Job Description: Visual Designer
Reports to: Director of Communications
Department: Communications
Classification: Exempt, 12-month

Position Summary

The  Visual Designer (VD) is responsible for developing integrated, innovative design solutions that align with the school's strategic communications goals and objectives, effectively promoting the Winsor brand to diverse audiences across a variety of print and digital media. The VD  supports a team of in-house stakeholders through a high volume of creative projects with shifting priorities. Key to success in this role will be the ability to develop and foster internal and external relationships in support of delivering accurate, creative, and timely projects that adhere to brand guidelines and are reflective of a high-caliber design aesthetic. Client-focused and customer-service oriented, they will be highly skilled at presenting, sharing, and explaining design directions and their rationale in a thoughtful and compelling manner, demonstrating an outstanding sense of design and a positive attitude in their interactions. In accordance with our Core Principles, they will have a strong commitment to supporting and promoting a diverse and inclusive environment across the institution.

Reporting directly to the Director of Communications (DC), the VD will work closely with the DC, members of the Communications team, senior leadership, faculty, and other key stakeholders to advance institutional goals, with special attention to advancement, enrollment, and faculty and staff recruitment 

Essential Functions

Strategy and Execution of Integrative Design 

• In collaboration with the Director of Communications, the Visual Designer develops and implements innovative design strategies to advance Winsor’s goals to enroll the most qualified students, engage donors and alums, and attract talented faculty and staff

• Collaborates with members of the Communications team and key campus partners to translate objectives into creative strategies to deliver materials that successfully align with and support stakeholder needs and the Winsor brand

• Develops concepts and manages the creative process through production and delivery for projects of varying complexity and timelines—from discrete jobs for internal audiences to multi-channel external campaigns  

• Supports production of the Winsor Bulletin, Winsor’s biannual print and digital magazine that aims to engage our alum population as well as current and prospective students, parents, and donors by generating a sense of pride and connection to the Winsor community

• Designs prototypes for email templates and other digital deliverables, as well as mockups for a variety of print packages—from invites and programs booklets to advancement appeals

Brand Management

• Executes the long-term and day-to-day visual identity for Winsor via expertise in design, publishing, layout, typography, photography, video, and illustration

• Works with stakeholders across campus to foster understanding of Winsor’s identity
  standards and ensure that projects adhere to brand guidelines and are reflective of our high-caliber design aesthetic  

• Presents creative with enthusiasm to stakeholders—articulates rationale, builds consensus, and manages challenges throughout the creative process

General Communications Responsibilities

• Enhances the operational efficiency of Winsor's communications program by working with the DC to develop, implement, and ensure that all systems and processes—from internal design and photography requests to multi-channel external campaign design—result in deliverables that accurately reflect the Winsor brand

• Oversees internal and external creative resource availability, timelines, and prioritization using shared team systems for tracking and project coordination

• Remains in tune with innovative trends in integrated and design thinking to move projects forward 

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in graphic design, or equivalent experience

• Minimum of 4 years of creative experience with increasing responsibility over time

• Demonstrated experience leading strategic and creative outcomes

• Strong knowledge of brand development and the creative process, and experience supporting and/or managing multidimensional brands

• Stellar communication, problem-solving, and project-management skills

• Highly organized and adept at managing workflow and file management systems

• Software expertise in design and creative applications—Adobe Creative Suite; and in PowerPoint, Word, Excel, project management tools; animation, and motion graphics

• Understanding of HTML, CSS, and content management systems

• Experience managing and interfacing with other creative agencies and web/print vendors to bring large-scale projects to completion 

• Strong, varied portfolio of creative campaigns showcasing high-quality, cohesive design strategy and execution across various platforms

• Demonstrated understanding of the entire creative design process, including methodology, roles and responsibilities, client relationship management, project management, and pricing and contracting models.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Frequent talking, listening, walking, sitting and standing

• Ability to perform multiple concurrent tasks and function in a fast-paced working environment

• The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
  
  
  Benefits included as of start date: medical, dental, vision and 403 b retirement plan. Pay range is $80,000- $100,000 per year.
  
  The Winsor School is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic testing, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis protected.

About The Winsor School

Founded in 1886, The Winsor School is an independent girls’ school for academically promising and motivated students in grades five through twelve. Located in the heart of Boston’s Longwood Medical and Academic Research area, our students benefit from the school's longstanding commitment to providing a superior education for girls, inspirational and dedicated faculty, and diverse and talented community. Winsor strives to consciously create an environment of respect and inclusion and to support ethnic, racial, religious and socio-economic diversity among all the constituencies of the school. Winsor supports this commitment through its inclusive curriculum, success addressing a range of learning styles, availability of a wide array of diversity efforts and programs, and participating in the greater Boston community.

Connections working at The Winsor School