Executive Director of Creative Content and Strategy
Job Location:
Denver, CO - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
University of Colorado Denver
Official Title: Executive Director
Working Title: Executive Director of Creative Strategy and Content
FTE: Full-time
Salary Range: $135000-$150000
Position # Requisition #40228
About the University of Colorado - Denver
The University of Colorado Denver is the states premier public urban research university and equity-serving institution. Globally connected and locally invested CU Denver partners with future-focused learners and communities to design accessible relevant transformative educational experiences for every stage of life and career. Across seven schools and colleges in the heart of downtown Denver our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges through break through innovations and impactful research and creative work. As part of the states largest university system CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy with 2000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. For more information visit .
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at *
University Communications advances the mission of the university and strengthens its reputation and identity as a leading academic and research institution. We are seeking an experienced strategic visionary and collaborative creative leader to serve as Executive Director of Creative Strategy and Content. This role will lead the universitys integrated creative function across brand strategy visual storytelling content development design photography videography multimedia production and campaign creative direction. The ideal candidate brings experience leading multidisciplinary creative teams and developing compelling audience-centered campaign creative and storytelling across digital print video social web and experiential platforms.
The successful candidate is equal parts creative strategist brand steward collaborator and people leader capable of guiding creative vision while fostering innovation consistency and excellence across all university communications and marketing efforts.
In this role you will oversee the in-house content and creative teamto help develop integrated content creative campaigns and assets designed to enhance the University of Colorado Denvers brand awareness and favorability among target audiences in support of increasing enrollment and other revenue-generating efforts. The candidate will demonstrate a commitment to equity and consistently uphold university values while ensuring that creative content and storytelling efforts reflect and support the universitys mission vision and strategic priorities.
Creative Leadership and Team Management
- Lead and manage a the universitys creative content studio that includes graphic design copywriting photography video multimedia production and CU Denver News the universitys newsletter published weekly during the academic year.
- Guide and elevate creative and storytelling outputs to a high standard across channels and mentor multidisciplinary creative professionals and content creators to tell great multimedia inclusive stories.
- Supervise at least six multidisciplinary creative professionals
- Manage resource planning budget and allocation.
Brand Strategy Brand Management and Institutional Identity
- Develop and maintain a strong written and visual brand identity and brand personality for the university across all platforms to drive meaningful engagement.
- Lead brand development management and training across the institution and manage external brand integritymaintain improve and bring awareness to the wider value and reputation of the CU Denver brand.
- Provide leadership and oversight for the universitys brand and licensing functions including supervising the primary liaison to the CU System and serve as the back-up representative on brand governance committees including All- Campus Licensing Committee and Brand Standards Board.
- Work with campus partners to update and design environmental graphics to refresh brand enhance wayfinding and orientation and enhance student experience. Serve as a member of the CU Denver Signage Committee.
Content Strategy and Storytelling
- Translate marketing objectives into clear creative strategies. Meet with stakeholders to explain campaign strategies and creative solutions.
- Provide strategic oversight and creative direction for institutional storytelling platforms including CU Denver News.
- Direct and execute design solutions that uphold the university identity including recruitment materials event promotions and internal communication needs.
- Serve as a creative and content consultant for key divisions within the university including the Chancellors Office Enrollment Management and schools/colleges/units.
- Manage the content strategy of the homepage newsroom and high-priority marketing pages.
- Work collaboratively with University Communications colleagues to establish an annual content calendar and planning processes across channels and audiences that integrate public relations executive communications internal communications social media and enrollment goals along with college and school priorities.
- Guide the strategic use of visual storytelling assets to ensure that photos illustrations videos and other visuals are accurate brand-appropriate and culturally relevant.
- Ensure articles and content for CU Denvers main news and features websites digital and print publications and other content align to brand standards and university strategic priorities.
- Serve as institutional resource on high-quality writing and storytelling.
Creative Production and Campaign Management
- Manage all editorial and creative campaigns and produced collateral including advertising assets video photography owned digital content social media brochures direct mail pieces etc. to expand our visual identity and brand voice across multiple channels.
- Write and produce content for a variety of purposes audiences and channels ranging from e-newsletter and web to paid media (paid/earned/owned) as needed.
- Project-manage content campaigns across CU Denvers central media platforms.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work collaboratively with cross-functional areas within the department including marketing web/digital and public relations to ensure best-in-class creative thinking quality and execution.
- Work collaboratively with the Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications and other leaders to manage creative agency relationships.
- Serve on the University Communications emergency communications rotation schedule.
- Bachelors degree in communications marketing design advertising journalism or related field.
- At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience leading creative brand content marketing or communications functions in a professional setting.
- Prior experience managing a range of creative positions.
- Proficiency using Airtable as a content management system and e-newsletter tools as well as knowledge of digital and print publishing.
- Experience developing high-quality high-volume creative content deliverables on tight deadlines.
- Experience leading brand development and/or rebranding initiatives including experience developing refreshing and implementing visual identity systems.
- Experience working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders on complicated projects.
- Experience working in a creative or publishing environment as a project lead.
- At least ten (10) years of experience managing a range of creative positions.
- Masters degree in communications marketing design advertising journalism or related field.
- Experience developing high-quality high-volume creative content deliverables on tight deadlines.
- Experience creating and leading editorial development.
- Experience with web content development/design and user experience.
- Direct experience in higher education.
- Experience with video and digital asset production including modern workflows productions time estimates creative concepting scripting/storyboarding and editing.
Excellent critical thinking and time management skills.
Understanding of integrated creative development processes from strategic concepting through production execution distribution and performance analysis.
Keen understanding of market research and audience insights to inform creative direction and execution. Ability to write and produce content for various styles audiences and mediums including feature-length stories profile pieces and Q&As news briefs marketing copy social media copy and multimedia assets.
Demonstrated ability to guide compelling storytelling and creative execution across multiple channels and audiences.
Demonstrated understanding of and capacity for multimedia brand storytelling including digital and social media.
Proven knowledge of audience metrics and analytics to improve content outcomes.
Proficiency in leading teams to define project strategy establish storytelling approach develop creative assets and measure impact to foster success.
Solid understanding of brand voice storytelling frameworks visual communication principles and content standards.
Proficiency in AP style adoption and use of brand style and best-in-class proofreading techniques.
Must be an excellent writer and editor with strong storytelling instincts and the ability to guide high-quality creative and content development across mediums.
Must be a blue-sky thinker and a hands-on producer.
Must be a team player with excellent collaborative skills.
Elevated soft skills that inspire creativity and ability to work well with different personality types.
Excellent presenter of ideas concepts and proposed creative directions.
Experience in Adobe Creative suite PowerPoint and other design and creative programs.
This position will be required to serve on the emergency communications rotation schedule which may require some evening and weekend work as needed.
This position requires an onsite presence on campus 3 days a week.
This position will be performed on site and will require the ability to sit for extended periods stand and walk occasionally reach with hands and arms use hands to manipulate a keyboard and mouse and have good near vision for computer work;often requiring minimal lifting but may involve bending or reaching to retrieve items from shelves or drawers.
This position may be performed in a hybrid environment requiring the ability to work effectively in a remote setting. This includes maintaining a dedicated workspace free of excessive noise or distractions reliable internet connectivity and the ability to participate in virtual meetings for extended periods. Employees must be able to independently manage time remain stationary for prolonged computer-based work and transport necessary equipment (such as a laptop and peripherals) between their remote work location and the office as needed.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at .
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $135000-$150000.
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors including but not limited to internal equity experience education specialty and training.
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the Universitys good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
This position is/is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Benefits: Compensation Calculator: Deadline Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by June 29 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered. To apply please visit: and attach: A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications A current CV/resume List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references) Questions should be directed to Emilia Covault The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational clinical research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must therefore consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
The University of Colorado (CU) is a premier public research university with four campuses: Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, and the Anschutz Medical Campus.
