POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director of Creative Services
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1735
GRADE 46
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Vice President for Marketing and Communications
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director of Creative Services is the in-house, marketing agency leader guiding and managing the multimedia design, marketing, copywriting/editorial, and photography teams in the production of engaging, creative solutions and inspiring marketing resources and materials for Missouri State University, its colleges, schools, department, and partners.
The Director of Creative Services is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing a total publications program for the University, establishing and maintaining a standard of excellence both in the copy and design of all print publications produced by the office, and coordinating in the design and content of select electronic publications. The Director of Creative Services assesses the publications needs of the University, establishes priorities, and coordinates the necessary steps for production. The Director of Creative Services works closely with university clients to ensure the satisfactory completion of publications.
The Director of Creative Services is responsible for the Missouri State University brand including oversight and enforcement of brand standards.
The Director of Creative Services is responsible for visually illustrating campus life, overseeing the production of multi-media presentations for promotional use by the University. The Director of Creative Services manages standard photographic services for the university community including still photography, printing for web, social media, and publication uses while maintaining a library of photographic images for use in promotional publications and displays.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Art, Graphic Arts, or related area is required. A Master's degree is preferred.
Experience: At least five years of experience in a progressively responsible editorial, design, or publication capacity is required. At least three years of supervisory experience is required. Experience in a university setting is preferred.
Skills: Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud suite, Microsoft Campus, Photoshop, digital asset management systems, and project management systems is required. Strategic marketing skills with a focus on integrated marketing, creative direction, and branding is required. Critical and creative ability in multimedia design as it applies to the production of printed materials and knowledge of the production steps necessary in the development of a publication are required. An understanding of printing techniques and costs is required. Managerial skills and tact needed in dealing with clients are required. Strong verbal and written communication skills are required. Organizational and planning skills are required. Must be highly skilled in the use of the English language. Must be motivated to continually read and gather new information in terms of design trends and software advances. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. Proofreading and editorial skills are preferred.
Effort: This position requires the ability to work at a computer/workstation the majority of the day.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Engenders an environment of creativity and strategic, critical thinking.
2. Produces University publications as assigned to meet the communications objectives of the project by developing strategies, tactics, and plans for University publications.
3. Serves as a strategic partner with the University Foundation and Admissions in the creation of materials that drive fundraising and enrollment.
4. Manages and coordinates the production of all projects accepted by the office, within the specified budget of the client, by making appropriate project assignments to the Creative Services staff according to criteria such as talent, skill level, and expertise in production, establishing a workable production schedule ensuring that deadlines are met, and exercising supervision of the professional full‑time staff as well as part‑time student employees.
5. Develops an effective staff of professional and student employees by hiring qualified applicants, training staff in the operation of the department, scheduling student work hours, supervising work activities as needed, and evaluating their performance.
6. Ensures effective and efficient working relationships with clients from various University departments by conducting initial job request interviews, developing design briefs, providing accurate estimates of the total costs of printing projects, developing copy and production schedules, directing photo shoots, presenting final proofs as each job dictates, seeking client approval at all stages of development, and facilitating resolution when disagreements in opinion occur.
7. Ensures consistent use of the University seal, logos, and brand structure by establishing standards and guides and enforcing compliance with the standards through granting approval for official production only to those University departments/units and licensed vendors which comply with the standard.
8. Ensures accuracy and consistency in all University publications produced by the office by establishing standards for writing style, copy development, and design and encouraging other departments throughout the University to comply with the same standards and guidelines.
9. Facilitates the completion of printing jobs, whether done on-campus or off-campus, by working closely with the Manager, Printing and Postal Services and the Office of Procurement Services to ensure that support services and related services are completed within project deadlines and in seeking bids from vendors.
10. Maintains an electronic database of current and past University print publications.
11. Facilitates photographs of a variety of events, including sporting events, faculty and staff, campus and landscape scenes, campus activities, art objects, buildings, individuals, groups, and other items deemed necessary to the University.
12. Partners with Video Marketing to create integrated photographic and video productions to meet client requests and University needs.
13. Cooperates as an active partner with professionals in other areas of Marketing and Communications, including Strategic Communication, Web Strategy and Development along with Athletics Communications to meet their photographic and video needs by consulting with the individual departments regarding specific photographic needs, planning strategies to meet those needs, and producing the photographs, either from internal or external sources, that meet the projects’ needs.
14. Ensures the office continues to provide essential photographic services to the University and its departments by prioritizing the limited resources of the department to determine the manpower and resources needed for each request for service and determining if the service requested is within the University’s best interest and/or that of the department.
15. Assists in promoting a positive image of the University and its departments by serving as the caretaker and coordinator of the University photographic displays and loaning them to departments on request.
16. Ensures convenient access and retrieval of photographic files by developing systems and procedures for maintaining the files of the department, including researching, deploying, and managing a digital management system, maintaining a conscious effort to protect the right to privacy by not displaying images not suitable for campus use, and maintaining a web presence and maintaining the office web pages which include office information, ordering information, all forms required for communication, images for browsing and purchasing, and developing training for staff and users of the web site.
17. Manages funds by planning, developing, and controlling the departmental budget, negotiates purchases of photographic and computer equipment, and maintains and oversees the office inventory.
18. Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
19. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training, courses, and workshops.
20. Contributes to the overall success of the Division of Marketing and Communications by completing special projects and performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
SUPERVISION
The Director of Creative Services is supervised by the Vice President for Marketing and Communications and supervises full‑ and part-time staff members and student employees.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED MARCH 2021
