Senior Graphic Designer, Health Sciences Development

COMM SPEC 3 CM (005371)

UCPath Position ID: 40050291

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1102845

Approved Date:

8/18/2026 12:02:58 PM

Date Last Edited:

8/18/2026 12:02:54 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

10/1/2014

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

6300O

Organization:

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS                       

Division Code:

6310D

Division:

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIV                   

Department:

404500 - DEVELOPMENT

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

40050291

Position Description ID

170496

UC Payroll Title:

COMM SPEC 3 CM (005371)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40059610

Reports to Payroll Title:

COMM SUPV 2

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40058682

Department Head Payroll Title:

COMM MGR 1

DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent establishes procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives in a broad area of work. Only the final results of work done are typically reviewed. Incumbent typically develops procedures within the limits of established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

If using your exceptional design and visual communications skills to advance innovations in health care and pioneering research inspires you, we encourage you to join the UCLA Health Sciences Development (HSD) team as our Senior Graphic Designer. When you join UCLA Health, you become part of one of the most comprehensive and advanced health care systems in the world. Together, UCLA Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA strive every day to be a model that redefines the standard of excellence in health care. As our Senior Graphic Designer, you will serve as a subject matter expert with a deep expertise in design knowledge and application to print and digital communications. As an adept leader, you will focus on assignments requiring  sophisticated design elements and execution of complex/higher quality designs and visual communications. As a sophisticated and accomplished graphic designer, this position will require a more critical, analytical, creative and strategic visual mindset. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your career while you translate stories, concepts, and strategies into creative, effective, and distinctive visuals and communications that are appropriate to the audience, the content, and our UCLA Health brand. As a member of HSD, you will become part of a collaborative, creative and driven team and will be given the guidance, inspiration and resources to succeed in an environment of excellence and innovation.

Under the direction of the Director of Communications for HSD, as the Senior Graphic Designer you will design and produce a broad array of high-level print and electronic fundraising materials for HSD, with a focus on strategy, consistency, and speed. As a strong team resource and point of contact for communications initiatives, you will operate with a high level of independence and autonomy, providing recommendations and feedback that drive, creative solutions and artistic direction. As an innovative and forward-looking graphic design and communications member of our team, you will provide strategic advice and counsel to Director, Communications, HSD colleagues and leadership as appropriate on all aspects of communications including planning, messaging and problem solving and will work with our Director, to create, develop and implement comprehensive and cohesive visual communications plans. You will serve as a design mentor to other HSD Communications staff and steward brand standards and best practices, while  partnering to develop and execute visual strategy. You will collaborate with the director, project manager, and staff writers to determine project design strategy and feasibility.  As our Senior Graphic Designer, you will develop and maintain relationships with printers, vendors, and external contractors to ensure best pricing and quality. You will also assist with the management and negotiation of production deadlines to ensure that all projects are completed on time and to the satisfaction of all parties involved. You will be responsible for light HTML/CSS coding and design of email communications including invitations, newsletters, and appeals, along with limited website design and maintenance as needed. In addition, you will work with our Senior Executive Director, Development on special communications projects of a higher/more complex level, typically for donors at the $25+ million level.

Graphic Design and Visual Communications Strategy

1. Serve as a technical lead to develop and execute  visual strategy, market branding and delivery of a wide range of fundraising materials for HSD that blend visual, written, digital and electronic elements and their associated technical applications.  

2. Lead and complete team projects, ensuring UCLA/UCLA Health graphic standards are met; serve as in-house graphic design expert by contributing extensive knowledge of print, color, paper stock, process, etc.

3. Lead and/or participate in concept meetings with Communications team/HSD colleagues to identify specific communications needs; expand staff knowledge base regarding design and techniques, stay up to date on design trends and best practices.

60%

4. Present ideas, work collaboratively and drive creative solutions and artistic direction by selecting and advising on digital assets and design elements such as typography, imagery, paper stocks and finishing techniques.

5. Manage and negotiate production deadlines to ensure that all projects are completed on time, within budget and to the satisfaction of all parties involved. Conduct final quality control checks to ensure that vendors are meeting client specifications at all stages of production.

6.  Lead the collaborative creation of design/communications tools to position HSD strategically with clients, partners, and stakeholders; develop design templates for use by HSD colleagues.

0%

7. Provide light HTML/CSS coding for design of email communications including invitations, newsletters, and appeals, along with limited website design and maintenance as needed.

0%

Strategic Consultation and Project Leadership

1. Provide strategic advice and counsel to Director, Communications, HSD colleagues and leadership as appropriate on all aspects of communications including planning, messaging and problem solving.

2. Collaborate with Director to create, develop and implement comprehensive and cohesive communications plans.

3. Actively serve as a project leader and work with Director and Graphic Designer to ensure production of high-quality materials/projects that effectively deliver desired messaging within budget and time constraints.

4. Independently oversee visual communications for highly visible programs with HSD such as special projects for principal gifts team.

5. Interpret and ensure strict adherence to communication policies, protocols and internal/external channels.

20%

6. Assess and share communications and design related information to remain competitive with industry peers.

7. Stay up to date on industry communications approaches, tools, and design software features; assess options, suggest and implement design and workflow improvements.

0%

Mentorship

1. Mentor Graphic Designer and other HSD staff in the design and production of fundraising materials for Health Sciences Development.

2. Work with Communications Project Manager and the Communications and Stewardship Coordinator to obtain quotes from vendors, coordinate printing process and review proofs to meet deadlines. Attend press checks as needed.

3. Work with Communications and other HSD staff to estimate, establish and ensure timetables, schedules, budgets and deadlines. Provide regular status reports and secure necessary approvals.

4. Conduct design trainings as needed.

10%

Operations and Asset/ Resource Management

1. Manage image library and other design assets.

2. Conduct press checks of assigned projects to ensure accuracy of print process; review, select, and approve all items.

3. Review HSD projects to ensure they meet both UCLA and UCLA Health graphic standards to accomplish consistency of style.

4. Assess resource needs and procure vendor assistance to provide adequate production support.

5. Present mock-ups, storyboards, etc. as needed to communicate design concepts and artistic direction to Communications team and development clients.

10%

6.  Oversees print projects; provides all needed specifications as to quantity, dimensions, paper stock, ink color(s), etc.; identifies/tracks deadlines for printed materials.

7. Assist Director with preparation of materials for meetings as needed.

8. Represent HSD at organizational meetings, conferences, and events as needed, reporting back to executive management as appropriate.

0%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of 7 years of prior experience in a marketing/communications environment,

preferably in an agency, creative corporate client, or non-profit organization with a strong creative flair, sense of versatility, conceptual/visual ability and originality.

Required

Proficient design, composition and production experience and skill in using Mac systems, Microsoft and other software; high-level proficiency

in the Adobe Creative Suite (including familiarity with AfterEffects and ability to create motion graphics), InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and other layout programs; working knowledge of HTML/CSS.

Required

Strong experience devising realistic and comprehensive

production schedules, estimating and tracking project expenses and timelines and taking direct control for project components with minimal or no supervision.

Required

Strong time and project management experience

and skills with a proven ability to work independently, interpret client needs based on nature of project, budget and objectives and follow through on projects.

Required

Strong experience and skills in making bold aesthetic decisions and executing sophisticated visual strategies.

Required

Strong understanding of multimedia design with strong experience building and organizing files for print, digital design and web-based platforms for site creating and email marketing.

Required

Sophisticated knowledge of the principles and practices of graphic design and design tools; ability to govern end-to-end design production, manage all aspects of layout, typography and print specifications and to conform to an organization’s established style guide.

Required

Strong knowledge of user experience/user interface (UX/UI) principles and best practices.

Required

Strong knowledge of printing and production processes to appropriately plan and execute assignments; working knowledge of local vendors in terms of performance and pricing.

Required

Diplomatic with well-developed interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to build cooperative, effective relationships with a wide variety of internal/external constituents; experience responding to a wide variety of design related strategies, inquiries and concerns.

Required

Exhibits advanced analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous situations, assess nuances, and apply appropriate judgment to inform decision-making.

Required

Excellent written communication skills with an advanced command of English to prepare, proofread and edit materials for correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and syntax.

Required

Highly organized with excellent attention to detail and an acute sense of accuracy; deadline driven with ability to complete multiple assignments along similar timeframes and to work on high-level, confidential projects with discretion.

Required

Skill and willingness to work as part of a team, collaborate on projects and serve as a mentor; strong verbal communication and active listening skills to interact and communicate effectively.

Required

Skilled ability to problem solve, make changes and corrections as they occur, and to offer appropriate solutions. Innovative and creative with ability to determine resources and gather information needed to complete projects.

Required

Knowledge of fundraising principles/techniques and the application of graphic design to fundraising materials is preferred as is prior experience with Blackbaud CRM and/or other fundraising databases.

Required

Working knowledge of UCLA, its organization, structure and the roles and responsibilities of various academic and administrative units is preferred.

Required

Knowledge of UCLA icons, history and graphics.

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as needed.

Required

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Non-University Setting(s)

Location:

Wilshire Glendon Offices

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical Skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.