📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative and Brand Manager
🔹 Company: University of Arkansas
🔹 Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Higher Education
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-28
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting the development and expression of the Walton College brand through high-quality visual design and creative content.
- Producing engaging marketing materials and ensuring a consistent visual identity across platforms.
- Collaborating with internal partners and external vendors to bring campaigns and events to life through compelling design.
- Mentoring student or freelance designers and utilizing project management tools.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong creative and strategic mindset, with a focus on maintaining brand consistency and driving engagement.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and evolve brand assets and guidelines to ensure a consistent visual identity across platforms.
✅ Collaborate with internal partners and external vendors to bring campaigns and events to life through compelling design.
✅ Mentor student or freelance designers and utilize project management tools to manage projects and deadlines.
✅ Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance, with the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication and collaboration skills, as well as proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Art, Marketing, Communications, or a related field
Experience: At least 3–5 years of professional experience in graphic design, branding, and brand management
Required Skills:
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office
- Demonstrated experience with creative design and brand development
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Familiarity with digital and social media platforms
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in higher education or nonprofit marketing
- Experience with utilizing accessibility standards in design
- Experience mentoring student or freelance designers
- Experience with project management tools (e.g., ClickUp, Trello, Asana)
- Experience working with AI tools for graphic design, photo editing, and branding
- Experience with basic motion graphics skills
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience with accessibility standards and AI tools for graphic design may be beneficial in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $55,000 - $70,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a mid-level graphic designer in the higher education sector)
Benefits:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Tuition Waivers for employees and their families
- 12 official holidays
- Immediate leave accrual
- Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a mid-level graphic designer in the higher education sector. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: 1871
Company Description:
- The University of Arkansas System provides access to academic and professional opportunities, develops intellectual growth and cultural awareness in its students, and provides knowledge and research skills to an ever-changing society.
- The system enrolls more than 60,000 students, employs over 17,000 employees, and has a total budget of over $2 billion.
- The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution.
Company Specialties:
- Higher Education
- Research
- Academic and Professional Opportunities
Company Website: uasys.edu
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas System is a large, established institution with a strong focus on research and academic opportunities.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications.
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of occasional remote work for specific tasks or projects.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a senior-level role within the marketing and communications department.
- Opportunities to work on high-visibility projects and campaigns.
- Access to professional development and training opportunities.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for growth and development within the marketing and communications department and the broader University of Arkansas System.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a modern and collaborative work environment.
Office Location(s): Fayetteville, Arkansas
Geographic Context:
- Fayetteville is a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S.
- The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies.
- Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with the possibility of occasional remote work for specific tasks or projects.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is modern, collaborative, and offers opportunities for professional growth and development.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the University of Arkansas System Career Site.
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager or a member of the HR team.
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other team members.
- Background check and reference check.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creativity and design skills.
- Brand management experience and understanding of brand guidelines.
- Communication and collaboration skills.
- Familiarity with digital and social media platforms.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Include examples of your design work and any relevant brand management projects.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with accessibility standards and AI tools for graphic design during the interview.
ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Brand Management, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Creative Design, Brand Development, Communication, Collaboration, Project Management, AI Tools, Motion Graphics, Accessibility Standards, Mentoring, Social Media
ASSUMPTION: The application process is straightforward and focused on assessing the candidate's design skills, brand management experience, and communication skills.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., ClickUp, Trello, Asana)
- AI tools for graphic design, photo editing, and branding (e.g., Canva, Adobe Sensei, Runway ML)
- Basic motion graphics skills (e.g., Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office is required, while experience with project management tools and AI tools for graphic design is preferred.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in teaching, research, and service
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Diversity and inclusion
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Accountability and stewardship
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Creative and innovative
- Results-driven and detail-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with the University of Arkansas System's values, particularly in terms of excellence, integrity, diversity, and collaboration?
- Are you comfortable working in a modern, collaborative work environment with a focus on teamwork and results?
- Do you have strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others?
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas System values a diverse and inclusive work environment, with a strong focus on collaboration, teamwork, and excellence.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously, with tight deadlines and competing priorities.
- Occasional remote work may be required, which could present challenges for those who prefer an on-site work environment.
- The University of Arkansas System is a large organization with a complex structure, which may present challenges in terms of navigating internal processes and politics.
- The Fayetteville area has a relatively high cost of living compared to other regions in Arkansas, which may impact the overall compensation package.
ASSUMPTION: While this role offers numerous opportunities for growth and development, it also presents several potential challenges that candidates should be aware of.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Graphic Designer or Brand Manager position in a higher education or nonprofit setting, but with a focus on supporting a specific college or department within the University of Arkansas System.
- Compared to similar roles in the private sector, this role may offer less flexibility in terms of work hours and remote work arrangements, but may also provide greater job security and opportunities for professional development.
- Career path comparison: This role may lead to advancement within the marketing and communications department or to other roles within the University of Arkansas System, depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and career goals.
ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to other mid-level graphic design and brand management positions, but with a unique focus on supporting the Walton College brand within the University of Arkansas System.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand style guide for the Walton College, including logo usage, color palette, typography, and imagery guidelines.
- Creating engaging marketing materials for Walton College events, such as brochures, posters, and social media graphics.
- Collaborating with external vendors to produce high-quality promotional items, such as branded merchandise and apparel.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of tasks and responsibilities associated with this role, but may not be exhaustive or representative of all potential projects.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the marketing and communications department?
- How does this role fit into the broader organizational structure of the University of Arkansas System?
- What are the key priorities and goals for this role in the first 90 days?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the marketing and communications department and the broader University of Arkansas System?
- How does the University of Arkansas System support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are intended to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the organization, and to assess the fit between their skills, experience, and career goals.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the University of Arkansas System Career Site.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Include examples of your design work and any relevant brand management projects.
- Prepare for your interview by researching the University of Arkansas System and the Walton College, and by practicing common interview questions and responses.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to express your interest in the role and to ask any remaining questions.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
