Champlain College has an opportunity for a multi-faceted Design Manager to join our marketing team. This position will provide concept development, design, art direction, production and print coordination of a wide range of print and digital marketing projects. We are seeking savvy, experienced design professional with outstanding design and production skills and a high-achievement orientation. The Design Manager will oversee the design and production of print and multimedia content to ensure that all projects are high quality, consistently appropriate for their intended audience, exceptionally well branded and clearly reflect the mission and strategy direction of Champlain College.
As a lead member of a team charged with meeting critical deadlines for a high volume of projects that fulfill strategic purpose and a variety of functions involving multiple stakeholders, the position requires a true team-oriented approach, excellent critical judgement and effective client focus. Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and organizational skills, with the ability to proactively manage multiple concurrent projects and work productively and professionally with a variety of team members and clients are essential to success.
The Design Manager must be a creative problem solver who can both express their vision while elevating and fostering others, including managing student interns that frequently work for the department. The Design Manager is the manager of systems, including the brand identity, creative assets, vendors, and interns. While this individual will not directly manage peers, this person will serve as a mentor and guide to internal and external design resources to ensure brand alignment and design integrity are retained while project objectives are met. This position requires a hands-on approach and the ability to balance managing and executing their own work at defined timelines while helping support the success of others.
Key Responsibilities include:
Develop visual content for web, social media, email, digital advertising, and print publications and advertising
Photography: Art direct and schedule photoshoots in support of visual storytelling needs, including student activities and campus events. Maintain a visual library and organize photo and video assets.
Digital Banner Design & Production: Design and build digital ads, including static ads, animated banners, and responsive ads, and social media graphics
Web Design: Develop design for new web pages within web page templates to support storytelling and/or conversion success.
Project Management: meetings with clients regarding project design, content, timelines, and production
Facilitating in-office proofing process
Directing student workers – instruction on correct preparation of files, use of software, application of general design principles, and ensuring college’s graphic identity standards are maintained.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia/Visual Communications, Graphic Design, Branding, Marketing, or related field preferred.
5-10 years of experience in the field is preferred. Experience in higher education is helpful.
Excellent design skills with a demonstrated ability to construct a cohesive narrative.
Experience working on multiple projects simultaneously, and completing high-quality work against strict and conflicting deadlines.
Excellent storytelling skills; strong organizational and multitasking skills;
Exceptional communication, interpersonal skills preferred.
Advanced understanding of all stages of brand campaign development, including design processes for mobile websites and applications.
Interactive/digital production experience preferred.
Photography and illustration skills desired.
Advanced experience in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including After Effects, Premiere, Photoshop, and Illustrator preferred.
Experience with WordPress and CMS desired.
Experience with hard drive arrays or other video storage/management services preferred.
Champlain College is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community. Recognizing that diversity is both a reflection of our world and a source of rich education, Champlain strives to be diverse and inclusive in ways that reflect the world in which we live and work. All members of the Champlain community are valued as individuals.