Creative Director

HCF's Collaboration Philosophy

At the Hawai'i Community Foundation (HCF), we believe that an organization's team as a 'whole is greater than the sum of its parts' (Aristotle). To us, this means that we are committed to being a collaborative 'ohana that lives and puts our mission into action, respects and cares for each other, and innovates and learns together. We understand that we must rely upon all of our individual strengths as we partner to provide excellent value and achieve effective results for our generous donors, community partners, and all of Hawai'i's people.

Position Summary

Like all HCF team members and volunteers, the Creative Director exudes heart and passion for HCF's mission: to inspire the spirit of giving and invest in people and solutions to benefit our community.

The Creative Director is a senior creative leader who shapes and stewards HCF's visual identity across platforms. As a hands-on designer on a lean communications team, this role combines executive-level creative direction with high-caliber design execution, producing high-visibility assets and setting standards for consistency, accessibility, and brand excellence.

Working in close partnership with the Strategic Communications Director, the Creative Director helps to co-lead departmental priorities, coordinate workflow, allocate resources, and ensure alignment between communications strategies, creative execution, and organizational objectives. Together, these roles foster a collaborative, integrated communications approach that advances HCF's mission, strengthens stakeholder engagement, and supports organizational goals.

In addition to providing design leadership, the Creative Director personally executes a significant volume of print, digital, and multimedia design work. The role serves as backup to the Multimedia Designer when that team member is unavailable or when additional production capacity is needed. The Creative Director also serves as project manager for creative projects, overseeing all aspects and phases of production through timely delivery.

Essential Position Responsibilities

Key responsibilities fall within the following areas of focus.

Creative Leadership, Collaboration and Management

• Lead creative projects from concept through delivery, overseeing ideation, planning, design, production, review, implementation, timelines, workflows, budgets, and evaluation.
• Develop and present creative briefs, concepts, frameworks, and presentations aligned with organizational goals, audience needs, and stakeholder requirements.
• Manage creative processes, systems, resources, and capacity planning to support effective project delivery across departments.
• Collaborate with staff, vendors, contractors, and external creative partners to complete projects from concept to completion.
• Partner with HCF's Information Systems Group on website, intranet, and related technology implementation and support.

Creative Strategy, Brand Stewardship and Quality Assurance

• Lead HCF's visual brand strategy and identity across print, digital, web, environmental, video, and multimedia platforms.
• Create and maintain standards, templates, guidelines, and governance practices that support brand consistency, quality, accessibility, and inclusive design.
• Develop creative strategies and visual storytelling that support fundraising, programs, initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and organizational objectives.
• Collaborate with HCF departments and leadership to translate strategies and stakeholder needs into compelling creative solutions.
• Provide creative direction, mentorship, and quality assurance for the Multimedia Designer and assigned creative contributors.
• Monitor emerging design trends, technologies, platforms, and tools to improve creative practices and digital content across media.

Hands-On Design and Multimedia Production

• Serve as a senior hands-on designer producing polished materials for print, digital, web, environmental, presentation, event, and multimedia use.
• Design high-visibility reports, donor and campaign collateral, brochures, ads, signage, event materials, presentations, toolkits, templates, and branded resources.
• Develop original concepts and production-ready designs that meet objectives, audience needs, brand standards, accessibility requirements, and technical specifications.
• Prepare, proof, package, and release files for print and digital distribution, coordinating with printers and vendors on specifications, estimates, proofs, quality, and delivery.
• Create and adapt digital assets for websites, email, social media, advertising, presentations, and owned or paid channels.
• Provide backup multimedia production support, including basic video, motion, audio, image, compression, captioning, and publishing-ready assets.
• Operate cameras, lighting, microphones, and related equipment to support storytelling, events, interviews, and content needs.
• Maintain organized files, templates, multimedia assets, and archives for efficient updates, reuse, and team access.

Supervision and Talent Development

• Provide leadership and direction for all multimedia functions through direct supervision of the Multimedia Designer.
• Recruit, oversee, and advance creative talent, including staff, contractors, vendors, and other creative professionals as assigned.
• Build a collaborative, accountable, high-performing creative culture that supports professional growth, design excellence, and innovation.
• Motivate strong performance through shared goals, clear expectations, timely communication, and constructive feedback.

Other Responsibilities

• Expand skills and knowledge of communications, design, technology, and the philanthropic sector by attending relevant meetings, workshops, seminars, and conferences.
• Serve as a knowledgeable and collaborative representative of HCF in the community.
• Partner collaboratively with other staff members to ensure effective outcomes.
• Deliver excellent service to internal and external clients and exceed HCF's service standards whenever possible.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Position Qualifications

HCF believes in ensuring that our team members are capable of thriving in their positions. Accordingly, the Creative Director must possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and education:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, Fine Arts, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience required.
• Demonstrated experience developing creative strategies, leading multidisciplinary creative teams, and managing creative projects from concept through delivery required.
• 10+ years of professional design experience, including 5+ years in a senior or lead creative role.
• 4+ years of experience managing staff and/or contractors.
• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and digital design tools.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating brand leadership, high-impact multi-platform design, and personal execution of complex, high-visibility projects across print and digital channels.
• Advanced print design and production experience, including prepress, proofing, color management, vendor coordination, and preparation of press-ready files.
• Working proficiency in multimedia production tools and techniques, including video editing, motion graphics, audio editing, image retouching, captioning, digital asset optimization, and backup production support.
• Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects, or comparable video and motion-design applications.
• Working knowledge of photography, videography, lighting, audio capture, and multimedia production equipment.
• Experience managing creative production workflows, budgets, and external partners.
• Deep understanding of inclusive design, accessibility, and audience-centered storytelling.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience with email marketing platforms, content management systems, and SharePoint Online websites.
• Experience managing website redesigns, ongoing site enhancements, content governance, and maintenance.
• Experience communicating interactive ideas in-browser with front-end reference code, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Experience integrating digital and non-digital communications practices and tools to support a seamless user experience across platforms.
• Solid foundation in typography, layout, graphic design, copywriting, creative strategy, and design thinking.
• Excellent visual, written, and oral communication skills and strong aesthetic judgment.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with government officials, business and nonprofit leaders, donors, community partners, vendors, and other constituents.
• Ability to exercise discretion with sensitive or confidential information related to clients, donors, relationships, and funds.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, timelines, budgets, expectations, progress updates, problem-solving, and deadlines.
• Ability to receive direction effectively and work both collaboratively and autonomously.

Alignment to Culture and Values

• Thorough knowledge, sensitivity, and understanding of the history and complexities of Hawai'i's multicultural community, as well as current events and social issues.
• Demonstrated passion for the betterment of Hawai'i and its people.
• Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative and flexible organization, with appreciation and respect for colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives and enthusiasm to continually shift and evolve to meet the needs of the community, clients, and donors.

Work Environment, Physical and Mental Demands

• Works under regular in-office conditions with the ability to work remotely.
• General office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with flexible hours as needed to handle priority items and/or manage events.
• Required to travel as needed.
• Ability to multitask, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines, often within tight time frames.
• Ability to operate general office and multimedia production equipment, including a computer, copier, printers, cameras, lighting, microphones, and related accessories.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds of general office or production materials and equipment.