Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.
Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.
We are currently seeking to hire an Associate Director of Creative Services. In this role, under the supervision of the Executive Director, DAR Communications and Marketing, you will develop and implement creative design strategies for Rice University’s Development and Alumni Relations division. In addition, you will design print communications such as direct mail solicitations, invitations, brochures, and newsletters, as well as digital communications including webpages, emails, social media campaigns and video graphics. You will also partner with a range of division partners (alumni relations, annual giving, major gifts, etc.) to develop communication plans and design strategies. You will stay abreast of best practices and trends, attend and/or advise on press checks, and help ensure the high quality and visual consistency of marketing materials produced by the division. The selected candidate will lead a team of two graphic design professionals and works closely with campus partners, including Rice’s Public Affairs division, to represent and promote Rice University’s brand. You will be a highly versatile and organized creative professional who works collaboratively with a team of writers, designers, web and social media staff, and production managers to effectively engage Rice’s constituents in the life of the university.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide strategic art direction, design, and oversight of print and web projects
- Determine optimal visual representations for conceptual ideas, ensuring a cohesive and impactful visual language across projects
- Lead the design of various print communications such as direct mail solicitations, invitations, brochures, and newsletters, as well as digital communications including webpages, emails, social media campaigns and video graphics
- Design and produce in-house communications materials and works directly with vendors on other signature design projects
- Compile and/or prepare complex illustrations, photos, and pictures for graphic design assignments
- Maintain the visual quality, consistency and tone of all print and web material, ensuring that content is fresh, follows best practices and is consistent with Rice brand standards
- Provide art direction for photographers during photo shoots for assigned projects, ensuring the desired visual narrative is captured
- Handle press approvals for quality control
- Stay abreast of design trends, emerging technologies, software advancements and relevant issues, sharing this knowledge with the team to enhance overall design capabilities
- Represent and promote Rice University’s brand
- Serve as a catalyst for creative thought, project timeliness, and completion
- Lead a team of two graphic design professionals
- Oversee budget and cost control pertaining to individual print projects
- Work occasionally beyond business hours in order to meet deadlines, and attendance at after-hours departmental events on or off campus
- Perform all other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 3+ years of related professional experience, including graphic design for print and web communications
- 4+ years of related professional experience, including graphic design for print and web communications is preferred
- Demonstrated understanding of graphic design principles, and expertise in Adobe creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for PC
- Ability to design and produce quick turnaround print materials
- Demonstrated ability providing creative direction to direct reports and communication teammates, including other designers, digital team members and writers
- Proficiency in mentoring, coaching, and supervising other designers and creative team members
- Experience providing art direction to photographers, videographers, and other vendors
- Experience working collaboratively and leading creative projects, including pitching concepts to clients/partners
- Clear strength in communicating creative vision, taking feedback, and developing solutions that meet divisional goals
- Proficiency in writing, editing, and proofing, with knowledge of grammar and punctuation
- Ability to understand complex materials and synthesize across multiple sources to produce materials for diverse audiences
- Firm understanding of web technologies and applications, including social networking, social media tools, and current communication trends
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple deadlines and priorities
- Excellent time management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent project management and organizational skills
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
- Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and leading a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
- Excellent attention to detail
- Significant experience designing in a variety of web formats, including, but not limited to, mobile responsive and parallax websites, a variety of social formats, emails, etc.is preferred
- Experience with film editing and production and motion graphics illustration is preferred
- Experience using and working with database information systems is preferred
- Ability to take high-quality photographs, including individual portraits, studio shots, candid, and event photos, etc. is preferred
- Ability to develop and implement creative social media marketing strategies is preferred
- Experience designing for the web with knowledge of UX/UI and accessibility best practices is preferred
- Ability to use CMS systems to create webpages and knowledge of basic HTML is preferred
Special Note to Applicants: When applying for this role, please attach a cover letter and resume in PDF format. Please also include a link to your portfolio in your cover letter or resume.
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.