Freelance Visual Development Artist Jobs in Hamden, CT

Position Summary

Lead the University's Visual Communications team, overseeing the strategic development and execution of Sacred Heart University's visual brand across print, digital, multimedia, environmental, and interactive experiences. Responsible for ensuring a consistent and compelling brand identity through graphic design, user experience (UX), digital design, photography, video, motion graphics, and emerging visual technologies. Partner with marketing, communications, enrollment, advancement, and academic affairs to create engaging, user-centered experiences that strengthen awareness, reputation, and affinity for the University.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Direct the University's Visual Communications department, providing strategic leadership and oversight of all visual communications including graphic design, digital design, user experience (UX), photography, videography, livestream production, motion graphics, environmental graphics, signage, print production, multimedia, and creative services.
• Lead the development, implementation, and evolution of the University's visual identity, ensuring consistent application of Sacred Heart University's brand standards across all print, digital, environmental, and experiential touchpoints. 
• Oversee the creative direction, production, and quality of all University visual assets, including publications, websites, digital marketing campaigns, social media graphics, advertising, presentations, photography, video, campus signage, event branding, and environmental graphics. 
• Collaborate with University leadership and partners across Enrollment Management, Advancement, Academic Affairs, Athletics, Student Life, Information Technology, and other administrative units to develop integrated creative strategies that advance institutional priorities and strengthen the University's reputation. 
• Direct the visual design and user experience (UX) of digital properties in partnership with web development and digital marketing teams, ensuring engaging, accessible, intuitive, and brand-consistent experiences that support recruitment, engagement, and conversion goals. 
• Supervise the University's photography, videography, livestream production, digital asset management, and creative production functions, ensuring timely, high-quality visual storytelling that supports institutional marketing, communications, enrollment, advancement, and event initiatives.
• Provide strategic oversight for campus branding initiatives, including environmental graphics, exterior and interior signage, wayfinding, branded spaces, vehicle graphics, exhibits, installations, and other physical manifestations of the University's identity. 
• Support relationships with external creative and marketing agencies, photographers, videographers, printers, freelance designers, production vendors, and signage manufacturers to ensure quality, efficiency, brand consistency, and fiscal responsibility. 
• Establish creative standards, workflows, templates, and production processes that improve efficiency, foster collaboration, and maintain consistent visual quality across the University. 
• Evaluate and implement emerging creative technologies, AI-assisted design tools, digital platforms, and production methods that enhance creativity, operational effectiveness, and audience engagement. 
• Manage departmental budgets, project prioritization, resource allocation, production schedules, and vendor contracts to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with institutional objectives. 
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and supervise a high-performing creative team while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented culture that supports the University's mission and strategic plan.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Digital Media, User Experience (UX), Marketing, Communications, Fine Arts, or a related field required
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience leading creative services, visual communications, brand management, or integrated marketing in higher education, an agency, or a comparable complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary creative teams, managing multiple priorities, and delivering high-quality work across print, digital, multimedia, and environmental communications.

Professional Knowledge

• Expert knowledge of branding principles and visual identity systems, with the ability to ensure consistency across print, digital, environmental, and experiential communications.
• Extensive knowledge of graphic design, typography, photography, videography, motion graphics, digital publishing, print production, and creative production workflows.
• Strong understanding of user experience (UX), user interface (UI) design principles, information architecture, responsive design, and accessibility standards (WCAG).
• Working knowledge of digital marketing channels, web content strategy, social media creative, email marketing, and digital advertising best practices.
• Experience overseeing photography, video production, livestreams, environmental graphics, campus signage, digital asset management, and creative vendor relationships.
• Familiarity with web content management systems (CMS), creative project management platforms, digital asset management systems, and emerging creative technologies.
• Knowledge of AI-assisted creative tools and evolving technologies that improve creative workflows, productivity, and content development.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Lightroom, Acrobat, and related creative software.
• Familiarity with Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Canva Enterprise, or comparable UX and collaborative design platforms.
• Understanding of HTML/CSS fundamentals and digital production processes sufficient to collaborate effectively with web developers and digital marketing professionals. Experience interpreting digital analytics and user behavior data to inform creative decisions and optimize audience engagement is a plus.

Leadership & Management

• Proven ability to develop, mentor, and inspire high-performing creative professionals while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented culture.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills with the ability to balance strategic priorities and day-to-day production demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage departmental budgets, production schedules, vendor contracts, and external agency relationships.
• Strong consultation, presentation, and communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and translate institutional objectives into compelling visual solutions. Must be able to collaborate across divisions.
• Ability to establish priorities, manage competing deadlines, and lead cross-functional teams through collaborative decision-making and creative problem-solving.

Attributes

• Strategic thinker with exceptional creative judgment and attention to detail.
• Collaborative leader who builds strong relationships across academic and administrative units.
• Adaptable and forward-thinking with a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Resourceful, customer-focused, and committed to delivering exceptional service.
• Ability to represent the University professionally while working with faculty, staff, students, alumni, vendors, agencies, and external partners.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming visual environment that reflects the University's mission and values.
• Positive attitude, intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and a willingness to embrace emerging technologies and evolving communication strategies.

Unusual Working Conditions.

 Working to meet deadlines will require flexibility in work hours.