Graphic Designer - #000084

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 49,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University is seeking a Graphic Designer to create brand-aligned materials across print, digital, social, and web channels. The role partners with Marketing to translate goals into compelling visuals that support enrollment and campus engagement.

The designer will apply visual identity standards, manage production files, and contribute to campaigns with innovative concepts. On-site in Cullowhee, NC, with a focus on high-quality deliverables.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with two years of visual/graphic arts experience.
• Experience applying brand guidelines to print and digital materials.
• Strong layout and typography skills with attention to accessibility.

Responsibilities

• Develop brand-aligned creative work across print, digital, and social channels.
• Collaborate with campus partners to translate goals into visual communications.
• Prepare production-ready files and scalable assets for campaigns.

Skills

Brand identity

Typography

Layout design

Creative concepting

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

InDesign

Photoshop

Illustrator

Job description

Graphic Designer - #000084

Posting Details

Posting Number

SHRA1697P

Quick Link for Internal Postings

https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/34937

Classification Title

Visual Arts Specialist

Competency Level

Journey

Working Title

Graphic Designer - #000084

Department

Marketing

About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year.

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.


• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.


• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.


• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

• Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance.


• Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire.


• Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan.


• Optional disability plans are also available.


• Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses.


• Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.


• Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately.


• Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.


• WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on‑site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being subject to the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (SHRA). The Graphic Designer is responsible for developing thoughtful, brand‑aligned creative work that supports Western Carolina University’s marketing, communications, enrollment, advancement, and campus engagement priorities. This position plans, designs, and coordinates visual materials across print, digital, social, web, paid media, environmental, presentation, and other communication channels. Using WCU’s visual identity guidelines and institutional messaging priorities, this position helps steward the university brand through high‑quality design, creative consultation, and consistent execution across campus. The role serves as a creative partner to University Communications and Marketing colleagues and campus stakeholders, helping translate goals, audiences, and strategies into effective visual communications. The ideal candidate brings strong design judgment, curiosity, technical skill, and a willingness to explore new tools, formats, and approaches. This person understands that design is both creative and strategic, and that successful work must be visually compelling, audience‑aware, accessible, efficient to produce, and aligned with the university’s broader reputation and recruitment goals. Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

• Ability to concept, design, and produce high‑quality, brand‑aligned creative materials across print, digital, social, web, paid media, environmental, presentation, campaign, enrollment, advancement, and event communication channels.


• Strong working knowledge of visual identity standards, typography, layout, color, hierarchy, accessibility, image use, and visual storytelling, with the ability to apply those principles consistently to strengthen WCU’s brand and institutional communications.


• Ability to consult with campus partners and internal teams, clarify project goals and audience needs, recommend effective creative approaches, and collaborate with communications, marketing, web, photo/video, social media, vendor, and campus partners.


• Skill in preparing production‑ready files, templates, graphics, digital assets, and scalable creative systems while maintaining organized workflows, project files, naming conventions, and asset management practices that support efficiency and long‑term use.

Minimum Qualifications

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an ‘equivalent combination of education and experience.’ If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. High school diploma or equivalency and two years of visual/graphic arts experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Anticipated Hiring Range

$49,440

Position Type

Permanent Full‑Time

Number of Hours per Week

40

Number of Months per Year

12

Salary Band Range

$37,440 - $83,413

Salary Grade

For administrative purposes during the implementation of Career Banding this journey level position is considered a Salary Grade 65.

Open Date

08/11/2026

Close Date

08/25/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard‑copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application


2. Resume


3. List of references

Optional Documents

1. DD-214


2. NGB 23A (RPAS)


3. DD256 or NGB22

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
   
   
   
   • HigherEdJobs.com
   
   
   • Inside Higher Ed
   
   
   • HERC - Higher Education Recruitment Consortium
   
   
   • Website - Jobs.wcu.edu
   
   
   • Indeed.com
   
   
   • Personal Referral
   
   
   • Agency Referral
   
   
   • Other
   
   
   
   


2. * Do you require sponsorship?
   
   
   
   • Yes
   
   
   • No