Art Director

Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University's 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit

University Advancement elevates UNCG's reputation, advances institutional strategy, and fosters community pride through integrated communications aligned with its public mission as a student-centered research university. The department develops and executes strategic communications and marketing initiatives that enhance visibility, engage key audiences, and convey the University's distinctive value. Working across schools, colleges, and administrative units, University Communications manages media relations, marketing campaigns, content strategy, branding, digital engagement, sponsorships, and crisis communications.

Position Summary

The Art Director is a senior creative professional responsible for leading the University's graphic design function and shaping the visual expression of the institution across print, digital, and multimedia platforms. Reporting to the Director of Marketing Strategy, this position directly supervises a team of three: two Graphic Designers and one Graphic Designer/Brand Manager. The Art Director serves as the primary steward of the University's visual brand identity, ensuring that all design work is strategically aligned, aesthetically compelling, and consistently executed. The Art Director combines hands-on creative expertise with team leadership, translating marketing strategies and institutional priorities into powerful visual communications. This role requires a collaborative, innovative thinker who can manage a dynamic production environment while inspiring a team of designers to produce their best work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communications, fine arts, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive professional experience in graphic design, with at least two (2) years in an art direction, senior design, or team leadership role.
• An exceptional portfolio demonstrating mastery of visual design across print, digital, and integrated campaign work.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop; familiarity with Premiere Pro, After Effects, or similar tools is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience managing brand identity systems and enforcing visual standards across complex organizations.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple concurrent projects and competing deadlines.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team of creative professionals.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design decisions to both creative and non-creative audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in design, visual communications, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or institutional marketing environments.
• Familiarity with web design principles, UX/UI concepts, and digital accessibility standards (WCAG).
• Experience with digital asset management (DAM) platforms and project management tools (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, or similar).
• Motion graphics, video production, or animation experience.
• Knowledge of environmental or experiential design (signage, wayfinding, event graphics).

Recruitment Range: $75,000 - $79,642

Org #-Department: University Communications - 33901

Job Open Date: 10/15/2026

Job Close Date: 11/04/2026

Open Until Filled: No

FTE: 1.000

Type of Appointment: Permanent

Number of Months per Year: 12

FLSA: Exempt

Percentage Of Time: 30%

Key Responsibility: Creative Direction & Visual Brand Leadership

Essential Tasks:

• Serve as the University's lead visual creative, setting the artistic direction for marketing, advertising, communications, and branding initiatives across all platforms and audiences.
• Develop and maintain the University's visual brand standards, including typography, color palette, iconography, photography style, and layout guidelines, in close collaboration with the Graphic Designer/Brand Manager to ensure consistent and high-quality application across all University units.
• Translate marketing strategies, campaign goals, and institutional messaging into compelling visual concepts and design solutions.
• Review and approve design work produced by the Graphic Designer team, providing clear, constructive feedback that elevates quality and reinforces brand integrity.
• Conceptualize and lead the visual development of major campaigns, publications, advertising, digital content, environmental graphics, and special projects.
• Stay current with design trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in higher education marketing and visual communications to continuously advance the University's creative standards.

Percentage Of Time: 25%

Key Responsibility: Graphic Design Production & Oversight

Essential Tasks:

• Oversee the full design production workflow, from creative brief intake and concept development through final delivery, ensuring projects are completed on time, on brand, and at the highest quality.
• Assign design projects to Graphic Designers and the Graphic Designer/Brand Manager based on workload, skill set, and project requirements, managing capacity across the team effectively.
• Contribute directly to design production on high-priority, complex, or time-sensitive projects, maintaining an active creative practice alongside leadership responsibilities.
• Ensure all design deliverables meet technical specifications for print, digital, web, and multimedia applications, including accessibility and file preparation standards.
• Manage relationships with external printers, production vendors, and creative partners, reviewing proofs and overseeing quality control for outsourced production work.

Percentage Of Time: 20%

Key Responsibility: Staff Supervision & Team Development

Essential Tasks:

• Directly supervise, mentor, and evaluate two Graphic Designers and one Graphic Designer/Brand Manager, providing ongoing creative direction, professional development support, and constructive performance feedback.
• Partner closely with the Graphic Designer/Brand Manager to ensure brand standards are consistently applied, documented, and communicated across University departments and units.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and creatively stimulating team culture where designers are encouraged to grow, experiment, and contribute ideas.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings and annual performance reviews for all direct reports, setting clear expectations and supporting individual career development goals.
• Provide training and guidance on design software, brand standards, production workflows, and University style guidelines.
• Support recruitment and onboarding of Graphic Designer and Graphic Designer/Brand Manager staff, contributing to hiring decisions and new employee orientation.

Percentage Of Time: 15%

Key Responsibility: Collaboration & Client Services

Essential Tasks:

• Partner with the Director of Marketing Strategy and broader marketing team to ensure visual design supports integrated marketing campaigns and strategic communications plans.
• Serve as a creative consultant to University departments, schools, and units, guiding internal clients through the design process from brief to final deliverable.
• Establish and communicate clear processes for design requests, project timelines, revision cycles, and approvals to manage client expectations and team workload effectively.
• Collaborate with writers, photographers, videographers, web developers, and communications staff to produce cohesive, multi-channel creative work.
• Present creative concepts and design solutions to stakeholders and leadership in a clear, persuasive manner that connects visual choices to strategic goals.

Percentage Of Time: 10%

Key Responsibility: Asset & Resource Management

Essential Tasks:

• Oversee the University's digital asset management system, ensuring design files, brand assets, templates, and image libraries are organized, current, and accessible to authorized users.
• Develop and maintain a library of branded templates, style guides, and design resources — in partnership with the Graphic Designer/Brand Manager — to support consistent, self-service design across University departments.
• Manage the design team's software licenses, equipment needs, and production resources, making recommendations for upgrades and new investments as needed.
• Track and manage design project budgets, vendor invoices, and production costs in coordination with the Director of Marketing Strategy.

Physical Effort: Vision-Skilled Trades - F, Reading - F, Writing - F, Vision-Color Distinction - F, Vision-Visual inspection, Hearing - F, Talking - F, Standing - O, Sitting - F

Work Environment: Inside - F, Outside - O