Creative Operations Lead Job at University & College Designers Association (UCDA

UCDA : connecting, inspiring, and supporting a creative community in education

The Creative Operations Lead oversees best‑in‑class execution of creative projects that support the university’s marketing, branding, and visibility initiatives. Reporting to the Executive Creative Director, the Creative Operations Lead is responsible for developing and implementing systems and workflows supporting MarComm’s integrated, multidisciplinary creative and production team whose oversight includes creative and production of signature, award‑winning campaigns and publications in support of the university’s most visible external marketing and communications efforts. The Creative Operations Lead tracks all aspects of the production process including but not limited to: project intake; client communication; pre‑production planning; project team oversight; visual asset management; vendor management; creative development; reviews and approvals; production, delivery, and archiving. With multiple projects in motion at once—each with distinct schedules, deadlines, goals, and stakeholders—the Creative Operations Lead coordinates and streamlines workflows, ensuring all projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned to LMU’s brand standards.

Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities

Workflow Optimization: Develop and maintain efficient workflows and systems to traffic a high volume of projects and initiatives on competing, parallel timelines. Identify and implement best practices to support team creativity, collaboration, and efficiency. Perform regular reviews of the creative team’s workflow and provide solutions to ensure quality, efficiency and effectiveness of tools and processes.

Project Coordination: Act as the key point of contact between cross‑functional teams, internal stakeholders, leaders, and external vendors to ensure clear communication and smooth project flow. Direct department production utilizing Smartsheet project management software. Traffic all projects from intake to archive, ensuring alignment with the university’s brand and visual standards. Act as department point person for production support of marquee campus events. Assemble project teams, attend site visits, track all creative projects and tactics, and facilitate team meetings.

Scheduling & Traffic Management: Create and maintain an annual calendar for planning and executing campaigns and marquee publications, making adjustments as necessary to accommodate shifting priorities. Evaluate and schedule multiple concurrent creative tactics, including copy, design, photography, video, and others. Manage timelines, deliverables, and resources to ensure timely completion of all tasks.

Resource Management: Work with the Executive Creative Director to allocate and manage creative resources (agencies, graphic designers, copywriters, artists, etc.) based on visibility, project demands, funding, and team capacity. Manage vendor contact resources; communicate with freelancers to determine availability as needed; and connect resources with clients and project leads. Ensure resources are utilized effectively to meet deadlines and maintain quality standards. Manage Creative and Production project archives. Manage university’s graphic identity assets and templates; train clients, colleagues, external partners, and other end users to deploy brand identity system correctly and with consistency. Oversee and administer brand architecture system. Maintain visual identity web pages.

Budget Monitoring: Work with the Executive Creative Director to track budgets and ensure projects are completed within allocated funding. Provide estimates, manage costs, obtain budget approval for scope changes, and facilitate vendor fulfillment.

Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with stakeholders across MarComm and the university to gather input, provide regular updates, and assess expectations throughout the production process.

Problem Solving: Proactively address potential roadblocks or challenges in the production process, offering solutions to keep projects on track and maintaining positive team dynamics.

Reporting: Maintain archives of campaign presentation decks that provide a comprehensive overview of creative visuals, assets, and placements.

Loyola Marymount University Expectations
Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Graphic Design, Project Management, or a related field.

Experience

5 years of experience managing creative projects, ideally within a fast‑paced marketing, advertising, or design‑focused environment.

Experience working with design teams, understanding creative processes, and managing complex production timelines.

Familiarity with project management tools (Smartsheet, Basecamp, Asana) and workflow management.

Proven ability to manage multiple projects with different timelines, budgets, and stakeholders.

Skills & Abilities

Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively in a dynamic environment.

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to liaise with various stakeholders.

Ability to thrive under pressure and work in a deadline‑driven environment.

Detail‑oriented with a strong eye for design and brand consistency.

Knowledge of Loyola Marymount University’s brand guidelines and marketing strategies is a plus.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team‑oriented culture.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in higher education marketing, nonprofits, or a similar industry.

Familiarity with design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) is a plus.

Familiarity with Project management tools (e.g., PMP or Agile) is a bonus.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Salary Range
$66,600.00 - $86,600.00 Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Loyola Marymount University, a Carnegie classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence, the education of the whole person, and the building of a just society. LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal, state and local law. We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experience, and beliefs to apply. (Visit www.lmu.edu for more information.)

Company Information
https://lmu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers/job/Westchester-Campus/Creative-Operations-Lead_R13122

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In Summary: The Creative Operations Lead oversees best‑in‑class execution of creative projects that support the university’s marketing, branding, and visibility initiatives . Reporting to the Executive Creative Director, the Creative Operations lead is responsible for developing and implementing systems and workflows supporting MarComm's integrated, multidisciplinary creative and production team .

En Español: UCDA: conectar, inspirar y apoyar a una comunidad creativa en la educación El Director de Operaciones Creativas supervisa la ejecución de los mejores proyectos creativos que respaldan las iniciativas de marketing, branding y visibilidad de la universidad. Informando al director ejecutivo creativo, el líder de operaciones creativas es responsable del desarrollo e implementación de sistemas y flujos de trabajo que apoyan al equipo integrado, multidisciplinario creativo y productivo de MarComm, cuya supervisión incluye creación y producción de firmas, campañas ganadoras de premios y publicaciones en apoyo de los esfuerzos más visibles de mercadotecnia y comunicación externa de la Universidad. Identificar e implementar las mejores prácticas para apoyar la creatividad, colaboración y eficiencia del equipo. Realizar revisiones periódicas del flujo de trabajo del equipo creativo y proporcionar soluciones para garantizar la calidad, eficacia y efectividad de herramientas y procesos. Coordinación de proyectos: actuar como el punto clave de contacto entre equipos interfuncionales, partes interesadas internas, líderes y proveedores externos para asegurar una comunicación clara y un flujo suave del proyecto. Producción directa del departamento utilizando Smartsheet software de gestión de proyectos. Transporte todos los proyectos desde la entrada hasta el archivo, asegurando la alineación con la marca y estándares de la universidad . Actúa como punto de departamento para el apoyo a la producción de eventos marcados. Reúne a los equipos del proyecto, asista a visitas en el sitio, siga todas las tareas de diseño y administración creativa, y facilite las reuniones de equipo. Programación y manejo de recursos de tráfico: y mantener una capacidad anual para gestionar tácticas de cronometraje y ejecución de campañas y marcas ejecutivas. Gestionar los recursos de contacto con proveedores; comunicarse con freelancers para determinar la disponibilidad según sea necesario; y conectar los recursos con clientes y prospectos del proyecto. Asegurar que los recursos se utilizan eficazmente para cumplir con las fechas límite y mantener los estándares de calidad. Administrar archivos de proyectos creativos y productivos. gestionar activos e modelos gráficos de identidad de la universidad; entrenar a clientes, colegas, socios externos y otros usuarios finales para implementar el sistema de identificación de marca correctamente y con consistencia. Supervisar y administrar un sistema de arquitectura de marca. Mantener páginas web de identidade visual. Monitoreo presupuestario: Trabajar con el Director Creativo para rastrear los presupuestos y garantizar que los proyectos sean completados dentro de la financiación asignada. Proporcionar estimaciones, gestionar costos, obtener presupuesto para aprobar cambios en el alcance y facilitar el cumplimiento del vendedor. Comunicar y emplear acciones interpersonales que modelen altos estándares de conducta profesional, responsable, responsable y ética. Demonstrar un compromiso con el servicio al cliente excepcional. Educación de calificaciones: Licenciatura en Marketing, Comunicaciones, Diseño Gráfico, Gestión de Proyectos o un campo relacionado. Experiencia de 5 años administrando proyectos creativos, idealmente dentro de un entorno dinámico de marketing, publicidad o diseño enfocado. experiencia trabajando con equipos de diseño, comprender procesos creativos y gestionar cronogramas de producción complejos. Familiarización con las herramientas de gestión de proyectos (Smartsheet, Basecamp, Asana) y la administración del flujo de trabajo. Capacidad comprobada para manejar múltiples proyectos con diferentes calendarios, presupuestos e interesados. Habilidades y aptitudes Competencias Fortes habilidades organizativas y capacidad de priorizar eficazmente en un ambiente dinámicos. Excelentes habilidades de comunicación, tanto escritas como verbales, con la capacidad de interactuar con partes interesadas. No están destinados a ser interpretados como una lista exhaustiva de todas las responsabilidades, deberes y habilidades requeridas del personal así clasificado. Rango salarial $66,600.00 - $86,600. Salary proporcional con la educación y experiencia. Loyola Marymount University, una institución clasificada Carnegie R2 en la corriente principal de la enseñanza superior católica estadounidense, busca solicitantes destacados que valoran su misión y comparten su compromiso con la excelencia inclusiva, la educación de toda la persona y la construcción de una sociedad justa. LMU es un empleador de igualdad de oportunidades comprometido a proporcionar un ambiente libre de discriminación y acoso según lo definido por la ley federal, estatal y local. Invitamos a todos los individuos en la diversidad de sus creencias, vida y experiencias laborales para solicitar información completa. (Visita www.lmu.edu para más información) https://www.lwdmyworkjobs.com/WestCampers/Occ_Jr’d=121880