Graphic Designer

Job Description

The Graphic Designer is a key member of the Office of Institutional Advancement, helping to build relationships, engage the community and share ASIJ’s stories through effective digital and interactive communication. As a skilled communicator, the Graphic Designer makes informed decisions on the content and tools required in each circumstance to best convey an impactful message about ASIJ. 

The Graphic Designer plays a key role in helping to develop and implement communications strategy, brand development and brand management across print and digital channels in cooperation with the Director of Communications. They are responsible for the design and production of creative, professional print and digital pieces for school divisions, summer programs, PTA and other members of the ASIJ community. 

As a member of a small, highly collaborative creative team, the Graphic Designer ensures that each colleague’s ideas and expertise are used to maximum advantage. Like their teammates, they have high standards for themselves and others and aspire to create exemplary work that reflects the School’s reputation for excellence. Their content is of the highest quality. 

The Graphic Designer has the cultural competencies to understand diverse perspectives and the empathy and compassion to positively impact team functioning. They have a growth mindset and are solution-focused with the ability to leverage their skills and a range of strategies to propose and implement action. 

The Graphic Designer is part of ASIJ’s Institutional Advancement Office, which is led by the Director of Institutional Advancement and includes the Director of Giving, Director of Communications, Data Specialist, Alumni Coordinator, and Digital Communications Officer.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Creative 

• Design and lay out school publications that range from magazine formats to simple single-page formats 
• Create digital assets for use on social media and web, including motion graphics 
• Produce designs for PTA, alumni program, and summer programs 
• Design T-Shirt and collateral materials for school groups and events 
• Maintain and update website under the direction of the Director of Communications 
• Produce digital signage for screens around campus 
• Produce signage, wayfinding and other environmental design elements as requested 

Production 

• Act as the key representative with our Japanese printer and other main vendors 
• Source quotes and vendors as required 
• Manage the printing and production schedule of a wide variety of jobs 
• Work with the Director of Communications and Director of Giving in coordinating print/mailing jobs with our US printers. 
• Prepare files for print, run pre-flight checks, and send data to print 
• Check proofs, make corrections and supervise corrections made by printer 
• Manage in-house printing jobs and ensure supplies remain in stock 

Photography 

• Take and edit photos on campus and at events as requested 
• Coordinate photography needs with Digital Communications Officer 
• Upload content and manage our digital image archive

Branding 

• Maintain and refine current brand guidelines; update Communications Handbook as needed 
• Develop marketing/admissions and fundraising materials in line with brand objectives 

General Communications 

• Support Advancement Office events as requested 
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Supervision & Technical Responsibilities 

This position does not directly supervise any other school employees. However, the role has some responsibility for training colleagues on design-related matters. The Graphic Designer may at times oversee the work of temp or freelance designers and illustrators. 

Budget Responsibility 

This position has no direct budget responsibilities but is responsible for tracking costs and submitting receipts and invoices. 

Judgment and Decision Making 

Work is assigned by the Director of Communications and other senior leadership team staff. Although work is guided by ASIJ policies and procedures, this role requires the ability to work independently when required and make informed, well-judged, ethically sound decisions when called upon. The majority of work will be conducted collaboratively with team members from within the office as well as from related school-wide systems.

Qualifications

Work Experience & Education 

• Bachelor’s degree (design-related field preferred) 
• Three or more years work experience in a role or field related to communications 

Technical Skills 

• Advanced level skills in the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (particularly InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom) 
• High level skills in Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects ● High level digital photography skills using a full frame camera 
• CSS, HTML and CMS experience preferred (Webflow experience a plus) 
• Experience with multi page document layout 

Key Competencies & Skills 

Successful candidate should: 

• Have a strong aesthetic and passion for design; 
• Be a skilled communicator with the ability to articulate their design strategy to others; 
• Be an inspiring visual storyteller; 
• Have the social emotional-skills to work effectively with a wide range of people and handle challenging conversations with sensitivity and empathy; 
• Have the adaptability and growth mindset required to ensure ASIJ remains current in its branding and communications; 
• Use digital technologies to enable them to work effectively and efficiently, regardless of physical location; 
• Have cultural competencies that support working in a diverse community, and an understanding of the concept of Third Culture Kids; 
• Be a disciplined, highly organized, results-oriented individual with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously; 
• Be a self-starter, who demonstrates initiative and the ability to work independently when required; 
• Be an active member of the team who supports their colleagues and takes responsibility for ensuring we work collaboratively and creatively; 
• Be focused on solutions and being proactive; 
• Be discrete, ethical, and respect confidential information; and 
• Be a lifelong learner with an interest in education. 

About the Company

Founded in 1902, The American School in Japan (ASIJ) is one of the oldest and most well-regarded international schools in the world. Our award-winning communications team produces a wide range of content from animations and videos to magazines and print publications.

ASIJ is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture and we encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship and disability. 

ASIJ is committed to ensuring that all students are safeguarded and protected from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Upon employment, all faculty and staff members are required to sign a student protection agreement, and undergo a background check.