Graphic Designer

Company Description

Meadville Lombard Theological School is a progressive graduate institution that cultivates a diverse learning community of leaders from many faith traditions, cultural contexts, and backgrounds. The school focuses on preparing students to work for justice and equity in today’s world through rigorous, values-driven education. With its Contextual Learning model, students integrate academic study with real-world practice in their own communities. This model allows learners to access high-quality theological education without needing to relocate, supporting a more inclusive and accessible approach to ministry and leadership formation.

Location: Chicago

Type: Full-time-37.5 hrs

The Graphic Designer is a full-time hybrid role based in Chicago, IL, with flexibility for some remote work. Directly responsible for the overall design and visual identity of Meadville Lombard for both external and internal audiences. Creates visual concepts to communicate ideas, promote MLTS, and highlight our mascot, Theo the honey badger. Serves as the principal coordinator for graphics and online production, while working within a prescribed budget.

Works under the creative direction of the Marketing & Communications Officer to realize branding and communication projects.

• Work on a wide range of projects and media, using design software to develop innovative graphic design
• Obtain input from team members to ensure designs meet organizational standards and brand expectations, express ideas accurately, and represent Meadville Lombard's ethos
• Work independently, as well as under the creative direction of the Marketing and Comms Officers, to meet deadlines, stay within budget, and manage several different projects at the same time
• Examine existing processes, identify flaws, and create solutions that improve design capabilities
• Update and maintain internal databases for design, photography, and video

• Create designs that highlight the energy and excitement of the Meadville Lombard honey badgers
• Collaborate, brainstorm, and strategize with team members on a wide range of materials, including website, presentations, signs, internal communications, newsletters, and marketing collateral
• Translate strategic direction into high-quality design within our established brand identity
• Develop concepts and execute original content by determining the ideal usage of color, text, font style, imagery, and layout
• Create printed materials (print ads, promotional items, business cards, letterhead, envelopes, etc.)
• Edit video and audio podcasts
• Create digital assets, including static and dynamic content for social media graphics, digital ads, email template design, gifs, and brand kit elements
• Retouch and resize photography
• Refine logo and mascot design
• Manage artwork files
• Create materials for conferences, graduation, and recruitment events
• Design, set up, and load content on MLTS website and pages outside the website (Classy, Eventbrite, Teachable, etc.)
• Order and design swag items
• Create short-form video content for social media
• Other design tasks as they come up

• A bachelor's degree in Advertising, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or an equivalent of education, plus experience
• A portfolio of design work featuring published work for clients (either in-house or external clients, or a mix of both)
• Strong working knowledge of print, publishing, graphics art procedures, and related computer software
• Experience working within a set budget and the ability to direct vendors – Exceptional creativity and innovative design skills
• Five or more years of graphic arts and publications experience with proven project management skills
• Five or more years of experience (academic and professional) with design software, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop
• Experience editing short-form content for social media, including video and gifs
• Three or more years of experience with Word Press
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Organizational and time-management skills for meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Desire to continue building skill set with education and training

• Three or more years of experience in professional graphic design, preferably with a design or advertising agency
• Two or more years of experience with Mail Chimp or a similar HTML-based email template
• Experience creating long-form content and podcasts
• Three or more years of experience with Adobe Premiere

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Meadville Lombard Theological School offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including spouse/partner/family health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance options. There are also 401(k) options, with a 10% 401(k) match after one year of…