Art & Production Director
Supports the University’s creative initiatives by providing strategic creative direction and overseeing the production of high-quality visual communications across print and digital platforms. This role leads the design team, manages production workflows, and ensures that all creative work aligns with CCU’s institutional brand standards and broader messaging objectives.
Working closely with CCS leadership and campus partners, the position requires strong creative judgment, production expertise, and the ability to manage multiple projects and team members in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field preferred; equivalent portfolio-based experience considered.
- 8+ years of professional design experience with demonstrated progression into creative leadership, art direction, or production management roles.
- Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat) on a Mac-based system.
- Working knowledge of AI-powered creative tools (e.g., Nano Banana, ChatGPT, Topaz, emerging generative design platforms) that support concept development, workflow efficiency, image refinement, and production accuracy.
- Strong understanding of typography, layout systems, color theory, and visual hierarchy across both print and digital platforms.
- Deep knowledge of print production processes including file preparation, vendor coordination, proofing, and quality control.
- Demonstrated experience managing creative teams and coordinating production across multiple simultaneous projects.
- Ability to maintain brand integrity across diverse mediums including print, digital communications, web, signage, and event materials.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for layout adaptation and file preparation.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple concurrent deadlines.
- Exceptional attention to detail and proofing accuracy.
- Clear verbal and written communication skills with the ability to guide designers, provide constructive feedback, and communicate effectively with internal stakeholders.
- Professional and collaborative leadership style with the ability to mentor creative staff and maintain a productive, solutions-oriented team environment.
- A professional visual portfolio demonstrating strong art direction, brand stewardship, and production execution is required.
Key Job Duties
- Provide creative leadership and art direction for all Communications and Creative Services design projects to ensure high-quality, brand-aligned visual communications.
- Supervise and mentor two full-time Graphic Designers, freelance design contractors, and the department’s Creative Project Manager, ensuring effective workflow, clear expectations, and consistent quality standards.
- Provide creative oversight and strategic collaboration with the University Web Designer through a dotted-line reporting relationship to ensure consistency across web, digital, and print platforms.
- Establish and maintain visual design standards that ensure alignment with CCU’s institutional brand identity and broader creative goals.
- Supervise and approve design work to ensure quality, brand consistency, and technical accuracy prior to production or publication.
- Direct the creative development of major University publications, marketing collateral, signage systems, event materials, and other strategic communications.
- Manage production workflows including print vendor coordination, file preparation, proofing, and quality assurance.
- Oversee print vendor selection and bid comparisons as needed, ensuring cost efficiency and production quality.
- Ensure all creative deliverables adhere to brand guidelines, typography standards, color systems, and visual identity frameworks.
- Maintain oversight of file organization, archiving systems, and production documentation.
- Collaborate with CCS and UEM leadership and campus stakeholders to translate strategic objectives into effective visual communications.
- Identify opportunities to improve creative workflows, production efficiencies, and emerging technology adoption within the design process.
- Maintain high standards of service, professionalism, and responsiveness when working with internal University partners.
- Other duties as assigned.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. You may be required to work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends.
Benefits
We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as candidates progress through the interview process. The pay range for this job is: $70,000 - $80,000 annually and is assigned by reviewing a combination of job-related factors that may include: internal/external pay equity, the salary structure/pay grade, or a candidate’s qualifications/experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage and CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.
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