Visual Content Designer (Student)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Content Designer (Student) Company: American University Location: Main Campus (Washington, DC) Job Type: Part-Time Category: Marketing / Creative / Education Operations Date Posted: January 08, 2026 Experience Level: Entry-level (Student Position) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on creating engaging visual content and digital assets to enhance the School of International Service's (SIS) online presence, primarily for social media platforms.
• It involves hands-on experience in graphic design, branding, and digital storytelling, contributing directly to the university's marketing and communication efforts.
• The position offers a unique opportunity for enrolled American University graduate students to develop professional skills within a university setting.
• Key responsibilities include developing visual content that highlights SIS programs, student life, and faculty research, ensuring brand consistency across digital channels, and collaborating with the Communications & Marketing team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is not a traditional "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations" position, it requires operational skills in content management, brand consistency, and digital asset creation, which are foundational for many GTM (Go-To-Market) operations functions. The emphasis on visual communication, brand adherence, and audience engagement is crucial for supporting marketing operations and broader GTM strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce compelling graphics and visual content for social media platforms (e.g., Instagram) to promote SIS programs, events, student experiences, and faculty research.
• Develop and maintain a consistent visual identity and design system for SIS social media channels, ensuring brand alignment and audience recognition.
• Capture and edit photos and short-form video content to complement graphic design work and enhance digital storytelling.
• Brainstorm and pitch creative content ideas in collaboration with the Communications & Marketing team, contributing to the overall content strategy and calendar.
• Stay abreast of current social media trends, platform best practices, and emerging content formats to ensure content remains fresh, engaging, and relevant.
• Assist in conceptualizing and executing creative ways to showcase the unique aspects of SIS, including student perspectives, research breakthroughs, and community engagement initiatives.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality visual assets.
• Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders to understand content needs and translate them into impactful visual communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong need for operational excellence in content production and brand management. For a student role, this implies a structured approach to workflow, asset management, and adherence to brand guidelines, similar to how operations professionals manage process documentation and system integrity.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Must possess a Bachelor's degree.
• Must be a current enrolled graduate student at American University.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in visual content creation and graphic design.
• Experience working within a university or similar institutional environment is preferred.
• Previous experience in a campus office at American University is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in graphic design software, including but not limited to Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and/or Canva.
• Excellent visual design skills with a keen eye for aesthetics, layout, and typography.
• Ability to create engaging content tailored for various social media platforms.
• Strong understanding of branding principles and the ability to maintain brand consistency.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work constructively within a team.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities to develop innovative content ideas.
• Basic photography and videography skills, including editing capabilities for short-form content.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience working in a university marketing or communications department.
• Familiarity with social media management tools and analytics platforms.
• Experience with video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro).
• A Federal Work Study award that is not currently utilized.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a student position, the emphasis on graphic design tools, branding, and content strategy aligns with foundational skills required in marketing operations and GTM roles, particularly in areas like campaign asset creation and brand governance. Proficiency in tools like Adobe Creative Suite is a common requirement for operations roles that involve data visualization or presentation design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design projects, demonstrating proficiency in visual content creation across different mediums.
• Examples of social media graphics, digital advertisements, or campaign materials that highlight engagement and brand consistency.
• Projects that illustrate an understanding of brand guidelines and how to apply them effectively to various design outputs.
• Any examples of template design or system development for repeatable content creation would be beneficial.

Process Documentation:

• While formal process documentation is not expected at this student level, an understanding of workflow management for design projects is advantageous.
• Ability to follow established brand guidelines and content creation processes provided by the Communications & Marketing team.
• Demonstrating an organized approach to project management and asset delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this student role, the "portfolio" serves as the primary indicator of operational capability in design execution. It's analogous to how operations professionals might be asked to present case studies or project examples demonstrating their ability to implement and manage processes or systems effectively. The emphasis is on demonstrating practical skills and an organized approach to creative production.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $18.50 - $22.00 per hour (commensurate with experience).

Benefits:

• Opportunity to gain valuable professional experience in graphic design, marketing, and communications within a reputable university setting.
• Develop a professional portfolio with real-world projects, enhancing future career prospects.
• Networking opportunities with faculty, staff, and fellow students within the School of International Service and American University.
• Gain practical skills in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, social media management, and digital storytelling.
• Contribution to university community and the opportunity to showcase student life and academic achievements.
• Potential for flexible scheduling around academic commitments.

Working Hours:

• Part-time: 5 - 10 hours per week.
• Must be available to work in person Monday - Thursday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a student part-time role in Washington D.C. The benefits are heavily focused on professional development and skill acquisition, which are critical for early-career operations professionals looking to build their resumes and expertise.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (specifically, International Affairs and Public Policy) Company Size: American University is a large institution with thousands of employees and tens of thousands of students. The School of International Service (SIS) is a significant academic unit within the university. Founded: American University was founded in 1893.

Team Structure:

• This role is within the School of International Service's Communications & Marketing team.
• The team likely consists of marketing professionals, communication specialists, and potentially other student staff.
• The Visual Content Designer will report to a supervisor within this team, who will provide guidance and oversight.
• Collaboration will extend to faculty, students, and other departments within SIS to gather content and ensure alignment with institutional goals.

Methodology:

• The Communications & Marketing team likely employs data-informed strategies for content planning, utilizing social media analytics and engagement metrics to guide content creation.
• Emphasis on storytelling to connect with diverse audiences, including prospective students, alumni, faculty, and the broader public.
• Adherence to university branding guidelines and strategic communication plans.
• A collaborative approach to content ideation and development, encouraging input from various stakeholders.

Company Website: www.american.edu

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within a large educational institution like American University offers a stable environment with structured processes. For operations roles, this typically means understanding established protocols, compliance requirements, and a hierarchical reporting structure, which are all relevant to how GTM operations function within large enterprises.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-Level Student Position / Foundational Skill Development Reporting Structure: Reports to the Communications & Marketing team within the School of International Service. This provides direct mentorship from experienced professionals. Operations Impact: While not directly tied to revenue, this role significantly impacts brand perception, student engagement, and the dissemination of academic achievements. Strong visual content is crucial for attracting prospective students and enhancing the university's reputation, indirectly supporting enrollment and fundraising efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, social media strategy, and digital storytelling.
• Portfolio Building: Create a robust portfolio of professional design work that can be leveraged for future internships or full-time roles in marketing, design, or operations.
• Networking: Build connections with professionals in higher education marketing and communications, potentially leading to future opportunities within the university or elsewhere.
• Industry Exposure: Gain insights into the operational aspects of university communications and marketing, understanding how content strategy supports broader institutional goals.
• Potential for Future Roles: Successful performance could lead to recommendations for other student positions or internships within American University.

📝 Enhancement Note: This student role serves as an excellent entry point for developing core operational competencies in digital asset management, brand consistency, and campaign support. These skills are transferable to many GTM and RevOps roles that require structured content creation and adherence to established frameworks.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role within American University's Main Campus in Washington, DC. Office Location(s): Specific office location will be within the School of International Service building on the Main Campus. Workspace Context:

• The role will involve working within the Communications & Marketing team's office space, likely offering a collaborative environment.
• Access to necessary design software and university IT resources will be provided.
• Opportunities for interaction with team members and other university staff to gather information and collaborate on projects.
• The environment is academic, professional, and geared towards supporting the university's mission.

Work Schedule:

• Part-time, 5-10 hours per week.
• Specific in-person availability required Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. This allows for flexibility around academic schedules while ensuring consistent availability for team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role within a university setting often means structured office hours and a collaborative team dynamic. This mirrors many operations roles that benefit from in-person collaboration, team meetings, and direct access to resources and colleagues for problem-solving and process alignment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Screening of resumes and portfolios to assess qualifications and design capabilities.
• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing their design process, creative choices, and how their work aligns with the role's objectives.
• Skills Assessment: A potential practical exercise or discussion about design challenges to gauge problem-solving skills and proficiency with design tools.
• Behavioral/Situational Questions: Questions focusing on collaboration, time management, creativity, and ability to work within brand guidelines.
• Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion to assess how well the candidate would integrate with the Communications & Marketing team and the university environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Pieces: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate your skills in graphic design, social media content, and branding.
• Highlight Process: For each project, be prepared to discuss your design process, the problem you were trying to solve, your creative decisions, and the outcome.
• Emphasize Relevance: Tailor your portfolio to highlight work that aligns with the university's visual style and the needs of a marketing/communications team.
• Showcase Versatility: Include a mix of static graphics, potentially some motion graphics or video edits if applicable, and examples of brand application.
• Explain Impact: If possible, discuss any metrics or engagement you observed from your designs, demonstrating an understanding of content effectiveness.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach creating content for specific SIS initiatives (e.g., a new program launch, a faculty research spotlight).
• Familiarize yourself with American University's and the School of International Service's branding guidelines and social media presence.
• Think about how you stay updated on design trends and social media best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio presentation and process explanation is a direct parallel to how operations roles often require candidates to demonstrate their past work through case studies, project examples, or system implementation blueprints. The focus on understanding brand guidelines and strategic communication echoes the importance of adhering to operational frameworks and company-wide strategies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Graphic Design Software: Strong proficiency required in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign). Experience with Canva is also highly valued for quick template creation and broader accessibility.
• Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with university-specific CMS or website content management platforms might be beneficial, though not explicitly required.
• Social Media Platforms: In-depth understanding of Instagram, and potentially other platforms like Facebook, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, for content deployment and trend analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Social Media Analytics: Ability to interpret basic analytics from platforms like Instagram Insights to understand content performance and audience engagement.
• Data Visualization: While not a primary focus, an understanding of how to present data visually within graphics can be an asset.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, as it is a creative and marketing-focused position rather than a direct operations or CRM management role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Canva are key technical requirements, akin to how operations roles require expertise in CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot), BI tools (Tableau, Power BI), or automation platforms (Zapier, Make). The ability to interpret analytics and present data visually is also a common thread across operations disciplines.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging fresh ideas and novel approaches to visual communication.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with team members, faculty, and students to achieve shared goals.
• Brand Stewardship: Upholding and enhancing the visual identity and reputation of SIS and American University.
• Accuracy & Detail: Ensuring designs are polished, error-free, and adhere to brand standards.
• Efficiency: Managing time effectively to meet project deadlines and contribute consistently.

Collaboration Style:

• The team likely adopts a cooperative approach, with open communication channels for brainstorming and feedback.
• Cross-functional collaboration will involve working with various departments and individuals within SIS to gather requirements and ensure content resonates with different audiences.
• A culture of constructive feedback is expected to foster continuous improvement in design quality and content strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize creativity, collaboration, and attention to detail, which are crucial for any operations team aiming for high performance and consistent output. Understanding and contributing to these values is key for integrating into the team and supporting the university's mission through effective communication.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Academics and Work: Managing the demands of graduate studies alongside a part-time role requires strong time management and organizational skills.
• Meeting Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Catering to the varied content requirements from different departments, faculty, and student groups within SIS.
• Staying Current with Trends: Continuously adapting design styles and content strategies to keep pace with rapidly evolving social media landscapes.
• Adhering to Brand Guidelines: Ensuring all creative output strictly aligns with American University and SIS branding, which can sometimes limit creative freedom.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to become a go-to expert for visual content within the SIS Communications team.
• Industry Exposure: Gain practical experience in higher education marketing and communications, a distinct operational sector.
• Mentorship: Receive guidance from experienced marketing and communications professionals, learning best practices in design, strategy, and execution.
• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a strong foundation for future career opportunities in design, marketing, or related operational fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in operations roles, particularly around balancing competing priorities, stakeholder management, and adapting to change. The learning opportunities focus on skill acquisition and practical application, which are fundamental for career progression in any operational discipline.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach creating a series of Instagram posts to promote an upcoming SIS speaker event?" (Assesses content strategy and platform understanding)
• "Describe a time you had to adapt your design to meet specific brand guidelines. What was your process?" (Evaluates adherence to standards and problem-solving)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest graphic design trends and social media content formats?" (Gauges proactivity and industry awareness)
• "Imagine we need to visually represent complex faculty research for a general audience. What methods would you use?" (Tests creative problem-solving and communication skills)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the School of International Service at American University?" (Assesses motivation and cultural fit)
• "How do you see your design skills contributing to the SIS mission and community?" (Connects personal skills to institutional goals)
• "Describe your experience working collaboratively within a team environment." (Evaluates teamwork and communication style)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with an overview of your design philosophy and then walk through selected projects chronologically or thematically.
• Focus on Impact: For each project, articulate the objective, your role, the design process, the tools used, and the outcome or impact.
• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your creative choices, challenges faced, and how you handle feedback.
• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Briefly mention the software you used and any advanced techniques employed.
• Showcase Brand Awareness: If you have examples of branding work or adapting to existing brand guides, highlight these.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice emphasizes strategic thinking, problem-solving, and demonstrating practical skills through portfolio examples. This is directly transferable to preparing for operations interviews, where articulating strategy, process, and impact through quantifiable results is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Content Designer (Student) position at American University:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the online application through the provided Workday link.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a strong portfolio showcasing your best graphic design and visual content creation work, tailored to highlight social media and branding skills relevant to a university marketing context.
• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your educational background, relevant design tool proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva), any prior experience, and your current student status at American University.
• Practice Your Presentation: Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulate your design process, and answer questions about your creative approach and collaboration style.
• Research SIS: Familiarize yourself with the School of International Service's mission, programs, current social media presence, and recent campaigns to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their communication needs.

⚠️ 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.