Executive Director, Creative Design, Department of Athletics

Wake Forest University•Winston-Salem, NC

About The Position

The Executive Director, Creative Design provides the creative vision, leadership, and executional oversight for all graphic design, branding, collateral production, and visual storytelling for Wake Forest Athletics. This role works hand-and-hand with the Assistant AD, Creative & Communications to set department-wide creative direction, ensures brand consistency across all designed-related mediums, manages high-priority institutional and Athletics projects, and leads the Athletics design team that is responsible for designing graphics, print pieces, campaign assets, signage, and event visual identities. The Executive Director serves as the department’s chief creative designer and works with the Assistant AD, Creative & Communications as a project strategist, and brand stewards in supporting fan experience, communications, development/Deacon Club, ticketing, licensing, facilities, event operations, campus partners, and coaching staffs across all 18 sport programs. The role provides daily leadership for Wake Forest’s creative design unit and manages the two Assistant Directors, Creative Design. This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Communications, or related field.
At least 5+ years of progressive experience in design, branding, or creative leadership (college athletics or higher education experience preferred).
Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; After Effects preferred).
Demonstrated ability to lead creative teams and deliver high-quality, high-volume design work under tight deadlines.
Advanced understanding of branding, typography, color theory, layout, and visual hierarchy.
Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects.
Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with communicators, videographers, photographers, administrators, coaches, and external partners.
Strong storytelling capabilities with an understanding of Athletics brand voice and visual identity.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and irregular hours as required by Athletics events.
Professional, optimistic, positive problem-solver.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to translate ideas and understand limitations in a variety of creative applications such as Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Premier, Photoshop, Prelude, Lightroom, Google Drive, along with limitations of physical production and computer generated post production techniques.
Creative thinker who can balance the institutional brand and key Athletics initiatives with novel concepts.
Familiarity with digital media workflows and audio production equipment including the various uses, capabilities, applications, limitations, and costs.
Must possess superior image-making and storytelling capabilities.
Must collaborate with a variety of media experts across integrated campaigns.
Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently; ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to work in high pressure situations.
Knowledge of superior customer service standards and practices.
Ability to work after hours and/or weekends and on-call, as specified by supervisor, and availability to travel with teams.
Valid driver license with good driving record; must be insurable.

Nice To Haves

Experience within the NCAA Division I college athletics program desired.
Proven success producing creative and innovative multi-media content, as well as experience in other multi-media production platforms (web sites, animation, graphic design) desired

Responsibilities

Creative Leadership & Direction Provide overall creative direction, design leadership, and visual storytelling strategy for Wake Forest Athletics across all print, digital, social, in-venue, and event platforms.
Lead the execution of major Athletics and University-level design initiatives, including campaigns, institutional events, postseason branding, bowl design needs, major announcements, sport-specific branding, and strategic graphic needs.
Uphold and advance Wake Forest Athletics’ brand identity, ensuring consistent application of visual standards across all units and external channels.
Partner closely with Communications, Fan Experience, Creative Video, Photography, Deacon Club, Ticketing, Facilities, and Licensing to deliver integrated creative campaigns.
Creative Staff Leadership & Management Manage, mentor, and develop the two Assistant Directors, Creative Design, establishing clear roles, workflows, and accountability.
Coordinate daily and long-range project workflows to balance volume, deadlines, and creative quality.
Oversee creative collaboration with student workers, contractors, and external partners as needed.
Create and enforce design processes and request systems that ensure efficiency and clarity.
Serve as a liaison for Athletics content creators, working closely with internal and external departments to execute campaigns, generate revenue and communicate Wake Forest’s brand and institutional messaging.
Assist with shooting photography, shooting and editing video (as able) and creating graphics as needed.
Work with Assistant AD of Communications & Content on weekly analytics reports and sets future goals and benchmarks.
Assist fan experience, communication, Deacon Club, and ticketing staff with the execution of creative media needs in support of ticket sales, attendance, and fundraising.
Provide leadership in coordination with the Assistant AD of Creative & Communications and Senior Director of Creative Media & Content Strategy and Assistant AD Creative & Communications in determining creative direction, plans, estimates & timetables for projects.
Upholds Wake Forest Athletics branding guidelines & identity standards.
Other duties as assigned.
Lead Creative Graphic Designers, student design volunteers and design interns.