Freelance Graphics Designer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Title: Senior Graphic Designer/Marketing
VP Area: VP - Enrollment Mgmt and Marketing
Department: Marketing Department
Position Compensation: $63,000 - $65,000
Location: University Campus - St. Paul, Minnesota

Who We Are:
Northwestern is a faith-driven community, UNWavering in our Christ-centered principles and identity as those who profess faith in Jesus. Rooted in the unshakable foundation of God’s Word and our calling to impact His world, our mission and vision flow from these core values, expressed through Christ-centered higher education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and through gospel outreach and faithfulness with Northwestern Media.

Position Summary:
The Senior Graphic Designer leads the creation and execution of strategic visual communications that advance enrollment, institutional advancement, and university-wide objectives while reflecting the mission, values, and brand of the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. As the university's primary visual communicator and brand steward, this position develops high-quality print and digital marketing materials, manages multiple concurrent priorities, and ensures brand consistency across institutional channels. The role combines creative leadership with hands‑on design execution and oversees student employees and external creative resources.

• Creative Design Leadership: Lead the creative development and execution of design projects that support Enrollment, Institutional Advancement, student recruitment, fundraising, alumni engagement, and institutional marketing initiatives. Serve as the lead designer on multiple concurrent projects, exercising sound judgment to prioritize requests, manage workload, and deliver high-quality creative solutions on time and within established deadlines.
• Brand Stewardship and Visual Identity Management: Serve as the university's primary brand steward and creative catalyst, championing design excellence and advancing the institution's visual narrative across academic, enrollment, advancement, and institutional channels. Provide guidance to marketing colleagues, academic departments, and campus partners regarding logo usage, typography, color standards, visual assets, and brand best practices to ensure consistent application of university brand standards.
• Print and Digital Content Development: Design and produce a wide range of marketing and communication materials, including brochures, magazines, advertisements, billboards, direct mail pieces, event programs, banners, postcards, presentations and slide decks, social media graphics, website and email assets, digital signage, and promotional merchandise.
• Project Management and Creative Consultation: Partner with campus stakeholders to assess communication objectives, recommend creative solutions, establish timelines, and manage projects from concept through final delivery. Balance competing priorities while ensuring projects align with institutional goals, brand standards, and audience needs.
• Creative Asset and Production Management: Review and proof design files for visual accuracy, quality, brand consistency, accessibility considerations, and production readiness prior to publication or distribution. Coordinate with printers, promotional vendors, and other production partners to ensure effective and timely execution of creative projects.
• Photography, Visual Content, and Art Direction: Identify photography, video, and graphic content needs and provide creative direction for visual storytelling initiatives. Coordinate and direct photo shoots as needed to support university marketing efforts and maintain a library of compelling visual assets.
• Design Resource and File Management: Maintain, organize, and archive artwork, photography, and design files following established file management protocols and brand asset standards. Ensure accurate version control, accessibility, and efficient retrieval of creative resources.
• Student and Contractor Supervision: Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and oversee student design employees while supporting their professional development. Provide direction, project management, and quality control for freelance designers, photographers, temporary staff, and other external creative resources to ensure deliverables meet university standards, timelines, and objectives.
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned.

Because our community is a significant part of our mission and the development of our students and listeners, all employees serve as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ by actively partnering with the University to disciple students as they grow intellectually and spiritually, and with Northwestern Media to lead people to Christ and nurture believers to maturity in their faith.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or equivalent professional experience
• Minimum of three years of professional work experience
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Familiarity with project management software
• Maintain a growing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, reflect His character in all interactions, and faithfully uphold and embrace Northwestern’s mission, Doctrinal Statement and Declaration of Christian Community

Nice To Have:

• Prior higher education experience
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Lightroom)
• Experience with Wrike project management software

• Independent & Teamwork: Capable of working both independently and collaboratively, with minimal supervision.
• Confidentiality: Maintains discretion and handles sensitive information appropriately.
• Organizational Skills: Strong time management and problem-solving abilities; able to prioritize and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail.
• Technical Proficiency: Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Adobe design and related software.
• Written & Verbal Communication: Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Background Check: Must pass initial and ongoing background checks as a condition of employment.

The work environment involves working for a suburban, Christian university or Christian owned and operated radio station alongside those with a demonstrated commitment and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a commitment to the mission and values of Northwestern, and an agreement to abide by all Northwestern policies.

All applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States as we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.