Assistant Director, Graphic Design

The Assistant Director of Graphic Design is responsible for refreshing and maintaining the brand and style elements for the University of Houston-Downtown. The Assistant Director develops UHD brand standards, produces marketing materials, and ensures design consistency across projects. The Assistant Director collaborates with the Senior Graphic Designer to oversee branding and monitor adherence to design guidelines. This role reports to the Assistant Vice President of University Relations.

• Creates and develops UHD brand standards by effectively communicating design best practices.
• Maintains the university's aesthetic branding and mission through design.
• Supports UHD marketing and communications by producing high-quality marketing materials for both internal and external print and digital campaigns.
• Monitors graphic design work across university departments to ensure adherence to design principles and branding guidelines.
• Designs, develops, and delivers graphics, visual text, and imagery for institutional branding, as well as for program, event, and executive marketing, across both digital and print media.
• Provides clients with a range of creative concepts, selecting colors, images, text styles, and layouts that align with brand standards
• Meets time-sensitive requests through effective communication, time management, follow-through, and high-quality design.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues.
• Maintains flexibility, strong organizational skills, and a deep understanding of the brand.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Direct Reports:

• None

Delegation of Work:

• N/A

Supervision Given:

• N/A

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, fine arts, or a related field

Required Experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in brand management, advertising, graphic design, or related design- based field.

License/Certification:

• None required

• An understanding of marketing in Higher Education

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of best practices for producing a wide variety of media assets, including resolution and ratios;
• Knowledge of
• all pertinent computer applications relating to design production, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign) and Microsoft Office (in particular PowerPoint).

Skills:

• Strong customer service and organizational skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively with other teams and staff throughout the University
• Ability to stay up to date with the latest design trends and best practices
• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to manage a diverse workload with multiple competing priorities and stakeholder needs.
• Ability to follow through on tasks and follow guidance and direction.

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical, comfortable interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements; individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks.

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Writing Proficiency

• Demonstrates the ability to express information clearly and concisely in writing.
• Formulates and writes information to effectively communicate messages, ideas, and/or concepts for the intended recipient or audience.
• Uses appropriate words and tone, and correct grammar.

Project Management

• Manages project stages from proposal to completion ensuring project objectives are met within project budget and projected time frames.
• Clearly defines roles and responsibilities of project team; ascertains and secures necessary resources; and monitors project performance.

• Keeps management apprised of project status.

Supervision

• Supervises the work of staff employees.
• Sets clear goals and expectations within reasonable timeframes.
• Motivates staff through constructive feedback, challenging assignments, and recognition of achievements.
• Provides mentorship and guidance by sharing expertise and best practices.
• Supports staff by providing essential resources, professional development opportunities, and open communication.
• Promptly addresses performance issues with appropriate measures and discretion.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.