Graphic Design Coordinator

The College System of Tennessee•Chattanooga, TN

39d•$48,572 - $60,715

About The Position

Chattanooga State's purpose is to support and empower everyone in our community to learn without limits. Our mission is to enrich the lives of students and their families, develop a talented workforce, and partner with our community to lead boldly into the future. The Graphic Design Coordinator is the creative force behind the College's visual storytelling and branding efforts. This highly skilled design professional brings ideas to life through high-impact, accessible, and brand-aligned visuals that connect with people and strengthen Chattanooga State's story across all platforms. Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Graphic Design Coordinator collaborates closely with the Marketing & Communications team to design promotional materials, advertising campaigns, digital media, print collateral, and web graphics that support recruitment, retention, and community engagement. This role is essential in ensuring brand consistency, visual excellence, and accessibility across all media.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor's degree in graphic design or related field.
2-4 years of experience in graphic design and production (agency, in-house, or higher education setting preferred).
Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, using the appropriate tool for the task-for example, Illustrator for vector-based graphics, Photoshop for photography and image editing, and InDesign for print and page layout.
Portfolio demonstrating expertise in print and digital design, brand systems, and accessibility-conscious work.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining high quality.
Strong attention to detail, particularly in proofreading, accessibility, and visual quality assurance.
Applies accessibility and universal design principles to creative work following WCAG 2.1 AA standards, ensuring usability for all audiences.
Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, using the appropriate tool for the task-for example, Illustrator for vector-based graphics, Photoshop for photography and image editing, and InDesign for print and page layout.
Comfortable using Microsoft 365 (Word, Teams, SharePoint), and willing to learn new platforms, including content management systems (e.g., Omni CMS), project management tools, and accessibility compliance platforms.
Ability to follow established project workflows and direction from the Operations Coordinator while offering creative solutions within defined scopes and deadlines.
Commitment to maintaining accurate documentation and asset metadata to support succession planning, compliance, and reuse.
Understands and complies with copyright law, image licensing terms, and fair use policies; proactively documents usage rights for all design assets, including stock images, graphics, original photography, and typography (Adobe Fonts preferred; free fonts disallowed).
Upholds the College's standards of professionalism and quality in all design work, understanding that all creative outputs are the intellectual property of Chattanooga State Community College.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing for higher education audiences (prospective students, donors, alumni, faculty).
Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA) and universal design best practices across digital and print media.
Experience taking photography for marketing purposes.

Responsibilities

Design compelling, student-centered visuals that support enrollment, retention, and student success campaigns.
Develop visual materials that tell the story of ChattState students, alumni, and programs through accessible and inclusive design.
Translate complex processes (e.g., application steps, pathways, or financial aid) into clear, easy-to-follow infographics or visual guides.
Ensure designs meet accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA), supporting access to information for all learners.
Create materials that showcase academic excellence and faculty achievements, including event materials, awards, and feature spotlights.
Collaborate with faculty, departments, and marketing team members to visually promote academic programs and opportunities.
Lead visual design components of strategic initiatives, including the College's website redesign, new digital tools, and emerging communication platforms.
Work closely with the Web Services Coordinator to create accessible, responsive, and SEO-enhanced web visuals.
Support digital campaigns, including email marketing, video thumbnails, digital billboards, and paid advertisements with on-brand designs optimized for target audiences.
Develop dynamic, forward-thinking designs for new campaigns, events, and outreach efforts that reflect Chattanooga State's innovative approach.
Uphold and steward the College's brand identity across all formats (digital, print, environmental) and provide visual guidance to internal partners.
Maintain and organize a shared repository of visual assets including logos, templates, icons, and photographs for team and campus-wide access.
Follow institutional policies for copyright and licensing, ensuring legal use of all design assets, including Getty Images, Adobe Stock, or other licensed materials.
Support the project management process by working within assigned timelines and scopes defined by the Operations Coordinator, ensuring each deliverable aligns with strategic priorities.
Model collaboration by working closely with teammates (operations, content, web services, and social media) and departments across campus.
Integrate accessibility and universal design principles into every stage of the design process.
Contribute to knowledge-sharing and team continuity by ensuring all design work is archived properly in the College's Microsoft 365 system and accessible for future use.
Design print and digital materials efficiently, balancing visual impact with cost-effective production.
Maintain design records, including publication numbers, licensing documentation, QR code tracking, project archives, and image metadata in compliance with institutional and VA Recertification standards.
Prevent costly reprints or delays by ensuring accuracy, quality, and proofreading in collaboration with the operations coordinator and content coordinator.
Ensure all QR codes used in marketing materials are trackable and aligned with the College's analytics strategy supporting long-term access or reporting.
Provide input on branded merchandise (swag), researching, sourcing, and designing promotional items in support of strategic goals.