Creative Director

Department

ADV Communications

About the Department

The Advancement Office engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. Advancement raises $600 Million annually to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.

The Communications team works with Advancement partners to shape and brand communications to engage, steward, and inform alumni, donors, and friends of the University of Chicago. The design team, which supports this group, utilizes communications and design best practices to shape impressions for signature events and other programming that supports Advancement philanthropic goals and strengthens the University’s identity in the world.

Job Summary

The Creative Director serves as chief design officer for Advancement, providing creative leadership and brand stewardship for major institutional initiatives, campaigns, and communications. This role leads and provides expertise to the development of programs in a wide range of design projects. Develops design standards and concepts for University advertising and communications materials. Completes assignments and facilitates the work activities of others.

Responsibilities

• Elevates institutional storytelling and brand identity across channels, championing bold, cohesive, and consistent creative work that inspires philanthropy and deepens relationships with alumni, donors, and friends of the institution.
• Translates fundraising strategies into emotionally resonant and visually cohesive narratives that motivate giving and build lasting engagement.
• Serves as a brand steward and thought partner to Advancement leaders, offering creative insight that enhances communication impact.
• Provides high-level creative input on concept development, messaging, and design execution across print, digital, video, and event experiences.
• Works collaboratively with Advancement and University partners, freelancers, and external partners, to translate strategic objectives into compelling creative concepts that align with the brand’s visual and verbal identity.
• Designs, conceptualizes and creates complex graphic artwork, such as charts, graphs, and illustrations, for various publications, gift proposals, and donor stewardship materials.
• Ensures consistency and impact of brand assets aligned with University strategy.
• Oversees the development and evolution of brand guidelines as appropriate; ensures creative assets reflect current standards and innovations.
• Stays informed about best practices in fundraising communications and creative storytelling for donor audiences and attuned to trends in design, culture, and communications to inform and inspire creative strategy.
• Leads, mentors, and inspires a team of design professionals, fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment that encourages creativity, professional growth, and accountability.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Designs, conceptualizes and creates complex graphic artwork, such as charts, graphs, and illustrations, for various publications, advertising materials and/or customers by hand or using a computer. Prepares final layouts for print.
• Coordinates production support with outside vendors. Negotiates contracts with vendors.
• Ensures that graphic projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the user's satisfaction.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum seven years of professional experience in creative leadership, preferably in higher education.
• Background with data analysis and communicating complex topics to non-technical people.
• Managing cross-team projects.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to Advancement, incl