Director of Publications and Design Services

Job Description:

A leader in the Office of Communications and Public Affairs, the director of publications and design services advances the image of the university by conceptualizing, designing and producing print and digital publications. The director of publications and design services also supervises a full-time graphic designer, providing vision, leadership and art direction as needed to successfully complete all projects coming through the publications office.

The Department of Communications and Public Affairs is committed to the development of an inclusive environment and we strive to advance diverse perspectives and approaches in carrying out the mission of Washington and Lee University.

Essential Functions:

• Works with internal clients to develop original, creative designs for flagship university publications including undergraduate alumni magazine, law newsletter, annual engagement calendar, student recruitment publications, fundraising appeals, and other promotional publications, including digital versions as requested.
  
  
• Manages the university's graphic identity program, promoting a unified brand image across all university publications, including those produced independently by departments and administrative offices.
  
  
• Supervises one full-time graphic designer, working collaboratively to develop individual goals that increase the productivity of the department and advance the mission of the institution.
  
  
• Manages publications workflow via job ticketing system (HelpScout), including but not limited to art direction, project management, scheduling, planning, and quality assurance. Coordinates editing and production of all projects to meet budgets and deadlines, with a focus on customer service.
  
  
• Keeps abreast of current industry trends and tools, with special attention to software and services that have the potential to streamline publications workflow.
  
  
• Utilizes knowledge of design and printing techniques to identify areas for efficiency and savings while delivering high-quality, impactful pieces.
  
  
• Carefully proofs all publications prior to printing. Coordinates copyediting with in-house editing team and acts as last line of defense against typographical errors made during editing and production process.
  
  
• Understands postal regulations and manages distribution of publications through the mail house and postal process.
  
  
• Cultivates vendor relationships to ensure timeliness, product quality and competitive pricing. Negotiates free storage for large print runs. Reviews vendor invoices for all projects that are outsourced for accuracy before passing to the department for payment.
  
  
• Manages the publications budget.
  
  
• Manages freelance designers and consults with departments who have retained outside design firms for the production of print materials.
  
  
• Maintains project databases for file retrieval as needed.
  
  
• Additional related duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelors or Associates Degree with 8 or more years’ experience in graphic design and print production, or a combination of experience and education from which a similar skillset would be developed. Management experience preferred. Expertise in graphic design software including Adobe Creative Suite. Facility with Microsoft Office Suite. Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and negotiate with vendors. Understanding of printing process, including stock and ink selection, mail house procedures and postal regulations. Strong organizational and project management experience with high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Experienced and adept proofreader. Must be able to coordinate and/or lead multiple projects simultaneously and manage design process from concept to distribution. Creative and a dynamic self-starter, comfortable with taking initiative and able to meet deadlines with minimal supervision. Ability to influence, persuade, and motivate others, and work collegially under extreme deadline pressure.

Application Instructions

The university requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and new employees must provide proof of at least their first shot prior to the first day of employment. Individuals may seek a medical or a religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.

Upload a resume and cover letter required. You will be asked to provide contact information for professional references in the application questionnaire.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

External Applicants: Please upload your resume on the Quick Apply screen. Your application will automatically populate your resume details, and you may verify and update data on the My Information page. Add your cover letter and any other documents required for the position to the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience application page. You will not be able to modify your application after you submit it. The My Experience page is the only opportunity to add your cover letter and supporting document attachments. The online application form requires you provide names and contact information for three professional references.

Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Do not apply from the website. Log in to Workday. Click on the Career Application and select the Open W&L Jobs report. Locate the position and click Apply. Update your Education and Job History. Attach your cover letter and resume, and provide three professional references in the appropriate boxes. Refer to this Job Aid for additional guidance.

Physical Requirements:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
  
  
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  
  
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  
  

Working Conditions: None Types of Work:

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm with occasional evening and weekend hours required.

Benefit Eligible

FLSA:

Exempt

Weekly Hours:

35

Minimum Pay:

$71,479.00

Pay commensurate with experience.

Washington and Lee affirms that diverse perspectives and backgrounds enhance our community. We are committed to the recruitment, enrichment, and retention of students, faculty, and staff who embody many experiences, cultures, points of view, interests, and identities. As engaged citizens in a global and diverse society, we seek to advance a positive learning and working environment for all through open and substantive dialogue.

Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As such, we are interested in candidates who are committed to high standards of scholarship, performance and professionalism and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity in our faculty, staff and student body. Job description requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.