Creative Director

Student Activities Board; Grantham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational organization in Grantham is seeking a Creative Director responsible for leading the marketing communications design strategy. This role involves managing design projects, supervising a team, and ensuring high-quality deliverables for print and digital media. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in graphic design, a strong portfolio, and excellent communication skills. This full-time position offers an opportunity to shape the visual communications of the institution while ensuring brand integrity and effectiveness.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of graphic design and web/multimedia visual design experience.
• 3 years of pre-press experience.
• Proficiency in Macintosh devices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee marketing communications creative design strategy.
• Manage budget and resources for creative services.
• Act as a liaison for on-campus clients.

Skills

Comprehensive knowledge of marketing communications

Graphic design expertise

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite

Excellent communication skills

Organizational and planning skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in graphic design

Master's in visual design/communication

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Premiere Pro

Project management software

Job description

Creative Director

Applicants should provide a link to their professional design portfolio in their cover letter.

Position Details

• Title: Creative Director
• Type: Staff Employee
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Time Status: Full-Time (1560-2080 hours)
• Annual Hours: 2080
• Hours per week: 40
• Work Dates: July 1 – June 30
• Campus: Main Campus (Grantham)

Position Summary

The creative director is responsible for overseeing the University’s marketing communications creative design strategy, process, staff, freelancers and the quality of deliverables for the external print, web, and multimedia communications produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications. Key responsibilities include production/scheduling, workflow coordination, resource management, project management, client liaison and satisfaction tracking, creative services budgeting, brand integrity and integration, promotional visual media development, hands‑on graphic design for print and web, compliance monitoring with design standards, photo shoot coordination, art‑directing The Bridge (the University magazine), press check facilitation, and resource identification.

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design or visual communications.
• Preferred: Masters of Fine Arts or master’s in related visual design/communication field.

Experience

• Required: 5+ years of graphic design and web/multimedia visual design; 3 years pre‑press; proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop on a MAC; 2-3 years supervising a graphic design team; some photography creative direction.
• Preferred: Demonstrated magazine design experience; organizational setting experience; higher education environment a plus.

Skills & Characteristics

• Comprehensive knowledge of marketing communications, graphic design, web design, multimedia principles, and digital & press publishing processes.
• Ability to manage graphic designers to deliver high‑quality communications within budgets and timeframes.
• Proficiency in Macintosh OS and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, InCopy, Illustrator, Bridge, Acrobat, Photoshop).
• Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro preferred.
• Proficient in project management software (Easy Projects, Basecamp).
• Experience with digital photo library/asset management platforms (AIR).
• Knowledge of basic web usability standards.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time‑management skills.
• Innovator with creativity and problem‑solving abilities.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to integrate market research into design strategy.
• Ability to work independently and with diverse groups.
• Team player with a positive attitude.
• Effective collaboration with external designers, videographers, photographers, and printers.
• Prepress procedure, press check, and printing terminology knowledge.
• Paper and mailing requirements for print.
• Professional portfolio required.

Special Working Conditions

Must ensure design work is completed properly and on schedule; some art direction responsibilities may include infrequent evening or weekend hours for events such as commencement.

Duties

Primary Duties

• Conceptualize, collaborate, and create high‑level designs for external university communications; consult with campus clients.
• Provide visual and multimedia design support and direction for web and digital communications.
• Serve as primary liaison for on‑campus clients; manage the department’s creative services budget.
• Supervise staff, student designers, and freelancers; regulate workflow; monitor compliance with design standards.
• Oversee photography strategy and the design of The Bridge magazine.
• Lead special projects related to brand management, visual identity, student recruitment, and senior leadership design projects.
• Collaborate with printers, project coordinators, editorial staff, the Web Services team, and ITS.
• Serve on relevant committees: Marketing and Communications Cabinet, Content Team, Undergraduate Admissions Marketing Team, co‑lead Visual Identity Team.
• Maintain consistent and reliable attendance.

Secondary Duties

• Other duties as assigned.

Supervises

• Administrative: 1
• Staff: 2
• Student: 5–7

Diversity & Inclusion

Messiah University values diversity and inclusive excellence. Candidates should articulate why diversity matters to them as persons of faith and professionals, and describe how they will contribute to the university’s vision through teaching, learning, research, service, and public engagement.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Interest
• Resume

Contact

Human Resources: One University Avenue Suite 3015 Mechanicsburg PA 17055; 717‑796‑5300

Student Employment: One University Avenue Suite 3015 Mechanicsburg PA 17055; 717‑796‑1800 x.2900