Senior Graphic Designer

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create

Please note that internal job postings are open only to current permanent OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees and temporary OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees with one year of continuous service.

Reporting to the Manager, Creative Services the Senior Graphic Designer is responsible for executing a full range of design deliverables, including print, digital and web. This function includes the production of a wide variety of communication needs for OCAD University (OCAD U). The Marketing & Communications team supports the entire institution, with emphasis on departments with strategic and development needs. OCAD U requires brand building support in the areas of marketing, events, relationship management, online presence and promotions. All members of Creative Services engage and deliver materials to further student, faculty, donor and business relationships important to Recruiting and Advancement. The Senior Graphic Designer champions the graphic design needs of the university on an ongoing basis, completing design deliverables that hit our evolving strategic marketing initiatives.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Support the Strategic Marketing Plan through the development and execution of design deliverables
• Support the Executive Director, Marketing and Communications and Manager, Creative Services to create a strongly resourced department, viewed as authoritative professionals within the Creative and Design scope
• Act as team lead on assigned projects while partnering with project managers to provide guidance on best-practices for studio and design choices
• Manage projects with freelancers and review design files for accuracy and best-practice setup
• Produce, drive and maintain dictated timelines
• Responsible for working cross-functionally to support Recruiting, Marketing, President's Office, Development, Stewardship, Donor and Sponsor Relations, Major Gifts, Board Relations, Government Relations, Student Services, Communications, Advertising, Video and Photography
• Positively impact the brand stature of OCAD U as one of Canada's premiere choices for post-secondary education in the Art & Design field by creating highly creative professional design solutions
• Understand the importance of brand development and implement design and communication choices for OCAD U's evolving visual identity; continually deliver stronger and more influential design as an important aspect of the outward face of OCAD U
• Improve and mentor consistency for the OCAD U visual identity stewardship needs with third-party suppliers and materials generated outside of M&C department
• Develop new ideas and solutions around new media advancements and how Creative Services can impact better results for its marketing spend
• In conjunction with the Manager, Creative Services, work to fulfil strategic objectives of the Project Plan, Marketing Plan and Creative Brief
• Work on template solutions for internal materials, in so doing, free up design hours within the department and also create format consistencies
• Maintain an organized, shared archival system for all completed projects
• Work with the Manager, Creative Services to prioritize projects, while continually communicating efficiency solutions to improve processes; put plans into place that reflect the fast-tracking of high value priorities over other projects
• Provide creative output for print, social, digital and web design needs, first supporting key business drivers, but additionally all business groups within the institution; focus strong support for high-profile Institutional requirements throughout the year
• Provide brand guideline support and image content research as needed for external design firms, contract suppliers and freelancers
• Adhere to the M&C project workflow and process outlines
• Be part of developing and maintaining solutions for content management
• Liaise with Project Managers to see projects through from inception to delivery of materials; communicate the team's delivery expectations and put timelines and workload balances into perspective for Project Managers
• Interact with web professionals, to understand the changing requirements for a variety of digital properties such as websites, online systems, apps, newsletters, evites, online ads, banners, social, adhering to current and standards-based design and development practices, accessibility and usability
• Participate as a fiscally responsible member of the M&C team, including supporting efforts around OCAD U's Go Forward Roadmap towards financial sustainability
• Work closely with the Manager, Creative Services to create long term strategies for workloads when annual project plans are available

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree in design or a related field, with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant graphic and UI/UX design experience, or equivalent
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience of print management including: obtaining competitive quotes, budgeting, obtaining stakeholder sign-off, pre-press artwork, reviewing proofs, colour correction, on-site press check and delivery co-ordination
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience producing digital design and the ability to work within the programming needs of HTML and CSS and various digital interfaces
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience executing style guidelines and multi-media campaigns cross platform
• A strong visual design sense and the proven ability to execute complex, visually impactful graphics
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and express ideas through visual concepts and presentations
• Strong knowledge of the principles of design including user experience, typography and composition
• Understanding of digital design standards including web typography for advanced interfaces and accessibility compliance
• Professional knowledge of strategy and design practices to support design choices; knowledge of current art and design trends
• Ability to convert design critiques and concerns into viable next steps that both sides of the design process fully understand and support
• Experience working with project managers, with a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and manage delivery expectations
• Strong service-oriented skills paired with the ability to prioritize projects, juggle competing demands and meet deadlines in a high-pressure work environment
• Strong software skills including a high level of proficiency in Adobe workflow, particularly InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dimensions, Bridge and Acrobat; knowledge of After Effects, Flash, Premiere, Final Cut Pro and Microsoft Office products are an asset
• Demonstrated project management skills along with strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and participate collaboratively in a team environment
• Working knowledge of industry standard workflows and approval processes gained from agency or established design studio experience
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty

Compensation:OPSEU Unit I, Appendix A, Grade A5; $66,925.74 to $87,958.44 per annum

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, for a total of 35 hours per week.

Mode of Work: Hybrid Model. A minimum of three (3) days in office, subject to change depending on department needs.

Interested internal permanent OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 or temporary OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees with one year of continuous service applicants are invited to submit an updated *resume and cover letter (PDF) , no later than Friday September 24, 2025.

• Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

We encourage members of designated equity-deserving groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire.

In order to alleviate the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous administrators, priority in hiring will be given to qualified racialized and Indigenous persons who self-identify as such in the application process. This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U's Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities.

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.