, and how they ensure brand consistency in a complex organizational environment. Examples of working with project management tools or adhering to strict brand guidelines will be particularly valuable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry standards for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Galveston, Texas, and within the healthcare/education sector, the estimated salary range is typically between $50,000 - $70,000 annually.

• This estimate accounts for the required proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, experience in strategic communication, and the specific demands of working within a large institution like UTMB.

• Note: UTMB Health states, "Actual salary commensurate with experience," meaning the final offer will be highly dependent on the candidate's specific qualifications, interview performance, and demonstrated value.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, crucial for healthcare sector employees.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Typically a 401(a) defined contribution plan or similar, often with institutional matching contributions, supporting long-term financial security.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay, essential for work-life balance.

• Tuition Assistance/Professional Development: Opportunities for further education or professional development, aligning with the academic nature of UTMB, potentially including access to workshops or courses related to design or marketing.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Standard employer-provided insurance benefits.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Resources for personal and work-related challenges.

Working Hours:

• The role is designated as "Regular," implying a standard full-time commitment, likely 40 hours per week.

• While the core hours will be during standard business operations, the need to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines may occasionally require flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on a combination of typical graphic design roles with this experience level in Texas, adjusted for the specialized environment of a large academic medical center. The benefits are standard for a large public institution and are particularly attractive for a regular, full-time position.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare and Higher Education. UTMB Health is a leading academic health sciences center with a significant presence in patient care, medical research, and education. This dual focus means the organization operates with the rigor of a healthcare provider and the academic mission of a university.

Company Size: UTMB is a large institution, employing thousands of individuals across its campuses and facilities. This scale implies a structured environment with established processes and a diverse workforce. For operations professionals, this means opportunities for collaboration across many departments and potential for specialized roles, but also a need to navigate established hierarchies and workflows.

Founded: 1891. With a long history, UTMB has deep roots in Texas and a well-established reputation. This longevity suggests stability and a commitment to its mission, likely reflected in its operational procedures and long-term strategic planning.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a larger Marketing and Communications department, potentially within a dedicated creative services or branding team.

• This team will report up through marketing leadership, with dotted-line collaborations to various university programs, departments, and the Faculty Group Practice.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on creating visuals that support strategic priorities and drive specific outcomes (e.g., patient appointments, research awareness), suggesting a need to understand campaign objectives.

• Brand-Centric Workflows: Design processes are heavily guided by established UTMB brand guidelines to ensure consistency and institutional integrity.

• Project Management Integration: Use of project management tools to manage workflows, deadlines, and inter-departmental communication, reflecting an organized and efficient operational approach.

Company Website: https://www.utmb.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding UTMB's dual nature as a healthcare provider and academic institution is key. The operations role here means navigating complex internal structures, adhering to stringent regulatory and brand standards, and contributing to both patient care outreach and educational/research promotion. The "strategic communication" aspect suggests a need for designers who can think beyond aesthetics and consider the business and educational objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an experienced individual contributor within the creative services function. It requires a solid foundation in graphic design principles and practical experience in applying them to marketing and communication challenges. The focus on "strategic communication" and supporting institutional priorities indicates a step above a purely task-oriented design role, requiring an understanding of how design contributes to organizational goals.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director, Design Manager, or a Marketing Communications Manager. They will collaborate closely with marketing strategists, content writers, and project managers within the broader Marketing and Communications department. Direct interaction with stakeholders from various university programs and departments is also expected, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts UTMB's ability to effectively communicate its mission, attract patients, recruit faculty, and engage with its various audiences. High-quality, on-brand design is crucial for building trust, conveying professionalism, and differentiating UTMB in a competitive academic medical and healthcare landscape. Effective visual communication can drive patient acquisition, support research initiatives, and enhance the institution's overall reputation and brand equity.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to develop deeper expertise in specific areas such as motion graphics, digital design systems, or healthcare branding.

• Senior Designer/Lead Designer: With proven performance and expanded responsibilities, progression to a Senior Graphic Designer or Lead Designer role, overseeing more complex projects or mentoring junior designers.

• Creative Management: Potential advancement into roles like Art Director or Creative Manager, taking on more strategic oversight of creative campaigns and team management.

• Cross-Departmental Mobility: Opportunities to move into related functions within marketing, communications, or even program-specific marketing roles, leveraging design expertise in broader strategic contexts.

• Industry Certifications: Pursuing relevant certifications in design software, project management, or marketing strategy to enhance skills and career prospects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path here suggests moving from execution to strategy and potentially leadership. Candidates should consider how their current skills align with supporting institutional objectives and how they can leverage this role to gain experience in areas like healthcare marketing strategy or advanced digital design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: UTMB is a large academic medical center, so the work environment is likely a professional office setting within a campus or administrative building. This environment is typically structured, with a focus on productivity and adherence to institutional policies.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Galveston, Texas. UTMB has multiple campuses and facilities in Galveston, so the specific office placement would be within one of these. This location offers a coastal setting but requires consideration of commute times within the area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with internal teams, including digital, content, media, and design specialists. Expect shared workspaces or frequent meetings to facilitate communication and project alignment.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and project management tools is expected. The institution likely provides necessary hardware and software licenses.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with designers, marketers, content creators, and project managers, fostering a team-oriented approach to creative development and campaign execution.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is likely Monday through Friday, reflecting a typical 40-hour work week.

• Flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines or accommodate urgent requests, common in marketing and communications roles. However, the "Regular" employment type suggests a primary focus on standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is typical of a large, established institution. Candidates should be prepared for a structured setting where collaboration is key, and adherence to processes is important. The Galveston location is specific and should be considered for logistical reasons.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design rationale, and their role in achieving project objectives. A practical design challenge or exercise may be administered to assess skills in real-time, focusing on applying brand guidelines or solving a specific design problem relevant to UTMB.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (e.g., Creative Director) to delve deeper into experience, technical skills, project management capabilities, and understanding of strategic communication.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential colleagues and key stakeholders from departments the designer would support. This assesses collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and ability to integrate into the team.

• Final Interview/Offer: A final discussion, potentially with higher-level management, followed by a job offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your versatility in both print and digital design, and highlight your ability to adhere to brand standards.

• Showcase Process: For each project, be prepared to articulate the brief, your design process, the challenges you faced, your creative solutions, and the impact of your design. Use visuals to illustrate your thought process (e.g., mood boards, wireframes, early concepts).

• Highlight Brand Adherence: Include examples where you've successfully worked within strict brand guidelines, demonstrating your ability to maintain consistency and integrity for an organization like UTMB.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or outcomes related to your designs (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign results, positive feedback).

• Tailor to UTMB: If possible, include a project that demonstrates an understanding of healthcare or academic institution branding, or create a speculative piece that aligns with UTMB's mission and brand.

Challenge Preparation:

• Brand Guideline Mastery: Thoroughly review UTMB's brand guidelines (if publicly available, otherwise prepare to ask clarifying questions). Practice applying them to various scenarios.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate design challenges that might involve creating collateral for a new clinical service, promoting an academic event, or updating existing patient materials.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks under timed conditions. Be prepared to explain your approach and prioritize elements if time is limited.

• Communication: Clearly articulate your design decisions, rationale, and any assumptions you made during the challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical skills and strategic thinking. Candidates must be prepared to demonstrate their design process, ability to adhere to brand standards, and collaborate effectively. A strong portfolio with case study elements is essential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required, specifically:

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

• Project Management Tool: Experience with tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or similar, for managing design workflows, tracking progress, and collaborating with teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Other Potential Tools:

• Motion Graphics Software: Adobe After Effects (preferred, as it's part of Creative Suite) for creating animations and motion graphics.

• Web Design Tools: Basic knowledge of HTML/CSS, and potentially familiarity with Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress, for creating web-ready graphics or understanding website integration.

• Stock Photo Resources: Proficiency in sourcing and utilizing stock imagery effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with project management tools is essential for operational efficiency. Familiarity with motion graphics and web fundamentals is a strong differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to producing high-quality, polished work that meets and exceeds expectations, reflecting the institutional standards of a leading medical center.

• Collaborative Spirit: A strong emphasis on teamwork and open communication, working harmoniously with diverse teams to achieve shared objectives.

• Strategic Alignment: A focus on ensuring all creative output directly supports the overarching strategic priorities and mission of UTMB Health.

• Efficiency & Accountability: Adherence to project timelines, efficient workflow management, and taking ownership of design projects from conception to completion.

• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to staying current with design trends and technologies, and a willingness to adapt and learn to enhance creative output.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role necessitates seamless collaboration with marketing strategists, content writers, digital specialists, and potentially researchers or clinicians to ensure design effectively serves diverse communication needs.

• Feedback-Driven Process: An open approach to receiving and incorporating feedback from team members and stakeholders, viewing critique as an opportunity for design refinement.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture where best practices in design, branding, and campaign execution are shared among team members to foster collective growth and maintain high standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes professionalism, collaboration, and a results-oriented approach, aligning with the demands of a large healthcare and academic institution. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they embody these values in their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Juggling diverse requests and priorities from various departments and initiatives across UTMB, requiring strong prioritization and communication skills.

• Adhering to Strict Brand Guidelines: Consistently applying complex institutional brand standards across a wide range of materials and media, ensuring uniformity while maintaining creative appeal.

• Meeting Tight Deadlines: Managing a high volume of design projects with often compressed timelines, common in fast-paced marketing environments.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Keeping pace with rapid changes in design software, digital media, and visual communication trends while ensuring work remains relevant and impactful for a large institution.

• Translating Complex Information: Visually communicating complex medical, research, or educational concepts in an accessible and engaging manner for various target audiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite or explore new tools like motion graphics software.

• Healthcare Marketing & Branding Workshops: Access to specialized training focused on the unique aspects of marketing and branding within the healthcare and academic sectors.

• Project Management Skills Enhancement: Developing stronger skills in managing complex projects, timelines, and inter-departmental workflows.

• Exposure to Strategic Planning: Gaining insights into the strategic marketing and communication planning processes of a large institution.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior designers or marketing leaders within UTMB.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a designer in a large, complex organization. The growth opportunities are focused on deepening technical skills, understanding the specific industry context, and developing project management and strategic thinking abilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating a new piece of marketing collateral, from brief to final delivery. How do you ensure it aligns with brand standards and strategic objectives?" (Focus on workflow, brand adherence, and strategic thinking).

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or conflicting feedback from multiple stakeholders on a design project?" (Assess collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about UTMB Health and its mission? How do you see graphic design supporting those areas?" (Show research and alignment with institutional goals).

• "How do you approach working within a large, established organization with defined brand guidelines?" (Demonstrate adaptability and respect for institutional processes).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a mini-case study. Start with the objective, explain your role and process, showcase the solution, and conclude with the results or impact.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation slides are clean, well-designed, and easy to follow, mirroring the quality of your design work. Use high-resolution images.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects efficiently, focusing on the most relevant aspects for this role.

• Interactive Discussion: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your design choices, software proficiency, and problem-solving approaches. Engage in a dialogue rather than just presenting.

• UTMB Relevance: Highlight projects that demonstrate experience in healthcare, education, or complex organizational branding, or explain how your skills are transferable.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill, but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and an ability to operate effectively within a large institutional framework. The portfolio presentation is a critical opportunity to showcase these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Taleo career portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your design portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating strong brand adherence, print and digital versatility, and strategic communication. Prioritize examples that align with healthcare, education, or institutional branding.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, project management skills, and any experience in complex organizational environments. Use keywords from the job description like "strategic communication," "branding," and "collateral development."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss how you handle feedback and collaborate with teams. Research UTMB's mission and values.

• Company Research: Gain a thorough understanding of UTMB Health's services, mission areas (patient care, research, education, innovation), and target audiences. Consider how your design skills can best support these objectives.

⚠️ 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.