Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer

Company: Trinity Western University

Location: Langley Township, BC, CA

Job Type: Staff: Full Time- no fixed term

Category: Marketing & Communications Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-13

Experience Level: 3-5 Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in translating strategic marketing and communication objectives into compelling visual narratives across all institutional platforms.

• The Visual Designer will be responsible for the end-to-end creation of high-impact design assets, ensuring brand integrity and alignment with university-wide priorities, including enrollment and advancement initiatives.

• This position requires a strong understanding of design systems, brand stewardship, and the ability to manage a pipeline of design projects from concept to final delivery.

• The role emphasizes a collaborative approach, working closely with cross-functional teams to produce design work that effectively communicates the University's mission and values.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled 'Visual Designer,' has significant operational components related to brand management, asset production workflows, and cross-departmental project coordination. It requires a blend of creative talent and process-oriented execution, common in marketing operations or creative operations functions within larger organizations. The focus on "advancing the mission and vision" and supporting "enrolment, advancement, communications, events, and institutional priorities" highlights its strategic GTM (Go-To-Market) alignment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality visual design work for integrated marketing and communications projects across both digital and print channels, ensuring brand consistency and adherence to university guidelines.

• Translate creative briefs and strategic direction into effective design solutions that meet project goals, resonate with target audiences, and uphold the University's brand promise.

• Develop a wide range of campaign assets, publications, presentations, signage, event collateral, web graphics, email templates, social media visuals, and other visual materials as assigned by the Creative Lead.

• Adapt and execute campaign concepts across multiple formats and platforms, maintaining a cohesive brand identity, clarity, and consistent quality throughout all deliverables.

• Apply sound design principles in typography, layout, visual hierarchy, image selection, accessibility standards, and visual storytelling to create engaging and impactful designs.

• Support the development and maintenance of reusable design templates, style guides, and production-ready assets that enhance brand consistency and operational efficiency within the marketing team.

• Identify potential brand application issues and proactively recommend practical improvements and solutions to the Creative Lead, contributing to ongoing brand stewardship.

• Prepare and package design files accurately for various outputs, including print production, digital delivery, vendor handoffs, and archival storage, ensuring all technical specifications are met.

• Coordinate design project timelines and workflows with the Creative Lead, project managers, and other Marketing Services team members to ensure timely delivery and alignment with institutional priorities.

• Work collaboratively with writers, marketers, communicators, project leads, and external vendors to ensure design outputs are aligned with overall campaign objectives and messaging.

• Maintain organized working files, final design assets, and comprehensive design archives within systems like SharePoint, ensuring easy access and retrieval for the team.

• Provide practical guidance and support to student designers or freelancers on assigned projects, including file preparation, brand application, and production details, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

• Communicate effectively regarding project timelines, team capacity, project status, and any design-related considerations or challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for robust project management and workflow optimization skills, especially concerning file management (SharePoint) and vendor coordination. The emphasis on "reusable templates, design systems, and production-ready assets" points towards an operational focus on scalability and efficiency within the creative process.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree or diploma in graphic design, visual communication, communications, fine arts, or a closely related field is preferred. Equivalent professional experience combined with a strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional design craft and practical application will be considered.

Experience:

• 3 to 5 years of professional experience in graphic or visual design.

• Experience designing for integrated marketing campaigns, publications, digital channels, event collateral, or institutional communications is highly desirable.

• Prior experience within the post-secondary education sector, non-profit organizations, agency environments, or in-house marketing departments is considered an asset.

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing strong design fundamentals, consistent brand application, and practical production capabilities is essential. Required Skills:

• Proficient in core graphic design principles, including typography, layout, visual hierarchy, image manipulation, and production design techniques.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat.

• Demonstrated experience preparing design files for diverse outputs such as print, web, email marketing, and social media platforms.

• Ability to interpret creative briefs, ask clarifying questions, and develop thoughtful, solution-oriented design concepts.

• Exceptional attention to detail, encompassing proofreading accuracy, file integrity, brand compliance, and production readiness.

• Strong organizational skills, reliability, and the capacity to manage multiple projects concurrently while meeting established deadlines.

• Openness to constructive feedback, a collaborative work style, and a commitment to continuous creative development and skill enhancement.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with collaborative design tools such as Canva, MediaValet, or Marq.

• Experience in developing and maintaining design systems or style guides.

• Understanding of accessibility standards in visual design for digital and print.

• Prior experience in higher education marketing or communications.

• Basic understanding of project management principles for creative workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating "practical production ability" and experience with "preparing files for print, digital, web, email, and social media environments" strongly suggests the need for candidates who understand the operational aspects of design delivery, not just aesthetic creation. This includes file optimization, format adherence, and vendor-ready asset preparation, which are critical in a marketing operations context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects demonstrating a range of design applications (e.g., campaign collateral, publication design, digital assets).

• For each project, clearly articulate the design brief, your role, the design process, and the final outcome, highlighting how your design addressed specific project objectives.

• Include examples that specifically demonstrate your ability to maintain brand consistency across different mediums and formats.

• Provide examples of production-ready files or discuss your process for preparing assets for print vendors and digital platforms.

• Highlight any projects where you contributed to or utilized design systems, templates, or reusable assets. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal workflow for managing design projects from brief to final delivery, including how you organize files and collaborate with stakeholders.

• Be ready to explain your process for incorporating feedback from multiple sources (e.g., Creative Lead, project managers) and managing revisions effectively.

• Detail your approach to file preparation and handoff for different types of vendors (e.g., printers, web developers), including considerations for bleed, resolution, color modes, and digital optimization.

• Discuss how you ensure brand consistency and adherence to institutional guidelines throughout the design process for each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio demonstrating strong design craft, brand consistency, and practical production ability," coupled with the need to discuss "workflow for managing design projects" and "file preparation and handoff for different types of vendors," indicates that candidates are expected to present not just creative work but also evidence of robust process management and operational execution within their design practice.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated annual salary for this Visual Designer position at Trinity Western University is between $58,000 and $62,000 CAD. This range is based on the provided salary information and reflects the typical compensation for a Visual Designer with 3-5 years of experience in the Langley Township, BC, Canada region, considering the non-profit/education sector.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package including extended health, dental, and insurance coverage.

• RRSP matching program to support long-term financial planning.

• Generous paid time off, including 14 annual statutory holidays and substantial vacation accrual.

• Tuition benefits for TWU undergraduate and graduate courses, fostering continuous professional development.

• Torch tuition scholarship for dependents attending TWU, supporting family education.

• Free access to TWU's fitness/gym facilities and the Norma Marion Alloway Library for personal well-being and research.

• Subsidized meals at the main cafeteria, offering convenient and affordable dining options.

• Discounts and perks at on-site retail locations (Trinity Western Outfitters) and local businesses.

• Wellness benefits, including counselling services, sick days, personal days, and a health/wellness spending account.

• Free recreational equipment rentals (e.g., paddle boards, snowshoes, kayaks) for personal enjoyment.

• Complimentary employee parking on campus.

• Participation in special community events throughout the year, fostering a sense of belonging.

• Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) providing confidential support services.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically requiring 40 hours per week. The role is on-site, with standard working hours expected to align with university operational needs and team collaboration schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly derived from the provided data. The benefits listed are comprehensive and tailored to a university environment, emphasizing professional development, wellness, and community engagement, which are attractive aspects for operations professionals seeking a stable and supportive work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Post-Secondary) - Trinity Western University operates within the dynamic and mission-driven higher education sector, focusing on developing Christian leaders. This context implies a culture that values community, faith, academic excellence, and service.

Company Size: Trinity Western University is a medium-to-large institution, employing a significant number of staff and faculty to support its academic programs, student services, and administrative functions. This size suggests a structured environment with established processes and opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration.

Founded: Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University has a long-standing history of providing Christian higher education. This history indicates a stable organization with established traditions, values, and a commitment to its foundational mission.

Team Structure:

• The Visual Designer will be part of the Marketing Services team, likely a division within the broader Marketing and Communications department. This team is expected to be composed of specialists in various marketing and communication disciplines, including writers, digital marketers, and potentially other designers.

• The role reports directly to the Creative Lead, indicating a clear reporting structure within the creative function of the department.

• Collaboration is a key aspect, with expected interactions across various university departments such as Enrolment, Advancement, Strategic Communications, and academic units, highlighting a matrixed operational environment. Methodology:

• The team likely employs a project-based workflow, managing numerous initiatives concurrently that support different university priorities.

• A data-informed approach to marketing and communications is probable, with design decisions influenced by campaign performance metrics and strategic goals.

• Emphasis is placed on brand consistency and stewardship, suggesting adherence to established brand guidelines and an operational framework for maintaining brand integrity across all outputs.

• Workflow optimization and efficiency are likely important, given the need to produce a high volume of diverse design assets within a university setting.

Company Website: https://www.twu.ca/

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the company culture and industry provides essential context for operations professionals. Understanding the mission-driven nature of a university, the established history, and the collaborative yet structured environment helps in gauging the operational pace, decision-making processes, and the importance of aligning work with institutional values.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level specialist within the creative operations function. It requires independent execution of design tasks, adherence to established brand and production workflows, and the ability to manage multiple projects. While not a management role, it involves supporting junior designers and collaborating with various stakeholders, providing a foundation for future leadership in creative or marketing operations.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer reports to the Creative Lead. This structure suggests that strategic creative direction and final approvals will come from the Creative Lead, while day-to-day project coordination and execution will be managed by the designer, potentially with input from project managers or department heads.

Operations Impact: The Visual Designer's work directly impacts Trinity Western University's external perception and internal communication effectiveness. High-quality, brand-consistent visuals are crucial for attracting prospective students (enrollment), engaging alumni and donors (advancement), communicating institutional news, and enhancing the overall campus experience. The role's operational efficiency in asset production also contributes to smoother campaign rollouts and resource optimization.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., motion graphics, UI/UX design for digital platforms) or gain proficiency in advanced design systems and production techniques.

• Project Leadership: Potential to take on lead design responsibilities for larger or more complex campaigns, requiring greater strategic input and coordination.

• Mentorship: The chance to mentor student designers or junior team members, developing leadership and training skills.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining broader understanding of marketing strategy, communications planning, and enrollment/advancement processes through close collaboration with these departments.

• Internal Mobility: Potential to move into roles with more strategic oversight within the Marketing Services department or related operations functions within the university.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis provides candidates with a clear understanding of the role's place within the organizational structure and its potential for professional development. The focus on "operations impact" and "growth opportunities" is tailored to professionals looking for roles that offer not just creative work but also strategic contribution and career advancement within an operational framework.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based on-site at Trinity Western University's campus in Langley Township, BC. The work environment is likely a professional office setting within the Marketing Services department, designed to facilitate collaboration and focused design work.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Trinity Western University's main campus in Langley Township, British Columbia. This location offers access to university facilities and a dedicated campus community.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be equipped with standard office amenities and professional design software and hardware necessary for high-quality visual design production.

• Collaboration is encouraged, with opportunities for face-to-face interaction with the Creative Lead, Marketing Services team members, and other campus partners.

• The environment likely supports focused work for design tasks while also providing avenues for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and feedback discussions.

• Access to university resources like the library and fitness facilities contributes to a positive and supportive work-life balance.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time, on-site position. While specific daily hours may vary slightly based on team needs, the role is expected to align with general university operational hours, allowing for consistent collaboration and project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Describing the work environment as "on-site" and within a "professional office setting" within a university campus provides clarity. Highlighting the expected workspace context, including tools and collaborative opportunities, helps candidates visualize their daily work experience and assess fit.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of applications and portfolios to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: Candidates may be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design processes, and how they approach brand stewardship and production. This stage will likely include behavioral and technical questions related to design craft, software proficiency, and problem-solving.

• Team/Departmental Interview: An opportunity to meet with the Creative Lead and potentially other members of the Marketing Services team or key stakeholders. This interview will focus on assessing cultural fit, collaboration style, and understanding of the university's mission.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level manager or department head to confirm suitability and discuss final terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase a range of skills and problem-solving abilities. Prioritize work that demonstrates brand consistency, effective communication, and practical production.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your process, your specific contributions, and the successful outcome. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Operational Aspects: Be prepared to discuss your workflow, file management practices, how you handle feedback and revisions, and your experience preparing files for print and digital vendors. This demonstrates your understanding of the "operations" side of design.

• Showcase Brand Stewardship: Include examples where you've successfully applied or adapted brand guidelines, demonstrating your commitment to institutional identity.

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and any other relevant tools mentioned in the job description.

Challenge Preparation:

• Candidates might be given a small design challenge or a hypothetical scenario to assess their problem-solving skills and design thinking under a time constraint.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, explaining the rationale behind your choices, especially in relation to project goals and brand guidelines.

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a new brand or project with limited initial information, demonstrating your ability to seek clarity and develop strategic design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for operations roles, emphasizing the need for candidates to present not just creative output but also evidence of process, efficiency, and strategic thinking in their portfolios and interviews. The advice is tailored to showcase the operational capabilities alongside design talent.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop for creating and manipulating visual assets.

• Adobe Acrobat: For preparing and reviewing print-ready files, managing PDFs, and ensuring document integrity.

• SharePoint: Expected to be used for file management, asset archival, and team collaboration on project files.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this design role, familiarity with how design impacts web analytics (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads, engagement on social media) would be beneficial. Understanding how to design for user experience (UX) on web platforms is also a plus. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are specified as required for this role, but an understanding of how design assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms or integrated into CRM-driven campaigns could be advantageous. Other Potential Tools:

• Canva: Mentioned as a preferred skill, indicating potential use for faster, template-driven design tasks or collaborative efforts.

• MediaValet, Marq: Also listed as preferred, suggesting these might be DAM (Digital Asset Management) or content marketing platforms used within the university.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section clearly outlines the expected technical proficiency in design software, which is fundamental. Highlighting SharePoint for asset management and mentioning potential collaborative tools like Canva provides context for the operational technology environment. It's important for candidates to be comfortable with these tools for efficient workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven Service: A core value is to serve the Trinity Western University community and contribute to its mission of developing godly Christian leaders. This means design work should align with and support these overarching institutional goals.

• Integrity and Character: Emphasis on strength of character, reputation, and integrity in all professional dealings. This translates to reliability, honesty, and ethical conduct in design work and team interactions.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working constructively with writers, marketers, and other departments, valuing diverse perspectives and collective problem-solving.

• Efficiency and Quality: While not explicitly stated as "operations values," the need for "high-quality design assets," "brand consistency," and "production-ready files" implies a commitment to operational excellence and delivering polished, effective results.

• Faith and Community: A commitment to an evangelical Christian identity, requiring employees to affirm and support the university's Statement of Faith and Community Covenant, fostering a supportive and faith-integrated workplace.

Collaboration Style:

• Constructive and Respectful: Interactions are expected to be professional, respectful, and geared towards achieving common goals, fostering a positive team dynamic.

• Proactive Communication: Open communication about timelines, capacity, and project status is encouraged to ensure smooth workflow and manage expectations effectively.

• Feedback-Oriented: A willingness to both give and receive constructive feedback is essential for creative growth and continuous improvement of design outputs and processes.

• Servant Leadership: Embracing a servant-leadership approach means prioritizing the needs of the team, colleagues, and the university's mission in all interactions and work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the deep integration of faith and values within a university's culture is critical for operations professionals. This section helps candidates assess if their personal values align with TWU's, which is crucial for long-term success and integration within the team and organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Guidelines: Effectively translating creative ideas into designs that strictly adhere to institutional brand standards and legal requirements can be a constant balance.

• Managing Competing Priorities: Juggling multiple design requests from various departments with differing deadlines and strategic importance requires strong prioritization and time management skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Digital Platforms: Keeping up with design trends and technical specifications for new or evolving digital channels (social media, web, email) to ensure assets are optimized and effective.

• Ensuring Accessibility: Designing for inclusivity and ensuring all visual materials meet accessibility standards for diverse audiences, particularly in digital formats.

• Maintaining Consistency Across a Large Institution: Upholding brand integrity across a wide array of materials and departments requires vigilance and robust process adherence.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite or explore new design software and technologies.

• Brand Strategy Workshops: Gaining a deeper understanding of brand management and how design contributes to broader institutional marketing strategies.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Working with enrollment, advancement, and communications teams offers exposure to different strategic functions and how design supports their objectives.

• Mentorship: The chance to be mentored by the Creative Lead or to mentor student designers, fostering leadership and teaching skills.

• Industry Trends: Staying current with design best practices, higher education marketing trends, and visual communication strategies through professional development resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges and outlining growth opportunities provides a realistic perspective on the role. For operations professionals, understanding these aspects is key to assessing their preparedness and potential trajectory within the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach translating a complex creative brief into a visual design concept, especially when dealing with institutional messaging or sensitive topics?" (Focus on process, questioning, and strategic alignment.)

• "Describe a time you had to manage conflicting feedback from multiple stakeholders on a design project. How did you resolve it while maintaining project integrity and brand standards?" (Focus on conflict resolution, stakeholder management, and process adherence.)

• "How do you ensure your design work is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functionally effective and accessible across various platforms (print, web, social media)?" (Focus on operational considerations, technical requirements, and user-centric design.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How does your personal design philosophy align with Trinity Western University's mission to develop godly Christian leaders?" (Focus on cultural fit and value alignment.)

• "Describe your experience working within a team environment, particularly in a collaborative setting like a university marketing department. What is your preferred communication style?" (Focus on teamwork, communication, and collaboration.)

• "How do you measure the success of your design work beyond aesthetic appeal? What metrics or indicators do you consider?" (Focus on impact, ROI, and data-driven approaches to design effectiveness.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with an overview of your design philosophy and approach. Then, present 3-5 key projects, dedicating sufficient time to each.

• Highlight Process and Operations: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the steps you took (including research, concept development, revisions), and the final output. Emphasize how you managed workflows, prepared files, and ensured brand consistency.

• Quantify Success: Where possible, discuss the impact of your designs. Did they increase engagement, drive inquiries, or effectively communicate a message? Use any available metrics or qualitative feedback.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, software techniques, and your problem-solving process.

• Engage and Ask Questions: Show genuine interest in the university's mission and the team's work. Prepare thoughtful questions about the department's goals, current projects, and team dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for interview preparation, focusing on how operations-minded candidates can best present themselves. The suggested questions and portfolio tips are designed to elicit responses that demonstrate not just creative skill but also operational thinking, process adherence, and strategic contribution.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Designer position:

• Submit your comprehensive application through the provided ADP recruitment portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating strong brand stewardship, practical production skills (file preparation, vendor readiness), and experience with integrated campaigns, especially if you have experience in higher education or non-profit sectors.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3-5 years of professional design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with design systems or collaborative tools. Use keywords from the job description like "visual design execution," "brand stewardship," and "production design."

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your design process, workflow management, and how you handle feedback and revisions. Prepare to present your portfolio, focusing on the operational aspects of your design work and its alignment with institutional goals.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Trinity Western University's mission, values, and recent marketing initiatives. Understand their Statement of Faith and Community Covenant to demonstrate cultural alignment and a genuine interest in their unique environment.

⚠️ 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.