Position Title
Creative Director
Location
Campus: Grantham
Summary
The creative director is responsible for overseeing the University’s marketing communications creative design strategy, process, staff, freelancers and the quality of deliverables for the external print, web and multimedia communications produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications.
Key Responsibilities
* Oversee production/scheduling, workflow, coordination of resources, and project management and prioritization.
* Act as a liaison with on‑campus clients, meeting with them to determine their needs and tracking/resolving client satisfaction.
* Manage the creative services budget for the department.
* Strengthen the integrity and integration of the University’s brand and visual identity into all communications produced by the department.
* Promote the University’s brand and programs by devising creative approaches to visual media.
* Provide hands‑on graphic design for high‑visibility print and graphic design support for the Web.
* Develop and monitor compliance with graphic design quality standards, best practices, and procedures.
* Plan, coordinate, and art‑direct marketing communications photo shoots.
* Oversee/art‑direct design for The Bridge magazine.
* Facilitate press checks and identify resources needed to accomplish department objectives including hardware, software, training, etc.
* Serve on the Marketing and Communications Cabinet, Content Team, Undergraduate Admissions Marketing Team and co‑lead the University’s Visual Identity Team.
Required Qualifications
* Education: Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design or visual communications.
* Experience: 5 or more years of graphic design and web/multimedia visual design experience, including 3 years of pre‑press experience.
* Proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop (Mac environment).
* Minimum 2‑3 years supervising a graphic design team.
* Some experience with photography creative direction.
* Strong portfolio of professional design work.
Preferred Qualifications
* Master’s degree or MFA in a related visual design/communication field.
* Experience with magazine design.
* Previous work experience in an organizational setting or higher education environment.
* Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro.
* Experience with project management software (Easy Projects, Basecamp).
* Experience with digital photo library/asset management platform (AIR).
Skills and Characteristics
* Comprehensive working knowledge of marketing communications, graphic design, web design, multimedia principles, and digital and press publishing processes.
* Proven ability to manage graphic designers to deliver top‑quality communications and customer experiences within established budgets and timeframes.
* Proficient in Macintosh operating systems and design programs (Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, InCopy, Illustrator, Bridge, Acrobat, Photoshop) and Microsoft Office.
* Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
* Proven organizational and planning skills; excellent time‑management skills; ability to meet deadlines; ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently.
* Attention to detail and accuracy; proven innovator with creativity and problem‑solving skills.
* Ability to integrate market research into design strategy; ability to work independently and with diverse groups of people.
* Team player with a positive attitude; proven ability to work effectively with external designers, videographers, photographers and printers.
* Experience in pre‑press procedures, press checks, working with printers; knowledge of printing terminology, photo retouching, variable data and personalization.
* Working knowledge of paper and mailing requirements for print.
* Professional portfolio required.
Special Working Conditions
Must ensure design work is completed properly and on schedule; responsible for completing work or seeing that it gets completed if /when others cannot do so. Some art direction responsibilities may include infrequent evening or weekend hours, e.g., Commencement, other special university events.
Application Information
Applicants should provide a link to their professional design portfolio in their cover letter.
Required Documents: Cover Letter/Letter of Interest; Resume.
Optional Documents: none.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Messiah University’s commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence draws inspiration from its mission “to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.” The university has pursued this vision through a strategic planning process that encourages diversity through employee and student composition, campus climate, and an educational program that seeks to equip and enable educators and students to embrace diversity. Candidates should clearly articulate why diversity and inclusive excellence matter to them as persons of faith as well as in their profession. Candidates will speak to how as a potential employee, they will contribute to the advancement of this vision through teaching‑learning, research, institutional service, and public engagement.
Posting Information
Posting Date: 11/18/2025. Open Until Filled. Yes. Application Deadline: Diversity.
Seniority Level
Director
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology; Events Services.
Location
Grantham, England, United Kingdom.
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