Senior Creative Director

Senior Director, Creative

The University of Memphis is seeking a visionary Senior Director, Creative to lead the creative expression of the university's brand across all channels and audiences. This role is responsible for shaping, protecting and elevating the University of Memphis brandwhile translating our strategy into compelling storytelling, design, video and experiences that drive enrollment, reputation, and engagement.

The Senior Director, Creative serves as the senior creative leader for the organization, guiding concept development, visual identity, messaging execution and creative quality across campaigns, digital platforms, video, experiential events, and integrated marketing initiatives. The role balances big idea thinking and leadership with hands-on creative direction to ensure work is strategically grounded and creatively unmatched.

Responsibilities

Brand and Creative Leadership

Act as the university's chief of creative, ensuring all creative work aligns with brand strategy, visual identity and voice

Lead the creative vision for major brand initiatives including the existing Memphis Is campaign and future brand platforms

Translate strategy (Ascend/Successful Outcomes) into compelling creative narratives

Set creative standards and ensure consistency across colleges, departments, athletics, external partners, etc.

Campaign and Concept Development

Lead concepting and creative direction for integrated marketing campaigns

Partner closely with brand strategy, comms, digital and events teams to develop cohesive and multichannel executions

Ensure creative is data and insight driven, audience focused with defined measures

Team Leadership and Development

Lead, mentor and inspire a multidisciplinary team

Foster a collaborative and high-performing culture rooted in both innovation and empowerment as well as accountability

Set clear creative briefs, workflows, and processes that balance creativity with efficiency

Support professional development and growth of existing creative team members

Design, Video and Storytelling Oversight

Oversee design, photography, video, motion and storytelling standards across creative platforms

Provide creative direction for brand videos, digital content, social storytelling, environmental design, and experiential activations

Cross-Campus and External Collaboration

Serve as a strategic creative counselor to campus partners and stakeholders offering leadership vs just production

Manage and direct external agencies, freelancers and production partners as needed

Collaborate with Athletics to ensure brand alignment while supporting high visibility initiatives

Innovation and Creative Excellence

Stay current on trends in higher education marketing, design, storytelling and digital experiences

Introduce new creative approaches and formats as well as tools that elevate the brand and improve creative efficiency

Balance innovation with preserving and protecting brand health

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree

8-10 years of creative leadership experience including managing teams

Proven experience leading brand and integrated campaigns

Strong portfolio demonstrating concept-driven work across multiple channels

Experience collaborating with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders

About Us

The University of Memphis is a leading, student-centered, urban public R1 research institution. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, on 1,160 acres. The University serves a population of nearly 20,000 students and 2,500 employees, including more than 1,000 full-time faculty members. The University offers bachelor's degrees in more than 230 areas of study, master's degrees in more than 50 subjects and doctoral degrees in 26 disciplines; supported an institutional record of more than $100 million in research awards for FY24; and has an operating budget of close to $500 million.

Job Info

Job Identification 555

Apply Before 10/14/2026, 04:59 AM

Degree Level Bachelor's Degree

Job Schedule Full time

Locations 38152 (On-site)

Campus Location Main Campus (Memphis, TN)

Hiring Range $110,000 - $120,000 per year

Work Schedule Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Job Posting Category Staff