The Creative Services Manager is responsible for executing creative marketing projects as outlined in the strategic plan. This includes the development and management of traditional advertising campaigns, print collateral, digital channels and other creative assets. The Creative Services Manager coordinates day-to-day creative activities, working closely with key department staff, third-party partners and vendors. This role focuses on producing high-quality creative content, including graphic design, photography, video production, and print materials, ensuring all creative efforts align with the organization's brand and strategic goals. 

REQUIREMENTS:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ideate, develop, and execute innovative design for all marketing channels. 
• Repurpose content to fit traditional publishing media, such as brochures, flyers, and posters. 
• Request or produce photography to support creative content development. 
• Manage concepting, production, and execution of creative campaigns for traditional channels. 
• Manage special print projects, special sections, and promotional or seasonal content. 
• Coordinate with the creative team on project planning, implementation, and continued roll-out of special projects across traditional platforms. 
• Support social media with custom graphics as needed. 
• Manage special website projects and creative utilizing Simpleview CMS and Simpleview CRM systems 
• Develop and build email creative for target audiences including custom graphics and image resizing for ActOn system. 
• Implement the assigned programs and projects of Visit Milwaukee’s Strategic Marketing Plan. 
• Working with department director, act as a contributor in developing the annual strategic plan for the Marketing Department. 
• Responsible for reviewing annual plan on a quarterly basis. Work with marketing assistant to track key measures and ensure marketing goals are on pace to be completed by year-end. 
• Track all partner-related information in Visit Milwaukee’s CRM database (Simpleview). 
• Manage photography and video in digital asset management tool, BrandKit, ensuring current imagery and proper tagging for media and partner usage. 
• Assist with management of Visit Milwaukee’s contracted publications and Visit Milwaukee printed collateral needs, including: Official Visitors Guide, Official Visitors Map and other print collateral. 
• Design and produce sell sheets for publications and collateral. 
• Develop and maintain project timelines. Track progress and ensure successful completion on deadline. 
• Provide editorial input on content development and collaborate with the internal copywriting team. 
• Proofread, edit, and approve all publication materials. 
• Procure print estimates, monitor print production and delivery processes. Work with marketing team on distribution of printed guides, maps and collateral into the market and ensure digital versions are posted on all online channels. 
• Develop and manage partnership, event experience, and marketing collateral for convention and tourism initiatives. 
• Research and concept breakthrough partnership, event experience, and marketing materials to distinguish Visit Milwaukee as a destination of choice and best-in-class. 
• Develop materials to support production goals. These may include sales presentations, bid books, sell sheets, convention package maps, flyers, itineraries, advertising value-added items, etc. 
• Prepare PowerPoint, DigiDeck, and video presentations, ensuring content is accurate and continuously updated, generating new content and pages as needed. 
• Manage marketing relationships with external partners, including printers, publication vendors, and other stakeholders as needed. 

Other Responsibilities

• Freelance Photographer and Videographer management and execution. 
• Act as Staff Photographer as assigned. 
• Coordinate and assist all departments in the development of marketing materials. 
• As needed, work directly with partners, festivals, and convention clients to meet marketing needs through project management and promotion of events/businesses to drive traffic to Milwaukee. 
• Attend committee meetings, conferences and tradeshows as needed. 
• Oversee marketing intern program for design or photography. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required education and experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an emphasis in marketing, graphic design, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience. 
• Minimum three to five years of demonstrated experience in creative services, marketing or related roles. 
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Past work experience within an advertising agency or marketing department required; tourism and hospitality industry experience a plus. 
• Demonstration of previous high-quality marketing and design work experience via portfolio. 

Required skills, knowledge and abilities:  

• Demonstrated understanding of marketing and branding concepts. Ability to identify and understand internal and external consumer/audience voice and business needs. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage, organize, coordinate and prioritize assignments under tight deadlines. 
• Possess a strong attention to detail, ability to foresee needs and resolve obstacles. 
• Must demonstrate strategic thinking and creative skills, as well as a proven track record of innovation. 
• Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, diplomacy and maintain confidentiality in a wide variety of internal and public situations. 
• Strong commitment to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. 
• Ability to present to diverse audiences, specifically, racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities. 
• Must possess excellent interpersonal, presentation, report writing, and negotiation skills. 
• Must possess a team orientation and proven ability to work collaboratively. 
• Must be highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and MS Office Suite. 
• Must have a working knowledge of internet, web and social media best practices. 
• Proven photography and video experience and skills a plus. 
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends. Travel in personal automobile and airplane will be required for company business. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to sit at desk, operate computer keyboard and view computer screen for six to eight hours per day. 
• Must be able to hear and converse via telephone and in person. 
• May be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. 
• May be required to lift boxes and small equipment up to 50 pounds in weight. 
• Travel in a personal automobile may be required for business; occasional air travel may be required. 

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. 

Application Instructions:

To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and your desired salary. We require that you include a link to your portfolio in either your cover letter or your resume. The portfolio should highlight your relevant work and projects.