Senior Director of Creative Services

Pepperdine University is seeking a dynamic and visionary Senior Director of Creative Services to lead and oversee our creative team, including design, media production (including photography and videography), and print services within the central Integrated Marketing Communications department.

The Senior Director of Creative Services will play a crucial role in shaping and enhancing the university's brand identity through compelling visual storytelling and high-quality creative outputs with the goal to increase brand awareness among local, regional, and national audiences. This position requires a strategic thinker with a passion for creativity, a keen eye for detail, intent focus on and responsiveness to effectiveness data, and strong leadership skills to manage a talented, multifaceted team.

Duties

• Strategic Leadership and Management: Lead, mentor, and manage a multidisciplinary team of designers, photographers, videographers, and print service professionals. Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages creativity and excellence, while ensuring a positive and collaborative culture that is excited about the mission of the university. Oversee the recruitment, training, and professional development of the creative team. Work closely and collaboratively with the Vice President for Integrated Marketing Communications and IMC leadership team.
• Creative Strategy and Development: Develop and execute a comprehensive creative strategy that aligns with the university's brand vision and marketing goals. Lead the creative process, supervising the team's leaders and work, and ensuring quality control. Directs the adaptation of creative elements for various marketing channels and mediums, including print, web, television, social media, out-of-home, and digital media. Collaborate with the Vice President of Integrated Marketing Communications and other stakeholders to create visually compelling branded campaigns and content. Ensure consistency and quality across all creative outputs aimed to maximize impact.
• Data Informed Decision Making and Continuous Improvement: Work closely with the IMC leadership team to assess impact of all Pepperdine University creative in the market and optimize team efforts based on data analysis provided.
• Communication and Collaboration: Work closely with other divisions and departments within the university to fully understand their creative needs and provide effective and scalable solutions. Serve as the lead point of contact for all high level creative projects, ensuring clear communication and an efficient, collaborative, and positive working relationship with all university stakeholders. Present creative concepts and campaigns to senior leadership and other high level stakeholders for approval and feedback.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required: BA/BS in Marketing, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, or related discipline. 10 years of experience in a creative leadership role, ideally within higher education, creative agency, or a similar setting. Strong organizational & collaboration skills. Demonstrated ability to motivate teams and coordinate projects effectively. Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills. Ability to
conceptualize creative solutions and lead cross-functional teams. Ability to present to university leadership. Demonstrated knowledge of new media (social and traditional) design trends. Ability to work under tight deadlines. Proficiency with Mac and PC, Google Docs, Adobe CS Suite.

Please include a link to your portfolio or examples of strategic initiatives and campaigns you’ve led or advised on, along with specific creative pieces you’ve developed. We are looking for a comprehensive view of your leadership and creative expertise.

Preferred: Master's degree. Experience leading large creative teams at a creative/ advertising agency or higher education institution. Experience with Project Management Software.

Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $135,000 - $155,000 per year

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.