Carnegie Mellon University, cmu.edu, is a private, internationally ranked research university with acclaimed programs spanning the sciences, engineering, technology, business, public policy, humanities and the arts. Our diverse community of scholars, researchers, creators and innovators is driven to make real-world impacts that benefit people across the globe. With a bold, interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial approach, we do the work that matters.

CMU is seeking a versatile, hands-on, organized Design Director to lead the design teams within the central University Communications & Marketing division at Carnegie Mellon University! This position will be responsible for the creative product and operations of an internal agency and central design team.

The Design Director will have a background in visual design for all marketing and communications media, including print, digital, social and environmental and will bring experience of leading a creative team. This director will be able to understand business objectives and turn creative briefs into successful creative solutions.

This position sits within the creative department, working alongside photography, video and content curators and reports to the Senior Director of Creative. The Design Director will work closely with other managers and members of the creative team, colleagues in UCM and across the university to help create on-strategy, integrated, award-winning marketing and communication materials.

Note: This position is a fixed term role with a minimum commitment through June 2024.

Your core responsibilities will include:

• Communicate CMU's creative vision between the design teams and partners while supervising the entire design process and important technical decisions
• Lead and inspire teams of print and digital designers, writers, and production artists
• Distill business goals and client needs into exciting creative solutions
• Take responsibility for the creative vision and the standard of output across team members who work under them
• Be a hands-on designer, working with the team and latest technology
• Pitch ideas confidently and present the creative vision clearly to collaborators
• Hire, develop, and inspire the creative team
• Ensure that all of creative output/visuals are consistent with the overall brand
• Manage the efficiency and profitability of the internal agency
• Lead all aspects of and produce multiple creative projects from concept to production
• Assist Senior Director of Creative in the structuring and development of organization and process for the design teams
• In collaboration with team members, prioritize, assign and manage workflow.
• Working with project managers, provide estimates for billable and outsourced work and out of pocket expenses, and offer creative solutions to satisfy individual project budgets and timelines.
• Meets with supervisor and team to discuss issues and progress on projects
• Stay abreast of new marketing methods, technology and design trends

Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within University Communications and Marketing. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

You should demonstrate:

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and successfully.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
• Ability to demonstrate creativity and innovation in visual storytelling.
• Ability to recognize and prioritize top priorities and adjust accordingly to meet deadlines and expectations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to clearly and effectively communicate the creative vision, concepts, ideas, and solutions to collaborators, internal teams, and clients.
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting, including interpreting abstract ideas into concrete design plans and solutions.
• Be open to receiving feedback and constructive criticism.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Associate's Degree in graphic or a visual design field or equivalent professional experience
• 5 years of professional experience as a senior-level designer
• Ability to work with various project requestors to understand detailed requirements and resolve a plan that will ensure they are met within schedule and resources
• Extensive supervisory experience including leadership, team-building, delegation and managing a design team

Requirements:

• Successful Background check

Additional Information:

• This position resides at CMU's Oakland campus and requires presence in office a minimum of 3 days per week.

To be considered for this position, please submit a resume, letter of interest, work examples and salary requirements with your application. Applications selected to move forward may be asked to complete an additional creative assignment as part of the selection process.

CMU's COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: As a condition of employment, Carnegie Mellon University requires all staff and faculty working in the United States to be fully vaccinated, including a booster when eligible, against COVID-19. Prior to commencement of employment, new hires in the United States must provide proof of vaccination or obtain an approved exemption. (Exemptions may be requested for medical reasons or for religious or strong moral or ethical conviction.) Staff and faculty must comply with all applicable COVID-19 mitigation requirements. Please see Minimum Requirements to Return to Campus for details regarding the university's current COVID-19 mitigation requirements.

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