Title: Assistant Director of Creative Services

Position Type: Staff Full-Time

Days Per Week: Monday -  Friday

Hours Per Week: 40

VP Area: University Communications

Department: Marketing Communications

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Creative Services leads the execution of high-impact design projects that advance the university’s branding and marketing goals. This position collaborates with key departments such as Admissions, Advancement, Student Life and Academic Affairs to develop strategic visual communications across print and digital platforms. The Assistant Director manages projects from concept to completion and contributes to creative leadership within projects, ensuring brand consistency and high-quality execution.

Benefits of Working at Elon

As an Elon University employee, you’ll join an internationally acclaimed university with a commitment to fostering a thriving community. Ranked among the most innovative, creative and best-run universities in the nation, Elon’s personal approach to education extends to employees, whose growth, professional development and success is a hallmark of our training and advancement opportunities.

Elon University’s home is the charming town of Elon, North Carolina, a small, friendly community located a short distance from the beach and the mountains, and among the vibrant cities of Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham. In addition to the beautiful canopy of historic oak trees iconic to our campus, you’ll find boundless opportunities for family-friendly recreation, cultural events and outdoor activities. Hiking, water sports, fine dining and entertainment are just a few of the many happenings in the Elon area, making the region one of the nation’s premier travel destinations.

Employees at Elon enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes:

28 annual days off, including holidays and vacation.

Immediate tuition remission for undergraduate courses

Tuition remission for approved graduate-level courses after 12 months of employment.

Retirement plan with an 8 percent contribution from the university.

Immediate eligibility for health, dental and vision insurance, along with free acute care and lab services at our onsite Health & Wellness Clinic.

Free use of campus fitness facilities.

Free admission to musical and theater performances, guest speakers, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, entertainment and our Division I Phoenix athletics.

Eligibility for tuition remission at Elon for spouses, qualifying domestic partners and dependents begins at two years of service. After two years of employment, eligibility begins for participation in the Tuition Exchange, a national scholarship exchange program that enables dependents to enroll in nationally recognized partner colleges and universities.

Elon values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives of our community members. As an equal opportunity employer, Elon’s principles of diversity extend to race and gender identity, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and other aspects of one’s identity. At Elon, our employees respect human differences, passion for lifelong learning, emphasis on personal integrity and an ethic of service.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Art, Visual Communication or associated field is required. Minimum five years of professional experience in graphic design, with demonstrated ability to manage projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Experience in higher education, an in-house marketing team or a creative agency preferred. A strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual and production skills across platforms is required.

Preferred Education and Experience

Master’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Art, Visual Communication or related field. Strength of candidate’s Portfolio might be used as substitute of education to assess appropriate skill mastery and esthetic qualities.

Job Duties

• Creative Strategy and Execution 
  • Lead the conceptualization and implementation of design solutions that support marketing goals across print and digital media. 
  • Guide projects through their full lifecycle, ensuring accuracy, quality and alignment with university messaging. 
  • Develop and maintain creative systems for university sub-brands under the larger institutional brand. 
  • Produce core marketing collateral such as alumni magazine layouts, recruitment materials, brochures, direct mail pieces and campaign materials. 
  • Create engaging digital content including web graphics, digital ads, infographics, landing pages, motion graphics and social media visuals. 
  • Partner with internal clients to define project goals, audience insights and key messaging. 
• Strategic Planning & Leadership 
  • Support creative direction for integrated marketing campaigns, contributing ideas and visual strategies in collaboration with senior staff. 
  • Attend project meetings to ensure clarity on timelines, deliverables and brand alignment. 
  • Provide creative direction and coordination for campus photo and video shoots. 
  • Present design concepts and rationale to stakeholders and contribute to broader marketing strategy discussions. 
  • Mentor student workers as needed and provide occasional guidance on design standards to other members of the staff. 

Special Instructions to Applicants: The Assistant Director of Creative Services creates inclusive and inspiring materials that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the Elon community. Success in this role is measured by the effectiveness of design solutions, alignment with strategic communication goals and adherence to the university’s visual identity standards. While this role contributes to broader campaign planning, it is primarily focused on delivering high-quality creative work and serving as a key design collaborator across the university. The position offers opportunities for professional development, including participation in design workshops and training programs to stay current with industry best practices.