Lead Graphic Designer

This position reports to the Assistant Coordinator-Marketing (Creative Operations) and is based at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA.

About the Role

The Lead Graphic Designer is responsible for creating and supporting the graphics needs for ASI promotional, collateral, and digital materials. This includes providing scheduling assistance, reviewing concepts or campaigns to ensure brand standards, preparing and revising training materials, creating and monitoring task lists, and supporting the technical needs of other graphic designers. The team must deliver creative solutions while maintaining a consistent ASI branded appearance that aligns with Cal Poly’s brand in design, layout, artwork, and color for all promotional print and digital materials.

ASI is committed to supporting the university’s learning objectives. Employees are expected to make reasoned decisions based on ethics, respect for diversity, and awareness of sustainability issues, while working productively both individually and in groups with effective communication.

Requirements

• Must be a currently enrolled student at Cal Poly with a minimum of 6 units (graduate students must carry 4 units).
• Knowledge and experience in the creation of original artwork and the study of typography.
• Excellent working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Mac computers.
• Working knowledge of video or motion graphics preferred.
• Ability to be highly organized, work independently, and demonstrate strong planning skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork in a diverse and cooperative work environment.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals from various cultural backgrounds and with specific needs or limitations.

Responsibilities

• Use graphic creation skills to prepare materials for print and digital marketing, including fliers, brochures, posters, T-shirts, web advertisements, and social media posts.
• Coordinate photography or video graphics as needed for assignments.
• Plan and implement print layouts for multi-page publications, integrated marketing campaigns, and individual collateral pieces.
• Adhere to established project deadlines and maintain an up-to-date work calendar.
• Establish and monitor daily and/or weekly priorities and task lists.
• Work with on- and off-campus vendors to obtain quotes, set production timelines, send products to print, check proofs, and receive final products.
• Maintain consistent communication with clients to coordinate project details, ensuring deadlines and appropriate design applications (e.g., scheduling, assessing photography/video needs, original artwork creation, and revisions).
• Maintain archives of individual project specifications, drafts, and final proofs.
• Adhere to ASI style and branding guidelines, as well as Cal Poly brand guidelines.
• Attend mandatory meetings, workshops, and retreats.
• Provide quality customer service to all staff and customers.
• Learn new technology and provide training to other graphic designer staff.
• Conduct inventory of supplies and communicate needs to supervisor.
• Provide leadership and guidance to other graphic designer staff.
• Maintain awareness of safety concerns and risk management.
• Follow absence procedures and maintain prompt hours.
• Maintain working relationships with staff and co-workers.
• Adhere to and enforce all ASI departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure a safe environment for all participants.
• Demonstrate commitment to student development and leadership.
• Work well with others and be self-motivated.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Pay

Hourly Pay Rate: $18.40 per hour

Schedule

Requires a minimum of two consecutive terms of work availability.