CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

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CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Req #: 227973 Department: ENTERPRISE SERVICES Job Location: Seattle Campus Job Location Detail: Hybrid Available, Office located in Seattle Posting Date: 10/26/2025 Closing Info: Closes On 11/26/2025 Salary: $12,421 - $14,584 per month Other Compensation: Shift: First Shift Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. UW Finance encompasses the major central financial functions for the University of Washington, including Enterprise Services, Financial Accounting, Sponsored Financial Programs, Student Financial Services, and Treasury. The Creative Communications team reports to the Associate Vice President for Enterprise Services and is responsible for providing in-house, one-stop, comprehensive shared service for the University of Washington's design, web development, copy, print, and mailing needs. Creative Communications is a progressive department that values and engages its employees to provide excellent customer service while practicing good fiscal and environmental responsibility. The Director provides executive-level leadership and strategic direction for UW's Creative Communications division. Creative Communications provides for the design, production, and distribution of quality communications products for the University of Washington. The Department is organized into units that supply client and creative design services, digital print and copy services, managed copy services, mailing services, internal administrative, and computing and financial services. Employing more than 65 people in professional, technical, clerical, craft, and administrative areas, the Director is responsible for a business with an annual budget of $10.5 million per year of which $8 million comes from Communications supporting revenue. Primarily a self-sustaining unit, Creative Communications operates using a strong business-type approach that provides a service to the university campus partner to fill various needs from print, design, digital media, and web services in and media environment. Creative Communications employs LEAN techniques to optimize business operations, pursuing continuous process improvements to maximize revenue and reduce costs for campus customers. Further, Creative Communications is committed to the diversity, growth,and development of its staff. The Director ensures a culture of learning for staff and leadership in the department. This position interacts with a variety of stakeholders and must employ savvy negotiation skills with campus leadership, labor unions, and outside vendors. We encourage applicants to apply even if they do not feel they satisfy all of the skills listed below; we understand that it will take some time for the successful applicant to strengthen specific position skills where needed, to learn about the university systems, campuses, and vendor collaborators, to develop a deep understanding of the UW Finance environment itself. You will join a supportive team that will partner with you in these efforts; we are an open, ethical, highly engaged, and collaborative community based on trust, transparency, and mutual respect. We believe in the importance of quality of life, embracing diversity, making a difference, and having fun. POSITION COMPLEXITITIES Team Management

• Responsible for day-to-day operations management
• Work with a diverse group of individuals and create a culture of inclusion and equity
• Advise and counsel a team of professionals responsible for managing the programs within C2
• Hire and manage a team of professionals; both regular staff and vendors/suppliers
• Responsible for staff development, career enrichment of staff, and any necessary corrective action
• Team includes Professional Staff, Classified Staff in 3 labor unions, and student interns/student employees Campus leadership
• Negotiate priorities and resolve conflicts between unit requests and priorities and UW Finance and University mission, goals, and priorities
• Integrate unit priorities and programs into UW Finance and university priorities
• Lead and move projects forward effectively, even in situations where s/he has little or no direct control of or influence over project partners
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with internal partners (central partners and unit partners) and external partners (community, vendors, and suppliers)
• Work with leaders across campus to create strategic partnerships Strategy/Program Development
• Develop and communicate vision and programmatic direction
• Build, enhance, and continuously improve a robust program optimizing both central and unit resources to achieve goals
• Create new strategies utilizing new techniques and technology; implement innovative techniques to ensure the most effective program
• Seek ways to continuously improve the program to enhance C2 programming
• Follow trends in the market; identify, develop, and disseminate best practices
• Work to provide a full service inplant to UW Community which benefits the end users by providing good product at a fair price while upholding the brand standards for UW Medicine, UW Academy and other entities
• Where work is best suited by an outside, C2 continuously seeks partner relationship with area suppliers, printers and mail houses, and creative agencies Leadership Skills
• Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Remain calm in stressful and crisis situations
• Exercise sound judgment at all times; balance the needs of the university and C2
• Effectively manage strategic issues as well as tactical, operational details
• Effectively manage high-level university leadership, faculty, staff, and community leaders and volunteers at the university Budget/Resource Management
• Develop and manage an annual operations budget of over $10.5M
• Manage and balance the self sustaining aspect of the C2 budget to ensure organizational health DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Strategy Development
• Complete strategic planning to develop, define, implement, measure, and report departmental objectives in support of the divisional and institutional mission and vision. Using the Shingo Lean approach, set and align goals, monitor metrics, and engage all staff members in continuous improvement on an ongoing basis.
• Employ sound and data-driven financial management practices to ensure financial sustainability, administering financial processes that demonstrate appropriate budget management, reporting, control, compliance, and stewardship.
• Evaluate organizational performance based on measurable outcomes and success in meeting objectives. Maintain and evolve departmental dashboard for Creative Communications that effectively balances business and customer service goals.
• Evaluate business lines within the organization and create business opportunities or opportunities for business growth the ensure the overall health of the organization. Leadership and Team Management Provide leadership and manage the Creative Communications Team
• Manage the day-to-day operations of Creative Communications
• Work with a diverse group of individuals to create a culture of inclusivity and equity
• Create and manage the Creative Communications budget
• Hire and oversee contract vendors as appropriate. Oversee and approve specifications for bids and cost estimates as provided by the production managers
• Responsible for management, staff development, career enrichment, and training Program Development and Management Internal and external communications and negotiation with clients, coworkers, stakeholders, and administrators
• Communicate program changes
• Strengthen partnerships

Build new partnership

• Continuously evaluate departmental operational activities to ensure the timely delivery of valued products and services in an efficient manner. Implement improvements as necessary for growth or efficiency.
• Develop Institutional Printing Procurement policy and procedure, working in partnership with Procurement Services.
• Recommend acquisition and implementation of appropriate equipment and systems.
• Establish and maintain communications with counterparts at other institutions to exchange best practices.
• Advise and assist clients in the development and implementation of communications strategies.
• Follow trends in the market and identify, develop, and disseminate institutional and commercial best practices.
• Assume other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President, Enterprise Services. Administration
• Negotiate relevant labor contracts working in partnership with Labor Relations
• Offer presentations to departments, WA State Lean conferences and lead tours for outside agencies
• Represent the University in appropriate professional organizations and associations
• Lead review meetings with large departments/customers Lead Responsibilities: Lead Senior Management Team in daily and weekly meetings; team works collaboratively to keep the departmental initiatives aligned with strategic direction for C2, Enterprise Services and UW Finance, supporting the higher of goals of the UW, including financial and environmental stewardship. Supervisory Responsibilities: Oversee over 65 FTE Directly manage 4 FTE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Communications, Marketing or related field and 10 years of progressive experience in complex logistical management, institutional services, including but not limited to, print management, electric mail, materials management, and comprehensive print/electronic communications organization is required, preferably in a complex institutional setting. Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. 5 years of progressively responsible leadership/management experience; demonstrated commitment to developing others to become leaders. Create a culture of inclusion and equity throughout the team while supporting the overall culture of UW Finance. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Demonstrated experience in working on diverse groups and teams; respects, values, and contributes to UW Finance and UW's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Knowledge of digital printing, variable data printing, electronic publications, website development, graphic design, and/or mail processing and distribution. Demonstrated success in establishing and implementing strategic plans utilizing the Lean metrics and methodologies. Demonstrated client service orientation and be able to work effectively in a team-based, collaborative organization. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of and experience leading process improvement (including lean). Experience evaluating outcome-based organizational performance. Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at View phone number on us.fitly.work or View email address on us.fitly.work.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.