Art Director

The University of North Carolina; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

University Communications at UNC Greensboro seeks an experienced Art Director to lead the graphic design function and shape the institution’s visual expression across print, digital, and multimedia platforms.

The role supervises three designers, directs branding strategy, and collaborates with marketing to align design with institutional priorities while managing a dynamic production environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, fine arts, or related field.
• Five+ years in graphic design with at least two years in art direction or leadership.
• Strong portfolio across print, digital, and integrated campaigns.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite; familiarity with video tools is a plus.
• Experience managing brand identity systems and visual standards.

Responsibilities

• Set artistic direction for marketing, advertising, branding across platforms.
• Develop and maintain visual brand standards with the team.
• Translate marketing and institutional messaging into compelling visuals.
• Review and approve design work to maintain brand integrity.
• Lead major campaigns, publications, and environmental graphics.
• Stay current with design trends and accessibility practices.

Skills

Art direction

Brand leadership

Graphic design

Typography

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in design/visual communications

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Premiere Pro/After Effects

Job description

Located in North Carolina’s third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University’s 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit

University Advancement elevates UNCG’s reputation, advances institutional strategy, and fosters community pride through integrated communications aligned with its public mission as a student-centered research university. The department develops and executes strategic communications and marketing initiatives that enhance visibility, engage key audiences, and convey the University’s distinctive value. Working across schools, colleges, and administrative units, University Communications manages media relations, marketing campaigns, content strategy, branding, digital engagement, sponsorships, and crisis communications.

Position Summary

The Art Director is a senior creative professional responsible for leading the University’s graphic design function and shaping the visual expression of the institution across print, digital, and multimedia platforms. Reporting to the Director of Marketing Strategy, this position directly supervises a team of three: two Graphic Designers and one Graphic Designer/Brand Manager. The Art Director serves as the primary steward of the University’s visual brand identity, ensuring that all design work is strategically aligned, aesthetically compelling, and consistently executed.

The Art Director combines hands‑on creative expertise with team leadership, translating marketing strategies and institutional priorities into powerful visual communications. This role requires a collaborative, innovative thinker who can manage a dynamic production environment while inspiring a team of designers to produce their best work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, fine arts, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive professional experience in graphic design, with at least two (2) years in an art direction, senior design, or team leadership role.
• An exceptional portfolio demonstrating mastery of visual design across print, digital, and integrated campaign work.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop; familiarity with Premiere Pro, After Effects, or similar tools is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience managing brand identity systems and enforcing visual standards across complex organizations.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple concurrent projects and competing deadlines.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team of creative professionals.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design decisions to both creative and non-creative audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in design, visual communications, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or institutional marketing environments.
• Familiarity with web design principles, UX/UI concepts, and digital accessibility standards ( WCAG ).
• Experience with digital asset management ( DAM ) platforms and project management tools (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, or similar).
• Motion graphics, video production, or animation experience.
• Knowledge of environmental or experiential design (signage, wayfinding, event graphics).

Recruitment Range

Recruitment Range $75,000 - $79,642

Org #-Department

University Communications - 33901

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 10/15/2026

Job Close Date

Job Close Date 11/04/2026

Open Until Filled

No

FTE

1.000

Type of Appointment

Permanent

Number of Months per Year

12

FLSA

Exempt

Key Responsibilities

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 30%

Key Responsibility

Creative Direction & Visual Brand Leadership

• Serve as the University’s lead visual creative, setting the artistic direction for marketing, advertising, communications, and branding initiatives across all platforms and audiences.
• Develop and maintain the University’s visual brand standards, including typography, color palette, iconography, photography style, and layout guidelines, in close collaboration with the Graphic Designer/Brand Manager to ensure consistent and high-quality application across all University units.
• Translate marketing strategies, campaign goals, and institutional messaging into compelling visual concepts and design solutions.
• Review and approve design work produced by the Graphic Designer team, providing clear, constructive feedback that elevates quality and reinforces brand integrity.
• Conceptualize and lead the visual development of major campaigns, publications, advertising, digital content, environmental graphics, and special projects.
• Stay current with design trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in higher education marketing and visual communications to continuously advance the University’s creative standards.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 25%

Key Responsibility

Graphic Design Production & Oversight

• Oversee the full design production workflow, from creative brief intake and concept development through final delivery, ensuring projects are completed on time, on brand, and at the highest quality.
• Assign design projects to Graphic Designers and the Graphic Designer/Brand Manager based on workload, skill set, and project requirements, managing capacity across the team effectively.
• Contribute directly to design production on high-priority, complex, or time-sensitive projects, maintaining an active creative practice alongside leadership responsibilities.
• Ensure all design deliverables meet technical specifications for print, digital, web, and multimedia applications, including accessibility and file preparation standards.
• Manage relationships with external printers, production vendors, and creative partners, reviewing proofs and overseeing quality control for outsourced production work.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 20%

Key Responsibility

Staff Supervision & Team Development

• Directly supervise, mentor, and evaluate two Graphic Designers and one Graphic Designer/Brand Manager, providing ongoing creative direction, professional development support, and constructive performance feedback.
• Partner closely with the Graphic Designer/Brand Manager to ensure brand standards are consistently applied, documented, and communicated across University departments and units.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and creatively stimulating team culture where designers are encouraged to grow, experiment, and contribute ideas.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings and annual performance reviews for all direct reports, setting clear expectations and supporting individual career development goals.
• Provide training and guidance on design software, brand standards, production workflows, and University style guidelines.
• Support recruitment and onboarding of Graphic Designer and Graphic Designer/Brand Manager staff, contributing to hiring decisions and new employee orientation.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 15%

Key Responsibility

• Partner with the Director of Marketing Strategy and broader marketing team to ensure visual design supports integrated marketing campaigns and strategic communications plans.
• Serve as a creative consultant to University departments, schools, and units, guiding internal clients through the design process from brief to final deliverable.
• Establish and communicate clear processes for design requests, project timelines, revision cycles, and approvals to manage client expectations and team workload effectively.
• Collaborate with writers, photographers, videographers, web developers, and communications staff to produce cohesive, multi-channel creative work.
• Present creative concepts and design solutions to stakeholders and leadership in a clear, persuasive manner that connects visual choices to strategic goals.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 10%

Key Responsibility

Asset & Resource Management

• Oversee the University’s digital asset management system, ensuring design files, brand assets, templates, and image libraries are organized, current, and accessible to authorized users.
• Develop and maintain a library of branded templates, style guides, and design resources — in partnership with the Graphic Designer/Brand Manager — to support consistent, self-service design across University departments.
• Manage the design team’s software licenses, equipment needs, and production resources, making recommendations for upgrades and new investments as needed.
• Track and manage design project budgets, vendor invoices, and production costs in coordination with the Director of Marketing Strategy.

ADA Checklist

R for Rare (0-30%), O for Occasional (30-60%), F for Frequent (60-90%), C for Constant (90-100%).

Physical Effort Vision-Skilled Trades - F, Reading - F, Writing - F, Vision-Color Distinction - F, Vision-Visual inspection, Hearing - F, Talking - F, Standing - O, Sitting - F

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• List of References
• Link to Professional Portfolio

Optional Documents

• Audio or Video Link 1

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please indicate how you learned of the vacant position for which you are applying:
  • UNCGjobsearch Website
  • Greensboro News & Record
  • Carolina Peacemaker
  • Other Newspaper
  • The Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • Other Professional Journal
  • NCWorks.gov
  • UNC System Job Board
  • Other Online Job Board
  • Personal Networking
  • Other
• * If you selected "Other", please provide the name of the resource here.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Are you eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship for employment at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro?
  • Yes
  • No