Graphic Designer in Reading

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.

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.

What You'll Do

• Lead the creative delivery of design projects across digital and physical channels, creating engaging visual communications that promote our services, events, campaigns and opportunities.
• Turn ideas and briefs into designs that connect with students and inspire action.
• 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.
• 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.
• Use audience insight and feedback to create effective and meaningful design solutions.
• Champion inclusive and accessible design principles across all creative work.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ensure all creative work meets accessibility, copyright and organisational requirements.

About You

• 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.