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Art Director

University of Denver

Denver, CO

Mar 22
Job Description

Position Summary
This position reports to the Director of Creative & Brand Management (DCBM) and will lend their considerable experience and energy towards creative art direction (design, photography, video and digital) for all of the broader MarComm team’s work. This work encompasses all types of traditional and digital media as well as related workflows and processes. The Art Director (AD) reflects and actively supports the University of Denvers vision, values, mission and goals, as well as the strategic goals of MarComm.

Essential Functions
• Provide art direction, design and oversight of all design projects developed through the central MarComm unit.
• Supervise the University's visual identity use, contributing to the regular review of campus-created marketing, designs and merchandise materials to ensure consistent use of the brand.
• Lead design team and serve as lead designer (if needed) for all traditional and digital design needs.
• Act as brand steward and leading visual identity expert with campus stakeholders and leadership; uphold and enforce University brand guidelines across University's body of creative work.
• Work with internal campus partners (clients), copywriters and graphic designers on various branded projects and manage these from beginning to end in partnership with MarComm managers and colleagues.
• Work with external partners (vendors) on specific projects to advise them of University standards, ensure developed work enhances the brand family, and support their efforts.
• Lead the art direction and coordination of the visual team’s work on the University's flagship print/digital magazine (4x/year), the University’s web presence and digital assets, and major campaigns.
• Triage and assign incoming requests from campus to team in a manner that is both expeditious as well as clear to ensure team as well as client’s success.
• Lead project discovery, kick-off, status, brainstorming and retrospective meetings as needed.
• Perform other related duties as requested to advance MarComm’s mission for the University.

Required Qualifications
• Bachelors degree or a combination of relevant education and work experience equating to four years, or equivalent training and certification in military setting.
• Seven (7) years minimum experience in graphic design.
• At least four (4) years client relations experience with managing art or, creative work for multiple clients with different needs and deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience working with outside vendors and production management.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Experience with accessibility and ensuring design meets ADA standards.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience providing art direction during pre-production, production and post-production to videographers and photographers.
• Experience with digital design best practices and UX/UI design for customer journeys.
• Project management certification.
• Experience working in Wrike project management system.
• Experience working in an agency environment or other fast-paced environment.
• Experience working in higher education or other complex organization.
• Working knowledge of the modern digital environment and best practices for digital design.
• Experience in a higher education setting or other complex organization.

Work Schedule
MarComm’s standard operating hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm MT. With this noted, some travel as well as occasional weekend or after-hours work will be required to fulfill duties and should be anticipated.
The Division of Marketing & Communications has a flexible, hybrid work arrangement with its employees, allowing for both community and culture building through in-office as well as occasional remote workdays. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.
Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) April 10th, 2024.

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 13.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $95,000-$105,000
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
3. Portfolio of previous design work that demonstrates advanced ability to create visual solutions that solve business challenges required. (If your portfolio is a website, upload a document that includes the link to your online portfolio with your contact information.)

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran 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; the Americans with Disabilities Act; 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; Equal Pay Act; Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non Discrimination Statement.

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

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.