Associate Director of Creative and Visual Identity (FA030)

Location: Farmville, VA Category: Administrative/Professional Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Mon Jun 29 2026 Job Description:
Longwood University invites applications for the Associate Director of Creative and Visual Identity (FA030) position in the Office of Marketing, Communications & Engagement. The successful candidate will serve as the primary steward of Longwood University's visual identity, ensuring consistent, compelling, and strategic expression of the university's brand across all communications channels. This position provides leadership in the development, implementation, and evolution of visual standards while supporting marketing, admissions, alumni engagement, and institutional communications initiatives.

Working collaboratively across the Marketing, Communications and Engagement team, the Associate Director of Creative and Visual Identity translates institutional priorities, stories, and messaging into effective visual communications. The position balances hands-on creative development with brand stewardship, creative direction, project consultation, and collaboration with internal and external creative partners.

This position is located in Farmville, Virginia with a preference for in-person work on Longwood University's campus. Hybrid work may be considered.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

Visual Identity & Brand Stewardship

• Serve as the primary steward of Longwood University's visual identity, ensuring consistent application of brand standards across communications channels.
• Maintain and evolve visual identity guidelines, templates, and brand resources.
• Review and provide guidance on the use of university logos, marks, typography, photography, and other visual brand elements to ensure alignment with established standards.
• Review creative materials and collaborate with campus partners to maintain visual consistency, quality, and adherence to university brand standards.

Creative Development & Design

• Develop, direct, and oversee the creation of creative assets that support the university's marketing, communications, admissions, alumni engagement, and career success goals.
• Translate institutional messaging, storytelling, and strategic priorities into compelling visual communications.
• Collaborate with the Director of Storytelling & Publications and external creative partners to support the design and visual presentation of Longwood Magazine and other institutional publications, ensuring alignment with university visual identity standards.
• Collaborate with writers, photographers, videographers, and digital marketing staff to create integrated campaigns and communications.

Creative Strategy & Collaboration

• Partner with campus stakeholders to develop creative solutions that advance institutional priorities.
• Serve as a creative consultant and resource to university departments and offices.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of major marketing, communications, and brand initiatives.

Creative Operations & Innovation

• Provide creative direction and oversight for freelance designers, creative vendors, and print partners to ensure alignment with Longwood's visual identity and quality standards.
• Oversee print production and quality assurance processes for major publications and printed materials, coordinating with vendors and internal stakeholders as needed.
• Develop creative systems, templates, and workflows that improve efficiency, scalability, and brand consistency.
• Explore and implement emerging technologies and best practices, including AI-assisted creative tools, to enhance creative effectiveness and productivity.

Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communications, marketing, fine arts, or a related field.
• Demonstrated professional experience in graphic design, creative services, visual identity management, marketing communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing creative projects from concept through production.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in visual identity, print and digital design, and creative problem-solving.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and other industry-standard creative tools.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in creative services, visual identity, graphic design, creative direction, marketing communications, or related fields.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, agency, or mission-driven organizations.
• Experience managing freelance creatives, vendors, or external partners.
• Experience with print production processes, vendor management, and quality control for printed publications and marketing materials.
• Familiarity with web design principles, social media content development, and digital marketing best practices.
• Experience developing and maintaining brand standards or visual identity systems.
• Knowledge of emerging AI-assisted creative tools and workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholder groups and organizational levels.

Additional Information:
This position is a full-time, administrative & professional faculty, exempt position. A successful fingerprint based criminal background investigation is required. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Commonwealth of Virginia benefits accompany this position to include:

• State health and dental benefits & flexible spending accounts
• Paid leave (which may include sick leave, personal leave, annual leave, etc.), and 13 holidays
• Retirement savings plans (some with limited employer match available (VRS)
• Life & Long-Term care insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts for various services, including Verizon.
• Educational benefits for most employees
• Cost-effective Fitness Center membership for employees

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Longwood University will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodations to applicants in order to provide access to the application and/or interview process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on your application. If, however, you require accommodations in the application and/or interview process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 434-395-2074 or humres@longwood.edu .

Per CFR: Title 34, the Title IX Coordinator's contact information can be located through this link http://www.longwood.edu/titleix/ .

A diversified workforce is an important part of our strategic plan. EOE/AA