JOB DESCRIPTION. 1. JOB TITLE: LIS Graphic Design Manager 2. HRMS REFERENCE NUMBER: HRMS/ ROLE CODE: GDMGRLIS

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION 1. JOB TITLE: LIS Graphic Design Manager 2. HRMS REFERENCE NUMBER: HRMS/ ROLE CODE: GDMGRLIS 4. DEPARTMENT: Learning and Information Services 5. ORGANISATION CHART: 6. JOB PURPOSE: The role holder manages the graphic and web design services provided by Learning and Information Services. A team of 6 graphic designers are responsible for designs used on print and digital media within the University. The role holder produces designs themselves as well as managing this team and liaising with other departments within LIS and the wider University to ensure that a high quality and effective service is provided. 7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Learning and Information Services provides the following categories of service to the University in several physical locations: communications and IT infrastructure, network, desktops and software; information systems and management of the VLE; printed and electronic library resources and services; AV installation and support; graphic design and a Print Unit. The Graphic Design team are based on the Chester Campus and are responsible for the design of print and web materials for use within the University. There is a separate graphics team within the Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions department which produces content for marketing the University to students and other external audiences. 8. WORK PERFORMED AND/OR KEY RESULT AREAS: 8.1 Communicating Effectively The role holder has extensive contact with customers in person, via telephone and written media, to manage the service, explain and interpret specialised aspects and offer advice on both written and visual documentation. Oral and written communication is required to manage the graphic design team and their workload, to promote the service, and to develop and maintain the University external and internal design languages, standards and style guides and ensure compliance with these.

2 The role holder carries out design work for both print and web media, requiring a high level of skill in visual communication and the interpretation of customer requirements, however these are presented. 8.2 Leadership and Working Collaboratively The role holder directly manages the team of graphic designers who produce print and web material for internal use within the University. They are responsible for prioritising and recording work, encouraging effective teamwork, providing guidance, support and development as appropriate and representing the views of the team as necessary. There is a requirement to develop the service and promote it across the whole University, ensuring that techniques used are up to date and standards attained are high to meet customer expectations. When carrying out design work themselves, the role holder works collaboratively with other designers and related staff and with customers to meet the brief. 8.3 Liaison and Networking The role holder develops and maintains good working relations with other teams in LIS, particularly the Print Unit, Business Improvement Services (BIS) and the Learning Technology Unit who work collaboratively, and with departments across the University who need to use the service, such as Corporate Communications. They will liaise with the Deputy Director (Managed Learning Services) who is responsible for the intranet, templates, and web services. They will also liaise with the graphics service within Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions to ensure that work is carried out by the appropriate team and also network across the University to promote and develop the service in line with customer requirements. The role holder will work with the Business Improvement Services team who will implement the different web sites, templates and intranet systems designs with HTML5, CSS, and client-side scripting solutions. The role holder is a member of the LIS Manager s Forum, and so relates to other equivalent managers within LIS. They will represent the Graphic Design team at appropriate meetings with other departments, such as Corporate Communications. The role holder liaises with external clients, suppliers and managers of equivalent services in other universities as required to manage and develop the service. 8.4 Delivering a High Quality Standard of Service The role holder is responsible for setting and delivering high standards of design output by the graphic design team for use on print, web and materials across the University. This includes ensuring adherence to relevant design languages, style guides, design standards and practices including

3 those for accessibility, meeting deadlines for work, ensuring consistency between designers and collecting and evaluating feedback about the performance of the service. In their own design work the role holder will meet the standards set for the rest of the team. 8.5 Effective Decision Making The role holder reports to the Deputy Director of Learning and Information Services (Health libraries, Desktop and Media Services). However, they are responsible for using their specialist professional training and experience to develop and maintain standards, processes and procedures to ensure the delivery of an effective and high quality service by all staff. The role holder makes independent decisions about the allocation of tasks between designers and prioritisation of work to meet deadlines, and assesses the quality of output. As a designer, the role holder is expected to work with their clients to interpret their requirements and decide on content and style of the final product. 8.6 Planning and Organising Self and Others As manager of the graphics service the role holder has an overview of the service and so they responsible for planning and implementing developments as appropriate in the University context. The role holder manages the day to day workloads and all other line management matters for the graphic design team, including monitoring, approving and planning flexi-time, leave, sickness absence and staff development. They have oversight of the demands on the service and respond as appropriate, sometimes at short notice, to meet customer requirements. As a designer themselves, the role holder is required to work on several projects in parallel, organising their schedule according to client responses, availability and requirements. 8.7 Innovation and Improvement (Effective Problem Solving) The role holder is largely autonomous in their management of the work of this team, and the use of initiative with a positive approach is required to resolve design, technical or other practical or management problems as they arise. The role holder is responsible for identifying and implementing appropriate technical, design and system improvements within the team, in collaboration with other teams within LIS and as authorised by the Director of LIS. They need to monitor and respond to customer and management feedback to ensure continual service improvement. As a designer, the role holder resolves problems and uses innovative approaches if appropriate to create designs which meet the customer needs.

4 8.8 Analysis and Research The role holder is responsible for keeping themselves and their team up to date with developments and trends in design for print and web, and carries out research and monitoring of activity elsewhere to achieve this. New approaches need to be assessed for their applicability to the University situation and their introduction requires an evidence-based and managed process. The role holder is proactive in managing methods of seeking, evaluating and acting on customer feedback on behalf of the team and is responsible for ensuring that useful and appropriate management information is collected about the work of the team. When involved in design projects themselves the role holder carries out research into appropriate images, styles and other aspects of content as necessary to fulfil the brief of the customer. 8.9 Sensory and Physical Demands The work centres around the production of visual designs for both print and web and the accurate design of small details at high magnification can be involved. Complicated design briefs and short deadlines for completion can require the management of personal stress and that of the rest of the team Work Environment The roleholder uses a PC/Mac in an office environment for the majority of their working day, using a range of standard and specialist design software to create visual designs Pastoral Care and Welfare The role holder is responsible for ensuring that all members of their team follow University policies and is available for their staff to consult about any work related issues, such as health and safety, diversity and equality, sickness, stress or training. They may on occasion be required to offer support to their staff, colleagues or customers who are under distress Team Development The roleholder is responsible for the induction and training of all graphic design team members. This includes carrying out Personal Review and Development Planning interviews, identifying training needs and opportunities and managing the provision of these. They are required to deliver training themselves to the team on appropriate topics Teaching and Learning Support The role holder delivers awareness presentations and training sessions to other staff in LIS and across the University about the work of the graphic design service and the use of web-based material they have designed Knowledge and Experience A degree in graphic design is essential, together with an appropriate and relevant qualification at masters level.

5 Working experience in design for print and web Full working knowledge of current software used for print and web design Experience of managing a team of design staff. Project management experience, including the organisation of workload and production schedules Experience of working in an educational or training setting is desirable. Excellent communication and presentation skills 8.15 General To undertake any other duties commensurate with your grade, and/or hours of work, as may reasonably be required of you. To take responsibility for upholding and complying with the University s Equality and Diversity policies and for behaving in ways that are consistent with fair and equal treatment for all. To comply with all University Health and Safety policies.

6 PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Graphic Design Manager Department: LIS PERSON SPECIFICATION Criteria / Desirable Method of identification Qualifications: Degree in graphic design Appropriate masters level qualification Proven Experience: Experience of working in a design environment for print or web Experience of managing a team of designers Delivering academic and service excellence: Project management experience, including the organisation of workload and production schedules Full working knowledge of the range of current software used for print and web design Managing self and inspiring others: Excellent communication skills Ability to develop and communicate ideas, aims and objectives Working together: Flexible approach Ability to work as a team member and as an individual Organisational and stakeholder awareness: Interview Application form, interview Application form, interview Experience of working in an educational or training setting Desirable Application form, interview Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be rejected at the shortlisting stage. Desirable Requirements are those that would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements. Method of identification is where the selection panel will match the candidate s skills and abilities to the required criteria outlined (i.e. application form, interview, test)

7 UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT LEARNING AND INFORMATION SERVICES GRAPHIC DESIGN MANAGER SALARY SCALE University Scale OS9, points 31-34, 32,277-35,256 per annum payable monthly in arrears. RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT It is a requirement of this post that within 12 months of appointment, the post-holder should live within a 30 mile radius or within a one hour travelling time by public transport from the University. HOURS OF WORK 36.5 hours per week to be worked as follows:- Monday to Thursday 9.00am pm Friday 9.00am pm (less one hour for lunch each day) A flexible approach to work will be required as there may be occasions when it would be necessary for you to work additional hours as dictated by the workload. HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT 22 days per annum (pro-rata during the commencement and cessation years), rising to 27 days after five years' continuous service. Two extra statutory days per annum during the Christmas period. PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT The successful applicant may opt to be employed on a professional contract. Those employed on professional contracts have a holiday entitlement of 35 days per annum. As a minimum they are expected to be present during the core hours of the role, as outlined above, and they are not entitled to participate in the department s flexi-time scheme. MEDICAL EXAMINATION Successful candidates will be required to complete an Occupational Health questionnaire, and may be required to undergo a medical examination. ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATES Short-listed candidates will be asked to bring to interview, proof of qualifications as outlined on the Job Description and Person Specification provided. Upon appointment, copies of essential certificates will be required by HRM Services. PENSION SCHEME The University operates two pension schemes for support staff: The default scheme is the Higher Education Defined Contribution Scheme (HEDCS), which is administered by Friends Life. The Cheshire Local Government Pension Scheme, to which the University is an admitted body. All support staff are entitled to participate in one of these schemes. Some staff will be automatically enrolled into a scheme, depending on their age and earnings, but if they do not wish to remain a member of the scheme, they will be entitled to opt out after enrolment.

8 EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The University has a policy of equal opportunity aimed at treating all applicants for employment fairly. SMOKING POLICY The University operates a No-Smoking policy. PROBATIONARY PERIOD A nine months' probationary period applies to all University posts. CLOSING DATE Candidates should apply for this vacancy via our online recruitment website ( by Tuesday 2 nd September 2014 quoting reference number HRMS/13338.