The Cal Alumni Association (CAA) is seeking a team-oriented senior brand designer to join our in-house Marketing and Communications team in providing creative services to CAA’s diverse portfolio of programs.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Marketing and Communications, the senior brand designer is responsible for the execution of CAA’s cohesive visual brand and its implementation in printed and digital materials, and web pages for a broad range of campaigns and internal clients. Projects frequently include, but are not limited to: brochures, print and digital advertisements, email design and layout, HTML web design, and social media graphics. Our ideal candidate is a creative thinker with a solid foundation in design and typographic principles, a portfolio that showcases their user-centered design skills and experience, and an interest in joining a small team of creative professionals working in support of CAA’s mission. 

The Cal Alumni Association seeks candidates whose previous experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion and to increasing the participation of individuals from groups historically underrepresented in higher education. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community.

SUPERVISOR, WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION: 

The senior brand designer reports to Senior Director, Marketing and Communications. The position is located in Berkeley, California, with offices at Alumni House on the UC Berkeley campus. The senior brand designer will work a hybrid schedule in line with job duties and business needs, with some time working in the office and some time working remotely. 

Responsibilities

• Serve as CAA’s visual brand identity expert by setting brand standards, educating staff in best practices, and ensuring the correct use of CAA and UC Berkeley visual brand elements
• Design and produce publications and promotional collateral including direct mailings, reports, presentations, newsletters, postcards, posters, and digital displays
• Work within CAA’s email marketing platform, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, to design and produce functional and compelling email newsletters and direct response campaigns
• Produce and update web page designs in our WordPress CMS, following marketing best practices and accessibility standards to optimize for user experience and program goals
• Create simple, compelling infographics, charts, diagrams, and illustrations for presentations
• Collaborate frequently with colleagues over campaign and collateral needs; present creative ideas and executions to colleagues, incorporating feedback and meeting deadlines
• Serve as a design subject matter expert for non-technical staff; answering questions and providing training, documentation, or support in order to raise collective knowledge
• Prepare files for print publication and evaluate printers’ proofs to ensure error-free print jobs 
• Work with print vendors to maintain competitive job pricing and source options that meet budget constraints
• Actively participate in team and cross-departmental meetings by sharing ideas and project updates
• Maintain in-house image library, project files, and editable branded resources such as document templates

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in design, visual communication, or arts, AND 5 years of work in a professional design capacity; or an equivalent combination of work experience
• Proficient in use of current versions of Adobe Creative Cloud applications for production and design: Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom, Illustrator, Acrobat; and the Google product suite; comfortable in Mac environment
• Advanced knowledge of print production process and print industry standards, including color theory and setup of process and spot colors; color management, file setup, and pre-press standards 
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of digital tools and production—including concept, information architecture, navigation, layout, visual and web accessibility
• Ability to manage work on multiple projects simultaneously from concept to completion
• Ability to accurately estimate project hours and work to meet planned deadlines 
• Ability to talk about designs with diverse non-technical audiences, collaborating effectively across all levels of the organization
• High standards for organization and attention to detail
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice, with an understanding of the roles visual and information design play in their advancement
• Knowledge of basic HTML, with basic knowledge of accessibility and SEO best practices in web/email design architecture; advanced knowledge a plus, or interest in learning

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous professional experience in higher education and/or nonprofit sectors
• Experience working on web pages in a content management system (CMS), with a general understanding of CMS platforms. WordPress/WPEngine experience is optimal
• Working knowledge of the email marketing production process—including list management, delivery, best practices, etc.
• Experience using user-friendly design tools such as Canva and Adobe Express
• Affinity for UC Berkeley

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position with a pay range of $90,000-98,000 annualized. The Cal Alumni Association offers competitive health care benefits, generous vacation and holiday paid time off benefits, and a 403(b) plan with a company match. CAA staff, while not University of California employees, are eligible to participate in many professional development courses, programs, and discounts offered by UC Berkeley. CAA is a friendly, team-centered, and professional environment, and we are committed to creating a culture where all staff feel welcome.

To Apply

Submit your cover letter and resume, with a link to your online portfolio to recruiting@alumni.berkeley.edu with “Senior Brand Designer” in the subject line. Attachments must be in either MS Word or PDF format. This position will remain open until filled, however, we encourage you to submit your materials for consideration by Monday, September 30, 2024. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Deadline to Apply

September 30, 2024

Our Operating Principles

We are especially interested in hiring a candidate who will commit to building a workplace that:

• Fosters personal accountability and empowerment
• Inspires personal integrity and a commitment to ethical standards
• Builds trust and mutual respect
• Fosters effective communication
• Conducts work that is inspirational, innovative, forward-thinking and adaptable
• Reinforces teamwork
• Offers constructive feedback and coaching
• Shares a common commitment to vision/goals
• Nurtures a positive outlook
• Affirms diversity
• Allows for an aesthetic, healthy and accommodating physical workspace.

Benefits

For Our Full-time Employees:

CAA offers an excellent health care and supplemental benefits packages, 403(b), a generous paid time-off benefit, and more. We have a friendly, relaxed but professional environment, and we pride ourselves on our team approach.

Health Care Benefits:

• CAA employees are required to contribute 10% of their total medical premium for the employee and 20% for any eligible dependents.
• CAA pays 100% of the premiums for Dental and Vision benefits for the employee and any eligible dependents.

Paid Time Off Benefits:

• Vacation: 16 days/year for first 2 years of service, 18 days/year after completing 2 years of service, 21 days/year after completing 5 years of service.
• Sick time: 12 days/year
• Holidays: 11 total per year
• Paid time off between Dec 26 and Dec 31
• Birthday Holiday: 1 Day off

Professional Development:

• As affiliates to UC Berkeley, CAA employees are eligible to participate in many of the on-campus professional development workshops, seminars and professional networks available to UCB employees. Please note that this does not include undergraduate or graduate courses offered to students.
• CAA has a partnership with UC Berkeley Extension that offers our employees a discount on enrollment fees.

Financial Benefits:

• 403(b) retirement savings plan with a company match
• Supplemental Insurance with 100% of premiums paid by CAA:
  • Life Insurance
  • AD&D Insurance
  • LTD Insurance
• Option to purchase supplemental insurance plans from AFLAC

Commuting and Parking:

• If you’re a commuter, consider taking advantage our pre-tax public transit commuter benefit. You can load your Clipper Card or pay public transit fare with pre-tax dollars.
• Cal Bear Pass: Take advantage of UCB’s partnership with AC Transit. The partnership offers a cost savings of up to 70% off the standard monthly bus pass rate! CAA employees are eligible to purchase an AC transit pass at the faculty/staff discount rate with pre-tax payroll deductions.
• UCB Campus Parking Permit: As affiliates to UCB, our CAA employees are eligible to purchase a campus parking permit at the faculty/staff discount rate with pre-tax payroll deductions.

Access to Campus Programs and Discounts:

• Eligible to join the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF) at the Faculty/Staff discount rate
• Special campus events
• Free admission to the University Art Museum
• Discount tickets for Cal Performances, Pacific Film Archive, and Hertz Hall
• AirBears: wireless internet access on campus