Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $80,454 and $110,357, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.
Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.
Job Description POSITION OBJECTIVE The Associate Creative Director helps advance Case Western Reserve's stature as a leading national research university by providing creative and operational leadership for the university's in-house creative team, guiding the development and execution of high-quality, on-brand design and content across print, digital, environmental and social channels. Working closely with the Executive Creative Director, this role translates institutional strategy and brand vision into compelling creative work, manages the day-to-day flow of design projects, and mentors and develops a team that includes an art director and graphic designers. This individual also will employ exceptional interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with University Marketing and Communications (UMC) colleagues, university clients and commercial suppliers. This individual will demonstrate a passion for design excellence and willingness to stretch creatively to oversee and produce works that are as appealing as they are effective. The associate creative director balances hands-on creative execution with team leadership, ensuring that the university's visual identity is expressed consistently and effectively across all audiences.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Direct brand stewardship and manage creative workflow. Directly supervise, mentor and develop the art director and graphic designers. Review their work in a timely manner and provide specific, ongoing and constructive creative feedback and professional assessment, ensuring that work is on time and reflects the university's visual tone, brand standards and quality expectations set by the executive creative director. Review project scopes, assign creative resources based on department objectives, individual strengths and balance team workloads. (35%)
- Ensure technical design quality and compliance with specifications. Ensure files are built correctly and to proper technical standards, including print and digital specifications, preparation and setup, color and prepress requirements, and accessibility standards so that work is production ready. Serve as the design-technical advisor to project managers, providing design specification guidance and troubleshooting they are not equipped to resolve on their own. (20%)
- Lead and develop the creative staff. Coach and evaluate art director and graphic designers, fostering an inclusive culture of creative excellence, collaboration and continuous skill development. Set performance goals and guide professional development paths. (15%)
- Execute high-priority and complex creative projects. Contribute directly to design and creative execution on high-priority and complex projects, serving as a senior creative resource and setting a strong example of craft and quality for the team. (15%)
- Troubleshoot creative roadblocks to keep projects moving, stepping in to execute hands-on when workload, timing or complexity requires. Attend walkthroughs, creative scouts and site visits that call for creative assessment and professional judgment. (10%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Assist with on-site photoshoots, assign freelance photography assignments, complete photo editing and archiving within digital asset management systems to ensure the university's visual library is comprehensive, visually compelling, current and easy to navigate. (5%)
- Stay apprised of current and emerging design trends, tools and techniques and share them with the design team. (
- Perform other duties as assigned. (
CONTACTS Department: Continuous contact with the executive creative director, art director, graphic designers, project managers and other UMC staff.
University: Regular contact faculty and staff.
External: Moderate contact with university institutional partners and vendors.
Students: Occasional interaction with students.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Direct supervision of the art director and three designers.
QUALIFICATIONS Experience: 8 years of related experience. Prefer experience to include 3 years of managing staff.
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline is required.
Other Requirements: Candidates MUST submit a portfolio of work with application.REQUIRED SKILLS - Proven ability to supervise, mentor and develop graphic designers, providing timely constructive creative feedback and professional assessment of their work, resolving design and execution roadblocks, and keeping projects on schedule or under deadline.
- Strong organizational and leadership-oriented skills with the ability to manage team and execute large-scale projects simultaneously, ensuring quality control across team members and superior time management.
- Mastery of visual design principles, including typography, color theory, and composition, with advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects) and other industry-standard tools
- Deep understanding of brand strategy and storytelling, with the ability to shape, uphold, and evolve brand standards in alignment with university priorities and audience needs.
- Experience using content management systems such as Asana or Monday.
- Demonstrated ability to independently develop and execute compelling print and digital projects, including brochures, magazines, digital ads, animations, social media graphics and marketing campaigns, while adhering to strict brand guidelines and leading by creative example.
- Strong command of design technical standards, print specifications and techniques, digital specifications, file preparation and setup, color and prepress requirements, and accessibility (WCAG/ADA)¿and the ability to advise others on them.
- Strong creative judgment and the ability to provide hands-on art direction, brand quality control and balance visual innovation and strategic communication goals.
- Experience maintaining self-service creative solutions, including digital asset management systems and templated tools and platforms for campus-wide use.
- Ability to collaborate as a peer with the Production Manager and project managers, coordinating effectively across the design-and-production workflow.
- Ability to plan and assign photoshoots and match creative assignments to designer skills and project needs.
- Ability to recognize and execute various photographic lighting styles, and to art direct multitiered photoshoots as needed.
- Proficiency in developing specifications for bids from printers and other vendors, assessing proposals for quality and price and providing accurate recommendations to the Executive Creative Director.
- Sound judgment in balancing creative ambition with institutional goals, timelines and resources. Demonstrate logic, rationality and objectivity; show common sense; use all available information to make educated decisions.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to give and receive constructive feedback and foster a collaborative, growth-oriented culture.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented and adaptable, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume, deadline-driven agency type environment, manage shifting priorities with professionalism and consistent attendance.
- Extreme attention to detail and a proven commitment to quality assurance and brand integrity.
- Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
- Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
- Ability to meet consistent attendance.
- Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
WORKING CONDITIONS General office environment (hybrid work option available after orientation period is complete). The employee will perform repetitive motion using a computer, mouse and keyboard.
Hybrid Eligibility This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.
