Executive Director of Marketing and Creative Services

40 Hours | Flexible schedule to meet department needs.

The Executive Director of Marketing and Creative Services is a college brand ambassador, responsible for managing marketing, advertising, and web efforts to enhance the growth of the institution and its programs. Supporting the Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Development, the Executive Director of Marketing and Creative Services develops an annual comprehensive marketing strategy designed to create a full-service agency approach to serving the College's marketing and promotional needs. The position collaborates with internal departments/customers, as well as vendors, and manages all phases of a project from intake to delivery. The executive director makes decisions about the approach of all design and promotional components, and provides direction to the design, writing, and online teams to ensure alignment with department and organizational goals and objectives. This position is responsible for the effective and timely development, management, and implementation of the department's advertising, marketing collateral, and campaigns, while developing and managing the department's annual budget. The position also supports the Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Development with all efforts surrounding the College brand identity and other development projects and materials.

Supervisory Relationships/Director Reports:

• Coordinator of Marketing Traffic
• Coordinator of Web Strategy
• Digital Marketing Specialist
• Digital Media Specialist
• Graphic Designer (2)
• Content Marketing Writer
• Web Content Specialist
• Duplication Center Operator

• Manage and provide direction and strategy for the following areas of marketing: advertising and design; copywriting; web and online services; copy/duplication services
• With direction from the Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Development, develop and manage the College's marketing strategy
• Manage, plan, and align creative services, including print and web design, digital media channels, photography, print production, interactive content, and mail services - for the department to serve as the central marketing creative agency for the College
• Oversee execution of marketing directives to ensure high-quality, efficient work that exceeds client expectations
• Drive innovative and expert-level creative concepts to move the institution forward and distinguish it from other college options
• Oversee and lead a team of designers, writers, web, and digital media experts
• Proficiently manage financial projections and operate within budget
• Serve as a key liaison for all internal clients, as well as for printing and media contacts
• Supervise team members to accurately quote and/or estimate print projects, working with vendors and ensuring projects are completed on time and on budget
• Work with creative, writing, web, and digital teams to ensure deadlines are met on all department projects
• Manage online and digital media team to create fresh and differentiated online content
• Work collaboratively with other college departments and key employees within those areas to problem solve and provide best solutions
• Provide primary design and creative support and collaboration with Admissions and Recruitment team to manage campaigns that drive enrollment through recruitment and retention
• Organize and manage reporting efforts on key campaigns to make data-driven decisions
• Write, proofread, and edit key communication pieces
• Manage major campaign pre-press, retouching, digital, and other print operations and services
• Support the duplication center through review of processes, appropriate training, and awareness of new print advancements and opportunities
• Communicate and speak accurately about production and traffic capabilities to other team members and clients
• Manage team members to execute all print, clearly communicate schedules, and regularly follow up to meet all deadlines
• Manage email marketing tools and campaigns
• Manage text marketing tools and campaigns
• Communicate job status information to all team members
• Promote smooth workflow and communication between areas of department
• Identify key prospective students and target groups through expert-level review of list sources and other key sources of information
• Create and manage timelines for projects based on institutional goals and priorities
• Work collaboratively with others (e.g. colleagues, stakeholders, vendors) to accomplish functions and responsibilities
• Demonstrate the ability to approach complex problems and deliver appropriate solutions
• Support the Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Development with key institutional events and activities that position the College positively in the community
• Additional duties as assigned by Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Development

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• A minimum of five years of solid, progressively responsible experience managing advertising, marketing, or communications projects, traffic coordination, and managing budgets
• Experience creating and executing design ideas, and managing design teams
• Experience supervising and developing a cross-functional team of creative, editorial, technical, and production staff
• Experience integrating traditional and new marketing channels
• Experience in event management

• Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Three years' experience in an advertising agency setting
• Experience in marketing a higher education setting
• Bilingual communication skills in Spanish

Equal Employment Opportunity

McHenry County College declares and reaffirms a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. The College will make all decisions regarding admission, employment, participation in educational programs, or activities, without discrimination on grounds of race, color, creed or religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, military status, sexual orientation, gender-related identity, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge from military service, or other factors prohibited by law. Decisions regarding employment include hiring, promotion, termination, wages or salaries, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. MCC is committed to diversity and inclusion in its college community. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in any aspect of the hiring process, contact Human Resources at AskHR@mchenry.edu.