St. John’s established in 1870, has three New York City campuses; a graduate center in Hauppauge, NY; international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The Princeton Review and other top rankings consistently recognize the University’s outstanding academics, diverse student body, dynamic internship and volunteer opportunities, focus on student life, and diverse study abroad offerings. St. John’s University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges and schools, with a growing number of programs offered online. The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and 12 other major academic and professional associations. 

A dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of our mission.  As a Catholic and Vincentian university, St. John’s is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community.  We will become an even stronger university as we enhance equity at every level of our institution.  As noted in our Vision Statement, our graduates will excel in the competencies and values required for leadership and service in a rapidly evolving world.  

DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES AND BRANDING

 ATHLETICS  

JOB SUMMARY:  

The Director of Creative Services and Branding manages the St. John’s Athletics brand and serves as the lead designer for the department’s print and digital content/publications. This position is responsible for providing oversight of the department’s visual identity and reinforces consistent application with partners and third party vendors. The Director for Creative Services and Branding establishes the design and content for electronic communications, assists advertising campaigns, manages photography and aides the licensing program. Reports directly to the Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Executes brand strategy for the St. John’s Athletic Department and its 17 NCAA Division I athletic programs. 
• Serves as the lead designer on all printed and digital materials, including but not limited to media guides, yearbooks, game programs, schedule posters, schedule cards, camp and clinic brochures, invitations, response cards and all other printed pieces, with an emphasis on quality timeliness and accuracy. 
• Serves as a department expert in design with reference to St. John’s Athletics branding guidelines. Ensure the proper application of St. John’s Athletics brand is used on all printed and digital content, apparel and signage. 
• Creates all visual content for St. John’s Athletics advertising campaigns and assists in the placement and execution of the department’s promotional strategy. 
• Utilizes efficient communication with vendors to ensure timely estimates, file transfers, approvals and delivery dates of all materials. 
• Manages designs for digital platforms, including official athletics website, SJU-TV, video/scoreboard, e-commerce, e-mail templates, social media and all other electronic graphic-rich forms of communications. 
• Serves as St. John’s Athletics creative services and branding liaison for external partnerships, such as Learfield IMG College, Madison Square Garden, Nike, Follett, Advanced Online and Ticketmaster. 
• Acts as a leader/mentor for junior staff members and provides clear and consistent feedback to graduate assistants, student workers and game day staff to enable St. John’s Athletic External Relations to maintain effective, efficient communications and game-day operations practices. 
• Provides support for broad and long-range University objectives/projects while keeping the spirit of St. John’s and its Vincentian mission paramount. 
• Available and willing to assist on any game-day crews, and willingly take on other duties and tasks as assigned by the Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations. 
• Immediately establish and continuously maintain a working knowledge of the NCAA and BIG EAST Conference rules and regulations and St. John’s University Policies and Procedures. Continuously maintain operating guidelines, policies and procedures in your area of responsibility within the department to ensure 100% compliance with the NCAA/BIG EAST rules and regulations. As a representative of St. John’s University continually demonstrate honesty, dignity and integrity when communicating with staff, students and peers both internally and externally. Promote an atmosphere for compliance by signing NCAA acknowledgements upon employment, maintaining a working knowledge of NCAA/BIG EAST Conference rules and regulations, attend NCAA/BIG EAST related training sessions and report infractions to the Director of Athletics or Associate Athletic Director for Compliance in a timely manner. Consistently report infractions according to both the provisions of the NCAA/BIG EAST enforcement and the St. John’s University policies and procedures, especially with regard to our Corrective Action Policy #702 (see St. John’s University Policy Manual, https://www.stjohns.edu/about/administrative-offices/human-resources/hr-policy-manual/policy-702-corrective-action )

COMPETENCIES:

• Possesses expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects, Photoshop and InDesign or other appropriate software applications. 
• Has experience working with Daktronics Video Boards and Show Control Systems. 
• Photography experience preferred.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• This position manages one graduate assistant and student workers in the creative services and branding department.

WORK ENVIRONMENT;

• This position operates in a professional office environment as well as in indoor and outdoor athletic venues.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand, move about and occasionally lift or move equipment weighing approximately 10-20 lbs.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• This position is required to work at athletic events in close proximity of competition and fans in attendance.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

• Standard days and hours of operations are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position also requires night and weekend work hours.

TRAVEL:

• Occasional travel is required, which is primarily local within the metropolitan area. Some travel out-of-area and overnight travel may be required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, graphic design or related field preferred. 
• Minimum 3 years of relevant full-time experience in a field of professional or collegiate athletic communications/creative services required.

“ALL PERSONS HIRED ARE REQUIRED TO BE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED AGAINST THE COVID-19 VIRUS, SUBJECT TO THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE LAW.”

This position may be relocated to any of St. John’s University’s physical locations at any time.

OTHER DUTIES 

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

St. John’s offers a competitive compensation program which is commensurate with your qualifications, experience, and contingent upon the departmental budget. We also offer an extremely comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Along with exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability insurance, tuition remission, generous 403(b) employer contribution, employee assistance program, and liberal paid time off policies, faculty and staff can also enjoy St. John’s performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation and sporting events. 

Any offer of employment is subject to receipt by St. John’s University of satisfactory references, verification of employment and education. 

St. John’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Required Skills Required Experience