Brand & Design Specialist

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The North Carolina Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill disseminates the policy and research expertise of the University for practical use by state and local government. A collaboratory is a center without walls in which researchers can perform their research without regard to physical location, interacting with colleagues, accessing instrumentation, sharing data and computational resources and accessing information in digital libraries in a collaborative manner.

The Brand & Design Specialist leads the NC Collaboratory's visual identity, ensuring complex research is translated into engaging, accessible, and high-impact materials across print, digital, video, and web platforms.

Through graphic design, video production, editorial judgment, and strategic communication, the position strengthens stakeholder engagement and communicates research impact to policymakers, academic partners, and the public. Reporting to the Director of External Impact & Strategic Communications, the Specialist collaborates with Communications, Research, and Leadership teams to maintain a cohesive and professional visual presence.

Deliverables include branded reports, digital collateral, video projects, website updates, and the quarterly newsletter, with an emphasis on consistency, accessibility, and audience alignment.

Established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2016, the Collaboratory connects UNC System research expertise with the practical needs of policymakers and communities. It conducts both directed and discretionary research across areas such as natural resource management, environmental quality, and public health, managing more than 250 active projects supported by over $250 million in appropriations. The Brand & Design Specialist produces strategic visual and video content that supports these research priorities and upholds consistent, high-quality branding across all communications.

Branding & Graphic Design:
Develop the Collaboratory's visual branding by creating high impact digital and print materials that support research priorities, elevate leadership visibility, and ensure consistency across all public facing assets. Combine strategic design thinking with hands on creative execution, managing collaborative design projects, producing print and digital assets, creating editorial aligned graphics, and overseeing brand and asset management.

Video Production:
Lead the Collaboratory's video storytelling by producing dynamic content that communicates research, leadership, and organizational impact. Apply creative direction and technical execution across formats to translate complex research into clear, compelling, and accessible stories. Duties include concept development, storyboarding, filming and editing video content, creating motion graphics and other enhancements to produce videos ranging from short clips to long form features.

Website Development & Content Management:
Manage and optimize the Collaboratory's website to keep content current, accurate, and aligned with strategic goals. The position integrates technical updates, content management, and user experience enhancements to maintain a dynamic, research driven web presence. Responsibilities include content publishing and optimization, coordinating technical updates with IT, reviewing and refreshing site pages, improving navigation and user experience, and integrating regular research updates.

Master's or Bachelor's and 0-2 years' experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Professional experience in visual communications, graphic design, video production, or related creative fields.

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or comparable design software, and video editing tools such as Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or After Effects for producing and editing short and long form video content for web, social media, and events.

Familiarity with web content management systems, such as WordPress.

Ability to translate complex research into clear visual and video storytelling while maintaining consistent branding across digital, print, video, and social media.

Strong attention to detail, creative problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines.

Ability to collaborate effectively with research teams, leadership, and external stakeholders, and to contribute to both independent and team-based video production, including pre-production, filming, and postproduction.

Demonstrated ability to create high quality design assets, including reports, presentations, infographics, social media graphics, and video content.

Proven ability to manage multiple creative projects from concept through delivery while maintaining brand consistency.

Knowledge of best practices in video production workflows, including lighting, sound, and editing techniques for professional quality output. Ability to weave visual and video storytelling into organizational narratives that maximize policy impacts and public visibility.

Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including experience with motion graphics, animation, and video editing in tools like After Effects or Premiere. Strong understanding of design theory, including typography, color, layout, and composition, with the ability to apply it across diverse platforms.

Familiarity with search engine optimization ( SEO) and web analytics tools to optimize content performance and audience engagement.

Experience designing and leading integrated, multi format communications or visual campaigns that align with strategic messaging. Ability to manage complex, multi channel projects with multiple stakeholders with tight timelines.

Ability to anticipate communications needs and proactively create solutions that strengthen institutional visibility.

Experience designing visual assets for research, academic, or policy-focused audiences at the state, national, or international level. Progressive experience producing and editing videos for academic, research, or policy contexts, including interviews, event coverage, and explainer videos.

Prior experience in higher education, nonprofit, or government settings, with an ability to adapt design and messaging for varied stakeholders.

Please provide 2-3 examples of your design work (graphics & video) or share a link to your portfolio in the "Documents needed to Apply" section of your application.

Candidates advancing beyond the initial interview may be asked to complete a brief skills assessment related to the responsibilities of the position.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.