Graphic Designer

Role overview

The Senior Vice Chancellor for Operations division at the University of Colorado Boulder is hiring a Graphic Designer to join its Marketing and Communications team. This role supports division-wide communications, marketing, engagement, and branding efforts across units such as Employee Health and Well-Being, Human Resources, the Department of Public Safety, the Office of Information Technology, and the Office of Compliance, Ethics and Policy.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, the designer will create visual materials that help communicate the division’s services, priorities, and impact to students, faculty, staff, campus collaborators, and external audiences. The position calls for sound independent judgment, strong design expertise, and the ability to manage several projects in a fast-moving, service-oriented setting.

CU Boulder is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Applications are encouraged from people of all backgrounds, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

About the division

The Senior Vice Chancellor for Operations oversees CU Boulder’s public safety, health and wellness, information technology, human resources, and compliance, ethics, and policy efforts. The division’s mission is to deliver creative, sustainable services that help the campus community achieve educational and professional goals. Its vision is to be known nationally for an inclusive and innovative environment for learning and work. Its values center on integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, adaptability, and accountability.

Key responsibilities

This role focuses on visual communication, brand consistency, project coordination, and continuous improvement across print and digital channels.

• Develop original design concepts and communication visuals aligned with division marketing and communication goals.
• Create a wide variety of print and digital assets, such as reports, brochures, publications, signage, presentations, infographics, event materials, ads, email graphics, websites, social media content, and internal communications.
• Turn technical or complex subject matter into clear, engaging, audience-friendly visuals.
• Ensure all work follows university brand standards and divisional communication practices.
• Prepare production-ready artwork and oversee quality control for both print and digital outputs.
• Apply ADA and accessibility requirements to design work so materials remain inclusive and compliant.
• Act as a visual brand representative for the division and the university.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications to carry out campaigns and communication strategies.
• Maintain consistency across all division communication channels and marketing collateral.
• Provide design advice and creative direction to divisional teams and campus partners.
• Help shape visual storytelling approaches that support central initiatives.
• Manage several active projects at once, from initial concept through final delivery, while balancing deadlines and stakeholder needs.
• Work with leaders, project managers, communicators, photographers, videographers, vendors, and subject matter experts to build effective communication solutions.
• Participate in campaign planning, creative reviews, and strategy conversations.
• Coordinate production timelines and vendor relationships to keep deliverables on schedule.
• Stay informed about design trends, tools, accessibility standards, and evolving communication practices.
• Suggest improvements to workflows, templates, creative processes, and visual standards.
• Support efforts that improve the reach and effectiveness of divisional marketing and communications.

Compensation and benefits

The annual salary for this full-time role is $60,000 to $70,000.

CU Boulder offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and retirement coverage; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for employees and dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. Employees also gain access to the CU Advantage program, along with the broader academic and recreational environment of Boulder County.

Qualifications required

• A bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline. An equivalent mix of education and professional experience may be accepted in place of the degree.
• At least 1 year of progressive professional graphic design experience, including work on print and digital materials across multiple formats and channels.
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud tools, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, and related applications used in print and digital workflows.
• Strong command of typography, layout, color theory, branding, and visual hierarchy.
• Working knowledge of print production, digital design, and content optimization for different platforms.
• Practical understanding of ADA and web accessibility requirements as they relate to design, including color contrast, alt text considerations, and accessible document formatting.
• Ability to create visually strong communications that speak to specific audiences.
• Capability to connect creative output to organizational goals and communication strategy.
• Strong organization, planning, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Comfort working with diverse partners and subject matter experts.
• Strong service mindset and responsiveness in collaboration.
• Ability to work independently while contributing well in a team setting.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in design and communication work.

Preferred experience

• Three or more years of experience creating communications for higher education, public-sector, facilities, operations, infrastructure, sustainability, or mission-driven organizations.
• Three or more years of experience supporting marketing and communication campaigns across multiple channels.
• Three or more years of progressive professional graphic design experience producing print and digital materials in different formats and channels.
• Two or more years of experience creating infographics and visual storytelling for technical or operational content.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive design practices.
• Experience with motion graphics, video production support, or digital content development.

Application materials

Applicants should submit a current resume, a cover letter explaining how their background matches the role, and a portfolio link or URL that includes examples of professional work across print and digital formats, with brief notes on their contribution to each piece.

References may be requested later. Applications should be submitted by June 29, 2026. Materials cannot be accepted by email and must be submitted through the university’s jobs system.

Additional information

Under Colorado job application fairness rules, applicants may remove age-related details from submitted materials, including age, date of birth, and dates of school attendance or graduation. Doing so will not affect consideration.

Equal opportunity statement

The university is committed to a respectful, inclusive workplace and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.