Associate Director of Creative Services and Brand Identity

Elon University•Charlotte, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Creative Services and Brand Identity is the primary Creative Services professional based in Charlotte, providing comprehensive design and creative support for communications and marketing needs originating from the university’s Charlotte operations. This experienced, hands-on designer handles assignments ranging from routine production and adaptations of existing materials to original concepts, campaigns and complex visual communications. The role works as part of University Communications’ Creative Services team and collaborates with colleagues and partners across academic and administrative units to develop effective, audience-centered creative solutions. The associate director is also an on-the-ground resource for brand identity in Charlotte, helping university partners understand and consistently apply established Elon and Queens brand standards, visual systems and guidance. The position exercises independent creative and brand judgment in day-to-day work while consulting University Communications leadership on broader questions involving brand strategy, architecture, naming and policy. The role works within established University Communications project-management processes and reports to the Director of Creative Services, who provides overall creative direction and leadership for the Creative Services function. Employees are expected to engage with Queens’ residential campus community and its commitments to relationships, mentoring, collaboration and inclusive excellence. Employees are encouraged to participate in campus activities, continuing education, professional development, trainings, employee resource groups and other university-sponsored activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, art, marketing communications or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
Minimum five years of professional experience in graphic design, with demonstrated ability to manage projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
A portfolio demonstrating conceptual and production skills across platforms is required; it may be used as a substitute for education to assess skill mastery and aesthetic qualities.
Significant professional experience in graphic design and visual communications, with a portfolio demonstrating sophisticated creative thinking and strong execution across print and digital media.
Demonstrated experience working within established visual identity systems and applying brand standards across a variety of communications.
Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud applications and other tools relevant to professional design and production.
Strong understanding of typography, layout, color, imagery, print production and digital design.
Ability to shift between routine production work and complex, concept-driven assignments.
Ability to exercise sound independent judgment while working effectively within a collaborative creative team.
Excellent interpersonal, consultation and communication skills, including the ability to explain creative and brand decisions to colleagues who are not communications professionals.
Ability to manage workload, balance multiple assignments and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, quality and consistency.
Portfolio submission is required to be considered for the position.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education, an agency, an in-house creative team or another complex organization serving multiple internal clients.
Experience providing visual identity or brand standards consultation within an established organizational brand system.
Experience with motion graphics, environmental design, digital advertising or other complementary creative disciplines.
Experience working across multiple locations, business units or organizational identities.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary Creative Services resource for communications and marketing requests originating from Charlotte.
Conceptualize, design and produce visual communications for print, digital and other platforms, including publications, marketing collateral, advertising, event materials, presentations, environmental graphics and social media assets.
Manage creative assignments from concept through final production, ensuring accuracy, visual quality, audience focus and alignment with communications objectives.
Develop original creative concepts and adapt established visual systems, campaigns and templates to specific needs.
Translate communications and marketing goals, messages and audience needs into visual solutions.
Maintain quality and attention to typography, imagery, composition, accessibility, production requirements and design details.
Prepare files and specifications for print, digital publication and other production, working with university colleagues and outside vendors as appropriate.
Support Charlotte-based needs and contribute to university-wide Creative Services projects when needed.
Work within University Communications workflows, priorities and schedules to deliver assigned creative work on time.
Serve as a day-to-day resource for brand identity questions in Charlotte and guide colleagues in applying Elon and Queens visual identities and standards.
Consult on the appropriate use of institutional marks, typography, color, imagery, visual systems and other brand elements.
Review creative materials for alignment with established visual identity standards and recommend adjustments.
Help university partners select appropriate visual approaches while maintaining consistency across university touchpoints.
Educate colleagues about brand resources, templates, standards and processes and encourage their understanding and use.
Identify recurring brand questions, gaps and emerging needs in Charlotte and bring them to University Communications leadership.
Escalate matters extending beyond established guidance, including questions of brand strategy, architecture, naming or policy, to appropriate University Communications leaders.
Contribute observations and recommendations supporting implementation and evolution of university visual identity systems.
Work with the Director of Creative Services and the Creative Services team to maintain consistent creative quality across Elon campuses.
Contribute ideas to major communications and marketing initiatives and participate in collaborative concept development.
Build working relationships with University Communications colleagues and university partners in Charlotte.
Provide creative counsel to clients and explain how design and brand decisions support communications objectives.
Collaborate with writers, photographers, videographers, web professionals, marketers and other communications colleagues on integrated work.
Share expertise, best practices and emerging design trends with Creative Services colleagues and contribute to the team’s creative capabilities.
Provide creative guidance to student workers, freelancers, vendors or other contributors as appropriate.