Associate Director of Creative Services and Brand Identity

Elon University•Charlotte, NC

21h•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. As part of University Communications’ Creative Services team, the associate director collaborates with colleagues and partners in academic and administrative units to develop effective, audience-centered creative solutions. The position serves as 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 related guidance. The associate director exercises independent creative and brand judgment in day-to-day work and consults University Communications leadership on broader questions involving brand strategy, architecture, naming and policy. The role follows established University Communications project-management processes and reports to the Director of Creative Services, who provides overall creative direction and leadership for Creative Services. Employees at Queens are expected to support its close-knit residential community and foundational commitment to relationships, mentoring and collaboration. Employees are encouraged to participate in campus activities and professional development, and to help foster inclusive excellence and enrich diversity, equity and inclusion through meaningful relationships and mentoring. A portfolio submission is required for consideration.

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.
At least five years of professional graphic design experience, with demonstrated ability to manage projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
A portfolio demonstrating conceptual and production skills across platforms; the portfolio 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.
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 move between routine production work and complex, concept-driven assignments.
Sound independent judgment and ability to work effectively within a collaborative creative team.
Excellent interpersonal, consultation and communication skills, including 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.
Ability to demonstrate understanding of and engagement with Queens’ commitment to relationships, mentoring and collaboration in a close-knit residential community, and to support inclusive excellence and an active, engaged campus environment.

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, providing design support across needs and levels of complexity.
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 effective visual solutions.
Maintain craftsmanship 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 established University Communications workflows, priorities and schedules to execute assigned creative work on time.
Provide day-to-day consultation on brand identity in Charlotte and appropriate application of Elon and Queens visual identities and standards.
Advise on the appropriate use of institutional marks, typography, color, imagery, visual systems and other brand elements.
Review communications and creative materials for alignment with 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 help increase their understanding and adoption.
Identify recurring brand questions, gaps or emerging needs in Charlotte and bring them to University Communications leadership.
Elevate questions beyond established guidance, including those involving 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 team members to maintain consistent creative quality across Elon campuses.
Contribute ideas and creative perspectives to 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, explaining 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.