Associate Design Director

Job Description

Embry-Riddle: Celebrating 100 Years of Leadership in Aviation and Aerospace

As Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University marks its Centennial, we proudly celebrate 100 years of advancing the future of flight and aerospace education. With vibrant residential campuses in Daytona Beach, FL, and Prescott, AZ — and a Worldwide network spanning nearly 120 global locations — Embry-Riddle stands as the world’s largest aviation and aerospace university.

For a century, we have led innovation in STEM education, serving more than 30,000 students around the globe. Our cutting-edge programs in Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Technology, Engineering, Safety, Security, and Space empower the next generation of leaders to shape the future of flight, exploration, and discovery.

As we launch our next century, we remain committed to excellence, innovation, and preparing graduates who will transform industries and redefine what is possible.

The Opportunity

The Associate Design Director plays a key role in advancing the university’s visual communications by supporting the development and execution of high-quality creative work that aligns with institutional marketing and branding strategies. This full-time, on-site administrative and professional staff position reports to the Director of Creative and Brand Strategy and works closely with the Creative Director, within the university's Marketing department, to help guide the design direction and production of marketing materials across the university.

The Associate Design Director combines strong design expertise with leadership and operational insight. This role helps ensure that the creative vision established by the Creative Director is effectively executed across a wide range of print and digital communications. The position frequently serves as lead designer on complex or high-visibility projects and contributes hands-on design work while helping maintain the overall quality, consistency, and effectiveness of the university’s visual communications.

As a supervisor within the creative team, the Associate Design Director provides day-to-day leadership for design staff, including mentoring team members, reviewing work, and supporting professional development. The role helps foster a collaborative, creative environment while ensuring projects move forward efficiently and meet established deadlines, brand standards, and quality expectations.

The Associate Design Director also contributes to the ongoing refinement of creative team processes, procedures, and workflows in partnership with the Director of Creative and Brand Strategy and the Creative Director. This includes supporting efficient production practices and strengthening collaboration between the creative team and campus partners to ensure the successful delivery of high-impact marketing communications.

Primary Job Functions, Duties, or Accountabilities:

• Design Execution & Creative Implementation: Execute and reinforce creative direction established by the Creative Director across a wide range of projects and campaigns. Serve as a lead designer on complex projects, guiding work from concept through final production. Ensure that all creative deliverables align with established design direction, brand standards, and project objectives.
• Team Leadership & Supervision: Supervise and mentor members of the design team, providing guidance, feedback, and support for professional development. Foster a collaborative, creative, and supportive team environment.
• Project Strategy & Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with the Creative Director and campus partners to translate communication objectives into effective visual strategies. Participate in creative planning and the development of design approaches that support university priorities.
• Brand Stewardship & Quality Assurance: Ensure consistent application of brand guidelines across all creative deliverables. Contribute to the development of templates, design systems, and visual resources.
• Creative Operations, Processes & Workflow: Assist the Director of Creative and Brand Strategy in refining creative team processes, procedures, and workflow standards. Support improvements to collaboration practices and production efficiency. Identify opportunities to streamline design production and strengthen internal creative operations.

Perks Await You at Embry-Riddle!

• Health Benefits: Experience comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with wellness programs that include preventive care and fitness memberships. Our flexible spending and health savings accounts simplify managing healthcare costs. Join a workplace that prioritizes your health—because your journey to wellness should be rewarding! Buckle up for a healthier, happier you!
• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes an annual 6% gift of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution, with no vesting period.
• Generous Time Off: Generous Time Off: Relax with 18 days of personal leave in your first year. Enjoy 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

Qualifications

Required Education and Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Graphic Design, Communication, and Arts
• 5–10 years of professional experience in creative, marketing, or design roles.
• Ability to work in a complex university environment that is fast-paced, deadline-driven and collaborative.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic communication goals into effective visual design solutions.
• Ability to execute and reinforce established creative direction while maintaining a high level of design quality and consistency.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and provide constructive feedback to design staff while fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality, accurate work.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships across the university community.

Application process/requirements

To submit your application for this opportunity, please visit the Embry-Riddle Career Site and search for requisition number R311305. Please attach all relevant materials to your application when you apply online. Complete submissions include:

• Cover letter
• Full Resume
• Contact information for at least three professional references (please note that references may be contacted as part of the interview/screening process)

Current Embry-Riddle employees: Please apply directly through the ERAU Employee Hub Central application within Workday.