Senior Director of Creative Strategy

University of Oklahoma•Norman, OK

About The Position

The Senior Director of Creative Strategy oversees the OU Athletics graphic design and photography departments. They are responsible for developing and managing the strategy, vision, and direction of the Oklahoma Athletics brand, including all external print communications and digital campaigns in collaboration with various departments and Oklahoma’s 21 sports programs. Essential Functions: Oversee and manage the graphic design and photography staff, managing department workflow, project intake, and resources related to design and photography needs and assets. Assign projects to design and photography staff and track until completion, providing feedback to maintain and elevate the brand standard. Manage department budget and work with other departments, senior leadership, and coaches to maintain budget integrity and workflow. Collaborate with the Assistant AD of Graphic Design and Facility Project Management to set the overall vision and goals of Oklahoma Athletics, elevating the fan and student-athlete experience by developing and executing storytelling, brand-building, and engaging content that creates compelling narratives through multimedia and enhances the OU Athletics brand story for fans, recruits, stakeholders, and donors. Serve as the unit’s primary graphic designer, responsible for driving the OU brand and executing key departmental and revenue-generating initiatives. Formulate design concepts, presentations, templates, layouts, merchandise, and other collateral from initial concept to final execution that can be distributed and deployed for others' use within the department. Attend and contribute to sport-specific content planning meetings and be a liaison between the design and photography unit and sport programs, coaches, and staff for creative vision and maintaining brand standards. Design advertisements, print, and promotional materials for all athletics-related departments and teams, while meeting self-imposed and external deadlines. Collaborate with other departments and key partners to contribute to the invention and implementation of marketing, communications, ticketing, licensing, Sooner Sports Properties, NIL, digital media, SoonerVision, and Sooner Club initiatives: ideate and present ideas, briefs, and concepts to various stakeholders. Participate in the development of new content, research, and idea generation to help achieve departmental objectives, with a focus on initiatives that advance the brand and generate revenue. Coordinate and provide creative direction to photographers and student-athletes at photoshoots. Maintain an accessible photo archive to help departments and sports use photos for promotional needs. Collaborate with other external leadership on brand management decisions and quality control for printers and outside vendors. Create graphic content for digital and print from conception through completion using the Adobe Creative Cloud (primarily but not limited to Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator). Produce multimedia content (motion graphics, video, and still photography) for distribution on digital and social platforms. Assist in advancing the department's mission, vision, and strategic plan. Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
2 years of experience in graphic design, photography, or multimedia content creation.

Nice To Haves

At least three years of experience working in a college or professional sports environment in a similar leadership capacity.
Proficiency with the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere).
Strong initiative, goal-oriented, and self-motivated.
Detail-oriented for accuracy of data, information, and brand standards.
Strong understanding of design layout and typography in both print and digital media.
Comprehensive knowledge of the visual aspects of digital/social/web design
Knowledge of key messaging and department initiatives, and the ability to communicate through design with excitement and energy.
In-depth understanding of graphic design principles, branding, layout, typography, and color theory.
Comprehensive knowledge of photography techniques, lighting, composition, and post-production workflows.
Familiarity with multimedia content production, including video, motion graphics, and digital assets.
Demonstrated ability to make high-level decisions quickly, effectively, and independently.
Proven ability to manage multiple collaborative projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse teams.
The ability to receive feedback and critiques in a positive light and make adjustments in a timely manner
Solid understanding of college athletics, including Oklahoma Athletics history, traditions, and culture.
Experience in supervising, mentoring, and managing staff, including the ability to effectively communicate intent and instruct staff members on proper design technique and workflow.
Knowledge of and adherence to University, SEC, and NCAA rules, regulations, and policies.

Responsibilities

Oversee and manage the graphic design and photography staff, managing department workflow, project intake, and resources related to design and photography needs and assets.
Assign projects to design and photography staff and track until completion, providing feedback to maintain and elevate the brand standard.
Manage department budget and work with other departments, senior leadership, and coaches to maintain budget integrity and workflow.
Collaborate with the Assistant AD of Graphic Design and Facility Project Management to set the overall vision and goals of Oklahoma Athletics, elevating the fan and student-athlete experience by developing and executing storytelling, brand-building, and engaging content that creates compelling narratives through multimedia and enhances the OU Athletics brand story for fans, recruits, stakeholders, and donors.
Serve as the unit’s primary graphic designer, responsible for driving the OU brand and executing key departmental and revenue-generating initiatives.
Formulate design concepts, presentations, templates, layouts, merchandise, and other collateral from initial concept to final execution that can be distributed and deployed for others' use within the department.
Attend and contribute to sport-specific content planning meetings and be a liaison between the design and photography unit and sport programs, coaches, and staff for creative vision and maintaining brand standards.
Design advertisements, print, and promotional materials for all athletics-related departments and teams, while meeting self-imposed and external deadlines.
Collaborate with other departments and key partners to contribute to the invention and implementation of marketing, communications, ticketing, licensing, Sooner Sports Properties, NIL, digital media, SoonerVision, and Sooner Club initiatives: ideate and present ideas, briefs, and concepts to various stakeholders.
Participate in the development of new content, research, and idea generation to help achieve departmental objectives, with a focus on initiatives that advance the brand and generate revenue.
Coordinate and provide creative direction to photographers and student-athletes at photoshoots. Maintain an accessible photo archive to help departments and sports use photos for promotional needs.
Collaborate with other external leadership on brand management decisions and quality control for printers and outside vendors.
Create graphic content for digital and print from conception through completion using the Adobe Creative Cloud (primarily but not limited to Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator).
Produce multimedia content (motion graphics, video, and still photography) for distribution on digital and social platforms.
Assist in advancing the department's mission, vision, and strategic plan.
Performs other duties as assigned