Graphic Designer, Integrated College Communications (Graphic Designer II) - Strategic Marketing & Communications

About the position

The Graphic Designer serves as a key member of Strategic Marketing and Communications' (SMC) Integrated College Communications team, producing a wide range of web, print, and photographic content to advance the communications strategies of the university's colleges. Reporting to the Director of Integrated College Communications, the Graphic Designer works closely with university colleges and departments to understand and fulfill their visual communications needs, ensuring that all visual materials align with the university's brand standards and strategic priorities. This position requires a high level of independent judgment, creativity, technical skill, and the ability to collaborate across diverse teams, impacting students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and the broader public.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-priority design projects independently, while also participating in planning meetings, offering creative direction, and managing project timelines.
• Collaborate with academic colleges and other stakeholders to understand their design needs and deliver visual assets that support strategic goals.
• Design digital graphics for web, email, social media, and other online platforms in alignment with university brand standards.
• Create and maintain Canva templates for use by university departments and partners.
• Participate in campus-wide communicator groups and mailing lists to stay aligned with broader messaging strategies.
• Coordinate with writers, photographers, and web developers to produce cohesive, on-brand digital content.
• Ensure digital assets are optimized for accessibility and responsive design across all devices.
• Organize and manage a library of design files and templates to support efficiency and consistency.
• Provide design guidance to college and departmental stakeholders on print and outreach materials.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to ensure all designs reflect and support SF State's mission, values, and key initiatives.
• Uphold a consistent visual identity by following brand guidelines while introducing innovative design approaches.
• Design print materials including brochures, flyers, posters, reports, signage, and event collateral.
• Prepare press-ready files and coordinate with print vendors to ensure quality production and timely delivery.
• Monitor print timelines and budgets to ensure the most effective use of resources.
• Conceptualize and execute photography that communicates the university's values, community, and achievements.
• Photograph campus events, student life, faculty and staff portraits, and environmental scenes for use in marketing campaigns.
• Edit and retouch images to ensure high-quality, cohesive visual output that aligns with brand standards.
• Maintain a well-organized digital photo archive for ongoing marketing use.
• Provide lead work direction to student assistants and interns during photo shoots and oversee their contributions to the university's digital asset management system.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge of graphic design and production principles and communication theory including a basic understanding of marketing and promotion concepts.
• Strong graphic design skills and artistic ability in order to translate communication needs into an artistic design.
• Solid working knowledge of applicable graphic design software packages and hardware systems and peripherals.
• Ability to understand university level curriculum concepts and convey them graphically.
• Thorough knowledge of current campus documents and university-wide publication needs.
• Thorough understanding of printing and other vendor services to prepare specifications for printing and other services.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and direct graphic art communications project and handle multiple priorities.
• Working knowledge of copyright laws applicable to design work and creative properties.
• Ability to consult and communicate effectively with faculty, staff and students and to interpret and translate their needs into effective visual formats.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in Visual Communication, Photography, Fine Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Proven experience in graphic design and photography, preferably in a marketing or communications context.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and photography editing software.
• Familiarity with design, UI/UX design, and prototyping platforms like Canva, Figma and Miro.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative design concepts and photography skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, a keen eye for aesthetics, and a thorough understanding of design principles.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Pension
• 401k
• Healthcare Savings Account
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• State Holidays
• Dynamic Fee Waiver program