Purpose

The Art Director at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions blends storytelling, visual innovation, branding and design for visual communications and engagement with all RMU audiences. This individual personally designs and provides clear direction and leadership for the graphic design team in the creation of external and internal graphic design projects for marketing, communication, and brand awareness purposes.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

1. Design

• Create and oversee, as the Lead Designer for university projects, the print, digital, web, collateral, and social creative projects
• Direct the design and production of the university magazine, annual report, brochures, collateral, presentations, packaging and other important university documents and reports
• Lead the execution of the entire creative process for graphic design projects from concept to final execution within deadlines and budget
• Design university branded marketing materials for internal and external use
• Collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders, including third party vendors, academic programs, university administration, and enrollment management
• Serve as the university’s primary point of contact for design
• Understand marketing initiatives, strategic positioning, and target audiences
• Coordinate and strategically cooperate with the UMC creative team across different types of media
• Establish the creative strategy, budgets, and schedules for key design projects
• Remain current on all innovative design trends and maintain best practices
• Other duties as assigned.

2. Branding

• Maintain stewardship of the brand style guide and work with UMC graphic designers and university areas to ensure brand, messaging, and guidelines are consistent, professional, and coordinated
• Collaborate with Sr. Director of UMC and University Store to develop and produce new branded products for purchase by RMU audiences
• Work with RMU approved vendors to approve all academic department apparel and swag requests to ensure they fit within branding guidelines
• Train university departments, programs, and offices about the RMU brand and how to maintain a cohesive, compelling brand
• In collaboration with UMC, develop, implement, and execute brand awareness strategy internally and externally
• Analyze higher-ed marketplace and competitors to ensure the university’s brand identity has a competitive advantage
• Work with web team to ensure consistency in branding across all web pages
• Other duties as assigned

3. Reporting and Supervision

• Manage and delegate projects to UMC part-time graphic designers through clear, consistent guidance
• Mentor graphic design team
• Provide reporting and updates of projects while in progress and upon completion
• Manage the development and review the quality and accuracy of all design projects
• Other duties as assigned

4. Other Duties as Assigned

a. Some travel required.

Working Requirements:

Education/Certification: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

Required Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of visual design relating to marketing, brand management, and design with attention to business objectives.

Experience Required: A minimum of 5-7 years of of professional experience in graphic design, with three or more years in a management role. The ideal Art Director will bring a mix of artistic, marketing, and business expertise to the position, promoting the University to all of its valued stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a natural eye for design and a passion for delivering dynamic ideas that connect with all target audiences.

Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, highly creative projects or content requiring extensive subject matter/client knowledge.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to effectively resolve complex problems.
• Ability to manage changing priorities, deadlines, and customer needs.
• Able to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to perform detailed work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience leading and training other design staff.
• In-depth understanding and knowledge of industry standards, trends, and technical knowledge.
• Ability to work effectively with others as part of a team.
• Understand cutting-edge marketing initiatives.
• Ability to receive and incorporate feedback and take/give direction well.
• Team player with strong communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate while being open to inspiration, ideas, and expertise of others.
• Knowledge of and experience with effective marketing techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of job-required software applications (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Google Suite, databases, Social Media Analytic Tools, etc.).

INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are also essential to an effective appraisal system and related promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination decisions. Well-constructed job descriptions are an integral part of any effective compensation system.

All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization.

Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. RMUoHP maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Rocky Mountain University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.