Departmental Overview

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics consists of more than 275 staff members and coaches and sponsors 30 varsity sports programs. These 30 programs include more than 850 student-athletes who participate in the various sports programs annually within the National Collegiate Athletics Association.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Design is a member of the Athletics Department's Strawberry Creek Studios group and assists with the execution of visual assets and graphic design that support the Cal identity across various sports. Under the direction of the creative lead, this position captures the energy of live sporting events and produces content that aligns with the department's external strategy. The Associate Director, Design requires a fast-paced, solution-oriented mindset to help deliver storytelling across Cal Athletics digital platforms, marketing, and in-venue videoboards. This position takes direction on storytelling concepts and assists with the production of digital assets on tight timelines. The role supports the use of emerging technologies like AI to improve production speed and assists with the daily supervision of student interns to help scale content creation across the department.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: June 22, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Content Production & Collaboration

• Assists with the development of storytelling concepts based on directions from leadership.
• Helps maintain content calendars that align with recruiting cycles and revenue goals.

Multimedia Execution

• Supports the end-to-end execution of visual assets, including graphic design, merchandise, and photography.
• Captures live event footage and assists in producing features for social and digital platforms.

Recruiting & Brand Support

• Uses established templates and AI tools to create personalized digital content tailored for student-athlete recruitment and program loyalty.
• Ensures all work stays within University brand guidelines and/or the ability to learn.

Revenue Generation

• Assists in developing and conceptualizing AI-generated personalized digital content and templates specifically tailored to attract elite brands and elevate the Cal Athletics brand.
• This ensures a consistent brand narrative that aids in both traditional and new revenue streams and building fan loyalty.

Student Supervision & Training

• Takes a lead role in supervising the student intern workforce.
• Assists with mentoring student staff on technical skills and ensures their output meets professional standards.

Innovation & Workflow

• Learns and applies emerging technologies, such as Generative AI, to assist in scaling content production and modernizing studio workflows.

Reporting & Admin

• Tracks project expenses and assists with the review of content performance data to help improve future assets and maintain quality control.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical aspects and requirements of various venues, and most appropriate and effective applications.
• Knowledge and understanding of technical applications to effectively direct technical staff, or personally perform technical work, including design concepts, various media, and applications.
• Knowledge of the organization, its achievements, mission, vision, goals, policies, practices, infrastructure, and a strong knowledge of current affairs, and issues in higher education and / or health sciences.
• Solid skills to create, develop, and implement comprehensive long and short term strategic communications plans.
• Knowledge and skills to advise and consult with management to ensure delivery of the desired message to the target and / or broad general audiences.
• Solid written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills.
• Knowledge of location protocols and channels for communication internally and externally.
• Knowledge of various visual aspects of communications.
• Solid skills to create, develop, and implement comprehensive long and short term content efforts.
• A working knowledge of visual asset design, brand development, and the creative process.
• Previous experience and knowledge of the Adobe Creative Cloud and/or the ability to learn cinematic camera operation.
• Ability to capture high-speed sports action and produce content specifically formatted for stadium videoboards and social platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to create digital content including video, photography, and motion graphics.
• Knowledge of digital performance metrics (engagement, reach, conversion), how to package and present to management.
• The ability to pitch "big picture" concepts to management.
• Knowledge of location protocols and channels for communication internally and externally.
• Skills in training, and mentoring a student/intern workforce.
• Ability to work independently while remaining aligned with internal teams.
• A solution-oriented mindset capable of adhering to traditional brand guidelines without compromising quality.
• Willingness to learn and work with AI tools for automated workflows and creative brainstorming and visualization.
• Time and project management skills to effectively establish priorities and meet competing deadlines.
• Interpersonal communications skills to interact effectively with a variety of clients, staff and vendors.
• Strong skills in collaboration to best meet goals and objectives of the client.
• Knowledge of NCAA/Power 4 landscape, including recruiting cycles, NIL trends, and student-athlete retention drivers.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training (Required)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website .

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $83,000 - $90,000.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Staff: Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for CM.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace