Trinity Metro has an immediate opening for a Director of Creative Services. The Director of Creative Services is an accomplished, hands-on creative leader who elevates the quality of Trinity Metro's visual communications, inspires and develops creative talent, brings forward innovative ideas and ensures exceptional work is delivered with precision, accountability and operational discipline.
Essential Functions:Creative Leadership and Execution- Lead the conceptualization, design and execution of creative materials supporting marketing campaigns, communications, service changes, special events and other initiatives.
- Personally develop and produce sophisticated creative work across print, digital, environmental and other media, demonstrating exceptional design quality, accuracy and attention to detail.
- Translate strategic objectives and messaging into compelling visual solutions, contributing original ideas, challenging conventional approaches and expanding creative possibilities.
- Help shape Trinity Metro's creative direction over the next two to five years through thoughtful design, creative research and forward-looking recommendations.
Team Leadership and Development- Lead, coach and develop graphic design personnel, establishing clear performance expectations, providing regular feedback, strengthening individual capabilities and holding the team accountable for creative quality and results.
- Guide the creative process from initial concept through execution, providing direction, constructive feedback and opportunities for collaboration and professional growth.
Creative Operations and Production- Direct Creative Services operations, including project planning, resource allocation, production schedules, budgets and vendor relationships.
- Develop realistic project timelines by working backward from completion dates, accounting for creative development, reviews, revisions, approvals, production and implementation.
- Anticipate project needs, adapt to shifting priorities and proactively manage competing demands while ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to established quality standards.
- Review and approve all Creative Services deliverables before advancing through appropriate departmental approval processes.
Service Change Creative Production and Implementation- Lead the creative production of customer-facing service change materials, including route maps, schedules, on-demand zone maps, printed timetables, bus stop signage and related communications.
- Coordinate with Planning, Operations, MarCom and external mapping providers to obtain and verify information, manage revisions and secure approvals.
- Oversee production and vendor coordination, proactively addressing information gaps, dependencies and deadlines to ensure accurate, understandable materials are ready for service change implementation dates established by Planning.
Brand Stewardship and Innovation- Guide the consistent and effective application of Trinity Metro's visual identity across agency communications, vehicles, facilities and customer touchpoints.
- Maintain and evolve creative standards, design templates and visual guidelines in alignment with organizational direction.
- Research and apply emerging creative trends, design practices and technologies, including artificial intelligence and automation, to introduce innovative concepts, strengthen creative capabilities and improve production efficiency.
Collaboration and Organizational Leadership- Collaborate with the VP of MarCom and the directors of Marketing and Communications to translate departmental priorities into effective creative execution.
- Work closely with digital content, social media and other agency teams to develop creative solutions that support their objectives.
- Participate in planning discussions, anticipate creative needs and confidently present recommendations that strengthen initiatives while remaining aligned with organizational objectives.
Education- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communications, advertising or a related field.
Experience- Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in graphic design, creative direction or creative services.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing creative teams, including coaching, performance management, directing creative projects and managing production workflows.
- Experience producing creative materials across print, digital and environmental applications.
- Experience managing creative budgets, external vendors and production schedules.
- Experience with website design or development projects, including user experience, accessibility and digital brand consistency, is a plus.
Any combination of experience, training, and/or education that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for the required education.
*Professional portfolio demonstrating exceptional creative execution, conceptual thinking, technical proficiency and versatility required with application.
