📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative and Brand Manager
🔹 Company: University of Arkansas System
🔹 Location: Fayetteville, AR
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Higher Education
🔹 Date Posted: July 28, 2025
🔹 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.
- Evolving brand assets and guidelines to maintain a strong and cohesive brand presence.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills. The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio showcasing their design skills and experience in brand management.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and maintain brand guidelines and visual identity systems.
✅ Create engaging marketing materials, including graphics, layouts, and designs for various platforms (print, digital, social media).
✅ Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to execute brand campaigns and events.
✅ Manage and maintain brand assets, ensuring consistency and quality across all touchpoints.
✅ Stay up-to-date with design trends and best practices, and incorporate them into brand designs as appropriate.
ASSUMPTION: This role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously, so strong organizational skills and the ability to manage time effectively are crucial.
🎯 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 design may be beneficial in this role, as higher education institutions often prioritize accessibility and are increasingly adopting AI technologies.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $45,000 - $60,000 per year (based on industry standards for mid-level graphic designers in higher education)
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 provided is an estimate based on industry standards for mid-level graphic designers in higher education. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education. The University of Arkansas System is a large public university system with a strong focus on research and education.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large employer, the University of Arkansas System offers numerous opportunities for career growth and development.
Founded: 1871. The University of Arkansas System has a long history and a strong reputation for academic excellence.
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 System is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution.
Company Specialties:
- Research
- Education
- Healthcare
Company Website: uasys.edu
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas System is a large and diverse employer, with a wide range of job opportunities and a strong commitment to employee development and growth.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Level. This role requires a bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of professional experience in graphic design and branding.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Director of Marketing and Communications.
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of occasional remote work for specific projects or tasks.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a senior-level or management role within the marketing and communications department.
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and events, gaining valuable experience and exposure.
- Access to professional development and training opportunities through the University of Arkansas System's employee development programs.
ASSUMPTION: As a mid-level role within a large university system, this position offers numerous opportunities for career growth and development, both within the marketing and communications department and across the broader university system.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a modern and collaborative work environment.
Office Location(s): University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
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 evening or weekend work for specific events or projects.
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus offers a vibrant and dynamic work environment, with a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and employee 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 human resources team.
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other key stakeholders.
- Background check and reference check (if applicable).
- Final decision and offer.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Design skills and portfolio.
- Brand management experience and understanding of brand strategy.
- Communication and collaboration skills.
- Problem-solving and project management skills.
- Cultural fit and alignment with the University of Arkansas System's values and mission.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant design and brand management experience.
- Include a portfolio of your best work, showcasing your design skills and brand management expertise.
- Be prepared to discuss your design process and the thought behind your creative decisions during the interview.
- Research the University of Arkansas System and the Walton College to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its mission.
ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Brand Management, Adobe Creative Suite, Marketing, Communications, Higher Education, University of Arkansas System, Walton College, Creative Design, Brand Development
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas System uses an applicant tracking system (ATS) to manage job applications. Including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help ensure that your application is seen by the right people.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.)
- Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Project management tools (e.g., ClickUp, Trello, Asana)
- AI tools for graphic design, photo editing, and branding (if applicable)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the candidate's experience and the needs of the University of Arkansas System.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in all endeavors.
- Integrity and ethical behavior.
- Diversity and inclusion.
- Collaboration and teamwork.
- Lifelong learning and continuous improvement.
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented.
- Innovative and creative.
- Results-driven and focused on achieving outcomes.
- Adaptable and responsive to change.
- Committed to the University of Arkansas System's mission and values.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills and brand management experience?
- Are you comfortable working in a collaborative and team-oriented environment?
- Do you have experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines?
- Are you committed to the University of Arkansas System's mission and values?
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas System values candidates who are passionate about their work, committed to the organization's mission, and eager to contribute to its ongoing success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The University of Arkansas System is a large and complex organization, with numerous departments and stakeholders. This role may require navigating complex organizational structures and building relationships with various teams and individuals.
- As a mid-level role, this position may involve managing junior designers or student workers, requiring strong leadership and mentoring skills.
- The University of Arkansas System is a high-profile institution, and this role may involve working on high-visibility projects and events. This can be both rewarding and challenging, as the work will be subject to close scrutiny and high expectations.
- The University of Arkansas System is a public institution, and this role may be subject to public scrutiny and political influences. This can present unique challenges and require strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
ASSUMPTION: While these challenges may present obstacles, they also offer opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to similar roles in the private sector, this position may offer less flexibility in work hours and more structured reporting relationships. However, it may also provide greater job security, better benefits, and opportunities for professional development.
- Compared to roles in other higher education institutions, this position may offer unique opportunities to work on high-profile projects and events, as the University of Arkansas System is a large and well-regarded institution with a strong reputation for academic excellence and research.
- Compared to roles in other industries, this position may offer a more stable and predictable work environment, as higher education institutions tend to be less affected by economic fluctuations and market trends.
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas System's size, reputation, and focus on research and education make it a unique employer, offering both challenges and opportunities that may differ from those found in other organizations.
📝 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 the Walton College's annual fundraising campaign, including print and digital advertisements, social media graphics, and event signage.
- Designing and implementing a new visual identity system for the University of Arkansas System's website, ensuring consistency and coherence across all pages and platforms.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of work that may be required in this role, but the specific projects and tasks may vary depending on the candidate's experience and the needs of the University of Arkansas System.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the biggest challenges facing the Walton College's brand, and how can this role help address them?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments and teams within the University of Arkansas System?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and the University of Arkansas System?
- How does the University of Arkansas System support work-life balance for its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview can help demonstrate your interest in the role and the University of Arkansas System, as well as provide valuable information about the organization and its culture.
📌 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 design and brand management experience.
- Include a portfolio of your best work, showcasing your design skills and brand management expertise.
- Prepare for your interview by researching the University of Arkansas System and the Walton College, and be ready to discuss your design process and the thought behind your creative decisions.
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of your interview to express your continued interest in the position.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
