Responsibilities
- 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.
Requirements
- 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, and 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.