Associate Creative Director, Design

Role overview

This opportunity is with a partner employer, and that company will handle applications and the rest of the hiring process. The role is based in the United States.

This is a senior creative leadership position that combines brand storytelling, design direction, and strategic marketing in the highly competitive education sector. You will help define how universities present themselves visually and emotionally to prospective students through branding, campaigns, and identity systems. The job requires both strong hands-on design ability and the confidence to lead multidisciplinary creative teams. You will shape concepts, direct production across digital, print, and video, and make sure the work supports enrollment goals. The environment is collaborative, fast-paced, and mission-driven, with a strong focus on storytelling, innovation, and measurable outcomes. This position suits a designer who thinks in systems, narratives, and audience journeys rather than single deliverables.

Key accountabilities

• Build and evolve brand identity systems and creative campaigns for institutional branding, enrollment marketing, and advancement work.
• Direct the full creative production process, including idea development, storyboarding, video direction, photo shoots, and post-production.
• Coach and support designers, art directors, and video producers while encouraging high-quality craft, teamwork, and ongoing development.
• Work closely with marketing strategists, copywriters, media teams, and client stakeholders to set creative direction and execution plans.
• Deliver creative presentations and campaign recommendations to partner institutions as a senior advisor and primary creative contact.
• Create and refine workflows, production pipelines, and team processes to improve speed, consistency, and scalability.
• Use audience insights, performance metrics, and market trends to guide creative choices and strengthen campaign performance.

What the role requires

• At least 7 years of experience in marketing or creative roles, ideally in an agency or higher education setting.
• At least 5 years of experience leading, managing, and mentoring design or creative teams.
• A bachelor’s degree in Design, Visual Communications, or a related discipline.
• A solid grasp of brand systems, visual storytelling, and higher education marketing.
• Advanced working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, along with strong design and typography skills.
• Proven experience managing video production, from concept development and shoot direction to logistics oversight.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities, especially when working with senior stakeholders and clients.
• A strategic mindset that balances creative vision with disciplined execution.
• Background in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations is considered an advantage.
• Ability to juggle several projects in a deadline-driven, fast-moving environment.

Benefits and work environment

• Remote-first flexibility, with an alternative option to work from a New York City office.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, including support for mental health.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match, plus additional equity opportunities.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, public holidays, and sick leave.
• Paid parental leave and family support programs.
• Annual stipends for education and wellness to encourage learning and well-being.
• Home office and technology support, with equipment provided.
• Access to employee assistance services, wellness resources, and subscription-based benefits.
• A culture that values inclusion, career growth, and creative development.

Application and privacy information

Applications are reviewed through an AI-assisted matching process that helps identify strong-fit candidates quickly and fairly. Shortlisted candidates are then shared with the hiring company, which handles interviews, assessments, and final hiring decisions.

Submitting an application means you agree that your personal data may be used to assess your candidacy and passed to the hiring employer. This is done under legitimate interest and pre-contractual processing principles where applicable, including GDPR-related rights such as access, correction, deletion, and objection. AI tools may support parts of the review process, including resume screening and response analysis, but human review remains part of the decision-making process.