Director of Design and Creative Services (CS25-063)

$85,000 - $85,000/Yr

Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville, IL

Part-time,Full-time - Senior

Edwardsville, IL

Educational Services

About the position

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is seeking a passionate and talented Director of Design and Creative Services to lead its graphic design team. This full-time position is pivotal in bringing creative visions to life and ensuring they resonate with diverse audiences. The Director will oversee the development of compelling digital, print, and promotional materials, working closely with the Marketing management team to effectively communicate SIUE's vision and mission. The role requires a strong commitment to quality and accessibility in design, ensuring that all materials engage and inform our target audiences. In this leadership role, the Director will manage the design process from concept to completion, guiding the graphic design team and prioritizing projects using a project management system. Collaboration with freelance designers will also be essential to meet project deadlines and maintain high standards. The Director will serve as a brand steward, championing SIUE's visual identity and implementing a comprehensive brand project that features a fresh, research-driven brand and visual identity. The position involves strategic collaboration with faculty, staff, and administrators to translate their ideas into creative projects that align with institutional brand standards. The Director will lead the 2024-2025 comprehensive brand project, working alongside the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications to ensure the successful implementation and ongoing maintenance of the new brand identity. Additional duties may include performing other tasks as assigned to support the goals of the Marketing and Communications team.

Responsibilities

• Envision, design, and produce high-quality digital, print, and promotional materials from start to finish.
• Ensure all materials are accessible and engaging for our target audiences.
• Manage and guide the SIUE graphic design team, prioritize projects using a project management system, and delegate tasks effectively.
• Collaborate with freelance designers as needed to complete projects on time and to high standards.
• Work closely with the Marketing management team to develop policies and strategies that effectively communicate SIUE's vision and mission.
• Partner with faculty, staff, and administrators to translate their needs into creative projects that reflect our brand's standards and best practices in design.
• Champion and uphold SIUE's brand visual identity, serving as the University's brand steward.
• Create, advance, and enforce brand visual identity guidelines and style guides.
• Lead the 2024-2025 comprehensive brand project, collaborating with the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications and the Marketing Director.
• Utilize expertise in modern design to implement a new, research-driven brand and visual identity, and manage its ongoing maintenance.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the goals and needs of the Marketing and Communications team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, fine art, marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
• At least seven years of professional graphic design experience, including demonstrated experience planning and executing complex visual designs for communications such as a magazine.
• A portfolio of creative work that showcases a wide range of successful marketing and communication publications, environmental design projects, and visual identity and branding projects is required.
• At least seven to 10 years of working experience as a senior designer, art director, or creative director.
• At least five years of experience managing creative staff, such as graphic designers, with proven ability to lead staff, delegate responsibly, and help staff develop and grow their skills.
• Experience building and managing visual identity and creative for brands.
• Experience managing logo trademarking and licensing.
• High-level experience working with InDesign, Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365, and other creative communication tools.
• In-depth knowledge with various printing methods (offset, web, digital) and techniques, types of paper stocks, coatings, and inks.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience implementing a brand.