Design Lead

The Design Lead is Westminster's visual brand steward, reporting to the Director of Marketing. Reporting to the Director of Marketing and in partnership with the Junior Graphic Designer, the Design Lead originates creative concepts and campaign thinking, translates institutional strategy into compelling visual solutions, and actively problem-solves to elevate the brand across print, digital, social, advertising, and editorial materials. Serve as vision holder for Westminster's brand, proactively identifying opportunities to strengthen and evolve the university's visual identity, and contributing creative concepts and strategic design solutions that advance university goals and elevate projects from concept through executionDevelop wireframes and visual direction for campaign initiatives, partnering with the web team and other campus partnersEvaluate creative work across departments to identify where visual direction should shift, translating institutional priorities into cohesive visual communicationsEnsure consistency, quality, and brand alignment across all marketing and communications materials, print through digital Mentor the Junior Graphic Designer and student employees, fostering craft and creative growth; track the team's project pipeline with the Director of MarketingPresent creative work and brand direction to external stakeholders/clients and internal teamsPartner closely with the Director of Marketing as a strategic creative counterpart — helping shape direction, not just receiving it Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field7+ years of professional graphic design experience, including meaningful agency or client-facing time and demonstrated growth into higher-level creative ownershipStrong portfolio demonstrating brand identity and systems-level thinking — not just campaign execution — across print, digital, social, web, and editorialDemonstrated experience developing wireframes or UX/interface design for websites or digital productsFamiliarity with Canva and PowerPoint, to support campus clients effectivelyDemonstrated experience presenting creative work to executive stakeholders and/or external clients, and navigating feedback with confidenceProven ability to translate a campaign or brand across multiple channels while maintaining cohesionExpert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma; working proficiency in XD or similarExceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skillsPreferred QualificationsMotion graphics or animation experience (After Effects, Premiere Pro, or similar)Illustration skills, or experience writing briefs for and managing illustrators/specialty creativesExperience in higher education or another complex, multi-stakeholder institutional environmentMentorship experienceEditorial design experience for print publications (magazines, annual reports, or similar)Familiarity with brand portal/DAM systems (e.g., CLC Brand Manager 360) or similar platforms