Design Director jobs in Binghamton, NY

Job Summary:

The position is responsible for leading a team of staff and freelance designers, photographers, and videographers, ensuring that their work adheres to a recently developed cohesive visual language and strategic orientation in ways that advance the college’s storytelling, messaging, and branding. The project management staff in the marketing team has a dotted line report to this position. 

Supervision:

The Senior Director reports to the Vice President for Marketing and Communications and works closely with colleagues leading the marketing and communications teams. 

Job Responsibilities

• Understand audience needs and wants, marketing goals, messaging points, and desired tone; integrate this guiding information into the work produced. 
• Lead the concepting and design for all initiatives, channels, and mediums to effectively reach the college’s key audiences.
• Actively engage in design work in collaboration with art director, while providing leadership.   
• Collaborate closely with all members of the marketing and communications division, including a digital UX designer who is part of the web team. 
• Work closely with campus partners to develop on-brand, compelling, cohesive, and effective work.
• Stay up to date with the latest design and multimedia trends and technologies.
• Oversee relationships with external vendors and contractors.
• Ensure that all design and multimedia projects are completed on time and within budget. 
• Select, onboard, and lead staff and freelancers.
• As a member of the marcomms leadership team, the incumbent will interact with a broad range of campus clients, including but not limited to the president, provost, vice presidents, deans, and others.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion as a college priority; communicate to employees an expectation of behavior that is civil and inclusive when interacting with all staff, faculty, students, and visitors; and promote a flexible, collaborative and inclusive work and living environment.

Qualifications and Experience:

• 8-10 years working on a marketing or design team, including 3 years in a leadership role. 
• Experience in art directing photo and video shoots, and experience working with illustrators. 
• Bachelor's degree in the arts, graphic design or related field 
• Portfolio displaying strong skills in conceptualizing, developing high-quality visuals, and a keen understanding of user-centric design approach to marketing and branding in all mediums 
• Solid working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud 
• Proven supervisory and management abilities 
• Solid experience with programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel. 
• Experience using a project management system.
• Higher education experience preferred.
• An enthusiasm for creating visual narratives.  
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team that works with writers to connect the verbal and visual in compelling ways. 
• Strong background in graphic design, photography, and videography, with an in-depth knowledge of print and electronic design concepts.
• Ability to effectively direct, advise, and provide constructive feedback, as appropriate, around multiple projects, with multiple designers, photographers, and videographers.
• Keeps current on design trends, technology, and platforms; considers how and when it would be beneficial to experiment and integrate them into specific deliverables. 
• Fervent attention to detail

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu 

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Hiring Range:

$90,000 to $95,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including work/life balance, generous paid time off policies, career-enhancing trainings, educational benefits, and opportunities to give back to the community. Beyond benefits, you’ll enjoy the kind of uniquely rewarding work environment that can only be found in a vibrant college community.  For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness