Job Opening: Art Director

The RW Jones Agency is seeking an innovative and visionary Art Director to join our higher education strategic communications, marketing, and branding agency. The Art Director will spearhead visual strategy and creative execution for branding projects, manage the visual elements of client marketing initiatives, and contribute to the agency’s marketing and business development efforts. 

The ideal candidate will be an agile and persuasive creative leader who is passionate about blending art with strategy — and who is fearless when it comes to building brands with purpose. Working with higher education institutions and associations, the ideal candidate will understand the relationship between research, strategy and creative execution, and will have experience building creative platforms and visual identity systems that elevate reputation and raise awareness. 

Furthermore, we’re looking for a tested relationship builder who understands the power of socialization and communication to produce better creative work and marketing outcomes. 

Key Responsibilities:

• As the Agency’s chief visual creative, lead the visual components of the immersion, strategy and creative development phases for client branding projects, ensuring they align with client objectives and agency standards.
• Ideate and execute creative platforms for clients that are on-time, on-strategy, and in-line with client expectations. 
• Develop visual identity systems (logo, color, typography, visuals) and conceptualize the brand architecture frameworks necessary for success. 
• Direct and shape the visual aspects of marketing campaigns for a diverse clientele within the higher education sector.
• Oversee and mentor a talented team of graphic designers and other creative staff to produce high-quality work that resonates with target audiences.
• Collaborate with the strategy and research teams to incorporate creative insights into marketing proposals and campaigns.
• Actively participate in client meetings, presenting creative concepts and solutions that enhance client institution’s brand and marketing goals.
• Manage the creative process from concept to completion, ensuring all work is on schedule and within budget.
• Drive the agency’s marketing efforts, including the creation of marketing materials, digital content, and brand assets.
• Develop and refine proposals for potential clients, illustrating the agency’s creative capabilities and value proposition.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices in higher education marketing to continually improve the agency’s creative output.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Marketing, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in creative roles of increasing responsibility, preferably within a marketing agency environment. 
• Proven ability to develop successful creative concepts.
• Proven experience developing creative concepts into evolved creative platforms — and the ability to talk through the research and strategy that fed their creative development. 
• Experience building and reimagining visual identity systems — preferably within higher education.  
• Experience creating and reimagining brand guidelines and brand architecture systems — preferably within higher education. 
• Experience designing for the Web — and an understanding of Web accessibility and compliance with ADA standards. 
• A strong portfolio showcasing a breadth of creative work across various media.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and direct a creative team.
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) and familiarity with the latest design trends.
• Knowledge and skill working within project management systems to manage workload and resourcing. 
• Strategic thinker with a clear understanding of brand development and multichannel marketing strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with a sharp attention to detail.
• Strong presentation skills, with a persuasive ability to sell creative vision to clients and stakeholders.

What We Offer: 

• A collaborative and supportive environment in a specialized agency dedicated to higher education.
• The opportunity to work with leading educational institutions and make a tangible impact on their growth and success.
• A competitive salary, commensurate with experience and skills. The range for this position is $90,000 to $120,000/year.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision insurance, and retirement savings plans.
• Opportunities for professional development and creative growth.

How To Get Started:

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a resume, cover letter, and a link to their portfolio showcasing relevant work to Victoria Kovalchuk at victoriak@rwjonesagency.com. We look forward to discovering how your creativity, expertise, and passion for higher education can contribute to our dynamic team.