Director, Creative Services

Updated: about 15 hours ago
Location: Reno, NEVADA
Job Type: FullTime

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our recruitment helpline at (775) 784-1495 or [email protected] . For UNR Med professional job postings, please contact the Office of Professional Recruitment at (775) 784-6778. 

Job Description

The Director, Creative Services is a member of the University’s Marketing and Communications team and reports to the Executive Director. The Director serves as the lead art director and storyteller for the University while demonstrating the ability to develop and implement strategies. The Director will determine the best ways for the University to deliver marketing and brand messages, both through the written word and through visual communications, across traditional and digital media.

This is a people-oriented position, involving the development of high-level concepts and copy for design projects that resonate with the University’s key audiences. The position serves as a member of the department’s management team and directs a cross-functional team of creative professionals in design, video and photography.

The role is responsible for the University’s brand including oversight and enforcement of brand standards, and for driving creative vision for the University in order to achieve the goals and objectives set in the annual Marketing and Communications Action Plan and the University’s Strategic Plan. The Director, Creative Services works in close alignment with department team members, professional colleagues and senior leaders across campus to advise on matters pertaining to brand management. The Director also collaborates with vendors to produce best-in-class creative assets from conception to completion for projects and campaigns that bring the University’s brand to life.

Brand Strategy and Management

  • Serves as an effective brand champion with strong brand awareness

  • Establishes, develops and maintains the University’s brand identity by continually refining the University brand; consulting on new/proposed uses of the University logo; and advocating for the adoption and use of the University brand by internal and external audiences

  • Aids in the creation of sub-brands to coherently exist within the institution’s brand identity

  • Makes strategic brand recommendations and advises internal partners on best practices, brand guidelines and brand standards, educating marketing and communications colleagues on how to achieve brand adherence

  • Ensures consistent use of the University seal, logo and brand structure by establishing standards and guides, and enforces compliance with the standards through granting approval for official production only to those University colleges/schools/divisions and external vendors/partners which comply with the standards

  • Ensures accuracy and consistency in all University publications produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications by establishing standards for writing style/tone, copy development, and design, and encourages others throughout the University to comply with the same standards and guidelines

  • Maintains the University’s Graphic Standards and Style Guide (Hallmarks of the Brand)

  • Manages the University’s Print Release program (reviews and approves cross-campus designs and branding before it prints)

  • Provides creative direction of web, print and multimedia projects to department colleagues and vets high-level communications projects to ensure they adhere to the University marketing strategy and brand identity

  • Develops and implements strategies and policies related to visual communication used in marketing including web design, print products, etc.

  • Coordinates with different campus departments, including legal, to manage University brand copyrights and licensing

  • Provides a high-level of collaboration, communication and teamwork with department team members

Creative Management

  • Ability to think strategically and creatively, and keep up on the latest marketing and creative trends to develop, articulate and lead long term projects while responding to immediate demands

  • Leads creative ideation, and makes creative recommendations based on research

  • Stays abreast of the latest needs and information on an ever-changing key audience, along with additional target markets

  • Ability to develop and write strong, creative, and effective taglines, slogans, campaign themes and copy

  • Leads the creative process and oversees the work of the team, performing quality control, proofing and design revisions until acceptable results are obtained

  • Guides the adaption of creative elements for different marketing channels and mediums including print, web, television, social media, out-of-home, and digital media

  • Develops project plans and timelines, assigning projects to team members after developing the creative concepts and copy

  • Efficiently manages multiple, diverse projects simultaneously and creates and directs innovative work under tight deadlines

  • Presents marketing concepts including rationale, objectives and technological options/solutions

  • Establishes and maintains effective work relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the public

  • Ensures that the creative concepts/designs fully integrate with the department’s overall marketing strategies

  • Produces the creative materials for marketing including writing and editing content

  • Utilizes department project management system (Teamwork) and digital asset platform (Canto)

  • Ensures accuracy, quality and timely completion of project milestones and deliverables

  • Resolves issues resulting from multiple objectives and, in consultation with the schools/colleges/divisions, determines priorities to find solutions

  • Coordinates projects with photography, video and printing vendors 

  • Completes requests for proposal (RFP) for stationery and other vendors

Team Management

  • Leads, directs and motivates team members, including setting performance standards and expectations
  • Holds regular 1:1 meetings to support employees as well as providing development opportunities, mentorship and coaching as appropriate
  • Conducts formal evaluations of direct reports and aids in goal creation
  • Allocates projects to staff based on strengths, workload and responsibilities; monitors work progress to ensure all deadlines are met
  • Reviews all creative work for quality and accuracy
  • Assists in budgeting decisions for approval by the executive director
  • Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and six years of related professional work experience, or

Master's degree and four years of related professional work experience.

Related Experience

  • Journalism, Marketing, Graphic Design, or related area

  • Demonstrated experience with brand development and management

  • A record of professional experience that demonstrates progressive responsibilities and significant hands-on experience managing a cross-functional team of creative professionals from design, video and photography

Preferred Qualifications

At least ten years of related work experience regardless of degree level is preferred.

Compensation Grade

Administrative Faculty – D

To view the salary schedule for this position, please visit: Salary Schedules and select Administrative Faculty by Grade.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.

Schedule or Travel Requirements

Occasional variable schedule

Occasional local travel

Remarkable Retirement

Our retirement plan is beyond compare. Your 17.50% contribution is generously matched by the University.   With the faculty retirement plan, you are 100% vested your first day. Sit back and watch your retirement dollars grow!  All permanent employees on an annual "A" or "B" contract who are employed at least 50% full-time are eligible to participate in the NSHE retirement program unless they are members of PERS of Nevada. 

Perks of Working at UNR

  • Health insurance options including dental and vision - Health Insurance

  • Generous annual and sick leave and life insurance – Faculty Benefits

  • E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers annual or semester memberships and spouse/domestic partner membership optionsE.L. Wiegand Fitness Center

  • Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.

  • Several Diversity Committees and Affinity Groups focusing on campus-wide diversity initiatives to ensure we are working to create a diverse and welcoming campus climate. Diversity Groups

  • Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University. Faculty Senate

  • No state income tax!

Grants-in-Aid for Faculty Employees

The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits, but in order to be eligible children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employee’s spouse or domestic partner.  Faculty Grants-in-Aid

Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples’ professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada. Dual Career Assistance Program

Search Contacts

Kerri Garcia Hendricks, Search Chair, [email protected]

J’Neal Hachquet, Search Coordinator, [email protected]

Exempt

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment/s viewable to you will be the attachment/s to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment/s to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment/s will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at [email protected] .

Attach the following attachments to your application

1) Resume/CV

2) Cover Letter

3) Contact Information for Three Professional References

4) Creative Portfolio (links to web-based portfolios are acceptable)

5) Please write a brief statement (one page maximum) about how you would contribute toward our mission of creating a culturally inclusive environment in the role for which you are applying.

This posting is open until filled

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. This search will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.

Posting Close Date

06/30/2024

Note to Applicant

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

  

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment.

  

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify.

  

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

  

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.

    

Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). 

About Us

The University of Nevada, Reno is a leading American public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land-grant university, the University serves 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries.

Classified by the Carnegie® Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (“Very High Research”) university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie® Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best National Universities” and “Best National Public Universities.” It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times’ “Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.”

Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been has invested in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada’s first medical school – the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine – and it delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and Wolf Pack Athletics.

The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a burgeoning global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Found where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe, the beautiful, 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. In recent years, the University has expanded to include two additional locations: the Redfield Campus in south Reno and the Wayne L. Prim campus in Incline Village, which is the home of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe.

 As part of the Nevada System of Higher Education – comprised of two research universities, one state college, four community colleges and an environmental research institute –  the University is committed to developing strong partnerships with each of these institutions for the benefit of all Nevadans.

Through its commitment to high-impact education, world-improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its nearly 150-year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world.

The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience.

Today, the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement – all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education.

For more information, please visit the University’s website .


University of Nevada, Reno


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