Department : Development - Health Sciences Development
Supervises :
Salary : Up to $95,000
Payroll Classification: Communications Specialist 3 CM
Req Nbr : 11326
Position Summary
If using your exceptional design and visual communications skills to advance innovations in health care and pioneering research inspires you, we encourage you to join the UCLA Health Sciences Development (HSD) team as our Senior Graphic Designer. When you join UCLA Health, you become part of one of the most comprehensive and advanced health care systems in the world. Together, UCLA Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA strive every day to be a model that redefines the standard of excellence in health care. As our Senior Graphic Designer, you will serve as a subject matter expert with a deep expertise in design knowledge and application to print and digital communications. As an adept leader, you will focus on assignments requiring sophisticated design elements and execution of complex/higher quality designs and visual communications. As a sophisticated and accomplished graphic designer, this position will require a more critical, analytical, creative and strategic visual mindset. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your career while you translate stories, concepts, and strategies into creative, effective, and distinctive visuals and communications that are appropriate to the audience, the content, and our UCLA Health brand. As a member of HSD, you will become part of a collaborative, creative and driven team and will be given the guidance, inspiration and resources to succeed in an environment of excellence and innovation.
Primary Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Director of Communications for HSD, as the Senior Graphic Designer you will design and produce a broad array of high-level print and electronic fundraising materials for HSD, with a focus on strategy, consistency, and speed. As a strong team resource and point of contact for communications initiatives, you will operate with a high level of independence and autonomy, providing recommendations and feedback that drive, creative solutions and artistic direction. As an innovative and forward-looking graphic design and communications member of our team, you will provide strategic advice and counsel to Director, Communications, HSD colleagues and leadership as appropriate on all aspects of communications including planning, messaging and problem solving and will work with our Director, to create, develop and implement comprehensive and cohesive visual communications plans. You will serve as a design mentor to other HSD Communications staff and steward brand standards and best practices, while partnering to develop and execute visual strategy. You will collaborate with the director, project manager, and staff writers to determine project design strategy and feasibility. As our Senior Graphic Designer, you will develop and maintain relationships with printers, vendors, and external contractors to ensure best pricing and quality. You will also assist with the management and negotiation of production deadlines to ensure that all projects are completed on time and to the satisfaction of all parties involved. You will be responsible for light HTML/CSS coding and design of email communications including invitations, newsletters, and appeals, along with limited website design and maintenance as needed. In addition, you will work with our Senior Executive Director, Development on special communications projects of a higher/more complex level, typically for donors at the $25+ million level.
Qualifications
1. Minimum of 7 years of prior experience in a marketing/communications environment, preferably in an agency, creative corporate client, or non-profit organization with a strong creative flair, sense of versatility, conceptual/visual ability and originality.
2. Proficient design, composition and production experience and skill in using Mac systems, Microsoft and other software; high-level proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite (including familiarity with AfterEffects and ability to create motion graphics), InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and other layout programs; working knowledge of HTML/CSS.
3. Strong experience devising realistic and comprehensive production schedules, estimating and tracking project expenses and timelines and taking direct control for project components with minimal or no supervision.
4. Strong time and project management experience and skills with a proven ability to work independently, interpret client needs based on nature of project, budget and objectives and follow through on projects.
5. Strong experience and skills in making bold aesthetic decisions and executing sophisticated visual strategies.
6. Strong understanding of multimedia design with strong experience building and organizing files for print, digital design and web-based platforms for site creating and email marketing.
7. Sophisticated knowledge of the principles and practices of graphic design and design tools; ability to govern end-to-end design production, manage all aspects of layout, typography and print specifications and to conform to an organization’s established style guide.
8. Strong knowledge of user experience/user interface (UX/UI) principles and best practices.
9. Strong knowledge of printing and production processes to appropriately plan and execute assignments; working knowledge of local vendors in terms of performance and pricing.
10. Diplomatic with well-developed interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to build cooperative, effective relationships with a wide variety of internal/external constituents; experience responding to a wide variety of design related strategies, inquiries and concerns.
11. Exhibits advanced analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous situations, assess nuances, and apply appropriate judgment to inform decision-making.
12. Excellent written communication skills with an advanced command of English to prepare, proofread and edit materials for correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and syntax.
13. Highly organized with excellent attention to detail and an acute sense of accuracy; deadline driven with ability to complete multiple assignments along similar timeframes and to work on high-level, confidential projects with discretion.
14. Skill and willingness to work as part of a team, collaborate on projects and serve as a mentor; strong verbal communication and active listening skills to interact and communicate effectively.
15. Skilled ability to problem solve, make changes and corrections as they occur, and to offer appropriate solutions. Innovative and creative with ability to determine resources and gather information needed to complete projects.
16. Knowledge of fundraising principles/techniques and the application of graphic design to fundraising materials is preferred as is prior experience with Blackbaud CRM and/or other fundraising databases.
17. Working knowledge of UCLA, its organization, structure and the roles and responsibilities of various academic and administrative units is preferred.
18. Knowledge of UCLA icons, history and graphics is preferred.
19. Ability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends as needed.
Employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory background check.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.
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