Athletics Creative Director & Brand Architect

Critical Playground LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University Athletics seeks a Director of Graphic Design to lead the department's visual identity across digital, print, and in-venue platforms. You will provide creative direction, oversee branding for Athletics, the Owl Club, and external initiatives, and produce high-level campaigns.

You will manage design workflows, collaborate with Creative Services, Communications, Marketing, Development, Ticketing, and sport programs, and mentor student interns and staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• Three or more years of professional graphic design or related experience.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Experience developing and maintaining visual identities and brand systems.
• Strong knowledge of typography, layout, color theory, photography, and print/digital production.
• Proven ability to provide creative direction and lead multiple projects from concept through execution.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to prioritize creative resources in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of photography equipment, editing, workflows, and asset management.

Responsibilities

• Leads and oversees the graphic design function for Rice University Athletics, establishing the visual direction and standards.
• Develops and executes high-level creative concepts for department-wide brand campaigns and priority projects.
• Provides creative direction and oversight for graphic design across Rice Athletics to ensure quality and consistency with brand standards.
• Creates high-level visual content for social media, digital platforms, recruiting, print materials, and in-venue environments.
• Establishes graphic design systems, templates, standards, and workflows to promote a consistent identity.
• Collaborates with Creative Services, Communications, Marketing, Development, Ticketing, and sport programs to support priorities.
• Manages design workflows, prioritizes requests, coordinates projects, and ensures timely delivery.
• Leads photography strategy and coverage for Rice Athletics and oversees assets editing and archiving.
• Coordinates and provides direction to freelance photographers and student designers as needed.
• Mentors and develops student interns and other creative personnel.

Skills

Creative direction

Brand identity

Typography

Project management

Leadership

Visual storytelling

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Job description

Rice University Athletics seeks a Director of Graphic Design to lead the department's visual identity across digital, print, and in-venue platforms. You will provide creative direction, oversee branding for Athletics, the Owl Club, and external initiatives, and produce high-level campaigns.

You will manage design workflows, collaborate with Creative Services, Communications, Marketing, Development, Ticketing, and sport programs, and mentor student interns and staff.