Director of Creative Design

Position Function:

The principal purpose of this position is to create and/or provide direction on all Mississippi State Athletic graphic design functions. These functions include but are not limited to: creative direction, design of yearly campaigns, use of color, execution of typography, execution of sport specific “Style Guides”, file and asset management (related to graphic design), etc.

Salary Grade: 14

Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assist and support the Assistant Athletic Director of Creative Strategy in the visual execution of the overall brand and messaging of Mississippi State Athletics.
2. Organize, oversee, and implement all phases of the design production process. Such tasks include providing production schedules, art direction and design, photography input and styling, facility design direction, print coordination, pre-press production, four-color proofing, and on-press supervision or press checks.
3. Provide creative direction and leadership for a design team made of 2-4 full-time staffers and the student intern program.
4. Lead the design production for the Athletic Department’s website (HailState.com), email marketing templates, social media channels, and other digital platforms.
5. Foster an innovative and creative environment that is responsive to our Department and University needs while ensuring that brand identity standards and brand personality are reflected in all Department communications.
6. Work with various department units to ideate, design, and oversee the design of content that supports recruiting, fan experience, ticket sales, Bulldog Athlete Services, Bulldog Club and special events
7. Design and produce high-quality marketing pieces that communicate a strategic department and university message to a broad audience in many different media formats (such as in-venue videoboard content, logos, stationary, brochures, direct mail solicitations, print ads, posters, newsletters, mailers, e-mail campaigns, etc.).
8. Assist the creative video team with story board designs and treatment of typography and logos.
9. Collaborate with Communications team members to achieve consistency in creative direction and design of external publications for departments. This also includes working effectively with coaches to translate their vision or need into an appropriate design that meets their marketing goal.
10. Successfully manage multiple projects concurrently, while meeting project deadlines.
11. Performs related duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibility:
Oversee the creative design team made of 2-4 full-time staffers and the student intern program.

The above essential duties are representative of major duties in this position. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job. Not all of the duties may be assigned to a position.

Minimum Qualifications:

- Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts or Graphic Design
- Experience: 3 yrs

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of graphic design.
• Knowledge in project management, layout, design, typography and file organization.
• Knowledge of graphic layout and photographic requirements and procedures.
• Knowledge of Athletics preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to create and produce graphic materials using a range of media, methods, techniques, and equipment.
• Ability to analyze graphic and technical information and create interpretive illustrations.
• Ability to keep up-to-date on new trends and innovative approaches in industry software use and design practices.
• Ability to meet stringent deadlines and work outside normal working hours, including nights and weekends when required.
• Skills in the utilization of specified computerized graphic design programs, i.e., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Office.
• Skills in the utilization of After Effects, Dimension, Lightroom and a basic understanding of web content and design are preferred.
• Knowledge of printing procedures and requirements.
• Knowledge of printing and/or reproduction processes and techniques.
• Ability to analyze and interpret user graphic requirements.
• Ability to develop print and/or reproduction specifications.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• No unusual physical requirements. Requires limited lifting of files and records and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
• Frequent- External imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position; involves conflict-resolution or similar interactions involving emotional issues or stress on a regular basis.
• Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands.

Instructions for Applying:

Please apply online and submit a resume and cover letter.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or [email protected].

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or [email protected]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.