Creative Director

VSC UP PAT BARGAINING UNIT EXEMPT GRADE 16

BASIC FUNCTION
The Creative Director is a member of the VTSU marketing and communications leadership team and is responsible for collaboratively developing, owning, and managing VTSU's visual brand standards and engagement tools. The Creative Director will oversee production of a wide range of marketing and communications materials for digital, print, video, and social platforms, and will monitor and support correct university-wide application of VTSU's brand marks and design elements in print and digital materials to ensure consistent branding and high-quality visual presentation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• In collaboration with communications, marketing, admissions, and other teams, develop, own, maintain & effectively communicate VTSU's visual brand standards, and creative direction to internal and external teams.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative departments, faculty, and staff to identify marketing needs and produce creative and cost-effective print and digital solutions (brochures, magazines, recruitment and advertising materials, posters, murals, banners, etc.) in a unified manner.
• Conceptualize, develop, and coordinate the dissemination of creative assets with external contractors across all paid, owned, and earned marketing channels: digital marketing campaigns, VT/streaming, radio, social media, print media, website, apps, email communications, etc.
• Overall project management from concept to delivery, including concept interviews and design presentations to clients, development of assets on deadline (with potential management of vendors/team members), and packaging of assets for on-campus and off-campus printers. Adhere to communications project management system to prioritize projects and track processes.
• Ideate new photo and video concepts and collaborate with vendors in preproduction (storyboard, location, casting), at the shoot (styling, directing), and in post-production (editing, packaging).
• Hire and manage creative vendors when needed (examples may include web design and development, video production, etc.) Provide creative direction for these projects.
• Manage the workflow of in-house creative projects and ensure seamless production between copy and design.
• Manage creative budget (not including ad/marketing spends).
• Coordinate, review, and approve the work of designers, student workers, and interns across the university in the development and production of designs.
• Meet regularly with the Assistant Vice President of Communications, Alumni & External Affairs to assess priorities and works in progress. Contribute to and manage overall strategic direction for brand and design.
• Evolve, develop and foster strong design conventions and guidelines for the brand (including art direction, graphics, typography, video, commissioned and organic
content), oversee implementation and cohesiveness of the brand and adhere to identity and branding standards.
• Maintain standards for accuracy, consistency, and general quality in representing the college to internal and external audiences. Maintain standards of accessibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion in materials.
• Establish and adhere to standard protocols for naming, storing, and managing digital assets, including design files and photos.
• Keep abreast of emerging communications and marketing technologies. Stay on top of green design trends and learn how AI can help support and enhance our brand and workflow.
• Maintain excellent organization and communication (both written and verbal) standards with key stakeholders, with a high-level understanding of the complexity of organizational change.
• Anticipate and/or respond effectively to changing trends and circumstances, welcome fresh perspectives, learn from past mistakes and adjust accordingly.
• Provide guidance and support to other staff members on design matters.
• Adhere to communications project management system to prioritize projects and track process.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Direct supervision is provided by the AVP of Communications, Alumni, and External Affairs

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervises Graphic Designers and student workers and interns as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Proven experience as a creative director or in a similar creative role.
• Bachelor's degree in graphic design or related program.
• Ten years of hands-on design experience, and extensive knowledge of and experience with a variety of computer applications, including Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc., required).
• 3-5+ years of experience managing, mentoring, and inspiring a creative team. Or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Masters in Fine Arts.
• Experience working in a highly collaborative, fast-paced start up culture.
• Marketing experience a plus.
• Experience with Premiere and After Effects.

KNOWLEGDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Knowledge:
• Demonstrated understanding of design principles
• Knowledge of pre-press production and printing technologies, including offset, digital, variable-data imaging, and other emerging technologies
• Understanding of and experience with designing creative content for data-driven, integrated marketing strategies.
• Team player who can effectively work with others and is willing to "roll up their sleeves" to help when needed
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to provide clear guidance and support to colleagues.
• Able to provide quality supervision to staff and student workers/interns
• Knowledge of project management systems to be able to prioritize projects and track process
• Commitment to developing own professional knowledge and the professional knowledge of team members regarding diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice and how it informs practices within area of expertise
Skills:
• Advanced skills in design and editing programs such as the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, etc.).
• Familiarity with project management platforms, ad trafficking platforms, and CRMs.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal communication skills, with above average spelling, grammar, and editing skills.
• Can produce detailed work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proactively identifies new opportunities and is comfortable leading and taking initiative on new projects.
Abilities:
• Ability to guide an inclusive, data-driven brand identify development process.
• Ability to adaptively project manage under tight deadlines with multiple projects and shifting priorities
• Ability to present a portfolio that reflects creative work and project leadership
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Ability to take and incorporate feedback gracefully and responsively to improve designs/satisfy clients
• Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives and cultures while facilitating an inclusive, safe working space for colleagues.

Location: This position is hybrid remote, based on any of the Vermont State University's
campuses

This general outline illustrates the type of work which characterizes the job classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of individual positions assigned to the classification.

Vermont State University is a part of the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS). VSCS values individual differences that can be engaged in the service of learning. Diverse experiences from people of varied backgrounds inform and enrich our community. VSCS strongly encourages applications from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. VSCS is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with ADA requirements, and will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant. Please contact our HR office for assistance with accommodations at [redacted].

NOTE: This job could be subject to a fingerprint criminal background check. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon the satisfactory results of this check.

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