Communications Designer

This position is expected to be filled by reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

As a centralized communication authority, University Relations Communications and Marketing team provides leadership for UBC Okanagan's campus-level communications and branding initiatives. Within this framework, the strategic design group leads core creative strategies that strengthen UBC Brand equity and UBC Okanagan campus positioning across a broad range of campus-specific communications channels.

The Communications Designer works with communications and marketing staff to support communications for campus-wide, faculty and administrative unit projects on UBC's Okanagan campus. This position strengthens university engagement and shapes the audience experience, through the creation of assets for print, advertising, environmental and digital channels that includes web, mobile and social media.

The role requires an experienced designer who demonstrates proven expertise in the design of compelling print and digital communications material. These communications are designed to promote the university's activities and services to internal audiences, including students, faculty and staff, and to external audiences, at the local, provincial and international level.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

This position reports to the Manager, Graphic Design and works as part of the University Relations team to identify, develop and deliver communications solutions with campus-and university-wide relevance.

As a member of the strategic design group, the position interacts with communicators and staff across the university to deliver projects that range from, publications, campus signage and websites, to environmental graphics, social media content, photography and digital advertising.

WORK PERFORMED

Graphic design:

• Works within a fast-paced communications and marketing environment, designing for multiple, concurrent marketing and communications projects and completes tasks including design, layout, typesetting, proofing, art direction, prepress artwork and production of related infographics and digital assets for the web, social media and digital signage;

• Consults with clients and communicators on subject material and contributes to design objectives;

• Responsible for decisions regarding design and print formatting, methodology and techniques used, and preparing files for print production;

• Creates illustrations and animations as needed for digital and print communications materials;

• Considers user experience (UX) and applies best practices to accessibility issues such as colour, contrast, typography, and other factors for people with disabilities.

• Performs quality control checks throughout the design process from conceptual development to proof checking to file archival within target dates.

• Manipulates digital images; takes photographs; creates vector and bitmapped illustrations as needed for web and print communications materials.

• Stays current with post-secondary sector communications design trends and makes relevant recommendations.

Branding

• Develops visual concepts and themes in support of marketing efforts and initiatives, working closely with the University Relations team and campus communicators;

• Maintains and applies the UBC Brand guidelines across a broad range of communications channels;

• Develops and delivers presentations, workshops and training.

• Writes and designs print and online user guidelines.

• Integrates student communications into campus-wide campaigns and projects.

Project management

• Works with communications and marketing staff to interpret and execute the needs of the client department/school/faculty and to clarify subject material and design objectives;

• Prepare work-back plans based on project needs and available resources.

• Evaluates publishing requirements and provides recommendations regarding media and format.

• Provides consultation on design-related best practices.

• Plans photoshoots: which includes location scouting and booking with internal and external contacts, scheduling, and draft of brief for approval. Photoshoot brief includes recommendations for art direction, shot list, composition and style, prop and participant information

Other duties:

• Works with vendors of printing, advertising, photography, and graphics services.

• Performs other related duties as required.

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR

This position must exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with staff and faculty. They must make decisions on how best to manage projects given short timeframes, relative strategic importance of projects, ease of substituting one project for another given staffing available, and the impact of failing to meet deadlines. The consequence of error in this area could be very serious for the University as it concerns the public image and profile of UBC Okanagan on a provincial, national and international level.

Providing consistent information provides clarity, reduces redundancy, and offers significant cost savings and improvements in efficiency if done well.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works independently within defined guidelines and objectives. Reports directly to the Manager, Graphic Design, Communications and Marketing.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.

• Minimum of three years' experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
  Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred

• University or College degree in design encompassing current communications trends and technology as well as illustrative and photographic abilities.

• Demonstrated expertise working knowledge of current MAC OSX design software including: Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign/Photoshop/Illustrator/After Effects/Acrobat/Bridge/Keynote, Adobe XD, Google Web Designer, Microsoft MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel.

• Experience with UX and UI principles, website content management systems and responsive design. HTML/CSS considered an asset.

• Ability to execute strategic and integrated communications solutions, consistent with the university's brand guidelines, in complex and unique situations that directly link to and reflect the university's mission and goals.

• Demonstrated skills in design, illustration, publishing, print management, pre-press, and communications development and planning. Expertise in new media, digital channels, emerging design trends and products.

• Ability to exercise diplomacy, tact and discretion when working with confidential and/or sensitive information and in dealing with various levels of administration and external agencies

• Demonstrated oral and written communication, prioritizing, multi-tasking, positive interpersonal and customer service skills. Accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ability to work both independently and within team cultivating a highly collaborative process and enhancing a culturally rich environment.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, to prioritize, multi-task, and respond quickly to meet deadlines.

• Ability to assess own performance and report on project status to senior staff.

• Shows interest in new software/updates, developments and emerging trends in design practice with an eye towards extending the university s reputation and finding new opportunities for communication.