Graphic Designer (Part-Time, 12-Month Contract)
Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid)
Reports to: Art Director
Term: Part-time, 12-month contract
Salary: 32,000 annually (part-time)
About the Role
Higher Education Strategy Associates (HESA) is seeking a Graphic Designer to join our team on a full-time, six-month contract. Reporting directly to the Art Director, this role offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative in-house environment, contributing to a variety of print and digital communications initiatives.
As Graphic Designer, you’ll contribute to a wide range of design projects, including publications, conferences, digital marketing, presentations, websites, email campaigns, and print collateral. Working closely with the Art Director, you’ll help develop visual communications that are engaging, accurate, and aligned with HESA’s brand standards.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety and is excited by the opportunity to work on diverse design projects. From reports and presentations to conference materials and digital campaigns, you’ll contribute to communications that support clients and audiences across Canada’s higher education sector.
This position operates on a hybrid work model, with employees able to work remotely for up to 50% of their schedule. The successful candidate must be able to commute to HESA’s downtown Toronto office as required.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Working under the direction of the Art Director, responsibilities may include:
- Assist in the design, layout, and production of reports, publications, white papers, and other long-form documents while maintaining HESA’s brand standards.
- Design digital and print marketing materials, including social media graphics, advertisements, conference collateral, signage, brochures, handouts, promotional materials, and event branding.
- Format reports, publications, and other documents for both print and digital distribution.
- Create and update Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and presentation templates.
- Build and format email marketing campaigns using established templates.
- Assist with website updates, including page layouts, image preparation, and content updates.
- Prepare production-ready artwork for commercial printing and digital distribution.
- Ensure consistency across all visual communications by applying HESA’s brand guidelines.
- Manage multiple design projects simultaneously while collaborating effectively with colleagues and incorporating feedback throughout the design process.
- Support other graphic design and creative production initiatives as required.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess:
- A diploma or degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related discipline from a recognized college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- A strong portfolio demonstrating excellence in typography, layout, branding, and visual communication across both print and digital media.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
- Experience designing presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint.
- An understanding of print production processes and preparing files for commercial printing.
- Experience with WordPress or other content management systems is considered an asset.
- Familiarity with email marketing platforms such as Constant Contact or Mailchimp is considered an asset.
- The ability to travel to our downtown Toronto office for occasional meetings (e.g. approximately once a week)
Skills and Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong visual communication, typography, and layout skills.
- Excellent attention to detail, ensuring consistency across all visual communications.
- The ability to balance creativity with practical communication objectives.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- A collaborative, positive attitude and openness to feedback.
- An understanding of accessible and inclusive design principles is considered an asset.
About Us
Higher Education Strategy Associates is a consulting firm based in Toronto that works with both postsecondary institutions and government to develop, implement, and evaluate related policy and plans. Our work spans a wide range of topics, from student loan policy to international student recruitment. For more about us, see our site: www.higheredstrategy.com.
Higher Education Strategy Associates is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
Application Process
Applicants should submit:
- A cover letter;
- A résumé; and
- A portfolio, either as a PDF attachment or a link to an online portfolio.
Note: Your cover letter is an opportunity for you to tell us about yourself and why you believe you would be a fit for the role. We encourage you to produce an authentic cover letter that meaningfully tells us about you in your own words instead of one wholly or largely created by generative artificial intelligence.
Applications should be sent to info@higheredstrategy.com.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on August 21st. Late applications will not be considered.
Please indicate “Graphic Designer (12-Month Contract)” in the subject line of your email.
Any questions regarding the position should be directed to Samantha Pufek, Art Director, at spufek@higheredstrategy.com.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.