Director - Branding and Creative Strategy - University

Location: Bengaluru

The  Director – Branding and Creative Strategy  will be responsible for defining, evolving, and championing the company's brand identity and ensuring its consistent and compelling expression across all touchpoints. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, creative leadership, and team management to drive brand equity, recognition, and customer loyalty. The Director will lead the in-house creative team and manage external agency relationships.

Roles & responsibilities:

Creative Leadership & Execution
- Creative Direction:  Provide hands-on and strategic creative direction across all marketing channels, including digital (website, social), advertising (print, video), product launches, and internal communications.
Team Leadership:  Lead, mentor, and inspire the internal Creative Team (designers, copywriters, video producers, etc.), fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
Agency Management:  Oversee and manage external creative agencies, freelancers, and production partners, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest creative standards.
Asset Management:  Manage the creation and maintenance of a central brand and creative asset library.

Brand Strategy & Management
- Define and Evolve Brand:  Own the long-term vision, strategy, positioning, messaging, and voice of the brand.
Guard Brand Integrity:  Develop and enforce comprehensive brand guidelines, ensuring all departments (Marketing, Product, Sales, HR, etc.) adhere to visual and verbal standards.
Market Insights:  Conduct competitive analysis and use customer insights to inform brand evolution and differentiation.
Performance Tracking:  Define key brand health metrics (e.g., awareness, perception, affinity) and regularly report on performance to executive leadership.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Operations –
Stakeholder Alignment:  Partner closely with Marketing, Product, and Sales VPs/Directors to translate business goals into compelling creative campaigns.
Project Prioritization:  Oversee the creative workflow, including intake, prioritization, and resource allocation, using project management tools to maximize efficiency.
Budget Management:  Manage the Brand and Creative department budget, tracking expenditures and forecasting future needs.

Required Skills & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Design, Communications, or a related field (Master's preferred).
8+ years of progressive experience in brand management, creative direction, or advertising agency roles.
3+ years in a leadership role managing and mentoring a creative team.
Exceptional portfolio demonstrating a deep understanding of brand strategy and creative execution across various media.
Expert-level knowledge of design principles, typography, visual standards, and digital production processes.
Proven ability to translate complex business objectives into clear, emotionally resonant creative strategies