Job Details

Graphic Designer - Student Life - UTK

Position Number: 6396964
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Graphic Design

Graphic Designer - Student Life - UTK
Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Identification: 3681
Job Category: Communication & Mktg
Posting Date: 07/21/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 1331 Circle Park, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US

Job Description
The Graphic Designer position works collaboratively with the Student Life Communications team to assess communication needs and provide highly visible, impactful design solutions for division-wide and department marketing and communications materials.

The Graphic Design position creates high-quality graphics and visual designs for application across various channels, including print, digital, and multimedia. The position also serves as a contributing designer on cross-divisional creative projects and is responsible to fully execute design projects based on existing brand guidelines for a variety of audiences and stakeholders. The position understands brand guidelines and exercises decision-making in design to maintain quality creative output that remains on brand. Additionally, this position demonstrates sound judgment, knowledge of industry standards, and best practices to create seamless user experiences through high-quality design. This position works independently to apply designs and other key art to defined formats and platform specifications.

Key responsibilities also include maintaining a current and accurate understanding of the university, its programs, and its stakeholders to inform effective marketing campaigns. This role ensures department satisfaction with proposed strategies while collaborating with colleagues to develop and implement data-informed communications efforts. Acting as a liaison to the UTK Office of Communications and Marketing, the position helps maintain consistency in university branding and messaging. Additional duties include coordinating with external vendors on production timelines, serving on university and division-level committees, and providing leadership to Student Life staff on best practices in design and communication strategy. This includes leading educational sessions to reinforce the division's brand and set clear expectations for staff supporting communication efforts within their departments.

This position will also provide direct supervision and evaluation of student staff and evaluate resources and work with management to adjust as necessary.

Responsibilities

Maintain current and accurate understanding of the university, its programs, and its stakeholders to inform effective marketing campaigns
Ensure department satisfaction with proposed marketing campaigns
Collaborates with colleagues to champion, develop, and execute data-informed communications strategies
Liaison with UTK Office of Communications and Marketing to ensure consistency of university communications and brand
Serve as liaison with vendors with regard to production schedules
Serve on University/Division committees
Provide leadership to Student Life staff on best practices in design and communication strategy
Lead educational sessions with Student Life staff to establish the division's brand and set design expectations with staff working in supportive communications roles within departments

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Communications, or related field (6 years professional experience can substitute for education requirement).

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Ability to work within established brand guidelines
Working knowledge of industry standard design software, including Adobe suite and Canva
Working knowledge of best practices in print and digital communication
Proven written and verbal communication skills
Works independently as well as under guidance from senior team members
Works well under time constraints or to a deadline
Ability to balance multiple projects with varying degrees of complexity and involvement, prioritizing tasks appropriately

Preferred Qualifications

Education: MFA, Graphic Design
Experience: 6+ years of Higher Education Communications experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Ability to work with diverse constituencies, prioritize multiple work responsibilities in time-sensitive situations, work with limited supervision, supervise, and delegate work to student staff, exercise good judgment, handle different situations with confidence and leadership, and be flexible
Foundational knowledge of marketing essentials and communications strategies
Ability to use Adobe Creative Suite and Mac Operating Systems
Strong skills in verbal and written communication, customer service, and interpersonal relationships

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN
Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Hybrid

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: 09
Anticipated hiring range: Starting at $46,000 and commensurate with education and experience
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

Resume
Cover Letter
List of 3 Professional References
Link to portfolio

About The College/Department/Division

The Division of Student Life is comprised of an outstanding group of professionals who create student-centered opportunities that contribute to a transformative Volunteer Experience. These opportunities allow students to grow their skills and knowledge outside of the classroom. From health and wellness to service and engagement, we provide opportunities where students exemplify the Volunteer Spirit, inspiring others to learn, lead, and serve.

The departments and offices housed within Student Life provide the daily services our students need to thrive and plan strategically for the future of student life at UT. These departments and offices foster student engagement and leadership opportunities, prioritize the health and wellness of our students and staff, and work to enhance a sense of belonging. The division illustrates a collective effort that is greater than the sum of its parts. The departments and programs of Student Life are providing students with transformational experiences that are critical to the realization of their academic and personal aspirations.

About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/3681/?mode=location