Senior Graphic Designer

Job Description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Great design does more than communicate. It helps people understand, connect, and engage.

From campaigns and brand storytelling to digital content and everyday communications, design shapes how people experience the University. We're seeking a Senior Graphic Designer to provide creative leadership and deliver high-quality design solutions that strengthen the University of Auckland's brand across print and digital channels.

Working closely with the Graphic Design Manager and stakeholders across the University, you'll translate strategic goals into compelling visual communications that engage diverse audiences and enhance our reputation. You'll guide creative direction, mentor designers, and ensure excellence across campaigns, publications, digital content, presentations, signage, and brand assets.

You'll also act as a trusted advisor on brand and visual identity, championing best practice, accessibility, and innovation while helping to foster a high-performing creative culture.

Find out more about the ways we are transforming how we engage with our internal and external audiences across our Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Engagement functions.

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity. The full salary range for this role is $87,000 - $107,500 - Band G per annum.

We have a structured salary framework with three zones for those developing into the role (developing), fully effective (target) and contributing beyond what is expected of the role (upper). Appointments are typically made within the target range of $87,000 - $107,500, depending on skills, experience, and internal equity. We welcome conversations about your expectations and what matters to you in your overall package. Any offer will be made within the advertised range and guided by fairness, consistency, and our commitment to pay equity.

For more detailed information about the role and requirements, please refer to the Position Description.

He kōrero mōu | About you

We're looking for proven experience delivering high-quality creative design across print and digital channels, with a strong background in applying and championing brand standards in complex organisational environments.

We're particularly interested in people who bring:

• 5+ years' graphic design experience delivering high-quality creative across print and digital channels, ideally within a large organisation or agency environment.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating creative excellence, conceptual thinking and impactful visual communications across diverse audiences and platforms.
• Advanced Adobe Creative Suite skills (InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop), with experience designing for print and digital media; PowerPoint skills advantageous.
• Proven ability to lead end-to-end design projects, manage multiple stakeholders and deadlines, and translate business objectives into effective visual solutions.
• Strong expertise in brand management, visual identity systems and design best practice, with exceptional attention to detail and experience providing creative guidance, mentoring or quality assurance to maintain design excellence.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a new function, vision and culture while working within an organisation that operates at significant scale. This new function gives you access to internal expertise and resources commensurate with our scale and ambition, including an in-house design studio, media production teams, audience specialists, web and digital teams, AI and automation expertise, and dedicated Māori and Pacific specialists across brand, media, comms and engagement. Together, these teams help bring ideas to life through integrated campaigns, content and experiences.

As a comprehensive university, our scale creates opportunities that few organisations can offer. You'll have the chance to contribute across a wide range of projects and strategic priorities while continuing to grow your own career.

Beyond the work itself, you'll be joining a vibrant and inclusive community. From staff networks and cultural communities to social clubs, volunteering opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and campus events, there are countless ways to connect, contribute and build meaningful relationships across the University.

We also offer:

• A commitment to work/life balance with a 37.5 hour working week, flexible hours and hybrid/remote working patterns
• A competitive remuneration package with up to 6.75% super, annual salary increase with performance-based multiplier
• Time to recharge and disconnect with 5 weeks' annual leave and additional leave buy/sell scheme,
• Support for parents and carers with subsidised on-site childcare (including Kōhanga Reo), gender-neutral parental leave up to 9 weeks’ full pay, on-site parenting and feeding spaces
• A commitment to the wellbeing of our people with confidential access to a range of EAP services, including mental health counselling, financial guidance, neurodiversity coaching and rongoā services, a world-class on-site fitness centre, access to student specialists across our supervised training clinics, discounted health insurance.
• The opportunity to grow with access to an extensive programme of professional, leadership and cultural development, including digital capability coaching, specialised leadership development programmes, and Te Ao and Te Reo Māori learning programmes for staff
• The opportunity to build your career with one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most diverse and complex organisations

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please submit your application online by the closing date of Friday, 13 November 2026. Your application should include: 

• A brief Cover Letter explaining why you're interested in this role and how your skills match the requirements. 

• Your updated CV.  

Please note that we do not accept email applications.  

Please reach out to Fiona Badger, Recruitment Consultant on [email protected] with any questions. 

Reasonable accommodations - We are committed to building a more equitable and inclusive workforce and workplace, so we encourage applicants to reach out to discuss any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process, including alternative ways to submit applications.

Whānau and support people - Should you be invited to an interview for this role, your whānau members and/or support people will be welcome to join you. The recruiter or hiring manager will provide more information about this as part of the interview arrangements.

Additional Information

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz