Manager of Design and Creative Services

About Oakton Community College :

For 50 years, Oakton Community College has been the setting where thousands begin or continue their college or career studies. Educating people of all ages, from all walks of life and from more than 40 nations, Oakton focuses on improving the quality of life for everyone who enters its doors.

We offer:

Continuing education
Great benefits
Paid winter break
FRIDAYS OFF during the summer


Job Description:

Basic Function and Responsibility:

Under general supervision from the Director of Marketing and as a key member of the marketing, communications, and storytelling team, the Manager of Design and Creative Services will lead overall visual branding and collaborate on the design and creative services on all projects, as well as participating in the design work. This includes evaluating and providing guidance to internal
stakeholder/s needs, conceptualizing creative ideas, data visualization, managing multiple projects, leading branding efforts, and creating advanced and visually compelling designs in multiple mediums including print, web, photography and videography, presentations, social media, and post-production graphic design. The position supervises the work of the graphic designer, digital media specialist, external freelancers/vendors, and is the lead proponent of cohesive branding identity.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

• Acts as the creative manager for the department. Provide leadership and oversight to the creative team including, graphic design, digital media specialist, and student worker/s.
• Ideate, design, and implement digital-first creative solutions for integrated campaigns, including, but not limited to social, web, events, photography and videography, collateral, email, presentations, and internal communications.
• Guides and advises internal and some external stakeholders about both the creative process and client management systems to foster stronger working relationships and solutions that support the college's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values.
• Partner with marketing, web, and communications teams to ensure design and content works in harmony across print and digital channels and meets design and brand standards.
• Meets with internal stakeholders to initially determine needs, budget and deadlines; meets subsequently to discuss changes and finalize the project. Provide subject matter expertise on brand standards, visual communication design, production, and digital and print best practices.
• Lead for the digital asset management system, Bynder.
• Assign work to the team, manages overall team workload, communicate with internal stakeholders, ensure all project details are accurate from initial requests through completion within creative workflow system, In Motion Ignite.
• Provides quality graphic design control over design outputs and production of the design and creative team.
• Oversees the graphics production schedules to ensure that projects meet deadlines established by the director and client departments. Ensure projects are well-planned and delivered on time and within budget.
• Serve as College liaison to the in-house copy center and external vendors to provide project instruction (including print specifications for quotes) and print-ready digital files. Review and approve proofs. Ensure print piece meets the college's standards and delivery deadline.
• Consult and communicate with the Procurement office and as needed for quotes, bid reviews, invoice processing and payments; and Receiving/mailroom for delivery inquiries and indicia.
• Consult with outside vendors for artwork approval on promotional items.
• Stay current on external design trends and best practices; share with the team inspiring and motivational insights.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received:
Administrative supervision is received from the Director of Marketing.

Supervision Exercised:
Functional supervision is exercised over the creative


Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communication, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable skills and abilities can be obtained is required. Master's degree preferred.
• Five years of professional graphic design experience. Seven years of experience preferred.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Advanced expertise using Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign). Working knowledge of MS Office and Google Suite applications (Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Strong data visualization experience.
• Illustration expertise preferred.
• Art direction experience preferred.
• Mastery of layouts, graphic fundamentals, color, grid systems, typography and limitations of print and digital design work.
• Proven experience interpreting, applying, and consulting on brand standards.
• Knowledge of video production, motion design, and editing.
• Expert in web, digital design, and print.
• Knowledge of pre-press, print process, and AP style.
• Exceptional project management skills. Must be able to work with tight deadlines and manage various timelines. Experience with project management or creative workflow systems preferred.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Leadership skills including the ability to give and receive feedback and delegate tasks when necessary. Ability to anticipate needs and establish priorities.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Ability to independently take on tasks from inception to implementation.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues, clients, and management while communicating effectively.

Physical Demands:
Mobility to move from building to building on-Campus. Work is performed in a general office
environment and sedentary in nature. Little or no exposure to adverse working conditions.


Additional Information:

HOURS: Monday - Friday 8:15 am - 5:00 pm

SALARY: $56,586 Starting salary may change due to the completion of staff negotiations.

Oakton Community College requires all employees to adhere to a Vaccination /Testing Mandate and Mask Requirement.

Oakton Community College does not currently have a work form home policy and employees, are required to report to campus.


Application Instructions:

For further details, visit our website at www.oakton.edu and select the Employment link to view Employment Opportunities.

Please be sure to have a current resume, cover letter, and list of, at least, three (3) professional references with contact information prepared to submit with your application. One (1) of the references must be your most recent, direct supervisor.

Oakton Community College is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution, committed to employing competent, qualified individuals. Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, socioeconomic status, sex or gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation in admission to and participation in its educational programs, college activities and services, or in its employment practices.

Posted positions may be removed from the Oakton website without notice when it is determined that no additional applicants are required.