Senior Designer (Part-Time)

Iie Varsity College; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 250,000 - 450,000; Part time

Job summary

The IIE Varsity College is looking for a highly skilled part-time Senior Designer to lead design projects and mentor junior designers. This role demands a creative strategist with strong leadership skills and a proven track record in visual communication. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of relevant experience, proficiency in design software, and a robust portfolio demonstrating diverse projects.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of senior designer experience at a brand level or within an agency.
• Strong portfolio showcasing diverse projects across multiple mediums.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all design elements from concept to final delivery.
• Guide and support studio designers for their professional growth.
• Ensure all creative outputs align with the brand's visual direction.

Skills

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite

Strong understanding of graphic design principles

Creative thinking

Effective communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Visual Communication, Graphic Design, or Communication Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe InDesign

MS Office

Job description

Direct Reporting Line: Design Studio Team Leader

The IIE Varsity College is an educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE).

The IIE enjoys a reputation for being at the forefront of private higher education in South Africa and is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to provide higher education qualifications accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE). The IIE Varsity College National Office has a vacancy for a Senior Designer (Part-Time).

Job Purpose

A strategic senior designer capable of leading and overseeing visual creation and design projects, mentoring midweight designers, ensuring brand consistency, and developing innovative brand solutions. The role requires strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.

Key Performance Areas

1. Leading Design Projects: Lead and oversee all design elements from concept to final delivery, develop and implement design strategies, and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Involvement in the full concept process from prototypes to production.
2. Team Leadership: Guide and support studio designers for their professional growth, review their work, and provide constructive feedback to ensure high-quality deliverables that meet briefs. Foster a collaborative and creative team environment with the Design Studio Team Leader.
3. Strategic Thinking: Apply critical, problem-solving, and creative thinking to all projects and briefs. Communicate proposed design concepts effectively. Ensure exploration of various conceptual approaches to meet the brief and deliver high craftsmanship across all design elements.
4. Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensure all creative outputs align with the brand's visual direction, campaigns, and messaging.
5. Creative Review: Create visually appealing, user-centric designs for various channels. Present designs for review, ensure application of fundamental design principles, and conduct thorough proofing. Adhere to IIE policies and incorporate feedback.
6. Project Management: Manage multiple projects within deadlines, employing planning, scheduling, multitasking, and overseeing progress to ensure timely completion.
7. Remaining Current: Stay updated with industry trends, design software, and emerging technologies. Conduct ongoing research for mood boards, scamps, and conceptualization. Understand target audience and market trends to create resonant designs and monitor competitors’ creative executions.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Visual Communication, Graphic Design, or Communication Design with a strong portfolio showcasing diverse projects across multiple mediums.

Minimum Work Experience Requirements

At least 5+ years of senior designer experience at a brand level or within an agency.

Competencies Required

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and MS Office.
• Strong understanding of graphic design principles, styles, and layouts.
• Creative thinking, idea generation, and visualization skills.
• Effective verbal, visual, and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and organized workflow, even when multitasking.
• Ability to organize and maintain design files and assets.
• Understanding of print processes and artwork setup for print.
• Knowledge of animation and digital design is advantageous.

Working Conditions

This is an Independent Contractor Part-Time role.

Application Response

Due to high application volume, only candidates closely matching the requirements will be contacted. For technical difficulties, use the provided support URL.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, with a preference for underrepresented groups per the South African Employment Equity Act. The company reserves the right to close or hold the vacancy at any time without notice.