Art Director

The Trustees of the Smith College; United States; Presencial; USD 87.000 - 117.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Smith College in Northampton, MA seeks an Art Director to lead creative communications and graphic design across the College’s channels. You will champion brand identity, manage design projects, and drive campaigns for enrollment and fundraising goals.

The role combines marketing instincts with strong design leadership to craft visuals for print, digital, video, web, and events. The ideal candidate has 8+ years in design within higher education or similar environments, expert Adobe skills, and a

Formación

• Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication or Fine Arts.
• 8+ years design experience in higher education, in‑house marketing or agency setting.
• Active driver’s license.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and cross‑platform production processes.
• Expert‑level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Express).
• Exceptional creative, conceptual and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects.
• This is an in‑person position based in Northampton, MA.

Responsabilidades

• Brand Champion: protect and evolve Smith’s brand across print, digital and media.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Advancement and campus partners on visual needs.
• Lead and execute marketing campaigns and a range of communications.
• Provide art direction for photo and video shoots.
• Manage a team of designers and project delivery from concept to completion.

Conocimientos

Brand governance

Creative leadership

Project management

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Educación

Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication or Fine Arts

Herramientas

Adobe Creative Suite

InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Express (Adobe)

Descripción del empleo

Department Communications and Marketing Job Description

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at [e-mail].

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Marketing, the Art Director provides high-level creative communications leadership and project management within Communications & Marketing to support enrollment goals and strategic fundraising initiatives by leading the creative and graphic design services for the College. Responsibilities include ensuring the proper implementation of the Smith College brand across all visual communications and producing a variety of communications that serve the needs of the many constituencies throughout the College and that promote public recognition, awareness, and support of Smith College. As the lead creative professional, the Art Director has an eye for detail and develops, manages, extends, and implements creative solutions across multiple platforms, including print, video, photography, social media, web, interactive media, and events for a diverse audience. With the insights of a marketer and the skills of a graphic designer, the Art Director is at heart a storyteller who turns complex information into strong creative concepts.

Essential Functions

• Brand Champion & Quality Assurance (25%): Protect, enforce, and evolve Smith’s visual identity and brand guidelines across print, digital and other media platforms. Contribute to brand strategy and establish creative standards and quality benchmarks across all creative disciplines, manage inspection of proofs for accuracy and adherence to appropriate production standards and suggest improvements and go on press with print vendors as needed.
• Cross-Campus Collaboration & Design (25%): Resource, Ownership and Advocate of Self‑Service Design Template platform: Partner with Admissions, Advancement, and other campus partners to support specific visual needs. Make recommendations to and influence campus partners regarding graphic design needs and ink and paper choices for print collateral. Meaningful contribute to strategy for and oversee self-service system of brand kit and templates available to campus partners.
• Design Expertise and Creative Leadership (20%): In coordination with management, conceptualize and execute marketing campaigns and produce a variety of communications, including brochures, invitations, brand and enrollment advertisements, posters, web graphics, etc. Informed Aesthetic: Stay current with design trends, technologies, and best practices in higher education marketing and continuously develop new design and technical skills as needed.
• Art Direction (10%): Provides art direction to the Smith Quarterly Editor. Supervises and/or art‑directs photo and video shoots, both studio and on-location.
• Management/Leadership (15%): Manage a team of graphic designers and design projects from concept to completion while balancing deadlines, budgets, and stakeholder feedback. Accountable for hiring, development / coaching, and performance‑related decisions with support from Human Resources. Makes informed decisions impacting team and college including setting priorities, allocating resources, and problem‑solving. Effectively communicates expectations, provides feedback, and ensures alignment with department goals. Addresses conflicts and challenges within the team to promote a positive work environment. Formulates and implements policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management (5%)

MINIMUM REQUIRED Qualifications (education, experience, certifications, licenses, knowledge, skills)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication or Fine Arts
• 8+ years design experience in higher education, in-house marketing or agency setting
• Active driver’s license and the ability to drive
• Knowledge of accessibility standards, strong understanding of creative production processes across multiple platforms and mediums, proven track record managing and developing creative teams
• Expert‑level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Express) and familiarity with web/digital platforms.
• Exceptional creative, conceptual decision‑making skills, project management, organizational skills, presentation abilities, and a proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast‑paced, collaborative and high‑performing academic environment.
• This is an in‑person position based in Northampton, MA.

Compensation

In addition to a competitive benefits package, annualized pay for this role is typically between $86,593.05 - $117,155.30 covering the middle half of market compensation. Actual compensation will vary based on individual qualifications and work schedule if less than full‑time.

Position Type

Regular

Review of applications will begin December 3, 2026.

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student‑faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross‑enroll and faculty cross‑teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [e-mail].

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty.

The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law.

Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.

Smith College seeks to attract individuals who are committed to our mission of providing the highest quality education to women.

Smith College enjoys the reputation as one of the finest colleges in the country. This reputation, tempered by time and challenged by change, holds strong because of the dedicated work of our staff, faculty and administration.

We are a diverse group bringing to our community different talents, perspectives and experiences. Our strength arises from this diversity and is sustained by a community value of providing an outstanding educational environment for our nearly 2,700 students.

Smith at a Glance https://www.smith.edu/about-smith/smith-glance