Graphic Design Manager

Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois is seeking a Graphic Design Manager to safeguard the college's brand and guide the visual communications that support enrollment and institutional goals. This on-site leadership role oversees the end-to-end design process for print and digital materials, ensuring consistency across campaigns, publications, and campus visuals while collaborating with senior communications leadership.

Salary: USD 64,946 - 86,943 per year.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer and Advertising Manager to brainstorm advertising concepts and secure timely reviews and proofs before publication with the CCO or Communications Manager.
• Lead design, production, and production coordination of advertising and marketing materials across print (including billboards and vehicle wraps), digital, and broadcast media, prioritizing items that drive applications and enrollment.
• Design and layout major college publications such as FORWARD magazine, the annual report and viewbook, along with invitations, programs, flyers, postcards, and program materials; produce signs, posters, banners, and other promotional items.
• Oversee the digital asset management system for photography and video, ensuring organization, metadata, version control, archiving, and accessibility; manage design layouts, templates, and source documents to maintain accuracy, efficiency, brand consistency, and long-term usability.
• Mentor and coordinate work with the Graphic and Website Coordinator and the Visual Media Specialist.
• Ensure digital and print work meets accessibility standards by applying inclusive design and collaborating with communications and web teams to support ADA and WCAG compliance.
• Provide backup support for photography and video shoots as needed, complementing the work of the Visual Media Specialist when additional help is required.
• Meet with clients to discuss needs and determine the best approach for developing, designing, and producing publications or promotional pieces.
• Manage college imagery and signage, contribute to environmental graphics, and keep the Identity Standards Manual and Style Guide current.
• Coordinate production services, including printing, signage, displays, and vendor relationships.
• Create vector art, logos, key art, and cover art.
• Verify that digital files are production-ready (fonts, graphics, text, layout, resolution) before printing or online distribution; participate in press checks when necessary to ensure print quality.
• Produce official proclamations, resolutions, and certificates on behalf of the College when required, with appropriate signing and framing as needed.
• Contribute to the college planning and assessment program by developing annual work objectives aligned with long-range priority goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in art, graphic design or related field.
• Five years of related experience.
• Proficiency with Macs and Adobe Creative Suite including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat.
• Ability to stay current with the latest graphic and layout software.
• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Technologies

• Mac computers
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Acrobat

Benefits

• 23 paid holidays per year
• Two weeks of year-end leave
• One week of mid-semester break in March
• 12 Fridays off during the summer
• Two personal days
• 15 sick days
• Starting with 15 vacation days per year
• Tuition waiver on credited courses for staff, their spouse and qualified dependent children
• Free access to on-campus fitness center

Requisition Details

• Open Date: 05/06/2026
• Open Until Filled: Yes
• Special Instructions to Applicants: This position will be open until filled; to be considered during the initial review window, applications must be received by May 31, 2026. Onsite interviews will begin June 22, 2026. Anticipated start date is July 20, 2026. Applicants must submit three graphic design work samples with their application; samples should include any original design work created by the applicant.

Reference Requests

• Applicants are required to submit references for this position. Minimum number of references: 3.
• Applicant Special Instructions: Please provide the names of three people who have knowledge of your work-related abilities; relatives are not acceptable references. Include at least one current or previous supervisor.