Art Director

UCDA : connecting, inspiring, and supporting a creative community in education

Mizzou Marketing seeks an art director to join our creative team! This person will play a vital role in the execution, delivery and continuous improvement of our multi-channel campaign work and brand collateral.

The Art Director reports directly to the Associate Director of Creative Strategy and is a hands-on creative leadership role. The ideal candidate is proactive, innovative, and equally comfortable designing and guiding others as they design. This position helps develop concepts and leads two graphic designers in bringing those concepts to life across print, digital, social, and campus environments.

This position is in-person only.

Key Responsibilities

1. Conceptualize & Design (30%): Ideate, design, create and edit creative that may include, but is not limited to print collateral, digital advertising, out-of-home advertising, executive presentations and more. Collaborate with the creative team led by the Associate Director of Creative Strategy to conceptualize assets and deliverables. Consistently follow team processes, communicate clearly, take direction and receive feedback professionally.
2. Art Direction (25%): Provide art direction and first-level brand review for design, animation and photography before work advances to the Associate Director. Ensure consistent application of the university’s brand guidelines across creative team designs to maintain brand integrity and recognition. Review design deliverables to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality and align with project objectives.
3. Lead Designers (20%): Manage and mentor two graphic designers. Convey, support and manage performance expectations and professional development opportunities. Provide file management oversight. Partner with the Associate Director and project managers to ensure multiple, competing deadlines are being managed and met.
4. Concept Development (15%): Partner with the Associate Director and copywriters to lead concept development for institutional campaigns, recruitment campaigns, brand initiatives and more. Translate strategic briefs into art direction that is distinctive, on-brand, and audience-appropriate.
5. Stay Updated (10%): Keep up with design and higher-ed industry and retail industry trends, design tools and technologies to enhance your skills and bring fresh ideas to the team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communication, or related field.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience in graphic design or related field is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in graphic design or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in an art director or creative director role with supervisory responsibility.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative rationale to non-creative stakeholders.
• Ability to identify and create process improvements and efficiencies.
• Experience art directing or collaborating on photo/video shoots.
• Experience with environmental branding, motion graphics, social media content creation (photo and video) or illustration.

Job Description

• Strong portfolio showcasing conceptual leadership, strategic insight and hands-on production in a variety of design styles and projects, including print and digital advertising.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)
• Advanced eye for detail, typography, layout, and brand application with impeccable design fundamentals.
• Excellent problem-solving and project management skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to manage and mentor designers, giving clear and constructive creative feedback.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively within a team environment, accepting feedback and incorporating it into design improvements.

Education Required

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 4 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Company Information

• University of Missouri (Mizzou)
  201 S 7th St
  Columbia MO 65211
  United States of America