Creative Manager

Texas A&M University - San Antonio - Austin, TX

Austin, TX

Educational Services

About the position

The Creative Manager, under direction, provides creative direction and design for marketing and communication needs of the University. Oversees and designs printing and production of promotional materials for internal and external uses and mediums, including traditional print, electronic, social media, and multimedia. Also serves as the lead and primary graphic designer for the institution, responsible for creating cross-platform visual concepts for internal and external audiences. Primary responsibilities are supporting the visual voice of the institution through brand management, coordination, and design of print and digital materials for University Marketing, and assistance with other media-related duties in support of the university marketing and branding efforts. The graphic designer works with a team to consult and advise on design and visual style under the direction of the department leaders.

Responsibilities

• Serves as brand arbiter to ensure all University materials align with brand guidelines.
• Assists campus communicators with application of University brand guidelines.
• Maintains University brand guidelines and toolkit.
• Reviews and approves merchandise for licensing to align with brand.
• Researches and analyzes industry trends and maintains knowledge of emerging technologies and creative techniques.
• Supports Institutional goals through various design and development projects related to visual communication.
• Translates complex information into effective visual communication.
• Provides subject matter expertise to various departments on digital and print design.
• Manages all aspects of assigned projects, including concepts, timelines, budgets, communications, deadlines, and quality control.
• Prepares and reviews printing specifications, including job costing data.
• Works with vendors.
• Evaluates and recommends equipment purchases.
• Collaborates with Communications team to provide creative direction for web presence.
• Integrates and aligns print and electronic media to comply with style and branding guidelines.
• Creates interactive web interfaces for online productions.
• Creates original illustrations for use in marketing materials.
• Designs and produces advertising for print and digital media.
• Creates supporting material for conferences and events (banner signage, PPT presentations).
• Produces social media graphics that align with the Institutional voice for University channels.
• Produces motion graphics for use in video.
• Assists with video/photo editing, when needed. Manages media library.
• Works with content and web development team to ensure dynamic web and social media pages.
• Provides visual direction, storyboards and outlines for video projects.
• Manages and coordinates marketing campaigns, vendors, timelines and production.
• Follows design industry trends in marketing, advertising and higher education.
• Looks for innovative ways to create purpose-driven design that effectively reaches its intended audiences.
• Participates in personal development and training to enhance or learn new skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Graphics Design, Fine Arts, Commercial Arts, or related field.
• Five (5) years of related professional experience graphic design, web development, print and electronic media, marketing, or related field.
• Three (3) years of experience using Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and AfterEffects.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of photo editing, web design, and social media.
• Knowledge of project tracking and collaboration tools (Smartsheet, Basecamp, Jira or Asana).