Creative Director

Student Activities Board; South Kesteven; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in the United Kingdom is looking for a creative director to oversee the marketing communications design strategy, manage the creative services budget, and supervise design staff. The ideal candidate should have over 5 years of graphic design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and exceptional communication skills. This position involves both leadership and hands-on design work, contributing to various university marketing initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of graphic design and multimedia visual design experience required.
• 3 years of pre-press experience necessary.
• Proficient in MAC environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee marketing communications creative design strategy.
• Supervise design staff and manage department budget.
• Consult with campus clients about design projects.

Skills

Graphic design skills

Project management

Communication skills

Team leadership

Adobe Creative Suite proficiency

Photography direction

Education

Bachelor's Degree in graphic design or visual communications

Master's in related field (preferred)

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Easy Projects

Basecamp

Job description

Job Overview

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 of resources, and project management and prioritization; acting as a liaison with on-campus clients, meeting with them to determine their needs and tracking/res client satisfaction; managing the creative services budget for the department; strengthening the integrity and integration of the University's brand and visual identity into all communications produced by the department; promoting the University's brand and programs by devising creative approaches to visual media; providing hands‑on graphic design for high‑visibility print and graphic design support for the Web; developing and monitoring compliance with graphic design quality standards, best practices, and procedures; plan, coordinate and art‑direct marketing communications photo shoots; oversee/art‑direct design for The Bridge (the University magazine); facilitating press checks; and identifying resources needed to accomplish department objectives including hardware, software, training; etc. This position serves on the Marketing and Communications Cabinet, Content Team, Undergraduate Admissions Marketing Team and co‑leads the University's Visual Identity Team.

Primary Duties

• Conceptualize, collaborate and create high-level designs for university communications intended for external audiences; consult with campus clients about design projects and needs. Provide visual / 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 department's design staff, student designers and freelancers; regulate / manage design suite workflow; develop and monitor compliance with graphic design standards; oversee department creative photography strategy/implementation and the design of The Bridge (Messiah's university magazine).
• Provide special project leadership, particularly related to University brand management and visual identity, student recruitment and senior leadership design projects.
• Collaborate and consult with printers, project coordinator, editorial staff, the Web Services team, and ITS.
• Serve on relevant committees including the Marketing and Communications Cabinet; Content Team, Undergraduate Admissions Marketing Team; co‑lead the University's Visual Identity Team.
• Maintain consistent and reliable attendance.

Secondary Duties

• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises: # of Administrative 1, # of Staff 2, # of Student 5-7.

Posting Date

11/18/2025. Open Until Filled. Application Deadline: Yes.

Diversity Statement

Messiah University's commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence draws inspiration from its mission "to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society." The university has pursued this vision through a strategic planning process that encourages diversity through employee and student composition, campus climate, and an educational program that seeks to equip and enable educators and students to embrace diversity. Candidates should clearly articulate why diversity and inclusive excellence matter to them as persons of faith as well as in their profession. Candidates will speak to how as a potential employee, they will contribute to the advancement of this vision through their teaching‑learning, research, institutional service, and public engagement.

Applicant Documents

Bachelor's Degree in graphic design or visual communications. Education Preferred Masters of Fine Arts or master's in related visual design/communication field.

Experience

Required: 5 or more years of graphic design and web/multimedia visual design experience, 3 years of pre‑press experience. Demonstrated proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator and PhotoShop in a MAC environment required. At least 2‑3 years experience in supervising graphic design team. Some experience with photography creative direction required.

Preferred: Demonstrated experience with magazine design a strong preference. Previous work experience in an organizational setting preferred; experience in higher education environment a plus.

Skills and Characteristics

• Comprehensive working knowledge of marketing communications, graphic design, web design, multimedia principles, and digital and press publishing processes, concepts and techniques.
• Proven ability to manage graphic designers to deliver top‑quality communications and customer experiences within established budgets and timeframes.
• Proficient in Macintosh Operating Systems and design programs, including Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, InCopy, Illustrator, Bridge and Acrobat and Photoshop) and Microsoft Office.
• Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro preferred.
• Proficient in use and administration of project management software (experience with Easy Projects and Basecamp preferred).
• Oversight/administration experience with a digital photo library/asset management platform (experience with AIR a plus).
• Working knowledge of basic Web and Web usability standards.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven organizational and planning skills.
• Excellent time‑management skills; ability to meet deadlines; ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently.
• Proven innovator with creativity and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated attention to details and accuracy.
• Ability to integrate market research into design strategy.
• Ability to work independently and with diverse groups of people.
• Team player with positive attitude.
• Proven ability to work effectively with external designers, videographers, photographers and printers.
• Experience in prepress procedures, press checks, working with printers; knowledge of printing terminology, photo retouching, variable data and personalization.
• Working knowledge of paper and mailing requirements for print.
• Professional portfolio required.

Special Working Conditions

Must ensure design work is completed properly and on schedule; responsible for completing work or seeing that it gets completed if /when others cannot do so. Some art direction responsibilities may include infrequent evening or weekend hours, i.e., Commencement, other special university events.