The Office of University Communications at the University of Virginia seeks an Art Director or Senior Art Director to help support its core mission of elevating the reputation of the University while promoting and strengthening its brand regionally, nationally, and internationally. Reporting to the Creative Director, the Art Director or Senior Art Director will provide design services in support of broad University priorities. They will translate strategy into clear, effective, and on-brand design approaches in both digital and print mediums. Core responsibilities will include:

• Applying design as a tool to support strategic goals.
• Working as a member of the University Communications creative team and broader University design community to ensure that all design content elevates the University of Virginia brand.
• Creating design content for digital, marketing, news and content and licensing across a range of platforms.
• Collaborating with creative professionals including photographers and videographers to provide art direction and assist in the creation of projects, campaigns, and initiatives.
• Utilizing design techniques, tools and principles, and advanced layout and typography to articulate the University's brand in fresh, effective, and accessible ways.
• Employing the University's graphic standards, techniques, methods, and style guides and developing standards for the institution, where relevant.
• Producing design enhancements that bring content to life in digital and traditional spaces.
• Working productively as part of a creative and visual team including videographers, photographers, web developers, designers and writing professionals.
• Participating in creative briefings, project meetings, design review, and staff planning
• Working with the Creative Director to ensure production tracking of day-to-day work, estimating and delivery of creative work.
• Coordinating with internal teams and external partners to ensure that all their needs are met.

The successful candidate will be conversant with current design and digital trends with experience executing advertising and marketing concepts across various print and digital platforms. They will have demonstrated understanding of page layout, typography, color theory and application of assets such as photography, illustration, and other digital graphics. They will also have experience in the creation of marketing materials that are in keeping with an established brand identity, articulate creative strategies and maintain high visual standards.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Conversant with current design and digital trends with experience executing advertising and marketing concepts across various print and digital platforms.
• Collaborative, deadline-driven, willing to take creative direction and able to manage several projects at once in a competent manner.
• A highly creative, conceptual thinker with advanced knowledge of design techniques, tools and principles including competence in graphic design software including: Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Demonstrated understanding of page layout, typography, color theory and choice/application of assets such as photography, illustration, and other digital graphics.
• Familiarity with the creative process including the development and ownership of a project from concept through final production and knowledge of pre-press and printing processes/procedures.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Multimedia capabilities such as experience designing within a Content Management System (such as Drupal), and responsive web and mobile platforms.
• Experience in simple animation using Adobe After Effects.
• User experience/interface design.
• Editorial design.
• Experience with brand development, strongly branded organizations and/or higher education.

Required Experience

• Art Director candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with 3 or more years of relevant professional experience in graphic and conceptual design for print, digital and mobile.
• Senior Art Director candidates will be distinguished from Art Director candidates based upon advanced experience, with a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience, including progressive creative achievements and leadership.
• Experience in the creation of digital and print marketing materials that are in keeping with an established brand identity, articulate creative strategies and maintain high visual standards.

Required Applicant Materials

Applicant materials include cover letter, resume and access to portfolio of materials showing examples of work, either via attachment or digital portfolio link.

Anticipated Hiring Range

$65,000 to $85,000, commensurate with experience and corresponding job profile.

This position is based in Charlottesville, VA. This is a hybrid workplace and will require in-person work.

About University Communications

It is our privilege to tell the remarkable and evolving story of the University of Virginia. We are writers, artists, strategists, communicators, and brand stewards, proudly celebrating, promoting, and publicizing UVA’s iconic reputation, accomplishments, brand, and history. Visit our website to find an overview of our latest work, an introduction to our team, and further communications resources.

About Our Creative Team

The Creative team within the Office of University Communications works as a small creative agency and consists of art directors, designers, writers, photographers, and filmmakers. The work covers a variety of disciplines, including digital + print design, branding, environmental, advertising, editorial, merchandise, social media, photography, and video production. The Creative team’s core mission is to elevate, refine, and advance the University of Virginia brand. In addition to working on institutional branding, design, and advertising for the University as a whole, the Creative team collaborates on a wide range of projects with a variety of university partners, including the President’s Office, Enrollment, Athletics, and many others. Samples of our work can be found within our online portfolio.

This position will remain open until filled. This is an Exempt level, benefited position. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. For questions about the position or the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter at das6zb@virginia.edu

How to Apply:

Applications that do not contain all of the required documents will not receive full consideration, please note that multiple documents can be uploaded in the box.

Process for External Applicants: Please apply through Workday, and search for ‘R0042807'. Complete an application online and attach a cover letter, CV/resume, and contact information for three references (name, email address, telephone number, and address).

Process for Internal UVA Applicants: Please apply through your Workday Home page, search “Find Jobs,” and search for ‘R0042807.’ Complete an application online and attach a cover letter, CV/resume, and contact information for three references (name, email address, telephone number, and address).

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor's degree
Experience: Three years experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.