Assistant Director of Design & Branding

Department: Univ Athletics-Media Svcs
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Target hiring range for this position will be between $55,000-$56,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Design and Branding serves an integral role in the ideation and creation of the department's visual and creative outputs. Reporting to the Director of Creative Production, this position will work closely with all members of the External Affairs Department to develop and implement a consistent graphic identity and messaging across platforms and teams in alignment with Northwestern University and athletic design standards. This position will be responsible for creating collateral, photos, digital graphics, web and social media content.

*Willingness and ability to work a non-traditional schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays as required. *

Specific Responsibilities:

• Execute and implement a consistent graphic identity and messaging across social and digital channels in support of marketing and communication initiatives.
• Develop and manage brand strategy and provide creative concepts and designs for various campaigns
• Responsible for the creation of innovative and on-brand visual solutions for web, email, social media, print, video, in venue and all other digital efforts.
• Manage department photography efforts
• Responsible for ideation and creation of advertising for all appropriate mediums (print, digital, outdoor, transit, other) under the guidance of the Associate Athletic Director of External Affairs while maintaining the look and brand identity developed by the design and branding group.
• Assist in the creative used for email marketing campaigns for football, men's basketball and select sport properties.
• Assist with special promotional events and special creative projects, as assigned by the Associate Athletic Director of External Affairs and Associate Athletic Director for Communications
• Supervise and recruit design interns
• Responsible for adhering to all Department and University policies and procedures, as well as the rules, regulations, bylaws and interpretations of the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA.
• Responsible for adhering to all Department and University continuing education initiatives and required certifications and trainings.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Two years of relative experience in advertising, marketing, graphic design, content creation, public relations or other similarly related field.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Proven track record of delivering success in the areas of graphic and web design, content creation and photography
• High-level of proficiency in design, web and multimedia software and applications: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
• Working experience with graphic design and photography
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively across all teams.
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Professional verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work in dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Ability to handle multiple tasks at once and meet deadlines
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and effectively interact with diverse populations.
• Ability to establish engaging relationships within and across racialized and other marginalized communities

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of rules and regulations of the NCAA, Big Ten Conference and Northwestern University preferred

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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