Graphic Designer

Bradley University • Peoria, IL

18d • Onsite

About The Position

Bradley University is seeking a creative, collaborative, and detail-oriented Graphic Designer for its Marketing and Communications team. The position brings the Bradley brand to life through visual storytelling across print, digital, environmental, and other marketing channels, supporting University priorities such as student recruitment and enrollment, institutional reputation, academic programs, advancement, and campus engagement. The designer will develop strategic, audience-focused creative solutions and work with campus partners across multiple projects and deadlines. The position is based on Bradley University’s campus in Peoria, Illinois, and reports to the Brand Manager and Lead Designer.

The Graphic Designer creates visual materials across a broad range of formats, including digital advertising, social media graphics, email campaigns, publications, brochures, postcards, event materials, presentations, signage, environmental graphics, and other collateral. The role applies and stewards the University’s visual identity, develops templates and design systems, produces accessible digital and print work, and collaborates with colleagues and campus partners on integrated campaigns. The designer also manages project communications and deadlines, prepares production-ready files, coordinates with external partners as needed, and maintains organized project files and brand resources.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week, 12-month, on-campus, exempt position. The ideal start date is January 4, 2027. Applications should include a cover letter, resume, and contact information with telephone numbers for at least three professional references. To ensure full consideration, materials should be received by November 20, 2026; applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communication, communication design, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated professional experience in graphic design, visual communication, or a related creative role.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating creativity, typography, layout, visual hierarchy, brand application, and design across multiple media.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Demonstrated ability to design for both print and digital environments.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to receive feedback, collaborate effectively, and translate strategic direction into creative solutions.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education, an agency, a nonprofit, or another complex organization with multiple audiences and stakeholders.
• Experience developing creative for student recruitment, consumer marketing, or integrated marketing campaigns.
• Experience designing for paid digital advertising, social media, email marketing, and web environments.
• Experience working within established brand standards and contributing to the development or evolution of a visual identity.
• Familiarity with digital accessibility and inclusive design practices.
• Experience with motion graphics, animation, video graphics, photography, or basic video editing.
• Familiarity with Canva, Figma, or similar collaborative design platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design high-quality visual materials supporting Bradley University’s marketing, communications, recruitment, and institutional priorities.
• Create materials for digital advertising, social media, email campaigns, publications, brochures, postcards, events, presentations, signage, environmental graphics, and other collateral.
• Translate marketing strategies, creative briefs, and institutional priorities into visual concepts and finished creative products.
• Apply Bradley University’s visual identity consistently and help strengthen and evolve the University’s visual storytelling.
• Steward Bradley’s brand standards and help campus partners understand and apply the visual identity.
• Develop templates, design systems, and resources that improve consistency and efficiency across University communications.
• Design digital assets for websites, email, social media, digital advertising, and other online platforms.
• Collaborate with web, content, social media, video, photography, and marketing colleagues on integrated campaigns.
• Develop creative concepts that can be adapted across platforms, formats, and audience segments.
• Stay informed about design practices, digital marketing trends, and audience expectations.
• Ensure designs meet appropriate accessibility standards and follow digital and print communication best practices.
• Work with campus partners to understand project goals, audiences, messaging, timelines, and desired outcomes.
• Participate in brainstorming, campaign development, creative reviews, and collaborative planning.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining quality and attention to detail.
• Communicate with internal clients about project scope, timelines, revisions, and deliverables.
• Prepare production-ready files and coordinate as needed with printers, vendors, photographers, and other external partners.
• Maintain organized project files, templates, design assets, and brand resources.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of University marketing and communications priorities.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, and disability coverages.
• FSA and HSA options.
• Retirement plan options.
• Tuition Remission program offering higher education cost savings for employees and dependents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time