Senior Designer

Communications office staff balance hard work, attention to detail and excellence with empathy, understanding and supportiveness. As individuals and as a team, we strive in our work and professional relationships to be conscientious and collaborative critical thinkers.

Reporting to the Art Director, the Senior Designer guides the college broadly on matters of design and provides design services for various college clients. The Senior Designer is part of the creative team within the Williams College Office of Communications. 

This multifaceted position requires the ability to understand the complex audiences of a liberal arts college (including potential students, current students, faculty, staff, parents, families and alumni); to develop strategies for communicating effectively with these diverse audiences through the lens of design. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate flexibility, innovation and an interest in continued professional growth and learning; evidence of successful project management; and the ability to establish strong, positive relationships with all campus community members. The high volume and broad scope of work associated with this position also require a person who can focus on a specific creative endeavor while managing multiple projects.

Williams is committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty and staff. We expect the successful candidate to excel at working in a broadly diverse community regarding race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the communications team, develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies and deliver print and digital materials
• In collaboration with the Art Director, build and maintain a consistent visual identity for the college informed by an understanding of the college and its diverse audiences
• Provide professional graphic design for the college’s print (concept, pre-press production, on-press supervision) and digital communications
• Create resources, and provide aesthetic guidance and consultation to a diverse array of campus partners
• Collaborate with the office’s web team on matters of web design, providing design direction on custom design of WordPress templates, individual microsites, and, over time, the look of the college’s entire web presence
• Communicate with outside vendors to assure quality and maintain deadlines. Research new vendors when appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in design or a related field plus a minimum of five years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Extensive experience in design—print, digital and environmental—preferably in a team-based, client services environment.
• The ability to innovate and take risks to produce current and timely designs using knowledge of design trends and best practices. 
• A passion for detail, including typography. 
• A track record of developing compelling graphic design. Applicants will be asked to submit a professional design portfolio to demonstrate the required skills and abilities.
• Ability to work in a complex institutional environment that is fast-paced, deadline-driven, and collaborative. Experience in higher education is preferred.  
• Strong ability to communicate and present designs effectively, including client pitches, as well as to welcome feedback and incorporate requested changes as projects evolve. 
• Strong project management skills; ability to see projects through from design concept to end product. Familiarity with project management tools such as Wrike, Asana or Basecamp.
• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign and Photoshop, using a Mac platform
• Experience preparing specifications; identifying, selecting, and coordinating with printers, fabricators, and other outside vendors; production and on-press experience.

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and link to portfolio via our careers page at https://staff-careers.williams.edu/  - all applications will be reviewed by the search committee.

Application review will begin on November 29, 2022, and will continue on a rolling basis thereafter. Pay range is from $70,000 to $80,000, commensurate with experience. Job band 2-E.  This position is eligible for up to two days of remote work per week, subject to policy and approval. 

Conditions of Employment

Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. COVID-19 vaccination with booster or approved exemption and compliance with COVID-19 related policies are required as a condition of employment at Williams.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at hr@williams.edu.

 
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