Visual Communications Specialist

Department: IT Technology Support Services
Division: Information Technology (NUIT)
Requisition #: 14990
Location: Evanston
Full Time Percent: 100.00
Grade: ITS / 78
Salary: TBD

Job Summary

The Visual Communications Specialist is a web designer/web developer that will be part of the design and communications effort for the Northwestern University Information Technology Website and Print Communications. The incumbent will be a team player with excellent artistic and graphic design capabilities to create websites and other interactive media-from site design and creative concepting, to programming, testing, implementation, and maintenance as well as the creation of promotional, educational, and communication material.

Specific Responsibilities

• Developing and coordinating marketing deliverables within established network systems, (including a web content management system) and in print format that include: press releases, strategic plans, annual reports, web information postings, online user interface documents for software applications and hardware configurations, brochures, and other collateral communication material in an expedient manner.
  
• Planning and creating the layout of print publications and Web pages in a compelling manner to ensure customer engagement and comprehension of NUIT initiatives;
  
• Ensuring NUIT material (print and Web-based) is accurate, clear, complete, compelling and error free;
  
• Suggesting effective ideas for the publicity of NUIT projects or aspects of projects for the purpose of educating the NU community;
  
• Creating, managing and formatting site evaluations, online surveys, web statistic tracking and reporting, interactive modules, and other tools as required;
  
• Creating and assisting in department testing of computer applications and other newly developed technology products;
  
• Creating and effectively managing a digital photography and graphics database for use with current and future communication materials (both print and online);
  
• Performing other related duties as required or assigned.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• A BSCS or related degree with proven Web and system development skills (provide at least 4 URLs as samples of previous work), or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired;
  
• 3+ years' building and supporting medium to large scale sites (concept to completion); Previous experience in copy design integration, typography, interactive interface design, user experience, understanding of site architecture, content hierarchy, color theory and color management on the Web, proper file formats, compression methods and techniques, asset library creation and management including maintenance of templates and image archives, clear documentation of projects, etc.;
  
• Good communication skills;
  
• Good organizational skills;
  
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a team setting.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent graphic and web design skills;
  
• Thorough knowledge of the differences in Web browsers, operating systems, and current web technologies;
  
• Demonstrated proficiency in HTML, XHTML, XML, CSS, server-side scripting languages (Perl, Java, PHP), web database interactivity (SQL);
  
• Knowledge of content management systems;
  
• Good energy and enthusiasm for this type of work along with a clear desire to continue to develop and grow in knowledge and expertise;
  
• Knowledge of design for print: Adobe Macromedia desktop publishing imaging applications (Photoshop, InDesign) and have the ability to create and manipulate animated GIF graphics;
  
• Previous experience as a graphic designer;
  
• Knowledge of Java and JSP creation.
  
  

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Northwestern University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.

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