Design Director

POSITION TITLE: Design Director

DIVISION: Administration

DEPARTMENT: Marketing & Communications

REPORTS TO: Vice President of Administration

PAY TYPE: Exempt

WORKER TYPE: Full-Time

UPDATED: April 2024

PAY: $75,000 - $85,000

The Design Director will develop, inspire, and guide a small but dynamic team of artists/writers in the conceptualization and execution of visually impactful web, print, and digital marketing materials that reflect the essence of KCAI and the artists who work and study at the Institute. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of design, marketing, and the arts and will love the challenge and creative freedom of promoting a premier art and design college. Candidates will have a proven track record of inspiring teams and delivering impactful and innovative creative solutions.

Essential Functional Responsibilities:

• Content Crafting and Creation: Actively participate in creating and crafting content, contributing dynamic ideas that connect with diverse audiences. Provide hands-on, creative input to ensure the highest-quality output.

• Content Strategy Management: Drive the development and management of content strategy for projects, seamlessly integrating brand design, copy, art, and digital technology to articulate and enhance KCAI's unique artistic identity.

• Collaborative Marketing: Collaborate closely with the advancement and admissions departments to formulate and execute effective marketing plans. Analyze outcomes and identify opportunities for artistic promotion within the broader strategic framework.

• Internal Campaign Development: Pioneer imaginative internal marketing and design initiatives tailored to diverse audiences, aligning departmental goals with captivating creative strategies. Elevate KCAI's profile as a trailblazer in creative education through innovative promotional efforts.

• Industry Analysis: Conduct in-depth analysis of trends in the art and design landscape. Understand audience needs and stay abreast of competitor initiatives to strategically position KCAI as a forward-thinking leader in creative education.

• Design System Development: Lead the thoughtful evolution of a comprehensive design system to maintain consistency and cohesiveness across all visual touchpoints, reinforcing KCAI's brand identity and facilitating efficient collaboration within the creative team.

• Creative Mentorship and Development: Cultivate a culture of creativity and professional growth within the creative team by providing mentorship, feedback, and opportunities for skill development. Empower team members to unleash their full potential and contribute meaningfully to KCAI's creative endeavors.

• Other duties as assigned.

Supervises the following:

• Design & Communication Team

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:

• Leadership: Proven ability to lead and inspire a diverse team of creatives.

• Creative Vision: Strong creative vision with an understanding of business objectives.

• Project Prioritization: Ability to prioritize work and resources across projects based on short- and long-term needs.

• Innovative Thinking: Conduct brainstorming sessions to develop innovative initiatives.

• Budget Management: Meet budget requirements through forecasting and managing expenses.

Required Experience/Education:

• Ten years of relevant design experience having served as a creative director in an agency or corporate setting.

• Experience in designing marketing/advertising campaigns, overseeing production within budget and timelines.

• Expertise in creating integrated content across various channels: digital, social media, paid media, mobile, offline, and print.

• Strong working knowledge in the Adobe suite with an emphasis in Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects and/or Premiere; web content management systems; Google Suite and Drive; basic knowledge of Microsoft Suite.

• Proficiency in managing a team of diverse, talented creatives.

Preferred Experience/Education:

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in design or related field.

• Previous experience as a graphic designer or production artist.

• Experience in project management, with a focus on creative direction.

Submission Materials:

• Resume

• Design Portfolio

Statement

Kansas City Art Institute is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, gender identity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. KCAI provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job application process. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need accommodation due to a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department about your interest in employment. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Kansas City Art Institute's Human Resource Administrator at hr@kcai.edu .

EOE/AA: Minorities/Females/Disabled/Vets