Careers

JOB TITLE: Creative Director

DIVISION: University Marketing

DEPARTMENT: University Marketing

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: ESU

CAT: 16

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

REPORTS TO: Chief Marketing Officer

SUPERVISES: Graphic Designer, Digital Multimedia Specialist, and student employees within University Marketing.

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Creative Director is responsible for managing, shaping and directing the overall creative vision for the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in order to develop, apply and maintain a strong, consistent brand identity. The Creative Director is responsible for overall execution of the institution’s visual presence and provides leadership from concept to production across the University's print communications and coordinates with the institution’s marketing and communication channels. The Creative Director is integrally involved in the design and implementation of university projects that affect recruitment, retention and the empowerment of students. The Creative Director is a vocal leader and ensures the best-in-class execution of everything from the admissions viewbook and publications like the Annual Research Report to the templating and design support of signage across campus. Critical to this effort is directing, coordinating, and managing staff, freelancers, and campus partners in the effective development, production and delivery of timely, consistent, and cost-effective work. The Creative Director also collaborates with faculty and staff at all levels, and on occasion, presents to the campus community.

In addition: Follow the University's best practices to build and/or support student academic success and retention and assist in meeting strategic objectives for persistence and timely graduation of all the student population.

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the creative approach and implementation of visual, cross-channel executions including digital campaigns and publications to meet institutional and marketing objectives.
• Design and oversee the design of publications, brochures, advertisements, etc., in accordance with the University’s strategic communication effort and priorities. Ensure projects are completed on time and within budget allotment and meet organizational standards for functionality and brand identity.
• Manage all aspects of photography, including art direction and management of scheduling, contracts, and processing.
• Ensure marketing materials resonate with specific audiences, such as prospective students, parents, alumni, community members, legislative leaders, and donors.
• Collaborate with University staff members to develop creative briefs and apply design expertise to create the best presentation of the client’s message in conformance with the University’s policies, practices and strategies.
• Serve as the project manager on major initiatives such as the Annual Research Report, ensuring success by creating the process and infrastructure to meet the strategic goals of the initiative.
• Responsible for art direction, ensuring content and visuals clearly convey informational and promotional messaging.
• Collaborate with other members of the University Marketing team to achieve institutional priorities.
• Project management of requests/assignments for design, photography, and other assigned projects, utilizing the marketing ticketing system.
• Manage creative vendors, including printers, photographers, copywriters, videographers etc., ensuring objectives are communicated and deliverables are met.
• Remain current with emerging technologies and software relevant to marketing, higher ed and graphic design industries.
• Recommend best quality within print budgets, including publications developed annually.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design or related field
• EXPERIENCE: Significant (over 7 years) in graphic design and project management; demonstrated supervisory and management experience; working extensively with Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft Word; with demonstrated experience (over 3 years) with Adobe Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
• OTHER: Evening and/or weekend hours as projects require; some travel may be required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Over 3 years of experience in higher education marketing.
• Demonstrated experience developing creative briefs.
• Demonstrated experience implementing cross-channel campaigns.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Excellent project management and communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, to oversee multiple projects, and to be able to respond quickly to exigencies.
• Demonstrated ability to implement projects from concept to completion, cultivating a highly collaborative process and environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage creative resources efficiently in a fast-paced, demanding creative environment.
• Detailed knowledge of commercial printing procedures, especially pre-press
• Detailed knowledge of scanning, basic color correction and retouching
• Ability to create charts and graphs and to conceptualize illustrations with either type and/or image for various editorial products such as magazine articles, cover artwork for brochures, web banners, etc.
• Ability to supervise and direct the work of other creative professionals.

SALARY: $73,815.00 to $94,585.36

• 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• State Pension Retirement Plan
• Optional Retirement Savings Plans
• Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
• And More!

Benefits for ESU Union: ESU

Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.

To apply please submit a letter of interest, a current resume and the contact information for three professional references.

The deadline for internal applicants is May 16, 2025.

The review of internal and external applications will be ongoing until the position is filled.

The projected start date for this position is after July 1, 2025.