Web & Graphics Specialist

Rice University•Houston, TX

4d•$65,000 - $69,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Web and Graphics Specialist is an integral member of the communications team serving the Rice School of Architecture. This role is responsible for multimedia content creation and management across multiple platforms—from the school’s website and social media channels to email campaigns—and for graphic design for external and internal audiences within an established visual language. This role coordinates the workflow and production schedule for a wide range of marketing and communications materials across digital and print platforms. This position is responsible for the design and management of select printed marketing assets and ephemera, including event postcards, flyers, posters, and merchandise. It also plays a key role in shaping presentations, executive reports, external email communications, and newsletters, ensuring that materials are visually compelling, accurate, timely, and aligned with the School’s identity and standards of design excellence. The ideal candidate will be proactive, creative, organized, visually sophisticated, and able to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment. A strong interest in architecture, design, and institutional storytelling is essential. The Rice School of Architecture is a highly ranked program with a strong culture of design excellence, exceptional student work, world-class faculty research, and deep community engagement. The person in this role should be able to take ownership of their work, respond effectively to direction and feedback, and contribute their own creativity and ideas to advance the School’s mission and communication goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in graphic design, visual communication, arts, architecture, or a related field
2+ years of professional experience in graphic design for print and digital media
Experience working with website content management systems, web publishing, social media, email campaigns, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems
Experience designing communications materials and presentations across multiple platforms, including print, web, email, and presentations
Experience with photography and video
Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere
Ability to use content creation platforms and constituent relationship management (CRM) systems to create and update web pages and HTML email announcements (such as Beefree and Mailchimp newsletter templates, etc.)
Strong visual design skills with careful attention to detail, brand consistency, and user experience
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proven ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities while working independently and collaboratively
Strong organizational and workflow management skills
Ability to develop content as well as design it, especially for web-, email-, and presentation-based communications

Nice To Haves

3 years of professional experience in graphic design for print and digital media
Experience working in the cultural sector, including architecture, design, arts, higher education, or a similarly design-focused environment
Experience supporting or coordinating website redesign projects
Experience creating email newsletters, HTML email templates, and managing email communications platforms
Experience with basic motion graphics or presentation animation

Responsibilities

Manages and designs a wide variety of communications assets that support the visibility, sophistication, and excellence of the Rice School of Architecture
Maintains a creative and editorial calendar for web, social media, and related communications projects
Provides art direction, photography, and video for quick-turnaround communications needs
Serves as a catalyst for creative thinking, project timeliness, and successful completion of communications deliverables
Manages workflow and production schedules for communications projects, ensuring deadlines are met and approvals are secured
Coordinates workflow among internal stakeholders, external vendors, web partners, and print shops to maintain design quality and production efficiency
Performs all other duties as assigned
Designs and produces communications materials for digital and print audiences
Maintains the visual quality, consistency, and tone of all web, email, presentation, and print materials, ensuring that content remains current and follows best practices
Designs and updates presentation materials and templates for events and institutional use, including graduate open house, Owl Days, all-school meetings, executive presentations, and reports. This may include new slide design, photography, animation, and content development support
Supports the development of executive materials, reports, and presentations for internal and external audiences
Works closely with external vendors and consultants to meet deadlines and uphold standards of design excellence
Manages and updates website and social media content regularly, including ongoing review for accuracy, consistency, image quality, and cross-referencing across subsections of the site
Helps coordinate and manage website redesign initiatives in collaboration with leadership, communications staff, and web development partners
Refreshes imagery and visual assets across platforms to keep communications current and engaging
Maintains website standards in collaboration with web development and design partners
Develops visual and written content for external email blasts, newsletters, social media, and related communications, including text, images, layout, and template-based design
Oversees email communications workflows, including template use, formatting, scheduling, and subscription list management
Designs and manages HTML email templates and other newsletter formats using the school’s and university’s constituent relationship management (CRM) platforms and tools