PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST, SENIOR-GRAPHIC DESIGN, DUKE ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT (AED)

Occupational Summary:

As a member of the creative team, the graphic designer will conceptualize, strategize, and design for the print and digital marketing and communications needs of Duke Alumni Engagement and Development, whose constituency includes more than 200,000 alumni, donors, parents and friends of the university. This position works in close collaboration with colleagues within the Marketing, Communications, and Stewardship team to bring marketing and digital strategies to life visually.

Reporting to the Sr. Designer in Marketing, Communications, and Stewardship, the graphic designer will support Duke Alumni Engagement and Development’s activities, programs, major initiatives and projects as a part of a highly integrated, cross-functional team. Most of the creative design work is for online platforms—including digital ads and graphics, animated graphics, fundraising campaigns, emails, event invitations, reports, website elements and social media. A strong background in digital design is preferred.

Responsibilities:

Design

• Design digital and print assets to support the goals of Duke Alumni Engagement and Development programs and initiatives in partnership with designers, marketing strategists, writers, video producers, and digital team members.

• Act as a brand ambassador, ensuring consistency of style across the organization. Elevate and expand a digital assets library to empower Duke partners to keep their communications on brand.

• Work with the Sr. Designer and Executive Director of the Creative Team to assess short-term and long-term digital design strategies and goals that will enable Duke Alumni Engagement and Development to meet its overall mission to provide an excellent public presence online and in print.

• Collaborate with Duke partners to assess their needs, elevate their projects and provide on-brand design. This role requires good listening skills and the ability to represent the department as a brand ambassador.

• Utilize contemporary practices, trends and technologies in layout, design and production of text and graphics for both online and print.

Administrative

• Keep abreast of current digital design technologies and platforms to determine which practices and purchases are most appropriate for the department.

• Utilize project tracking software (Asana) to manage task lists, maintain transparency with colleagues, and meet project expectations as outlined by a project manager and partners. 

• Maintain awareness and commitment to accessibility guidelines.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field or equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
   
• Two or more years of directly related design experience, with considerable knowledge of design platforms or related experience.

• Superb design aesthetic.

• Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and Powerpoint

• Experience with animated graphics, multimedia, AI technologies and upcoming digital design platforms is a plus.
   
• Experience with Project Management software (Asana preferred)
   
• Familiarity with the latest trends, technologies, and methodologies in graphic design, web design, video production, social media, etc
   

• Online design portfolio preferred
   

Behavioral Competencies:
 

• Team player with an excellent ability to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment
   
• Ability to think strategically and develop creative solutions through design and ideation
   
• Strong organizational and time management skills
   
• Ability to prioritize workload and juggle deadlines/projects
   
• Sense of urgency—works well in high pressure environments and with brand/style guidelines
   
• Attention to detail, speed & accuracy
   
• Adept at proofreading
   
• Aptitude for maintaining composure and communicating creative perspective with colleagues and team leaders
   
• Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of people and personalities
   

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires the ability to perform creative writing and related activities such as conducting interviews and research, and copy editing normally acquired through attainment of a bachelor's degree in Journalism, English or a related discipline.

Experience

Work requires two years of directly related writing experience. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.