Manager, creative

University of Guelph; Guelph; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Manager of Creative to oversee visual identity and branding efforts. This role involves leading a talented team of designers, illustrators, and copywriters to enhance the university's brand and engage with diverse stakeholders. The successful candidate will inspire creativity, manage projects, and ensure brand compliance across all communications. If you are passionate about graphic design and have a knack for strategic marketing, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within a vibrant educational community.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of related experience in graphic design or communications.
• Hands-on experience with marketing and brand development.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and production of visual materials for various communications.
• Manage the creative department and supervise internal and external staff.

Skills

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Project Management

Creative Process

Brand Development

Social Media Knowledge

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Education

University Degree in Communications

University Degree in Graphic Design

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Department: Digital Engagement and Marketing
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

Reporting to the Director, Digital Engagement and Marketing, the Manager, Creative is responsible for the visual identity of the University. Within the marketing department, the incumbent supervises a Graphic Designer and leads the team of designers, illustrators, photographers, videographers and copywriters, guiding the marketing and promotional efforts that bring the University’s brand to life. The incumbent inspires and brainstorms fresh ideas, manages deliverables and captivates the University community’s target market. This incumbent inspires positive connections, while nurturing U of G’s distinctive culture. Cultivating loyalty and a positive reputation and increasing engagement with the University of Guelph are paramount for the creative division. This position supports the efforts of other key U of G units and functions - notably student recruitment, research funding, donor and government relations, partnership building, liaison with international audiences and connecting with communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Connecting and engaging stakeholders, government, senior administrators and members of the public -- local, regional, national and international - with the University brand.
• Leading and directing the design and production of visual materials and media used for advertising, print, digital, social and web communications.
• Creating communications for the president and senior administrators, campus communicators, recruitment, research, donor and government relations and the campus community for strategic marketing and promotional efforts.
• Spearheading the University of Guelph’s brand, managing and maintaining guidelines for internal and external communications, and updates, creates and maintains the University’s brand guide.
• Managing the creative department and responsible for hiring and supervising internal, vendor-of-record and contractual staff (including, but not limited to, designers, illustrators, photographers, videographers and copywriters).
• Leading brainstorming sessions with staff to inspire and brainstorm fresh ideas.
• Conducting research to stay abreast of trends, software and tools.
• Conducting audits and monitors for brand compliance across the University community.
• Creating mock-ups, layouts and prototypes (i.e. taking a more active role in preparing materials).
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• University degree in communications, graphic design or a related field and a minimum of three (3) years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent working knowledge of relevant software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Hands-on experience with creative process, concept development, marketing, graphic design, brand development, and social media platform knowledge.
• Project management skills with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Superior written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong time management, organizational and analytical skills.
• Critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Resiliency and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with ability to manage competing priorities and oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
• Trained in video production management and photography campaign management, pre-production and post-production.

Please include your portfolio with your application.

Employee Type: Regular
Position Number: 10390040
Classification: P&M FT- Band 03
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands
The target hiring salary for this position is minimum up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

*Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 04/25/2025
Closing Date: 05/12/2025