Art Director

College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University; Saint Joseph (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Tuition remission

Retirement plan

EAP

Job summary

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (CSB+SJU) invites applications for a full-time Art Director to shape the visual identity and lead creative initiatives across print, digital, video, and environmental graphics. The role mentors a design team to produce high-quality, mission-aligned work for CSB+SJU.

Ideal candidates hold a bachelor’s degree in design, 7+ years in a creative role, and a strong portfolio.

Qualifications

• Strong portfolio across print, digital, and experiential media.
• Proven leadership of design teams and creative projects.
• Experience mentoring and providing constructive feedback.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and related tools.
• Ability to balance multiple projects with deadlines.
• Interest in higher education branding.

Responsibilities

• Creative Leadership: develop and oversee the visual identity for CSB+SJU.
• Cross-Medium: design across print, digital, video, and environmental graphics.
• Team Collaboration: work with marketing, admissions, athletics, and communications.
• Mentorship: provide feedback and guidance to designers for growth.
• Project Management: manage multiple campaigns from concept to completion.
• Brand Stewardship: maintain consistent brand identity across touchpoints.
• Trend Awareness: apply higher-ed design trends to storytelling.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Creative leadership

Brand stewardship

Project management

Mentoring

Adobe Creative Suite

Cross-medium design

Storytelling through visuals

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Position Summary

Marketing and Communications at the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), benefit-eligible position of Art Director. The Art Director at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (CSB+SJU) plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity of the institutions. The Art Director collaborates with professionals across multiple disciplines, ensuring consistent and compelling visual communication. In addition to leading creative initiatives, this role involves mentoring and guiding a talented team to produce impact­ful, high-quality designs that align with the institutions' missions and goals.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 18 Paid Holidays Annually
• Generous Vacation and Sick Leave
• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Tuition Remission for Eligible Dependents
• Employer Contributions to a Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program with access to free or discounted counseling, legal guidance, financial coaching, and more

Join a committed team dedicated to safety, community, and service in a supportive and values-driven work environment.

CSB and SJU offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program. For further information regarding our institutions, visit CSBSJU . The posted wage represents CSB and SJU's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon several factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, and skills, and may fall outside of the range indicated.

Inclusive Excellence

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University believe that an excellent liberal arts education requires an understanding and appreciation of cultural differences and that everyone deserves to feel safe and morally valued. To that end, we will challenge our own practices and systems to best meet the needs of our community as we educate students to address the most urgent needs of society. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons.

Responsibilities

• Creative Leadership: Develop and oversee the visual identity for CSB+SJU, ensuring alignment with the institution's strategic goals and brand standards.
• Cross-Medium Expertise: Conceptualize and execute designs across various platforms, including print, digital, video, and environmental graphics.
• Team Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional teams, including marketing, admissions, athletics, and communications, to create cohesive and impactful campaigns.
• Mentorship and Feedback: Provide constructive feedback and guidance to design team members, fostering professional growth and maintaining high creative standards.
• Project Management: Lead multiple projects simultaneously, from concept to completion, ensuring timely delivery and quality results.
• Brand Stewardship: Maintain and evolve CSB+SJU’s brand identity, contributing to its consistency and relevance across all touchpoints.
• Trend Awareness: Stay informed about industry trends in higher education and design, leveraging insights to elevate the institution’s visual storytelling.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in a creative or design role, with a strong preference for agency experience.
• Proven expertise in designing across multiple mediums, including print, digital, and experiential.
• Exceptional design skills, with a portfolio showcasing innovative and strategic creative work.
• Experience in mentoring and managing creative professionals, with the ability to provide constructive and inspiring feedback.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Passion for higher education and a commitment to creating work that resonates with diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant design tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with motion graphics or video production.
• Familiarity with higher education marketing trends and challenges.
• Ability to collaborate with writers, strategists, and other stakeholders to develop compelling campaigns.

Physical Requirements

• Requires working at a computer for extended periods, including typing, reading from a screen, and using various software programs essential for the role.
• Occasionally required to lift or move items up to 10-15 pounds, such as office supplies or files, and to navigate within the office environment.

Travel Requirements

• Regular travel between the campuses of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are affirmative action/equal opportunity employers. It is the policy of CSB and SJU to conduct a pre-employment background check. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check. The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University also utilizes E-Verify as part of its onboarding process to confirm work authorization.