Independent Contractor Graphic Design Jobs in Rhode Island

Title: Graphic Designer

Department: Marketing and Communications

Reports to: Julie Sharkey, Director, Foundation Marketing and Communications

Location: Kingston, RI

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary

The URI Foundation is seeking a Graphic Designer to produce the digital and print materials that support fundraising, alumni engagement, events, and donor relations. This work reaches donors, alumni, students, and university partners. The designer creates the steady volume of materials that keeps advancement moving, and builds the reusable design systems and branded templates the whole team uses to handle routine requests on brand. This role executes at a high level and elevates the work within the Foundation's brand and strategy. 

This is a digital-first, production-forward role that spans several brand environments, including the University's. We are looking for someone with a storytelling instinct and an eye for work that evokes emotion and inspires action. 

Key Responsibilities

• Design and produce materials across digital and print, including email, social and web graphics, reports, event programs and signage, invitations, banners, and direct mail. 
• Manage multiple concurrent projects from brief through final production, meeting firm deadlines. 
• Translate strategic briefs into clear visual concepts, asking clarifying questions early to get to the right result. 
• Build and maintain reusable design systems, including branded Canva and email templates and master files that non-designers across the team can use confidently and on brand. 
• Maintain brand consistency across everything the Foundation produces, working within established University and Foundation brand and visual identity guidelines. 
• Design digital assets that meet accessibility standards, including color contrast, alt text, and readable type in email and web graphics. 
• Prepare press-ready files and coordinate with outside print and mail vendors. 
• Partner with writers, editors, and engagement and development staff on integrated, multi-channel campaigns. 

• Source, select, crop, and color-correct photography for print and digital use. 
• Hire and manage professional photographers and videographers as needed. 

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Minimum of 3-5 years of graphic design experience, in-house or agency, including both print and digital production work. 
• Portfolio required with application. We are looking for range across print and digital, and ideally at least one template or design system that other people went on to use. 

Preferred Education and Experience

• Motion graphics or video editing, including cutting long-form video into social-length assets. Adobe Express, After Effects, Premiere, or Animate. 
• Experience in an academic, fundraising, or nonprofit setting. 
• Experience working across more than one brand identity or sub-brand. 
• Experience with project or job-tracking software. 

Skills and Abilities

• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. 
• Fluency in Canva and in email design within an email service provider/marketing email platform. 
• Working knowledge of print production and file preparation for commercial printing.  
• Working knowledge of digital accessibility standards as they apply to email and web graphics. 
• Comfort with short turnaround times and concurrent projects in a deadline-driven environment. 

• Collaborative and team-oriented, with the confidence to bring ideas and share feedback. 
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and set priorities. 
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.

Salary: $60,000 to $70,000 based on experience.

Join the URI Foundation team!

We offer competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous paid time off, and unparalleled retirement savings programs. Join our team of talented, mission-driven advancement professionals!

We are an equal opportunity employer and provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, making decisions based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic characteristics, or any other characteristic protected by law.