University of Denver Advancement | Associate Director, Creative & Brand Services

Design

Description

About the University of Denver
Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, the University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines our region and our history. DU is a private institution built on exploration through research and collaboration among educators, students, and local and global communities. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower Pioneers to make a difference around the world. Through learning, scholarship and practice, students gain the experience, knowledge and courage they need to tackle big challenges in the real world and guide diverse communities and organizations.

About DU Advancement
In preparation for the most ambitious philanthropic campaign in the University’s history, the University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence of our great institution. Advancement efforts at DU have a tremendous impact through our relationships with DU’s remarkable students, dedicated donors, inspiring alumni, engaged families, and wonderful friends. DU is committed to building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our institution as we implement the DU IMPACT 2025 vision and prepare for a fundraising campaign with a bold and courageous goal.

The University of Denver and DU Advancement deeply value inclusive excellence, recognizing that its success is dependent on how well it values, engages, and includes the rich diversity of constituents. You can learn more about inclusive excellence at the University of Denver by visiting the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. As a part of that effort, we are continuing to grow a team of inclusive, collaborative, inquisitive, innovative, ethical, and transparent advancement professionals who possess deep mutual respect for one another and for our shared profession.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Advancement Marketing & Communications and working closely with senior Advancement leaders, the Associate Director, Creative & Brand Services is the creative lead for all DU Advancement marketing and communications activities. This position will directly supervise and mentor the graphic design coordinator and the video production manager. They will manage a wide range of creative projects, serving as the creative leader on the Advancement and Campaign Communication team. They will lend their considerable creativity, design skills and energy toward developing engaging and captivating branded experiences across all channels to reach key audiences, including donors and alumni. They envision and ultimately bring fresh and forward-thinking approaches to engaging target audiences and establishing an approachable, interactive brand. They thrive in creative development settings, leading highly inclusive collaborative planning sessions among stakeholders from across the Advancement team and the University. They listen to and reflect on others’ creative insights and transform vision into top-quality creative concepts and executions, from video to digital to print, from donor audiences of one requiring high-touch, personalized experiences to alumni audiences in the thousands requiring scaled yet immersive approaches. They have the ability to bring to life sometimes ambiguous, “big picture” concepts.

The Associate Director will demonstrate the ability to define, analyze, and lead creative solutions to complex problems and make sound decisions independently and with sometimes minimal supervision. They adeptly anticipate the needs of the project and show proactive thinking and leadership, while remaining focused under sometimes tight timelines, in meeting specified goals and deadlines, always delivering exceptional service. They are comfortable working with senior leaders.

Excellent creative, analytical, decision-making and interpersonal skills are required, as well as flexibility and the ability to adapt to quickly changing priorities and timelines. Strong project management skills are a must. The person in this role must demonstrate a commitment to inclusive excellence and exemplary stewardship of the lifelong relationship that the University of Denver maintains with its global network.

Essential Functions

Leadership

Lead creative development for DU Advancement, supervising and managing the graphic design coordinator and working collaboratively with stakeholders across the University.
Take a leadership role in activating a complex plan to launch the most ambitious fundraising campaign in DU’s history, working with internal stakeholders and external partners and vendors on campaign visuals and brand identity, developing a robust asset library, and supporting signature campaign communications and experiences.
Keep abreast of emerging trends in creative development and brand experience creation, always looking to remain at the forefront of design and brand expression.
Oversee a robust and complex production calendar, effectively managing priorities and deadlines.
Brand Experiences

Utilize the University’s new brand guidelines to produce and continuously optimize a captivating visual style for DU Advancement that can be adapted to programs and products for a broad spectrum of audience demographics, including donors, alumni and students.
Through creative development, provide a highly engaging visual expression of Advancement’s innovative new models of engaging alumni and donors.
Serve as a brand ambassador, ensuring that all Advancement communications adhere to University Brand standards, including the brand visual guide, website design guide and editorial style guide.
Design, Content and Engagement Strategy

Lend creative and design expertise to all aspects of collateral and asset design, creating engaging and high-quality touchpoints at every stage of the donor life cycle.
Work collaboratively with the Associate Director, Marketing & Communications to elevate storytelling and content through design and the production of video content.
Facilitate the creation, exchange and execution of creative ideas and concepts.
Lead the design of the full range of print and digital assets. Print assets include reports, proposals, signage, etc.
Serve as primary point of contact for design and production vendors, ensuring top-quality results in work performed for the University.
Lead creative brainstorming and strategy development for new projects and marketing campaigns while identifying ways to amplify storytelling throughout the year.
University Citizenship

Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with peers, campus colleagues and senior leaders; strengthen ties across multiple departments.
Receive feedback from many sources, with divergent points of view, and synthesize into creative, on-brand solutions that bring messages and ideas to life.
Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based advancement functions and campus colleagues to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative marketing practices.
Represent the interests of University Advancement in a variety of marketing and communications roles, including serving on University Advancement and campus-wide cross-functional teams.
Model “One DU” leadership.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to honor the history of a 157-year-old institution while bringing the brand alive in new and interesting ways that engage audiences in the digital age.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment.
Adept in using creative experiences and approaches within a brand framework to connect with a multi-generational audience
Excellent project management skills and proficient in handling multiple projects within tight deadlines and delegating as needed.
Exceptional creative design skills and meticulous attention to detail.
Experience managing creative agencies, freelancers and production vendors.
Proficient in visual storytelling and the creation of infographics.
Proficient with full Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, etc.)
Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Design or related field or equivalent combination of education and work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for this qualification).
3 years of experience in graphic design with supporting design portfolio.
Preferred Qualifications

Internal or external creative agency experience
Ability to create animated graphics
Experience with WordPress and Drupal
Experience in video production
Supervisory experience
Working Environment

Standard office environment

Noise level is quiet to moderate

Physical Activities

Ability to sit or stand in front of a computer for an extended period

Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs. with assistance

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., some nights and weekends as required

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) November 15, 2022.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 11.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $65,000-$80,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university's complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non‑discrimination‑statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.