A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The role of the Creative Lead at the Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan is a comprehensive one, with significant responsibilities encompassing everything from art direction and the creation of original graphic imagery to layout design. As the only full-time designer on a small Communications & Marketing Team, the Creative Lead works in close alignment with the Director of Communications & Marketing to listen to cross-departmental client need; engage in collective concept building; visually solidify all concepts through a multi-draft process; and deliver successful multi-channel school messaging. Together, the Director of Communications & Marketing and the Creative Lead bring the roles of Editor-in-Chief and Art Director to life within an in-house communications team setting, taking projects from concept to finished product.

Successful candidates will have demonstrated success envisioning and executing creatively stunning and brand compliant collateral in an in-house, high-volume, deadline driven environment across a wide range of mediums including web; video; social media; print (brochures, books, postcards, posters); branding initiatives; storyboarding; t-shirts; bags; buttons; signage; way-finding systems; and more.

The Stamps School is a tight-knit, innovative creative community within a larger university setting — our Creative Lead is responsible for translating a variety of moods, messages, and concepts within this brand identity, demonstrating our unique position within the university, cultural sector, higher education, and the world at large.

Art Direction 35%

• Generate ideas through research/brainstorming in response to client and project needs.
• Explore/develop ideas and design themes/visual strategies around content.
• Tailor design themes/visual strategies to their respective audiences for print, web, and time-based initiatives.
• Brand management; ensure all projects are brand compliant.
• Stay current with art and design trends and industry techniques.

Multimedia Design 35%

• Implement design themes into beautifully designed print, web, and time-based projects.
• Maintain consistency in aesthetic and message across multi-tier communications.

Project management 20%

• Keep projects on target for delivery and fulfill client needs: meeting with clients to discuss art direction, contacting clients for content/photos, routing drafts, working through revisions with clients, etc.
• Prepare final files, maintain vendor relationships, and oversee proofing process.
• Order products: t-shirts, posters, buttons, pens, bags, etc.
• Provide functional supervision and art direction for part-time student designer.

Photography / Photo Processing / File Management 10%

• Conduct studio photo shoots and exhibition/studio documentation
• Color editing, organizing, and curating photos

• Bachelors degree in graphic design or a related field.
• A minimum of 8-10 years professional experience in graphic design, web design, or a related field, documented through the submission of a portfolio of relevant creative work.
• Advanced fluency with designer’s tools, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Logic Pro, and Dreamweaver.
• Experience with and passion for working on integrated, cross-channel communications plans.
• Strong interest, experience, and ability to collaborate professionally within a team setting.
• Working knowledge of photography and studio lighting.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, stay committed to projects, and meet deadlines with attention to detail.
• Experience directing the work of freelance designers and/or other temporary employees.
• Experience maintaining vendor relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, discretion and judgment in matters of a sensitive or confidential nature.

• Advanced degree in design or related field.
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of screen-printing.
• Experience working in a higher education setting a plus.
• Experience working on an in-house communications/marketing team a plus.

Supervision Exercised:

Functional supervision is exercised over a part-time student designer.

Supervised By:

Director of Communications & Marketing

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.