Creative Marketing Director

Covista•Chicago, IL

20h•$150,172 - $181,035•Hybrid

About The Position

Covista is seeking a Creative Marketing Director to serve as the senior creative and brand leader for one of our education brands (Walden University, Chamberlain University, or Ross University School of Medicine/American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine). This role is responsible for defining, elevating, and protecting the brand’s creative standard across all channels and touchpoints, translating business and enrollment strategy into compelling creative direction that resonates with our audiences. This leader serves as the brand’s creative authority and thought partner to the Vice President of Marketing, owning the creative vision, brand voice, and quality bar for all marketing output. Success in this role is defined by the brand’s ability to stand out in a competitive marketplace, connect authentically with its audience, and drive meaningful enrollment outcomes through strong, differentiated creative.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (required)
10+ years of progressive marketing or brand leadership experience, including senior-level creative or brand responsibility
Proven experience building and maintaining a distinctive brand across multiple channels and formats
Demonstrated success directing external agency partners and managing creative standards at scale
Experience operating in complex, matrixed, or highly regulated environments
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate creative vision and provide constructive creative feedback
Strong brand and visual judgment across content, design, photography, and video
Strategic thinking skills with the ability to connect creative decisions to business and enrollment outcomes
Comfort leveraging performance data and insights to inform creative strategy
Proven leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across cross-functional teams
Strong organizational and project leadership skills in a fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree
Background in education, healthcare, or mission-driven organizations preferred

Responsibilities

Own and evolve the brand platform, including positioning, visual identity, voice, and emotional territory, ensuring consistency and relevance across all marketing channels.
Establish and uphold creative standards that guide all brand expressions and marketing materials produced internally or through agency partners.
Serve as the creative conscience of the brand, ensuring all work reflects brand strategy, audience insight, and business objectives.
Translate institutional and enrollment goals into clear creative direction and high-impact campaign concepts.
Develop big ideas and creative territories that anchor annual brand campaigns, seasonal enrollment efforts, and platform-specific storytelling.
Ensure creative concepts are rooted in a deep understanding of the brand’s audience, culture, and motivations.
Act as the primary creative lead in relationships with external agencies and creative partners.
Lead the development of creative briefs and provide clear, actionable, and strategic feedback that elevates creative output.
Ensure all partner-produced work aligns with brand standards and delivers on performance goals.
Review and guide all brand-facing creative to ensure it meets established quality standards and effectively supports enrollment and engagement objectives.
Use performance insights and audience data to inform and refine creative direction while maintaining strong creative judgment.
Balance speed, scale, and quality in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.
Lead, mentor, and develop marketing and creative talent, fostering a culture of creative excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
Partner closely with admissions, enrollment marketing, operations, finance, and other institutional stakeholders to ensure alignment and impact.
Contribute as a member of institutional and Covista-wide leadership committees as needed.
Completes other duties as assigned.
Performs other duties as assigned
Complies with all policies and standards