Creative Director

The Step Up Studios Creative Director serves as the artistic and creative lead for Step Up Studios, guiding creative vision and original production while creating authentic, work-based learning opportunities for students. Responsibilities Act as the artistic and creative lead for Step Up Studios. Establish and advance Step Up Studios’ creative vision and artistic direction in collaboration with the Step Up Studios Manager. Personally participate in design and creation of original artwork, products, concepts, and creative projects. Develop original designs that can be adapted across Step Up Studios’ production capabilities. Create seasonal, organizational, community-based, special-event, and customer-specific product collections . Develop customized and commissioned artwork and products for ASUA programs , families, community partners, businesses, and customers. Identify artistic trends and opportunities to inform future Step Up Studios products and services. Research and introduce new artistic mediums, techniques, technologies, and creative processes . Create prototypes and test new products prior to regular studio production. Maintain high standards for creativity, originality, presentation, and artistic quality . Balance creative work with production feasibility, cost, customer needs, student participation, and sustainability . Develop and maintain standardized procedures for artistic and creative production, including repeatable student and staff workflows. Create visual instructions, templates, samples, and production guides to support consistent implementation. Establish procedures for artwork development, approval, revisions, production preparation, and final review. Maintain organized digital and physical libraries of artwork, designs, templates, fonts, graphics, product specifications, and approved creative assets. Develop artistic quality-control standards for Step Up Studios products. Ensure safe and appropriate organization, storage, and use of art supplies, materials, works in progress, samples, and completed products. Collaborate with the Step Up Studios Manager to integrate creative processes into overall production schedules and workflows. Lead creative development of new Step Up Studios products and artistic offerings. Continually identify opportunities to expand ASUA’s creative and artistic offerings through Step Up Studios. Develop new product lines aligned with student capabilities, customer demand, organizational opportunities, and the mission of the Bridge Program. Explore opportunities to expand into new creative mediums and production methods, including integrating original student artwork into Step Up Studios products. Explore opportunities for student and studio artwork to be displayed, marketed, commissioned, exhibited, or sold. Develop creative concepts for merchandise, promotional materials, gifts, signage, events, and other organizational needs. Identify opportunities for art shows, markets, pop-up events, exhibitions, community projects, and other public-facing creative experiences. Recommend equipment, technology, materials, professional development, and resources needed to expand creative capabilities. Collaborate with the Step Up Studios Manager on feasibility, pricing, production requirements, and sustainability of new offerings. Create authentic work-based learning opportunities through art, design, and creative production. Train and support students in artistic processes, design, production, quality control, organization, packaging, and other studio responsibilities. Break complex creative processes into structured vocational tasks that enable meaningful student participation. Identify student strengths, interests, talents, and potential employment pathways. Support students in developing artistic portfolios or work samples when appropriate. Model professional expectations related to creativity, communication, organization, deadlines, quality, teamwork, and responding to feedback. Provide ongoing coaching, modeling, instruction, and feedback for students involved in studio operations. Promote increasing student independence within creative and production tasks. Collaborate with educational, behavioral, and clinical staff to align creative work with transition goals and individualized student programming. Support development of workplace stamina, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, task completion, self-advocacy, flexibility, and attention to quality. Participate in artwork and product creation, including preparing artwork, designs, and digital files for production. Ensure artwork is appropriately formatted and prepared for the equipment or production method being utilized. Review products for design accuracy, consistency, appearance, and overall quality, and troubleshoot artistic and production issues. Support studio production during periods of increased demand. Assist with inventory management and purchasing of artistic supplies, materials, and specialized equipment. Collaborate with the Step Up Studios Manager to identify opportunities to expand visibility and reach. Develop concepts and materials that support marketing and promotion, including assisting with product photography, displays, catalogs, and promotional materials. Explore partnerships with artists, businesses, schools, and community organizations, including identifying opportunities for commissioned and collaborative projects. Participate in community events, markets, exhibitions, and opportunities to showcase Step Up Studios and student work. Represent ASUA and Step Up Studios professionally with customers, artists, vendors, businesses, and community stakeholders. Report directly to and work collaboratively with the Step Up Studios Manager, providing creative expertise and recommendations for continued development. Collaborate with the Senior Director of Bridge Programming regarding artistic and vocational opportunities for students. Work with Job Coaches, Instructional Assistants, teachers, behavior staff, clinical staff, and other Bridge Program team members. Provide training and guidance to staff supporting students in artistic and creative production activities. Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and transition planning discussions as requested. Serve as a creative resource to other ASUA departments and programs, and support additional creative, vocational, and entrepreneurial opportunities within the Bridge Program. Participate in program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts. Maintain accurate records, including documentation related to student participation, commissioned projects, customer designs, product development, and creative initiatives. Provide regular updates to the Step Up Studios Manager regarding current projects, new product development, opportunities, resource needs, and recommended expansion. Complete additional duties as assigned by the Step Up Studios Manager or other appropriate administrator. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Art Education, Illustration, Visual Communications, Product Design, or a related field; significant professional artistic experience may be considered in lieu of a specific degree. Demonstrated artistic ability and experience creating original artwork, designs, products, or creative projects. Experience utilizing a variety of artistic mediums, techniques, and creative production processes. Experience with graphic design and/or digital art platforms . Ability to move concepts from initial idea through design, prototype, production, and finished product. Ability to translate artistic processes into organized, repeatable procedures. Strong organizational skills to manage multiple creative projects and deadlines. Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work directly with students with autism and other developmental disabilities. Ability to teach, model, and break creative and production processes into structured steps. Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record. Technologies Glowforge technology 3D printing Adobe Creative Suite Canva Procreate Benefits Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Preferred qualifications Experience working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Experience in art education, vocational programming, transition programming, or supported employment. Experience with screen printing, embroidery, Glowforge technology, 3D printing, heat presses, sublimation, photography, painting, illustration, digital design, or other creative production methods. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Procreate, or similar creative platforms. Experience developing products for retail, e-commerce, markets, exhibitions, commissioned work, or commercial production. Experience managing or working within an art studio, maker space, creative business, or production studio. Experience developing standardized artistic or production procedures. Experience mentoring students, emerging artists, or employees in creative environments. Physical requirements Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift materials and equipment throughout the workday. Ability to lift and transport materials and products weighing up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation. Ability to operate production equipment and use hand and power tools safely. Ability to travel between ASUA locations and community-based work sites. Ability to perform duties in manufacturing, workshop, educational, and community environments. Ability to work with individuals with disabilities who may have physically or verbally aggressive behaviors or who may need significant assistance cognitively or physically during activities. Work environment Works within educational, art studio, maker, manufacturing, production, retail, and community-based environments. May operate or work around screen-printing equipment, embroidery machines, Glowforge equipment, 3D printers, heat presses, cutting tools, art materials, inks, adhesives, packaging equipment, computers, and digital design technology. May include exposure to noise, dust, odors, inks, paints, adhesives, packaging materials, manufacturing supplies, and varying temperatures. Requires creativity, initiative, flexibility, physical stamina, and attention to detail, with transitions between independent work, student instruction, collaborative projects, customer needs, and hands-on production. Step Up Studios serves students with autism and other developmental disabilities who may have significant behavioral, sensory, communication, and support needs. Work environment may at times be loud, active, unpredictable, or disruptive, including incidents that may spill or damage supplies, materials, equipment, works in progress, or finished products. Creative Director must demonstrate flexibility, patience, professionalism, and respond appropriately by following behavioral and safety protocols while maintaining a supportive learning environment. Mission alignment Supports ASUA’s mission by creating innovative and authentic opportunities for students to experience the intersection of art, creativity, employment, entrepreneurship, and community participation. Helps students identify strengths and interests, develop pride and ownership in meaningful products, build transferable employment skills, and view creativity as a potential pathway toward future employment and greater independence. Supports Step Up Studios’ mission of promoting independence, employability, entrepreneurship, community participation, and successful adult outcomes. Compensation Pay: $50,000.00 per year Location and schedule Jenkintown, PA Onsite role #J-18808-Ljbffr