Associate Creative Director

Digital Media / Content Strategist Location: In-person / CIST Administrative Office / Austin, Texas
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports to: Chief Brand and Growth Officer
Supervises: None; may direct external design/production vendors on projects
Starting Salary: $6,666.67 / month
About Communities In Schools Rooted in community for over 40 years, Communities In Schools of Central Texas (CISCT) is a sophisticated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Austin, Texas. Communities In Schools (CIS) is a national organization that ensures every student has what they need to realize their full potential in school and beyond. At CISCT, our mission is simple: surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Position Summary We believe brand is not just how we look or sound, it is trust, credibility, and belief. Associate Creative Director builds the visual system that makes that belief visible: consistent, polished, and unmistakably CISCT across every school, screen, and community space. Reporting to the Chief Brand and Growth Officer, this role turns brand strategy into the templates, guidelines, and creative the whole organization relies on.
The Associate Creative Director will: Build and steward CIS's visual identity system so the brand looks and feels consistent across 120+ schools
Develop strong and provocative brand campaigns that fill audience gaps and lead to growth
Turn brand strategy into templates, guidelines, and design assets the entire organization can use
Raise the quality and polish of CIS's materials to match the strength of its model
Partner with the Chief Brand and Growth Officer and Digital Media / Content Strategist so creative fuels awareness, growth, and giving
The Creative Leader We're Looking For A systems-builder who loves templates, guidelines, and consistency
A hands-on designer and a creative director in equal measure
Culturally responsive and community-minded
Organized, fast, and quality-obsessed
Collaborative, builds with people, not just for them
You believe great design makes the mission easier to trust.
What You'll Do Visual Identity & Brand System Own and evolve CIS's visual identity, brand guidelines, and design standards
Build a template library, impact reports, one-pagers, decks, flyers, newsletters, social frames, that improves visual hierarchy and saves production time
Ensure the CIS brand works alongside, not against, school-district branding
Creative Production & Quality Lead graphic design and creative direction across print and digital materials
Refresh the photo and video library and establish a simple photo-consent workflow
Bring polish, accessibility, and cultural responsiveness (including bilingual design) to every piece
Brand Enablement & Consistency Equip staff and campuses to use the brand correctly with tools, quick guides, and training
Support campus materials with cleaner, on-brand design
Help stand up brand-ambassador materials
Brand Experience & Touchpoints Design consistent, memorable touchpoints: events, activations, the in-school “CIS room,” and merch
Collaborate on the creative for the annual awareness campaign
Collaboration Partner with the Digital Media / Content Strategist so assets perform across channels
Support the CBGO on board, funder, and executive materials
Manage design vendors on major projects
What You Bring Experience & Qualifications Required 5+ years in graphic design and/or creative direction, including building brand systems and templates
A strong portfolio demonstrating brand identity, visual hierarchy, and multi-format design (print and digital)
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Canva
Experience creating brand guidelines and scalable template systems
Strong collaboration and project-management skills in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Nonprofit marketing experience is not necessary but preferred
Experience designing for education, youth development, or social impact
Bilingual (English/Spanish) or experience with multilingual, multicultural design
Photography, videography, or data-visualization skills
Must reside in Central Texas
Why Join CIS? Mission-driven work – Be part of a team that changes the trajectory of students’ lives.
Professional growth – Ongoing training, supervision, and career pathways into director-level roles.
Community impact – Build partnerships that extend beyond the classroom.
Generous paid time of f: 4+ weeks of holidays, 2 weeks of vacation time, personal days and sick days
Comprehensive Health Coverage e: 100% employer-paid employee medical plan available, plus family subsidies, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
Community-centered culture focused on impact, growth, and connection
Communities In Schools of Central Texas is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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