Graphic Designer - Reading Students' Union
Location: University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, Berkshire
Salary: £26,992.04 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Location: Office based
Bring ideas to life and help shape an unforgettable student experience!
About Reading Students' Union
We are a dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to empowering students and enhancing their university experience. Our vision is to be a place for everyone; we inspire and empower students to change the world. Check out our exciting new strategy
As we deliver our ambitious new strategy, we're looking for a talented Graphic Designer to help tell our story, inspire engagement and bring our brand to life across campus and beyond.
Graphic Designer
Are you a creative thinker with a passion for impactful design? Do you thrive on transforming ideas into compelling visual communications that engage diverse audiences? We're looking for a talented and enthusiastic Graphic Designer to join our Marketing & Communications team.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping how students experience Reading Students' Union. You'll create eye-catching campaigns, develop engaging content and help build a strong, consistent visual identity that reflects who we are and the impact we make.
Join us and help create a place for everyone.
What You'll Do
You'll lead the creative delivery of design projects across digital and physical channels, creating engaging visual communications that promote our services, events, campaigns and opportunities. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you'll turn ideas and briefs into designs that connect with students and inspire action.
This is a fantastic opportunity to use your creativity to make a real difference to student life.
Bring Our Brand to Life
Create distinctive, engaging and high-quality creative work that reflects the Reading Students' Union brand.
Develop creative concepts and visual identities for campaigns, projects, events and organisational priorities.
Contribute ideas that strengthen the Students' Union's visual presence across digital and physical environments.
Help evolve and maintain a strong, recognisable brand identity.
Stay up to date with design trends, creative practice and student culture to keep our communications fresh and relevant.
Design Student-Focused Communications
Create visual content that is engaging, accessible and relevant to our diverse student communities.
Transform complex information into clear and compelling visual communications.
Design materials that support students throughout their university journey, helping them understand opportunities, services and ways to get involved.
Use audience insight and feedback to create effective and meaningful design solutions.
Champion inclusive and accessible design principles across all creative work.
Deliver Outstanding Creative Projects
Lead design projects from initial concept through to final production.
Produce high-quality assets across a range of formats including social media, websites, digital screens, email marketing, print, merchandise, signage and event materials.
Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to develop creative briefs and deliver effective solutions.
Manage multiple design projects, priorities and deadlines effectively.
Liaise with printers, suppliers and external partners to ensure creative outputs are delivered to a high standard.
Support Consistency and Continuous Improvement
Apply and promote brand guidelines consistently across all work.
Develop templates, resources and guidance that support colleagues in creating on-brand materials.
Review the effectiveness of design work and identify opportunities for improvement.
Use feedback, insight and campaign performance data to strengthen future creative outputs.
Ensure all creative work meets accessibility, copyright and organisational requirements.
About You
Essential
Professional experience delivering graphic design work across digital and print channels.
Strong creative and conceptual design skills with excellent attention to detail.
Experience developing creative concepts and translating briefs into effective visual solutions.
Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud or equivalent professional design software.
Experience producing high-quality content across social media, digital platforms, print and event materials.
Experience managing multiple projects, deadlines and competing priorities.
Understanding of brand identity and maintaining visual consistency.
Knowledge of typography, layout, composition and visual hierarchy.
Understanding of accessible and inclusive design principles.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues.
A proactive, solutions-focused approach and commitment to high standards.
A passion for creating engaging experiences and improving the student experience.
Desirable
Experience developing visual identities for campaigns, events or projects.
Experience contributing to brand development or refresh projects.
Motion graphics, animation or video editing skills.
Photography, art direction or content creation experience.
Experience designing for physical spaces, signage or environmental graphics.
Experience working within a Students' Union, charity, membership, youth or student-focused organisation.
Understanding of audience insight and how it can inform creative work.
Why Join Us?
- Inclusive and supportive team culture
- Flexible working options
- 35 days’ annual leave including Christmas and Easter closure days
- Professional development opportunities
- Unique working environment in the heart of a vibrant Student’s Union, set on a stunning, green campus.
Ready to make our data-led strategy a reality? Apply today!
Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability—building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.
