Creative Director

The George Mason University Office of Communications and Marketing seeks a collaborative, innovative, and highly motivated individual to serve as Creative Director of the Marketing unit.

The Creative Director will lead and inspire a team that is responsible for translating marketing vision into creative strategy for the university, ensuring that all deliverables convey the university's brand profile, and supports the university's strategic plan. The ideal candidate will be responsible for fostering a collaborative environment, facilitating communication, and enhancing a culture of innovation and creativity while supporting high production volumes.

The Office of Communications and Marketing at George Mason University is responsible for telling the Mason story. Relying on a team of highly skilled communicators and marketing professionals, the department builds awareness and support for the university, develops and protects the brand and shares important and timely information with the Mason community and its external partners.

George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason's academic and culturally inclusive environment.

Responsibilities: * Ensure visual communication and brand standards are met; * Manage and cultivate the career development of staff members, including designers, art directors, copywriters, photographers and videographers; * Manage the creative process from concept to completion; leads the staff in developing creative and innovative concepts for print, photography, and multimedia deliverables; ensures that all work conforms to the high-quality standard of the unit and that all staff understands what the visual identity of the university is, how to incorporate it in each project, and how it threads through each skill unit's products and services; * Meet with clients or upper management to explain marketing campaign strategies and solutions; helps the university community better understand the visual identity of the university, what support resources are available to them, and how to use the university's marks correctly in their work; * Sets the prioritization for creative projects and communicates prioritization criteria to managers and creative staff; ensures team members understand the desired outcome, budget, schedule, milestones, and purpose of each project; * Guides team leaders on new projects and monitors ongoing work to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the unit; coordinates with leadership of other OCM units and represents Creative Service staff in the exchange of project information and deliverable needs; * Constantly monitors and oversees workflow, looking for process or procedures issues that can be improved, modified, or changed to provide the most efficient and effective framework to work within; * Mentors, leads, and challenges all teams to push their creative boundaries; ensures all staff has the direction, training, and resources to be successful; must be able to roll up sleeves and assist on any project team at any time needed to ensure successful outcomes and signs off on and stands behind all work performed by the teams of Creative Services; * Reviews and approves creative deliverables for adherence to university brand and identity standards; sets acceptable creative execution and delivery with Associate Creative Directors; * Maintains and guides the representation of George Mason University in the marketplace; must work collaboratively with stakeholders to encourage a consistent execution of visual and brand standards; * Gathers and manages production teams for special projects of the Vice President of Communications and Marketing and of the university's administration, ensuring that the team members gathered for such projects understand their roles and responsibilities while working outside their normal teams; and * Serves on various university committees to represent the interests of the Office of Communications and Marketing.

Required Qualifications: * Bachelor's or equivalent training/experience in communications, marketing, art direction or similar discipline; * Demonstrated advanced conceptual skills; and the ability to explain their concepts; * Successful background in art direction, and advanced skills in graphic design and brand identity; * Must have strong leadership skills and significant experience leading creative teams; * Organized, detail oriented, and able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment where very simple projects run side-by-side with highly complex projects; and * Must be a resourceful and collaborative team leader (and player), able to develop strong working relationships both within the team and across campus.

Preferred Qualifications: * Seven or more years' experience in field.

"For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/ ; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, portfolio, and a list of three professional references with contact information."

"Great Careers Begin at Mason!

George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report "Up and Coming" spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason's diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition."

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.