Who You Are:
RW Jones is seeking an innovative and visionary Creative Director to join our higher education strategic communications, marketing, and branding agency. The Creative Director is responsible for shaping the overarching vision of a marketing project or brand, in partnership with a marketing and/or brand strategist. They guide the conceptual and thematic direction, setting the tone and overall goals for campaigns or projects. They will spearhead visual strategy and creative execution for projects, manage the visual elements of client marketing initiatives, and contribute to the agency’s marketing and business development efforts.
The ideal candidate will be an agile and persuasive creative leader who is passionate about blending art with strategy — and who is fearless when it comes to building brands with purpose. Working with higher education institutions and associations, the ideal candidate will understand the relationship between research, strategy and creative execution, and will have experience building creative platforms and visual identity systems that elevate reputation and raise awareness. Equally important, we seek a tested relationship builder who understands the power of socialization and communication to produce better creative work and marketing outcomes.
Here are the abilities that we seek:
- As the Agency’s chief creative lead, drive the visual components of the immersion, strategy and creative development phases for client branding projects, ensuring they align with client objectives and agency standards.
- In partnership with an agency strategist, shape the overarching vision of a brand using the data, insights and strategies created during the brand development process.
- Ideate and execute creative platforms for clients that are on-time, on-strategy, and in-line with client expectations.
- Develop visual identity systems (logo, color, typography, visuals) and conceptualize the brand architecture frameworks necessary for success.
- Direct and shape the visual aspects of marketing campaigns for a diverse clientele within the higher education sector.
- Act as art director, overseeing and mentoring a talented team of in-house and freelance graphic designers and other creative staff to produce high-quality work that resonates with target audiences.
- Act as a senior designer, contributing to the agency’s marketing efforts, including the creation of marketing materials, digital content, and brand assets.
- Collaborate with the strategy and research teams to incorporate creative insights into marketing proposals and campaigns.
- Actively participate in client meetings, presenting creative concepts and solutions that enhance client institution’s brand and marketing goals.
- Manage the creative process from concept to completion, ensuring all work is on schedule and within budget.
- Develop and refine proposals for potential clients, illustrating the agency’s creative capabilities and value proposition.
- Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices in higher education marketing to continually improve the agency’s creative output.
Who We Are:
EducationDynamics is a marketing and enrollment management company that is transforming the way students connect with the right school for them. Join our big-hearted team of higher education experts—we specialize in market research, advertising, multichannel marketing, lead generation and enrollment management for over 500 US colleges with a focus on adult online education.
EDDY is always looking for exceptionally savvy, driven individuals who are passionate about helping our partner institutions understand, engage, enroll, and retain students. Our collective passion and shared mission led to EDDY being recognized as a 2024 Great Place to Work®. Our headquarters are based in Lenexa, Kansas, but our team is expanding every day with over 280 members across the country.
What You Offer:
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Marketing, or a related field.
- A minimum of 7 years of experience in creative roles of increasing responsibility, preferably within a marketing agency environment.
- Proven ability to develop successful creative concepts.
- Proven experience developing creative concepts into evolved creative platforms and the ability to talk through the research and strategy that fed their creative development.
- Experience building and reimagining visual identity systems, preferably within higher education.
- Experience creating and reimagining brand guidelines and brand architecture systems, preferably within higher education.
- Experience designing for the Web and an understanding of Web accessibility and compliance with ADA standards.
- A strong portfolio showcasing a breadth of creative work across various media, for which candidates advancing in the process should be prepared to share with the recruiter.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and direct a creative team.
- Proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) and familiarity with the latest design trends.
- Knowledge and skill working within project management systems to manage workload and resourcing.
- Strategic thinker with a clear understanding of brand development and multichannel marketing strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with a sharp attention to detail.
- Strong presentation skills, with a persuasive ability to sell creative vision to clients and stakeholders.
What We Offer:
Our Core Values:
Working Together
We value the people we work with and genuinely enjoy the work we do together.
Working with Standards
We hold ourselves to high standards.
Driving Great Outcomes
We focus on achieving results and making a real impact.
Our Commitment to Advancement
At EDDY, we value learning and aim to provide a space for everyone to grow and share their knowledge by giving tuition reimbursements for expenses incurred through accepted universities. With this approach taken, we also recognize the hard work of our team members and promote them when these accomplishments present themselves.
Other advantages to working at EDDY include:
- Medical, dental and vision coverage
- 401K Plan
- Remote work or flexible schedules
- Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Training and growth opportunities
Physical Factors
- Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
EducationDynamics, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against applicants based upon any protected status, including but not limited to race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or domestic partner status, military or veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, gender identity or expression. EducationDynamics offers reasonable accommodations in the hiring and employment process for individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance in the application or hiring process to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time.