Assistant/Associate Director of Creative Strategy - Hybrid/Remote

Assistant/Associate Director of Creative Strategy - Hybrid/Remote

Position Overview

This role serves as a key contributor to the creative strategy and visual identity of the University of Illinois System. The incumbent develops and maintains creative assets and visual communications that support System initiatives and ensure consistent application of brand standards across multiple platforms and initiatives.

Working closely with the Director of Brand and Marketing, the Assistant/Associate Director translates the overall creative vision into high‑quality visual materials for internal and external audiences, coordinating with printers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely production and consistent quality.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development and execution of visual communication strategies that support the University of Illinois System’s communications, marketing, and public information initiatives.
• Oversee the design and production of presentation decks, campaign graphics, social media visuals, motion graphics, and video content that effectively communicate key messages.
• Ensure consistent application of brand standards and visual guidelines, providing guidance to internal partners and collaborators.
• Coordinate with communications and creative teams across Chicago, Urbana‑Champaign, and Springfield to align visual communications with System messaging and priorities.
• Manage relationships with printers, vendors, freelancers, and internal stakeholders, establishing design specifications, reviewing deliverables for quality and accuracy, and ensuring projects are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Identify and integrate emerging trends, technologies, and tools in visual communication, recommending and implementing enhancements to strengthen System communications.
• Plan and execute creative communication projects, coordinating workflows, timelines, and deliverables from concept development to final production.
• Advise senior leadership on visual communication strategies for high‑priority initiatives, developing presentation materials and communication assets for executive briefings and external engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the Assistant/Associate Director of Creative Strategy role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, graphic design, digital media, advertising, journalism, or a related field.
• Four (4) or more years of professional experience in graphic design, visual communications, marketing, or a related creative field (seven (7) or more years for the Associate Director level).

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Strong professional portfolio demonstrating experience in visual communication, multimedia design, and creative campaign development.
• Experience with project management platforms such as Airtable, Asana, Monday.com, or Basecamp.
• Print production experience and background in web, mobile, or app design.
• Previous experience working in higher education.
• Experience across diverse environments, including agency, in‑house, or client‑side work.
• Illustration, digital design, or related techniques that enhance visual storytelling and communication materials.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and related design tools such as Canva.
• Strong experience in video production and motion graphics (Premiere Pro, After Effects, or comparable platforms).
• Knowledge of brand management and visual identity systems, with the ability to ensure consistent application of brand standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for articulating design concepts and explaining visual decisions.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, managing multiple projects and stakeholder expectations simultaneously.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams, external vendors, freelancers, and institutional stakeholders.
• Understanding of accessibility standards, creative innovation, and institutional priorities within a large organization.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies such as AI‑assisted design platforms (Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, etc.) and responsible use of such tools.

Appointment Information

This full‑time academic professional position requires immediate start if selected. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Salary range: $90,000.00–$100,000.00, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Eligible benefits include health, dental, vision, life, disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as vacation, holiday and sick; and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008). For more information on accommodations, contact the System Human Resource Services, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at 217‑333‑2600 or email [email protected].

Requisition ID: 9000955
Job Category: Academic Professional
Campus Location: Chicago