THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Designer
School/Department:
External Relations
Salary:
£22,249 to 26,537 per annum, depending on skills and
experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to
performance
Job Family and Level:
APM Level 3
Contract Status:
Permanent, full-time
Hours of Work:
36.25 hours per week
Location:
University Park Campus, Nottingham
Reporting to:
Design Manager
Purpose of the Role:
To contribute to the work of the University’s in-house design team by creatively designing and
editing the University’s online and offline marketing assets and associated collateral – this
includes utilising content in new and innovative ways in the digital space. The role-holder is
responsible for managing a sizeable workload to support defined ‘account’ areas on their
design and communications activity.
The role-holder will be adept at interpreting design briefs and have proven liaison experience
with a broad range of stakeholders and will work with the University’s external design roster to
maintain brand integrity and compliance requirements whilst still developing their work
creatively.
The role demands well-rounded design and application skills with the ability to look beyond the
immediate project and develop/refine successful innovative creative solutions that take into
account bigger picture initiatives, strategic/brand goals and overarching campaigns.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment
are essential to the role.
Main Responsibilities
1.
% time
per year
Creative design
 Responsible for the completion of campaigns and other
collateral from concept to inception for a range of defined
‘accounts’ to agreed deadlines.
 Using both conventional and digital assets (PhotoShop,
Illustrator, InDesign) execute persuasive and informational
communications across a range of online and offline material
for defined ‘accounts’. Materials should demonstrate strong
graphic design skills including a keen eye for layout balance,
typography, colour and brand integrity. With each layout,
illustrate sensitivity to messaging hierarchy and content
readability with effective calls to action and measurement of
1
65%
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2.
impact.
Develop strong typography to enhance design – including
hierarchy of information, effective use of fonts/style,
infographics and headline development.
Ensure that appropriate photography is chosen for use in
design when relevant and that it aligns with brand style.
Ensure delivery of outstanding customer service to internal
clients.
Support the management of the design@nottingham and
creative@nottingham email accounts and appropriate
scheduling system to ensure effective scheduling,
communication and workload planning.
Support the Design Manager in reviewing and refining all
creative briefs received internally and for external agencies on
the design roster to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Work closely with various relevant stakeholders and ‘account’
leads to clarify any requirements and confer with them to
discuss and determine designs to ensure maximum impact for
their communications.
Keep skills sets current with media technologies and software
advancements that will improve creativity and ability to
produce high-quality design.
Provide basic copy advice to improve the effectiveness of
collateral.
Develop strong typography to enhance design – including
hierarchy of information, effective use of fonts/style,
infographics and headline development.
Build in user experience design in digital concepts which follow
established rules around copy/image placement, CTAs etc.
Brand management
Take a proactive approach in supporting the Design Manager and
contribute to the development of the University’s brand and associated
brand assets including the institutional brand guidelines and house
style.
10%
Engage in effective brand marketing communications to ensure these
are clearly communicated across key stakeholder groups.
Take a proactive approach in ensuring brand compliance – this
involves supporting the Design Manager in undertaking regular audit
activity and spot checks on agency work, in addition to ensuring any
creative work adheres to the University brand (creatively, tone of
voice and house style) whilst pushing creativity.
3.
4.
Copywriting
Provide copywriting and editing support for Marketing when required
including originating and enhancing copy for campaigns and improving
the effectiveness of key messages and calls to action.
Provide copywriting support to the Communications team when
required, including press releases, blogs and corporate
communications.
Internal engagement and training
Support the Design Manager in organising and, where necessary,
delivering training events to ensure internal buy-in to the University
brand (creative, tone of voice and house style) and associated design
and print processes.
This also involves ensuring key communication channels are kept up-
2
15%
5%
to-date with appropriate guidance and support.
Creative forums
Actively participate in creative forums (approx quarterly) – these are
designed for all creative leads on the University design roster including
the internal design team.
5.
Other
Proactively participate in team brainstorming activity. Research and
keep up to date with trends and developments in the creative design
and marketing sector.
5%
Any other duties as required, relevant to the scope and scale of the
role to support the wider External Relations team and University.
Examples include:
- to actively participate in the arrangements for relevant
University tender processes, i.e. Design & Print
- attendance and input into project groups
- representing the University externally by attending conferences
as required
- representing External Relations as appropriate at events such
as Graduation, Open Days and recruitment events as required
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Qualifications/
Education
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Essential
HNC or HND in a relevant subject,
or equivalent
qualifications/certification, plus
considerable experience in a
creative design environment
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A portfolio of recent creative work
would be required at interview
Skills/Training
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Creative approach to work
Highly skilled and experienced in
using InDesign/Creative Cloud,
Photoshop and Illustrator and
other software
Strong organisational skills and
experience of managing own
workload whilst working to tight
deadlines in a high pressure
environment
Experienced IT operator –
PowerPoint, MS Word, Excel
Copy writing, editing and proofreading experience
Excellent customer service skills
Excellent written and verbal
communication skills and the
ability to build effective
relationships with colleagues at all
levels
3
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Desirable
Educated to degree level or
equivalent
Professional qualification in
graphic design
Accredited training in Adobe
InDesign/CC/Quark Xpress,
Photoshop and Illustrator
and demonstrable experience
of using this and other
design software
Knowledge of higher
education sector
Knowledge of digital
implementation
Knowledge of printproduction techniques
Knowledge of a range of
photography styles and
regulations around use in
design
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Experience
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Statutory/Legal
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Ability to work on own initiative
and as a team player
Awareness of latest digital and
social marketing tools and
channels
Substantial experience in a
creative design environment
including working to creative briefs
Experience of working to brand
compliance
Demonstrable experience of design
and production of communication
and marketing assets for both
online and offline channels
Experience of implementing
marketing campaigns and making
sense of insight to inform creative
design
Equal opportunities
Data protection

Experience of working in
collaboration with design
agencies
Decision making
i) Taken independently
Day to day working and prioritisation of workload
Liaison with internal colleagues and external agencies
Advice and support to colleagues
Copy writing and proof reading own work and that of others
Signing off final artwork (once creative concepts etc have been approved by the Design
Manager)
ii) In collaboration with others
Changes to the brand guidelines
Training for wider University stakeholders
Large-scale creative campaigns
iii) referred to the appropriate line manager (Design Manager) by the role holder.
Initial creative concepts to be signed off by the Design Manager
Changes to the brand guidelines
Prioritisation and involvement in major projects.
Support for wider University activity or projects
Policy changes
Other information
This role supports the Design Manager in the creation and implementation of digital and offline
marketing assets/collateral.
The internal design team provides the University (primarily the defined accounts) with a
professional, creative design service which is able to offer design and marketing expertise and
direction, technical knowledge and resources to support core business.
The role holder reports directly to the Design Manager who is responsible to the Head of
Marketing.
Due to the requirements of the UK Border and Immigration Agency, applicants who are not UK
or EEA nationals and whose immigration status entitles them to work without restriction in the
4
UK will be considered on an equal basis with UK and EEA nationals. Other non-UK or non-EEA
nationals whose employment will require permission to work subject to a resident labour
market test may only be considered if there are no suitable UK or EEA national candidates for
the post. Please visit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ for more information.
Please quote reference: REG/024116.
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