Production Manager & Junior Designer

Phillips Exeter Academy • Exeter, NH

4d

About The Position

The Production Manager & Junior Designer facilitates print and digital design projects, applying graphic design fundamentals and a strong visual sensibility to create assets for social media, email, print marketing, fundraising campaigns, and other communications. The position oversees print production schedules, costs, and vendor contracts, and assists with creating and maintaining digital and print design assets. It also supports publication layout, brand-aligned file updates, photo selection and editing, and the organization of shared files and asset archives.

The role tracks production budgets and processes invoices, coordinates with outside vendors and contractors, and works with the Academy’s lead designer and colleagues in the Communications Office and across campus. It requires strong organization, attention to detail, deadline management, collaboration, and the ability to manage multiple projects. The work allocation is 60% administrative production and budget management and 40% design and layout. The position has no direct reports and reports to the Deputy Director of Communications.

Requirements

• Degree in graphic design, fine arts, visual communication, design technology, or a related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in graphic design and production in the print industry.
• 1–3 years of experience with Adobe Creative Suite.
• Portfolio of current design work demonstrating targeted, audience-driven communications and brand marketing.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat.
• Understanding of graphic design fundamentals, including composition, color theory, typography, brand identity, and art and photography management.
• Knowledge of print and digital design and production, including image optimization and design for email and web.
• Proven organizational and project management abilities, including meeting deadlines while managing multiple projects.
• Ability to understand the importance of unified institutional messages across formats.
• Respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency.
• Experience with basic data management systems and Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong collaboration skills in creative and production workflows.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships.
• Willingness and ability to learn additional applications and skills as needed.
• Successfully complete a criminal background check, reviewed every five years.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with print house production and industry trends.
• Familiarity with direct mail solicitation and postal design.

Responsibilities

• Oversee print production, monitor progress, develop and adhere to schedules, track project costs, and manage vendor contracts.
• Assist with creating digital and print assets, including publication layouts and design files aligned with brand standards.
• Update and refresh design files and select and edit photography for print and digital use.
• Maintain familiarity with Academy graphic standards and photography assets, and share files with designers as needed.
• Organize project and asset databases, shared files, and archives.
• Coordinate with outside vendors and contractors by providing assets, coordinating deadlines and contracts, and giving direction to keep projects on budget and schedule.
• Manage budgets for print production projects and process invoices for departmental work.
• Work collaboratively with the Academy’s lead designer and colleagues in Communications and across campus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level