Creative Project Manager

UVA's Advancement Communications team is seeking a skilled Creative Project Manager to drive the planning and delivery of creative projects. The ideal candidate has a solid understanding of production processes for print, web, video, and multimedia communications. They should be adept at creating and managing project timelines that strike a balance between time for creative development and securing complex project approvals, and ensuring all deadlines are met while maintaining the highest standards in advancement communications.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Campaign Communications, this role requires excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, including writers and designers. The candidate must demonstrate a diplomatic and adaptable approach to problem-solving, providing regular updates on project progress, and addressing any emerging challenges or conflicts with a balanced approach that shows empathy, respect, and an efficient, solution-oriented mindset.

This position is full-time hybrid, with a minimum of two days in our Charlottesville office and others as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be the first point of contact for advancement colleagues requesting communications materials. Listen carefully and determine goals to shape the project and maintain its scope. Recommend resources, set production timelines and milestones, and ensure delivery of quality work.

• Review and refine current processes make them more effective. Understand and appreciate the work and workload of writers and designers, as well as the challenges inherent in creative projects.

• Provide regular updates on project progress, promptly addressing any emerging challenges or conflicts

• Analyze metrics including mailing lists, email performance, and website traffic.

• Work collaboratively to coordinate with fundraisers, event staff, outside vendors (e.g., printers) and agencies, and communicators across the University.

Required Qualifications:

• At least four years of experience with creative work and its production processes.

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral.

• Experience with project management software/platforms and the ability to review and recommend their use.

• Adaptability and professionalism.

• Skilled in helping team and partners be mutually successful by keeping projects on track.

• Strong organizational skills, including file management and archiving.

• Attention to detail.

• Creative problem-solving abilities, especially those focused on resource and time management.

• Ability to build trust and respect among colleagues and stakeholders.

• Ability to analyze and summarize information for executive review and decision-making.

Education: Bachelor's degree or relevant experience in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with higher education and advancement communications.

• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Google Analytics, and MarketingCloud.

• Previous work with in-house creative teams, as staff or vendor.

• Experience managing external agencies.

• Ability to balance the upfront work of generating creative ideas with the reality of time and resource constraints.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, University Advancement honors your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, we strive to create and maintain working environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming so we can best achieve our mission of supporting our broadly diverse partners, schools, and networks of engaged alumni, parents, and friends of the University.

This position will remain open until filled. This is an Exempt level, benefited position. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding and performance. Anticipated Hiring Range: $73k - $78k commensurate with education and experience. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. For questions about the position or the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter at das6zb@virginia.edu.

Please apply through the University job board, Careers at UVA, and search for R0061930.

Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs' or through their 'Jobs Hub'. Applicants must complete an application online with the following documents: a resume and cover letter.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor's degree

Experience: At least four years of experience. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Licensure: Project Management Institute (PMI) certification is typically possessed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician's Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.