Creative Director

ZACH is a non-profit organization that creates intimate theatre experiences that ignite the imagination, inspire the spirit, and engage the community. The Creative Director leads the visual identity and creative output of our in-house marketing department, overseeing a diverse scope of creative projects including print and digital assets, video, photography, merchandise, internal and external building signage and overall brand continuity. This individual will be a strong design leader with a proven track record of managing teams and delivering high-quality creative work in fast-paced environments. With an exciting rebrand on the horizon, the Creative Director will take ownership of the new visual identity, ensuring its successful integration and execution across all platforms. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary creative professional to shape the aesthetic and narrative voice of one of the most dynamic arts organizations in the region.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Design Leadership

• Execute the design of new concepts including season artwork, large brand placements, etc.
• Provide creative direction, feedback, and final approval for all design materials created by internal and freelance designers across all marketing, fundraising, and education campaigns
• Serve as the primary marketing creative voice for the organization, pitching design concepts to leadership and ensuring alignment with organizational goals
• Art direct and approve all content for ZACH's website and email campaigns, ensuring it aligns with the brand's visual identity and messaging standard

Brand Ownership

• Lead the implementation and management of ZACH Theatre's new brand identity, ensuring consistency and creativity across all channels
• Work closely with other departments to develop and maintain systems for upholding brand and design standards
• Train all staff to adhere to brand and design standards, ensuring consistency in visual and messaging elements across the organization

Team Management

• Supervise and mentor a Graphic Designer and Digital Media Manager, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment
• Manage relationships with freelance designers and other creative partners to meet ZACH's brand guidelines and quality standards

Creative Production

• Concept, coordinate, and direct photo and video shoots to support marketing campaigns and organizational storytelling
• Help develop social campaigns and create unique, exciting content for ZACH Theatre's social channels, website, and emails, working closely with the Content Manager to execute these projects effectively
• Concept and coordinate execution of TV and radio spots with the support of in-house or freelance editors
• Source and maintain partnerships with photographers, videographers, and other creative professionals to execute high-quality visual assets
• Contribute input to campus and building design, ensuring alignment with the brand's visual identity
• Provide copywriting support as needed for campaigns, signage, and other material

Cross-Departmental Support

• Provide creative support for teams responsible for productions on stage, fundraising, community and education programming
• Support and actively participate in all company-wide efforts, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering a unified approach to projects and initiatives

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• BFA with focus on Graphic Design and Art Direction preferred, or a degree in a related field (Marketing, Communications, Advertising) with proven experience in art direction and graphic design, or equivalent coursework and experience
• 10 years experience in art direction and graphic and/or web design for established organizations, agencies, or if freelance, a strong client base
• Experience designing for the performing arts is a plus
• Experience working in non-profit organizations (preferred)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Mastery of Adobe Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. Familiarity with Canva preferred
• Proficiency in project management tools such as Asana, Trello, or similar platforms.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing and social media platforms, including best practices for creating content for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok
• Basic knowledge of website design and management, with experience in platforms like WordPress or Squarespace
• Strong visual storytelling abilities and an understanding of branding principles
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Basic knowledge of photography and videography, including editing software like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, is a plus
• Thorough knowledge of file preparation for print production and digital assets
• Must be highly creative, a conceptual thinker and idea generator
• Excellent organizational, project, and time management skills
• Extremely detail oriented
• Builds Collaborative Relationships
• Solves Problems Resourcefully
• Deals with Change Effectively
• Able to prioritize work, juggle multiple projects and meet strict, often short deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently and give and receive constructive feedback
• Ability to edit ZACH's website to make copy and graphic changes if necessary
• Demonstrated organizational, planning, and budgeting skills
• Passionate about arts and theater and excited to bring ZACH Theatre's new visual identity to life through innovative design and storytelling
• Proactive, autonomous, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Adaptable and solution-oriented, with a focus on delivering excellence in all aspects of work
• Represent ZACH at public events and performances in a professional manner
• Ability to perform all work with a direct reflection of the vision, mission, and values of ZACH Theatre
• Other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is a campus-based role with the flexibility to work hybrid-remote. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions upon discussion with HR.

• Ability to sit/stand at computer workstation for long periods; Perform work on computer for extended hours; See details of art, photos, and designs less than a few feet away, and see differences between colors, shades, and brightness
• Ability to lift, push, pull or otherwise maneuver up to 30 lbs repeatedly, either alone or with assistance
• Ability to work in close proximity to other coworkers
• Must have reliable transportation and the ability to work with a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends as scheduled
• The noise level in this work environment is typically moderate and can be high

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Director of Marketing, Sales and Patron Experience

Supervises (if any): Graphic Designer and Digital Media Manager

Supports: Directors, Marketing, Development, Education, Patron Services

Peer collaboration/communicates with: Organization leadership as needed including artistic, production, youth programming, marketing and general management

Please attach your portfolio or include your website in the cover letter. No phone calls, please.

Some of the great benefits available to ZACH Employees:

• Affordable Healthcare Coverage for Full-Time Employees and their Dependents
• Employer Paid Life and AD&D insurance
• 401K Matching Program
• Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time
• Paid Holidays
• Free Parking
• Tickets to Mainstage and Family Series shows and enrollment in Camps/Classes

ZACH is committed to ensuring an equitable and inclusive workforce and we strive for a team that reflects Austin's diverse culture. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, sex or age.

Compensation details: 60000-65000 Yearly Salary

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