Creative Director

Academic Partnerships assists primarily regional universities in increasing their access and impact by making their academic programs available to students online. Founded in 2007, AP's mission is to expand access to high-quality, affordable, and workforce-relevant education, especially for working and adult students. AP brings single-minded dedication to student success, an integrated set of services, and data-driven performance to our collaboration with university partners.

The Creative Director will implement, activate, and steward our new brand across audiences, creating a consistent brand expression that showcases our new identity. Reporting to the VP, Brand Strategy, this role will be responsible for designing key assets for the enterprise, spearheading new creative campaigns, and ensuring brand adherence across the company.

Our ideal candidate is passionate about creating highly intuitive, beautifully crafted experiences and touchpoints that bring our new brand vision to life. You must have strong experience in print and digital, along with a range of mediums including social, integrated, and traditional media.

• Manages and executes the brand visual identity and expression across all channels.
• Maintains brand guidelines, including photo library.
• Leads design on all external templates and assets, including infographics, experiential, presentations, event materials, website, social, and thought leadership.
• Leads design of all internal templates including presentations, digital backgrounds, intranet sites, ERGs, awards, swag, and onboarding content.
• Logo design and implementation.
• Creative leader on brand campaigns.
• Manages freelancers and internal design resources as needed.
• Manages relationships with cross-functional internal stakeholders
• Manages relationships with vendors, such as for promotional products or trade show materials.
• Lead brainstorming/creative sessions to generate ideas.
• Provides Art Direction of photography and video shoots as needed.
• Monitor results of team efforts and propose actions for the future
• Other duties as assigned.

• Proven experience as a creative director or in a similar creative role
• Bachelor's degree in advertising, fine art, design or relevant field.
• 8-10+ years corporate or agency role leading creative projects
• Hand-on experience in creative process, marketing, graphic design and brand development
• Excellent working knowledge of software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.

• Proven ability to develop and lead creative for a brand and effectively communicate recommendations to executive leadership.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines at once.
• Self-starter with the ability to think beyond traditional approaches and keep evolving ideas and strategies.
• Experience working with and managing agency relationships and performance.
• A flexible person who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with last-minute changes that are typical within a business development setting.
• Excellent verbal and written communicator with critical thinking skills and the ability to collaborate across teams.
• Demonstrated ability to move seamlessly from leadership to individual contributor-level activities.
• Experience with UX/UI/Visual Design and wireframing a plus.
• Basic HTML and experience with WordPress a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Academic Partnerships is an equal-opportunity employer and committed to hiring a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Academic Partnerships is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Academic Partnerships offers the following comprehensive benefits:

• PTO - accumulated from day one
• 11 designated holidays
• Medical - four options (including PPO and HDP)
• Dental
• Vision
• Life & Disability (company paid)
• Flexible Spending Account & Health Savings Account (company contribution to HSA)
• Retirement plan with company match
• Maternity / Paternity / Parental Leave (company paid)
• Volunteer Time Off

Supplemental Benefits:

• Wellness program
• Alternative medicine options
• Pet discounts
• Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity

Personal and Professional Development:

• Continuous Professional and Leadership Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement for employees and their dependents