Associate Director, Creative Design

Associate Director, Creative Design

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Associate Director, Creative Design at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Job Purpose

The Associate Director, Creative Design is the creative eye on the brand identity and visual storytelling for all content created by University Communications and Marketing (UCAM). This role works with the University Marketing Creative Director to develop original concepts to visually tell Wayne State’s story across a variety of media, including digital advertising, publications, signage, social media, and internal communications. The Associate Director leads the design strategy for the university's branded content and supervises the day-to-day activities of the design group.

This position reports to the Director, Creative.

Essential Functions

• Lead design team to develop and create visually appealing branded content for University Communications and Marketing across all communication channels and audiences.
• Ensure design approach aligns with Wayne State’s messaging strategy and voice, workflows and supervise all design and publication functions, including but not limited to art direction, project management, scheduling, planning, quality assurance, and production coordination; and proactively track progress of design-specific assignments, plan-related tasks, providing internal updates where necessary.
• Oversee design team including hiring, training, and mentoring employees. Responsible for tactical execution, personnel management, and process efficiencies for the team.
• Collaborate with University Communications and Marketing writers, multimedia, project management, content strategy, social media/licensing, and digital partners to produce effective, consistent, and creative brand design representation and solutions.
• Manage vendor relationships, including photographers, printers, and design partners, to ensure timeliness, product quality, and best pricing.
• Stay aware of and willing to interject current trends into all university design projects when appropriate, with special attention to electronic and social media influences, tools, and techniques.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in Marketing or related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Experience:

• Specialist (minimum 5 years of job-related experience)
• Minimum 5 years of brand marketing and design experience, with proven leadership direction on initiatives.
• Experience designing and overseeing all aspects of content creation including concepting, photography, print production and website design.
• Strong organizational and project management experience, demonstrating a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to coordinate and/or lead multiple projects simultaneously and to manage general design projects and specific assignments from concept to launch to distribution and to market.
• Familiarity with higher education environment preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Management
  
  Skills:
  
  Strong, detail-oriented project management skills. Excellent organizational, management, communication, and human relations skills. Must be able to manage multiple tasks and complete work accurately and within deadlines. Ability to lead a cross-functional team. Ability to multi-task (advance and prioritize many projects simultaneously), working independently and as an effective leader. Ability to work in a changing, fast-paced environment.
• Planning/Organizing
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to prioritize and plan work activities and adapt to changing conditions. Demonstrated ability to complete tasks correctly, on time and within budget.
• Oral Communications
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to apply effective interpersonal skills to provide information, listen and get relevant clarification; respond well to questions; and speak clearly in positive or negative situations.
• Computer
  
  Skills:
  
  High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office (MS) applications for design and publications production, including MS Project;
  Knowledge of other packages (e.g., Adobe InDesign/Photoshop/Illustrator/Acrobat, scanning and text recognition, multimedia applications).
• Business Acumen:
  Understands objectives and mission of department and work unit. Monitors own work to ensure quality. Ability to perform work with concentration, focus and accuracy. Ability to work effectively on deadline and complete work in timely manner.
• Project Management:
  Ability to independently manage a variety of…