Athletics Graphic Designer

University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 58,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Athletic Event Tickets

Nike Elite Employee Benefit

Job summary

University of Colorado Boulder is seeking a Graphic Designer to create innovative designs and photography for assigned sports and departmental projects. You will concept, design, and deliver creative work from inception to final delivery while managing multiple projects and timelines.

You will collaborate with the Creative team to maintain a cohesive University of Colorado Boulder Athletics brand across print, digital, and environmental graphics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in graphic design, communications, arts or equivalent.
• Minimum of one year of directly related graphic design experience (preferably in sports).
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• Demonstrated visual design skills (typography, color, layout, traditional offset and digital printing technologies).
• External relationship management and organizational skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop creative concepts and produce high-quality graphic design projects for assigned sports and departmental initiatives from concept through final delivery.
• Create design pieces to support CU Athletic departments/teams including social media graphics, website ads, emails, motion graphics, print collateral, logos, flyers, posters, tshirts, presentations, vehicle/wall wraps, promotional items, print ads, billboards.
• Ensure all materials are consistent with the Athletic Department brand and graphic standards; prepare print/digital files with bleeds, CMYK/RGB, fonts, Pantone colors.
• Collaborate with internal/external departments/vendors to meet standards of excellence.
• Maintain regular communication with the Assistant AD, Creative and requesting individuals on status and timelines.
• Mentor and guide student intern designers.
• Coordinate with outside production vendors to get quotes and ensure delivery of art files.

Skills

Graphic design

Photography

Adobe Creative Cloud

Typography

Project management

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related

Tools

Adobe CC

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

PhotoMechanic

Microsoft 365

After Effects

Job description

CU Boulder Athletics encourages applications for a Graphic Designer! This role creates innovative and visually impactful designs and photography for assigned sports and departmental projects. Working closely with the Assistant Athletic Director, Creative and creative team, this position develops and delivers creative concepts from inception through final delivery while managing multiple projects, timelines, and deliverables. Alongside the Assistant AD, Creative, this position is responsible for the conceptualization, design and production of communication and marketing materials for their assigned sports and projects; including but not limited to: print collateral, signage, advertising, photography, environmental graphics, motion and digital graphics. In partnership with the Assistant AD, Creative and three other athletic department graphic designers, this position helps build, maintain, and evolve a cohesive, recognizable University of Colorado Athletics brand by producing creative work that reflects the department's visual identity and strategic goals.

This position is responsible for promoting the philosophy and objectives of the intercollegiate athletics program. This shall include adhering to the principles of the Athletic Department’s Mission Statement, Core Values, Policies and Procedures, as well as the rules and regulations of the University, the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

As one of 34 U.S. public research institutions belonging to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU)—and the only member in the Rocky Mountain region—our goal at CU Boulder is to directly affect Colorado communities through collaborative research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Our faculty, staff, and students work with the broader community to establish outstanding connections that have lasting outcomes-both across Colorado and around the world.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Graphic Design

• Develop creative concepts and produce high-quality graphic design projects for assigned sports and departmental initiatives from concept through final delivery.
• Create effective design pieces to support CU Athletic departments/teams to include but not limited to: social media graphics, website ads, internal and external emails, motion graphics (gifs), print collateral, logos, flyers, posters, tshirts, presentations, vehicle and wall wraps, promotional items, print ads, billboards, etc.
• Ensure all digital and printed materials are consistent with the Athletic Department brand and graphic standards using approved elements and assets. Properly prepare and prep (for print or web) all offset and digital print jobs using bleeds, CMYK or RGB images, approved fonts, process and Pantone colors.
• Work with internal and external departments/vendors to ensure standards of excellence are met (i.e. quality, content, pricing and turnaround).
• Maintain regular communication with the Assistant AD, Creative and requesting individuals regarding project status, priorities, and timelines.

Photography

• Capture, edit, and deliver high-quality photography supporting assigned sports and departmental initiatives.
• Photograph recruiting visits, game days, student-athlete content days, NIL initiatives, special events, and other departmental needs.
• Edit, archive, keyword, and organize photography assets for future use while maintaining consistent visual standards.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with Creative staff, Communications, Marketing, BuffVision, and student designers to develop creative concepts and maintain a cohesive visual identity.
• Serve as a point of contact for assigned sports and projects; work with staff members on creative jobs, proactively discuss scope and expectations of each project, and communicate with these internal customers on the status of their projects through completion.
• Coordinate with outside production vendors to get quotes, production timelines, and proper delivery of art files seeing projects through to completion and delivery.
• Mentor and provide guidance to student intern graphic designers as they assist with Athletic Dept. graphic design needs.

Brand Management

• Ensure that all athletic department designed materials adhere to established department brand guidelines.
• Serve as a department resource for all questions related to design execution related to our brand guidelines.

File Management

• Use and maintain the department's project management system (Asana) to prioritize, organize, and track creative workflow.
• Manage and maintain an organized Adobe Creative Cloud digital asset library.
• Keyword, upload and sort files in Sony Ci.

What You Should Know

• This role is working on site.
• Occasional weekends will be required for game days.

What We Can Offer

• $ 58,200 - $67,500

Additional Compensation Details:

• Relocation assistance is available within Athletics Department Guidelines
• Athletic Event Tickets: Per Athletic Department Policy and NCAA regulations
• Nike Elite Employee Benefit: Per Nike Elite Policy

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in graphic design, communications, arts or equivalent. Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• Minimum of one year of directly related graphic design experience (preferably in sports).

What You Will Need

• Demonstrated visual design skills (e.g. typography, color, layout, traditional offset and digital printing technologies, etc.)
• External relationship management
• Organizational skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• High proficiency in Adobe CC, primarily Photoshop, Illustrator and In-Design.
• Photography
• PhotoMechanic or similar key-wording system
• Microsoft 365
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects
• Ability to succeed in a fast paced, deadline driven environment
• Ability to work flexible hours and possibly weekends as many games occur on weekends and/or traditional work day hours

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience with Adobe After Effects.
• General college athletics knowledge.
• Advanced understanding and working knowledge of studio and sports photography.
• 3-5 years of directly related creative design experience.