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Inside Higher Ed · 6 days ago

Executive Director, Creative Design, Department of Athletics

Winston-Salem, NC

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

5+ years exp

Inside Higher Ed is seeking an Executive Director, Creative Design for Wake Forest Athletics, responsible for providing creative vision and leadership for graphic design and branding. The role involves managing the design team, overseeing various projects, and ensuring brand consistency across all media.

Digital MediaEducationHigher EducationJournalismRecruiting

No H1B

Responsibilities

Provide overall creative direction, design leadership, and visual storytelling strategy for Wake Forest Athletics across all print, digital, social, in-venue, and event platforms

Lead the execution of major Athletics and University-level design initiatives, including campaigns, institutional events, postseason branding, bowl design needs, major announcements, sport-specific branding, and strategic graphic needs

Uphold and advance Wake Forest Athletics’ brand identity, ensuring consistent application of visual standards across all units and external channels

Partner closely with Communications, Fan Experience, Creative Video, Photography, Deacon Club, Ticketing, Facilities, and Licensing to deliver integrated creative campaigns

Manage, mentor, and develop the two Assistant Directors, Creative Design, establishing clear roles, workflows, and accountability

Coordinate daily and long-range project workflows to balance volume, deadlines, and creative quality

Oversee creative collaboration with student workers, contractors, and external partners as needed

Create and enforce design processes and request systems that ensure efficiency and clarity

Weekly 'This Week at Home' assets, sport-specific game graphics, orientation and 'Wake the Demons' materials, A-frames/banners, and t-shirt/giveaway designs

Membership and ILC guides, donor collateral, event branding (alumni weekends, ILC events, BOD/AAC), major fundraising event creative, invitation mailers, Hall of Fame and Scholarship Brunch materials

Annual awards and recognition graphics, Hall of Fame/Trailblazer/Moffitt assets, memorial graphics, institutional celebration logos, and brand-strategy collaboration

Logo creation and updates, championship marks, retail/t-shirt graphics, and marketing design templates

Football/Men’s Basketball ticket collateral, parking passes, and ticket sales campaign graphics

Large-scale facility branding, postseason and event signage, maps and operational signage, and annual stadium/venue updates

Credential design, postseason/tailgate branding, event logo creation, and annual event collateral refreshes

Materials for 'We Are Wake,' 'Wake Women,' first-year traditions, student tailgate, #WFFridays, Deacs Decide, and other campus-partner events

Serve as a liaison for Athletics content creators, working closely with internal and external departments to execute campaigns, generate revenue and communicate Wake Forest’s brand and institutional messaging

Assist with shooting photography, shooting and editing video (as able) and creating graphics as needed

Work with Assistant AD of Communications & Content on weekly analytics reports and sets future goals and benchmarks

Assist fan experience, communication, Deacon Club, and ticketing staff with the execution of creative media needs in support of ticket sales, attendance, and fundraising

Provide leadership in coordination with the Assistant AD of Creative & Communications and Senior Director of Creative Media & Content Strategy and Assistant AD Creative & Communications in determining creative direction, plans, estimates & timetables for projects

Upholds Wake Forest Athletics branding guidelines & identity standards

Other duties as assigned

Qualification

Graphic DesignAdobe Creative SuiteCreative LeadershipBrandingVisual StorytellingProject ManagementCustomer ServiceCommunication SkillsTeam CollaborationProblem-Solving

Required

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Communications, or related field

At least 5+ years of progressive experience in design, branding, or creative leadership (college athletics or higher education experience preferred)

Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; After Effects preferred)

Demonstrated ability to lead creative teams and deliver high-quality, high-volume design work under tight deadlines

Advanced understanding of branding, typography, color theory, layout, and visual hierarchy

Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects

Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with communicators, videographers, photographers, administrators, coaches, and external partners

Strong storytelling capabilities with an understanding of Athletics brand voice and visual identity

Ability to work evenings, weekends, and irregular hours as required by Athletics events

Professional, optimistic, positive problem-solver

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently; ability to meet deadlines

Ability to work in high pressure situations

Knowledge of superior customer service standards and practices

Ability to work after hours and/or weekends and on-call, as specified by supervisor, and availability to travel with teams

Valid driver license with good driving record; must be insurable

Preferred

Experience within the NCAA Division I college athletics program desired

Proven success producing creative and innovative multi-media content, as well as experience in other multi-media production platforms (web sites, animation, graphic design) desired

Familiarity with digital media workflows and audio production equipment including the various uses, capabilities, applications, limitations, and costs