Director of Graphic Design

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

Job Description

The Director of Graphic Design leads the graphic design function for Rice University Athletics and is responsible for establishing and maintaining the department's visual identity across all external-facing platforms. This position provides creative direction and oversight for graphic design across Rice Athletics, the Owl Club, and other external initiatives while producing high-level creative work for priority campaigns and projects. The Director oversees the development of creative assets across digital, social, print, environmental, recruiting, and in-venue platforms and ensures the consistent application of Rice Athletics brand standards across sport programs and external departments. The position also oversees photography coverage for athletic events, games, departmental initiatives, and special events. Working collaboratively with Creative Services, Communications, Marketing, Development, Ticketing, and sport programs, the Director establishes visual standards, manages creative workflows, and helps shape the overall visual direction of the Rice Athletics brand.

Workplace Requirements

This position requires working nights, weekends, and holidays based on team schedules. Additionally, this position requires regular travel.

Workplace Location

This position is exclusively on-site, requiring all duties to be performed in person on campus. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Three or more years of relevant professional experience in graphic design, creative services, sports creative, marketing, or a related field
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining visual identities and brand systems
• Strong knowledge of typography, layout, color theory, photography, and print and digital production
• Demonstrated 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

Preferences

• Experience within collegiate or professional athletics
• Experience leading graphic design or creative direction for a sports organization or brand
• Experience photographing live sporting events
• Experience managing or mentoring designers, photographers, interns, freelancers, or other creative personnel

Essential Functions

• Leads and oversees the graphic design function for Rice University Athletics, establishing the visual direction and standards for Athletics, the Owl Club, and other external-facing initiatives
• Develops and executes high-level creative concepts for department-wide brand campaigns, marketing initiatives, postseason campaigns, recruiting efforts, special events, and other priority projects
• Provides creative direction and oversight for graphic design produced across Rice Athletics to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment with departmental and university brand standards
• Creates high-level visual content for social media, digital platforms, recruiting, print materials, presentations, environmental graphics, signage, video boards, ribbon boards, and other departmental platforms
• Establishes and maintains graphic design systems, templates, standards, and workflows that promote a consistent visual identity across Rice Athletics
• Collaborates with Creative Services, Communications, Marketing, Development, Ticketing, and sport programs to develop creative strategies and visual solutions that support departmental priorities
• Manages graphic design workflows, including prioritizing incoming requests, coordinating projects, establishing timelines, and ensuring successful project delivery
• Leads photography strategy and coverage for Rice Athletics, ensuring appropriate coverage of designated games, events, practices, recruiting initiatives, and special events
• Photographs designated athletic events and departmental initiatives while overseeing the editing, organization, distribution, and archiving of photography assets
• Coordinates and provides creative direction to freelance photographers, student photographers, student designers, interns, and other creative contributors as needed to ensure appropriate event and project coverage
• Serves as a resource for coaches and staff regarding visual branding, graphic design, photography, and creative best practices
• Identifies opportunities to evolve the Rice Athletics visual identity and introduce innovative creative approaches while maintaining established brand standards
• Stays current on trends and best practices in sports design, photography, branding, social media, and visual storytelling
• Mentors and develops student interns and other creative personnel
• Performs additional related duties as assigned

Rice University HR

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values

Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [e-mail] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [e-mail] . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.