Graphic Design Specialist, Indigenous Initiatives

**About Western**: Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference. **About Us**: Western’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives will lead system-wide change required to advance truth and reconciliation efforts, achieve equitable outcomes for Indigenous peoples, and implement Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan. The Office will be committed to building and strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities locally, provincially, nationally and internationally, and fostering an academic environment, where all students, staff, faculty and community members experience the university as a welcoming, supportive, culturally-safe environment in which Indigenous languages, ways of knowing, being and doing are respected and supported. **Responsibilities**: - The Graphic Design Specialist will be responsible for supporting communication functions and processes within the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII), ensuring that consistency and best practices are followed across all areas. The role will also support OII’s Indigenous Learning Space (ILS). The role will provide graphic design support, guidance, and advice related to all OII communications, including social media, regular communications vehicles (such as the quarterly newsletter), ad hoc communications, communications for the new Indigenous Learning Space, and OII-related websites (including maintenance and updating). The Specialist will support the development, implementation, and assessment of Indigenous-related communications and marketing initiatives, with a view to ensuring a consistent design platform for OII; implementing a visual identity that employs Indigenous motifs and themes to express Indigenous values, identities and traditions; and elevating Indigenous presence across Western and in the wider community.**Qualifications**: **Education**: - Undergraduate Degree, preferably in Graphic Design, Communications, Marketing Media or related program **Experience**: - Minimum one year of experience in graphic design and communications, with responsibility for creating visual platforms, graphic design materials, marketing collateral, websites and social media posts - Experience in a postsecondary environment preferred Skills, Abilities & Expertise: - knowledge of graphic design principles and practices; - ability to design for electronic communications and for paper-based media; - understanding of e-communication tools, including websites and social media channels relevant to student populations and postsecondary institutions - Strong ability to interpret written communications and develop graphic designs and platforms that visually express their content - Knowledge of local Indigenous languages (e.g., Anishinaabe, Oneida and Lenape) an asset - Knowledge of theory and promising practices in media relations, public affairs, and marketing - Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one's own unit - Media-engagement and marketing skills, with solid communications-informed judgment to present and package information to maximize interest - Ability to analyze metrics and consider past and or related communications to craft captivating graphic communications using social media or other appropriate channels - Ability to deal confidentially with information that has financial, political, regulatory and reputational implications - Ability to think creatively and use a non-prescriptive approach in marketing and communications initiatives - Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess complex higher education issues of concern to stakeholders, including the media, the public, and prospective donors - Computer skills, with the ability to learn and use relevant software that achieves required outcomes and is in line with promising practices - Ability to search within and outside the formal boundaries of the organization for innovative ways to improve work - Project management skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously from conception to completion within tight timelines **Why Western?**: **Background Checks**: While transcripts are not required for the interview, they may be required prior to any offer of employment. Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have oral communication skills in English. **Western Values Diversity**: **Please Note**: Effective September 7, 2021, all employees and visitors