Assistant Director, Design Services - Print, Mail and Trademark Licensing Services - Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
About the Job
Overview
University Services provides centralized services that support the unique needs of the campus’ living, learning, teaching and research communities. The organization is guided by the University’s strategic framework and campus plans, and focuses on three core principles: service excellence, efficiency & effectiveness, and team & people.
Print, Mail & Trademark Licensing Services is one of eight departments within University Services. The department is supported by state-of-the-art equipment and a highly trained staff, and structured into three operating units: Design & Print, Campus Mail & Package Delivery, and University Trademark Licensing.
This Assistant Director for Design Services is a new, three-year term role, charged with the important task of standing up a new team within the Design & Print division. Design & Print offers comprehensive design, printing and bindery services to faculty, staff, and students in support of the University’s mission to advance learning. Projects include logos and identity systems, posters, postcards and mailers, publications, programs, presentations, promotional items, website and social media graphics, event signage, environmental graphics and wayfinding. Reporting to the director of Print, Mail & Trademark Licensing Services, the Assistant Director for Design Services will serve as the creative lead for the internal design team, setting design standards and fostering a culture of creativity within the department. The Assistant Director will lead a three-person team, including hiring for two new positions.
Keys to success will be an entrepreneurial approach and relationship building, introducing the new team and its services to a wide range of campus partners. The division will operate as a fee-for-service model and the Assistant Director will be expected to help achieve set financial goals over a three-year period. The Term appointment may be extended with prior approval assuming satisfactory performance, ongoing need and available funding. Term positions are benefits eligible.
Please note that a cover letter is required. Please also include a link to your design portfolio.
Responsibilities
Foster a Culture of Creativity and Uphold Departmental Design Standards
● Work with university academic departments and administrative units to provide creative design services to help meet their marketing and communications objectives, including: logos and identity systems, posters, postcards and mailers, publications, presentations, promotional items, website and social media graphics, event signage, environmental graphics, wayfinding and décor
● Collaborate with in-house print production team to provide holistic solutions in terms of formats, materials, printing processes and delivery/fulfilment services
● Develop design strategies that capture the diverse set of voices that make up the university and connect with a diverse set of internal audiences
● Implement and steward design processes
● Inspire creative thought, encourage aesthetic exploration and deliver exceptional conceptual products
● Expand capabilities of design team to include digital media (e.g., web and social media graphics, PowerPoint/Keynote presentations and templates)
● Serve as a creative leader and ambassador for brand uniformity across all departments and academic units; operate as a brand expert and a primary design resource campus-wide
Business Development, Departmental Leadership & Staff Supervision
● Build, lead and manage small in-house creative team
● Introduce new team and services to a wide range of academic units and administrative departments
● Apply an entrepreneurial approach to business development in order to meet/exceed financial goals for division
● Partner with in-house account services team to ensure design projects are sold properly and delivered in-process, on-strategy, on-time and on-budget
● Coordinate with campus partners providing complementary creative services (Web Development Services, AV Services, Conference and Event Services) to ensure University clients are receiving consistent and comprehensive creative support
● Coordinate with Trademark Licensing to ensure University brand standards are upheld
● Act as a design team lead by coordinating team activity and scheduling, matching team members talents to projects and managing time efficiently, prioritizing work assignments, monitoring progress, providing creative guidance/art direction; management duties include appraising design team members
● Recommend outside firms and vendors as needed, with an emphasis on developing a diverse set of strategic external partners (illustrators, photographers, animators)
Qualifications
Required Experience:
● Creative direction and management experience in advertising, publishing or marketing-related environment; experience working in a higher education or philanthropy setting is preferable
● Keen eye for photography, illustration and exceptional typography skills; great eye for detail
● Ability to translate design solutions across a variety of formats and channels, including print publications and editorial, promotional items (e.g., apparel and accessories), basic website/html/email design and content, social media, event and environmental graphics
● Proven experience working with, and promoting, a diverse set of voices and perspectives
● Ability to professionally give and receive feedback from both campus partners and team members; excellent communication skills a must
● Strong brand awareness and ability to serve as an effective brand champion; experience producing creative work as part of a branding effort
● Must be able to apply or enforce style guides creatively while upholding brand identity
● An appreciation and process for workflow
● Strong organizational and time-management skills
Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s degree in design or visual communications or equivalent experience
● Eight or more years of relevant work experience at a reputable brand, publisher, design consultancy or agency
● High level of general computer and software proficiency, with extensive experience in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere)
● Higher education experience is a plus, but not required
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Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS