Faculty Specialist

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

About The Position

Organization's Summary Statement: The xFoundry Alliance is transforming universities into solution engines that generate real ventures, develop entrepreneurial leaders, and advance meaningful societal outcomes. Headquartered at the University of Maryland's E.A. Fernandez IDEA Factory, xFoundry empowers students to tackle humanity's most pressing challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration, AI-powered tools, and rigorous venture-building programs. Our flagship Xperience program is a 15-18 month venture-building competition where student teams develop investment-grade MVPs addressing grand societal challenges in climate, education, food and water, health, infrastructure, and society. Winning teams compete for investments of up to $2 million and receive guidance from seasoned CXOs through our Xcelerate accelerator program. The Opportunity: The xFoundry Alliance is seeking a Technical Creative Director to own and evolve xFoundry's visual identity, digital presence, and brand experience across all touchpoints. This is a unique hybrid role combining brand stewardship with hands-on front-end development—perfect for someone who thinks strategically about design systems while also enjoying the craft of building beautiful, functional interfaces. What You'll Do Creative Direction & Brand Stewardship: 1. Own and evolve xFoundry's visual identity across all programs (Xperience, Xcelerate, NEXPLORE Summit), ensuring consistency while allowing each to have its own character 2. Develop and maintain comprehensive brand guidelines including typography, color systems, iconography, imagery standards, and voice/tone documentation 3. Ensure visual consistency across all digital touchpoints—websites, portals, social media, email campaigns, and presentations 4. Create a self-service brand package with templates and toolkits that empower non-designers (staff, mentors, students) to produce on-brand materials independently. 5. Guide the visual narrative for xFoundry's mission, making complex concepts like venture-building and societal challenges accessible and inspiring. Front-End Development & Digital Execution 1. Design and build responsive web pages and micro-interactions for xFoundry's public-facing sites, program portals, and internal tools 2. Develop and maintain component libraries and design systems that enable consistency and speed across projects 3. Implement front-end code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) with proficiency in no-code/low-code platforms (Webflow, Framer, Plasmic) for rapid prototyping and deployment. 4. Work with CMS platforms (headless CMS, static site generators, or similar modern web architectures) to manage content-driven experiences. 5. Handle light API integrations to connect design systems with data sources and third-party services. 6. Collaborate with the technology team to ensure design specifications are implemented faithfully and to contribute directly to codebases when appropriate Event Creative Direction 1. Produce and art-direct for major xFoundry events, ensuring professional-quality video, audio, and livestream experiences 2. Lead creative direction for the annual NEXPLORE Summit and other flagship events, including stage design, environmental graphics, and signage 3. Produce motion content for event screens, transitions, and speaker introductions that elevate the attendee experience 4. Collaborate on venue selection and event design, ensuring spaces are transformed to reflect xFoundry's brand and energy 5. Manage relationships with external vendors (videographers, A/V technicians, fabricators, printers) for event production needs AI-Augmented Creative Workflows 1. Leverage AI tools to accelerate creative production—including ChatGPT and Claude for copywriting, Midjourney and DALL-E for visual concepts, Canva AI for rapid asset creation, and Gemini/Notebook LM for research synthesis 2. Evaluate and pilot emerging AI tools to determine their fit within xFoundry's creative workflows 3. Build AI-integrated workflows that maintain brand consistency while dramatically increasing creative output velocity 4. Train and support team members in effectively using AI tools while maintaining quality standards and brand voice 5. Stay current with rapidly evolving AI capabilities and translate relevant advances into practical creative applications The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland catalyzes high-quality research, innovation, and learning, preparing our students to create innovations that will address the 21st century Grand Challenges (e.g., energy, environment, security, and human health) and improve the human condition. The Clark School is dedicated to leading and transforming the engineering discipline and profession, accelerating entrepreneurship, and transforming research and learning activities into innovations that benefit millions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Web Design, Web Development, Visual Communication, Interactive Media, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent professional experience)
3-5 years of professional experience in brand design, digital design, or front-end development.
Proficiency in design tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
Proficiency with no-code/low-code platforms, specifically Webflow, Framer, or Plasmic
Experience building and maintaining design systems or component libraries
Demonstrated use of AI tools in creative workflows
Resume
References - minimum of three
Portfolio is required: a. A strong portfolio is mandatory for this role. We want to see live websites you've designed and built, brand systems you've developed, and visual assets that demonstrate your range. Include URLs to live work alongside case studies that explain your process and decisions.
Brief Statement (1 page max) addressing: a. A technical domain or emerging technology you believe represents a compelling opportunity for student venture teams—and why. b. Your experience helping ventures move from idea to investment c. What excites you about working with university students on audacious challenges

Nice To Haves

Experience with motion design and video production (After Effects, Premiere, or similar)
Familiarity with headless CMS platforms, static site generators, or modern web architectures
Background in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations
Experience working in early-stage or startup environments where wearing multiple hats is the norm
Understanding of UX principles and user research methodologies
Contributions to open-source design systems or public-facing design work

Responsibilities

Own and evolve xFoundry's visual identity across all programs (Xperience, Xcelerate, NEXPLORE Summit), ensuring consistency while allowing each to have its own character
Develop and maintain comprehensive brand guidelines including typography, color systems, iconography, imagery standards, and voice/tone documentation
Ensure visual consistency across all digital touchpoints—websites, portals, social media, email campaigns, and presentations
Create a self-service brand package with templates and toolkits that empower non-designers (staff, mentors, students) to produce on-brand materials independently.
Guide the visual narrative for xFoundry's mission, making complex concepts like venture-building and societal challenges accessible and inspiring.
Design and build responsive web pages and micro-interactions for xFoundry's public-facing sites, program portals, and internal tools
Develop and maintain component libraries and design systems that enable consistency and speed across projects
Implement front-end code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) with proficiency in no-code/low-code platforms (Webflow, Framer, Plasmic) for rapid prototyping and deployment.
Work with CMS platforms (headless CMS, static site generators, or similar modern web architectures) to manage content-driven experiences.
Handle light API integrations to connect design systems with data sources and third-party services.
Collaborate with the technology team to ensure design specifications are implemented faithfully and to contribute directly to codebases when appropriate
Produce and art-direct for major xFoundry events, ensuring professional-quality video, audio, and livestream experiences
Lead creative direction for the annual NEXPLORE Summit and other flagship events, including stage design, environmental graphics, and signage
Produce motion content for event screens, transitions, and speaker introductions that elevate the attendee experience
Collaborate on venue selection and event design, ensuring spaces are transformed to reflect xFoundry's brand and energy
Manage relationships with external vendors (videographers, A/V technicians, fabricators, printers) for event production needs
Leverage AI tools to accelerate creative production—including ChatGPT and Claude for copywriting, Midjourney and DALL-E for visual concepts, Canva AI for rapid asset creation, and Gemini/Notebook LM for research synthesis
Evaluate and pilot emerging AI tools to determine their fit within xFoundry's creative workflows
Build AI-integrated workflows that maintain brand consistency while dramatically increasing creative output velocity
Train and support team members in effectively using AI tools while maintaining quality standards and brand voice
Stay current with rapidly evolving AI capabilities and translate relevant advances into practical creative applications