Director of Creative Services

Dallas Symphony Association Inc • Dallas, TX

15h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and strategic creative professional with a passion for design to serve as Director of Creative Services. This position reports to the Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Guest Services and provides creative and technical leadership for the DSO’s brand, visual identity, and marketing communications. The Director leads a multidisciplinary Creative Services team (visual, digital, motion, copy) to develop compelling creative concepts and deliver exceptional execution across touchpoints. Working closely with Marketing and Communications colleagues, this role translates departmental objectives into effective creative that advances audience engagement, ticket sales, and institutional visibility. The position partners with departments across the DSO to consult on, plan, and execute design projects, special campaigns, and print materials while maintaining brand standards. It balances strategic thinking with hands-on creative leadership, guiding campaign development while maintaining the highest standards of design, storytelling, and production quality. The Director oversees creative operations, production workflows, vendor relationships, and departmental budgets, while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture. With deep expertise in print production, this role manages multiple vendors for large-format graphics, environmental signage, concert program books, and branded items. The ideal candidate combines exceptional design expertise with strong leadership skills, excellent organizational abilities, and a passion for the performing arts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in creative services or graphic design, with experience as a print designer creating brand and marketing campaigns
• Experience leading creative teams, with the ability to develop and mentor designers
• Experience managing multidisciplinary creative projects and developing integrated campaigns across print and digital channels
• Strong creative vision with exceptional typography, layout, branding, and visual storytelling skills
• Strong understanding of integrated marketing strategy and the role creative plays in audience engagement
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, and proficiency with Apple technology
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Working knowledge of project management platforms and Microsoft Office applications
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present creative concepts to executive leadership and across departments
• Knowledge of print production, file preparation, color management, color output, and print vendor management
• Curiosity, adaptability, the ability to receive and apply constructive feedback, and a commitment to continuous improvement and creative innovation

Nice To Haves

• Experience as an in-house designer
• Experience in arts or entertainment, nonprofit organizations, hospitality, or other audience-driven industries

Responsibilities

• Lead the Creative Services team, providing strategic direction, coaching, and performance management
• Serve as a steward of the DSO's visual identity and brand standards across platforms and departments
• Partner with Marketing and Communications colleagues to develop creative strategies that support audience growth and ticket revenue goals
• Develop creative concepts and campaign themes that support subscription and ticket sales campaigns and institutional initiatives
• Oversee the design and production of creative assets across print, digital, video, environmental, advertising, and social media channels
• Manage creative workflows and production schedules to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality
• Supervise relationships with external creative partners, including photographers, videographers, copywriters, printers, agencies, and freelancers
• Manage the Creative Services operating budget and oversee production expenditures
• Stay current on emerging design trends, technologies, and best practices while continuously evolving the DSO’s visual presence

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package
• Free onsite parking
• Access to complimentary concert tickets when available

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director