Art Director

The University of Missouri’s Division of Marketing and Communications is looking for an in-person Art Director to support Mizzou Marketing’s multi-channel campaign work and brand collateral. The role combines hands-on creative leadership with collaboration across digital, print, and other communications formats, while reporting to the Associate Director of Creative Strategy.

In this position in Columbia, MO, you will help shape concepts and art direction for institutional and recruitment initiatives, maintain brand consistency across designs, and mentor two graphic designers within a fast-paced marketing environment.

What you’ll do

• Ideate, design, create, and edit creative for deliverables such as print collateral, digital advertising, out-of-home advertising, and executive presentations.
• Collaborate with the creative team led by the Associate Director of Creative Strategy to concept assets and deliverables.
• Follow team processes, communicate clearly, take direction, and incorporate feedback professionally.
• Provide art direction and first-level brand review for design, animation, and photography before work advances to the Associate Director.
• Ensure consistent application of the university’s brand guidelines to protect brand integrity and recognition.
• Review design deliverables to confirm they meet quality standards and align with project objectives.
• Manage and mentor two graphic designers.
• Support performance expectations and professional development opportunities for the design team.
• Oversee file management.
• Partner with the Associate Director and project managers to manage multiple competing deadlines.
• Partner with the Associate Director and copywriters to lead concept development for institutional campaigns, recruitment campaigns, brand initiatives, and more.
• Translate strategic briefs into distinctive, on-brand, audience-appropriate art direction.
• Stay current on design and higher-ed and retail industry trends, tools, and technologies to bring fresh ideas to the team.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communication, or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in graphic design or related field.
• A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with at least 4 years from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.

Preferred qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in graphic design or related field.
• 2+ years in an art director or creative director role with supervisory responsibility.
• Strong presentation and communication skills, including the ability to explain creative rationale to non-creative stakeholders.
• Ability to identify and create process improvements and efficiencies.
• Experience art directing or collaborating on photo/video shoots.
• Experience with environmental branding, motion graphics, social media content creation (photo and video), or illustration.
• Portfolio demonstrating conceptual leadership, strategic insight, and hands-on production across print and digital advertising.
• Advanced attention to detail across typography, layout, and brand application.
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to manage and mentor designers with clear, constructive feedback.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a team and incorporate feedback into improvements.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.).

Tools

• Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)

Compensation and schedule

• Salary: USD 70,000 per year
• Shift: 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Retirement
• Paid time off
• Short- and long-term disability
• Paid parental leave
• Paid caregiver leave
• Educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses

Department, location, and eligibility

• Hiring department: University of Missouri’s Division of Marketing and Communications
• Location: Columbia, MO (onsite)
• Employment visa sponsorship: Not available

How to apply

• Application materials: Cover letter and Design portfolio (both required)

Columbia is known for small-town friendliness with big-city features and a high quality of life. For additional benefits details, visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement. The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer; to request ADA accommodations, call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.