Senior Graphic Designer

COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1 2022 the University required all students faculty staff and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1 2022 but the University may reinstate them at any point.

About Queens University

Queens University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research faculty administration engineering & construction athletics & recreation power generation corporate shared services and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women racialized/visible minorities Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples persons with a disability persons who identify in the LGBTQ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Applicant Guidance & Information

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Disclaimer: As part of the application process at Queens University our recruitment system uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) as defined under the Ontario Employment Standards Act to ask job-related questions and confirm eligibility for hire. All final hiring decisions are made using non-AI related processes.

Job Summary

1. Give a short summary of the duties and responsibilities of your job.

The incumbent supports the promotion of Queens Universitys key messages across a wide range of audiences through the application of approved visual identity standards as part of the Marketing and Brand team within University Relations. Collaborates with colleagues across the Marketing and Brand team to apply established campaign themes and visual approaches across assigned projects. Translates approved key messages into visual assets across integrated campaigns including print digital social media video iconography signage and related materials.
Reviews the design concepts with the Senior Director Brand and following direction and approval develops and prepares final artwork for production and distribution.
Achieves assigned design tasks by coordinating schedules time tracking and organizing workload in alignment with team priorities.
In collaboration with the with the Senior Director Brand assists faculties departments and campus partners in applying the unified brand architecture and identity guidelines.
Reviews design materials from faculties and units to support alignment with established brand guidelines and accessibility requirements (e.g. AODA) and provides feedback or design support as required. Reviews brand and visual identity guidelines as directed and supports updates to design documentation and reference materials as assigned. On a regular basis updates and maintains approved design templates for print media digital presentation social media and video assets used by departments across the university ensuring functionality across formats.
Assists with the graphic elements of video production and maintains an organized archive of approved images photos and design assets for reference and reuse.
If requested provides photography and/or video support at university events.
Uses available digital and AI-enabled tools as appropriate to support design production formatting and quality review under established standards. Provides design support to University Relations and campus partners on an as-needed basis.

Job Description

2. To fulfil your duties what knowledge skills and specialized techniques are required How would each be normally acquired How long would it take to become proficient in each of the areas of your work

This position requires the completion of a 3-year Graphic Design program from a college or university that includes a high level of creativity and familiarity with all aspects of print production and how design is translated to a digital environment or equivalent training plus experience.

The following skills and abilities are acquired through a minimum of 3-5 years experience:
Proficiency in industry-standard graphic design layout image editing motion graphics and digital production software used in print and digital communications environments with the ability to adapt to evolving tools and technologies. A sound working knowledge of MS Office Suite (e.g. Word Excel PowerPoint) and Adobe programming (e.g. Photoshop InDesign Illustrator Premier Pro After Effects)
Familiarity with basic web design and content management
Familiarity with AI-enabled design and productivity tools used to support layout formatting accessibility checks and quality review in accordance with established standards.
Experience organizing and maintaining photo and video assets within shared storage or asset management systems.
Working knowledge of accessibility and inclusive design principles as applied within legislative and institutional guidelines.
Strong organizational skills to produce and manage graphic design initiatives from conception to the final artwork including production and pre-press details
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with some requiring greater discretion; while most projects can be recurring on an annual basis many arise with a short timeline for completion.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to think creatively
Strong written and oral customer-focused communication skills
Ability to problem solve when responding to program client or supplier needs
The incumbent must maintain their knowledge of new developments in the areas of graphic design and marketing by reviewing all available sources of information including articles competitive websites attending conferences etc. This also includes monitoring and recommending new software developments that may enhance design execution across various platforms.

3. Is it necessary in this position to oversee the work or to instruct other staff If so what does this involve

The incumbent coordinates production schedules on a variety of projects. The incumbent also shares expertise with colleagues on design techniques and trends which may take the form of ad hoc guidance. Advice and clarification may be sought regarding the application of official brand identity standards including feedback on design materials submitted by campus partners. This position does not oversee the work of others.

4. What other people must you deal with in this job and why (i.e. is there direct contact with students teaching staff other departments and people outside the university community).

The incumbent works mainly in University Relations and may occasionally interact with internal university clients on specific recurring projects freelance designers or attend meetings with others across the university.

5. How is your work assigned to you and how closely is your work checked by someone else

The Senior Director Brand sets the overall goals key messages and timelines for the team. The Director provides work direction to the incumbent based on these goals and under general supervision the incumbent must align visual creation to key messages offer a few options before moving to final development and prioritizes multiple demands.


6. a) Are the sorts of problems encountered in this job usually covered by established procedures or do you frequently have to develop or invent solutions to problems yourself

There are standard principles that Graphic Designers apply to each project as well as the requirement to work within the official University Brand Guidelines. Working within those principles the incumbent applies established graphic design principles and brand standards to resolve design challenges seeking direction from the Senior Director Brand when issues fall outside standard practice.

b) Are you involved in establishing standard procedures (Give examples)

The incumbent follows established production procedures and may provide input or suggestions related to templates workflows and design documentation as requested.


7. a) What is the size of your department (i.e. #of classes for which you are involved with labs. # of students # of staff you might come in contact with # of technicians in department).

The incumbent reports to the Senior Director Brand and is a member of the broader Integrated Communications team consisting of approximately 19 staff; Integrated Communications is one area within University Relations. The incumbent works on various university-wide initiatives and most of the incumbents interactions will be within University Relations except on recurring campaigns where there is limited interaction with staff across the various faculties and units.

b) What kind of equipment or material are you responsible for Are you solely responsible for it and what is its approximate value

The incumbent works with department computers external backup hard drives printers photo scanners a colour calibrator etc. with an approximate value of $15000.


8. Give details of any unusual factors affecting this job i.e. hazards unusual working conditions requirement for a high degree of manual dexterity etc.


9. Do you have any general comments about this position which may not be covered by the preceding questions

This position supports the consistent application of Queens Universitys visual identity by providing design services templates and guidance within established frameworks and under the direction of the Marketing and Brand leadership.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queens is strongly committed to employment equity diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black racialized persons Indigenous people women persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at .