University of La Verne Hiring for Director of Creative Services at La Verne, California Full Time

The Director of Creative Services within the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications plays a pivotal role in translating strategic initiatives, stories, and ideas into visually compelling designs for the university. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to execute the university’s creative vision, overseeing a breadth of projects from dynamic marketing campaigns to the alumni magazine, Voice. The Director of Creative Services maintains brand consistency, ensuring that creative assets align with the university’s overall strategy, while also meeting the needs of departmental requests. This creative professional with proven leadership experience sets the strategic direction for overall creative design, and directs a combination of in-house and contracted creative resources in the production of print and digital design solutions.

• Lead the development of innovative and effective visual marketing campaigns, thinking strategically to shape brand-compelling communications that support university initiatives and resonate with audiences. Provide a high-level direction of the conceptualization, design, and execution of creative works for a variety of mediums, including but not limited to: flyers, event templates, website visuals, brochures, viewbooks, advertisements, social media graphics, alumni magazine, etc.

• Oversee and produce concepts, art direction, storyboards, layout, and design for print and digital advertising efforts. Ensure all design and print projects are completed on time, within scope, and on budget.

• Act as a graphic designer, working with the AVP of Strategic Marketing and Communications and Operations and Integrated Marketing team on producing creative projects that support the recruitment, retention, and reputation of the university. Understand and apply brand strategies in the execution of creative assignments.

• Generate impactful and memorable creative ideas from concept to production for MarComm projects that resonate with different audiences such as prospective students, current students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents.

• Maintain and reinforce cohesive brand identity for the university. Act as the steward of the university’s visual identity and drive creative solutions that further refine and advance that identity.

• Ensure Creative Services team is following established protocols for design and print production standards. Ensure consistent brand implementation and quality control, while also ensuring visual work aligns with the department’s goals and objectives.

• Collaborate with a creative team of designers, writers, videographers, photographers, marketers, and web developers to deliver on the creative vision. Stay up to date with industry trends and best practices and incorporate them into the division’s design strategy.

• Work closely with other MarComm staff to develop strategic messaging, designs, and unique methods for engaging prospective students.

• Maintain library of frequently-needed print and digital templates in online collaborative platform (Marq), including advertisements, recruitment flyers, event programs, event flyers, invitations, social media, website banners, etc.

• Conduct trainings for Marq, manage license distribution, and maintain resources for Marq users. Troubleshoot design requests and assist with design approvals.

• Maintain library of brand-approved photography and ensure photo assets are accessible to departmental and university constituents.

• Coordinate and oversee frequent staged photoshoots with different colleges/programs to maintain current and relevant photo catalog.

• Manage outside vendors such as freelance designers, creative agencies, photographers, artists, and printers and ensure work is consistent with brand and university strategy. Follow university purchasing policies to ensure competitive bids are obtained from vendors.

• Be a culturally competent employee who attends/completes mandatory diversity and inclusivity trainings as provided by the university.

• Other duties as assigned.