Graphic Designer, Data Storytelling - Academic Affairs, Research and Student Success - UT System Administration

The Graphic Designer, Data Storytelling is a creative, design-forward professional responsible for translating institutional information into clear, compelling, accessible visual materials. This position applies graphic design, visual storytelling, typography, layout, branding, and user-centered design skills to create polished print and digital materials that help leaders and stakeholders understand complex institutional data quickly and confidently. Data fluency is valuable in this role: While the role is design-focused, the Graphic Designer, Data Storytelling works with institutional data analysts and subject-matter experts across the division to ensure visualizations are accurate, meaningful, and appropriate for their audiences of decision makers.

Using Adobe Creative Suite or comparable design tools, the Graphic Designer, Data Storytelling creates reports, presentations, infographics, data visualizations, templates, and other visual assets for University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees meetings; executive leadership presentations and speaking engagements; supplemental Board materials and responses; strategic initiatives; and ad hoc and project-based materials. The position collaborates with colleagues in UT System Communications and Marketing and other offices to align materials with brand standards and elevate high-visibility materials.

The Graphic Designer, Data Storytelling is part of the Institutional Research and Analytics team within the University of Tennessee System’s Division of Academic Affairs, Research, and Student Success (AARSS). Working alongside colleagues in planning, assessment, institutional research, and data analytics, the Graphic Designer, Data Storytelling supports the Vice President and executive leaders in Research; Learner Success and Workforce Pathways; Access and Engagement; Wellness; Academic Affairs; and Academic Systems and Operations.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with AARSS leadership, Institutional Research, Business Intelligence, and campus partners to design and produce cohesive, high-quality Board of Trustees materials that clearly communicate institutional priorities, performance, and strategic insights. 

Responsibilities include:

• Translate validated institutional data into accurate, meaningful, and effective visualizations.
• Develop coordinated visual assets, including reports, presentations, infographics, charts, maps, and other supporting materials, that create a consistent and compelling narrative across Board materials.
• Work within the university’s brand to apply strong principles of visual hierarchy, typography, layout, color, and accessibility to ensure materials are polished, audience-appropriate, and easy to understand.
• Partner with data analysts and content owners to confirm data accuracy, definitions, and context for the information being represented.
• Maintain visual consistency across recurring materials while adapting designs to the purpose, audience, and strategic message of each meeting or request.

Partner with System and AARSS leadership to design and produce tailored presentations, reports, and other visual materials that support executive decision-making, strategic initiatives, and leadership engagement. 

Responsibilities include:

• Consult with project sponsors to clarify project objectives, target audience, key messages, scope, format, timeline, and intended use.
• Develop visual concepts and design solutions that translate leadership priorities and complex information into clear, engaging, audience-appropriate materials.
  Create accurate, accessible, and effective charts, graphs, maps, infographics, and other visual assets in collaboration with data analysts and content experts.
• Draft and revise materials in response to stakeholder feedback, ensuring final deliverables meet project goals, align with brand and visual standards, and are ready for their intended audience or setting.

Partner with Institutional Research and Business Intelligence developers to bring a user-centered visual design perspective to the development and refinement of interactive data products. This role complements the technical and analytical responsibilities of dashboard development. 

Responsibilities include:

• Consult on dashboard visual design, user experience, layout, spacing, navigation, and information architecture to make interactive data accessible, intuitive, and easy to use.
• Recommend appropriate visualization types and visual treatments based on the audience, decision-making context, data characteristics, and key messages.
• Consult on visual hierarchy, color, typography, accessibility, and inclusive design to improve the clarity, usability, and effectiveness of dashboard interfaces.
• Develop or recommend design standards, templates, and style guidance that create consistency across dashboard products.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will hold a Bachelor's degree in Graphic design, visual communication, communication design, information design, digital media, art or studio art, data journalism, or a related design or visual communications field.

Experience:

• 3+ years of experience in graphic design, information design, or data-driven design, including work that involves translating information or data into visual form (e.g., infographics, reports, presentations, or data visualization). Experience from a relevant internship or capstone may count toward part of this requirement.
• Experience designing high-visibility, executive-facing materials, such as board materials, strategic plans, annual reports, executive presentations, or public-facing institutional reports.
• Experience translating complex, quantitative, qualitative, or technical information into clear visual narratives for nontechnical audiences.
• Experience developing or maintaining design systems, templates, visual standards, or brand-aligned toolkits that enable consistent materials across teams.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud or comparable professional design software.
• Demonstrated portfolio of polished print and digital design work, including reports, presentations, infographics, editorial layout, and data-informed visual materials.
• In-depth knowledge of and demonstrated ability to apply graphic design, information design, and user-centered design principles, including typography, layout, visual hierarchy, color, visual storytelling, and accessibility.
• Ability to read, interpret, and ask informed questions about quantitative data, trends, and basic statistical concepts to ensure visualizations accurately represent underlying data.
• Creative curiosity and the ability to partner with analysts and subject-matter experts to identify opportunities for improvement; envision, prototype, and develop effective visual approaches for emerging, complex, or not-yet-visualized institutional data.
• Commitment to a collaborative, client-focused design process, including consulting with stakeholders, incorporating feedback, and balancing creative recommendations with project goals and timelines.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects; plan, prioritize, and adapt work effectively in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and iterative revision cycles.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain design choices and communicate effectively with executive leaders, technical colleagues, and other stakeholders.

Preferred

Additional Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Experience in higher education and/or working with higher education data
• Familiarity with data visualization tools or platforms, such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar.
• Working knowledge of key concepts in higher education (e.g., admission, yield, retention, persistence, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of accessible design practices for print and digital materials, including color contrast, document structure, accessible PDFs, and accessible presentation design.
   

Application Process

For consideration, applications should be accompanied by a letter of interest, a resume, and three references. Preferred submissions will include a design portfolio or examples of work, either by providing a URL to an online portfolio or by uploading supporting documents as attachments. 

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation for this position is budgeted for $80,000 to $85,000.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits and much more.  Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax.  For more information on the University of Tennessee benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/