Associate Director of Creative Services

Cornell communicators share a mission to enhance and preserve the university's brand and reputation as a top research institution and a leader in higher education, and to support and promote critical programs that serve the university's teaching, research, and public engagement mission.

Communication services are carried out through a matrixed organizational system in which University Relations houses the departments of News (Cornell Chronicle), Media Relations (pitching and servicing media requests), Brand (cornell.edu, multimedia production, brand management and governance), Strategic Communications (communications plans, key messaging, social media management), and Cornellians (digital alumni publication). Communicators in colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate with, and consult, University Relations departments. University Relations serves as a partner and resource for all college/unit communicators.

Student and Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellness, social justice, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

Cornell University is an NCAA Division I institution and a member of the Ivy League. The university fields teams in 37 intercollegiate sports and provides a comprehensive physical education program. The university is committed to excellence in academics and athletics, gender equity and diversity in its programs, and a well-balanced, broad-based intercollegiate athletics program. Athletics and Physical Education offers a diverse program of physical and outdoor education, recreational services, intramural sports and intercollegiate athletic competition, plus Wellness programs for faculty and staff and fitness centers for the entire Cornell community.

Under the direction of the Associate Athletics Director, Video Production & Recruiting, the Associate Director of Creative Services will develop and manage a robust production calendar for the department including visual editorial/storytelling, digital/multimedia production, and social media that serves strategic public relations, brand reputation, student-athlete recruiting, and fundraising needs for the Department of Athletics & Physical Education. They will manage two interns and a number of student employees who help execute the creation of design, photography, and video production strategy across all aspects of Cornell's 37 intercollegiate sports and other programs and activities.

As the lead graphic designer and creative storyteller for Athletics & Physical Education, this position actively supports the development, coordination and implementation of effective communication strategies and initiatives that create recognition of the achievements, programs, teams and participants across the spectrum of Cornell Athletics and Physical Education. In addition, they work in close coordination with the Student & Campus Life Communications Team and the University Relations teams, in collaborative storytelling efforts to enhance the brand of the University, the division and the department.

This position creates dynamic and engaging digital, multimedia, and print content to promote the Cornell Athletics story and brand and enhance the overall Cornell University brand. In addition, they oversee video editing and overall brand alignment while providing input on all equipment purchases to support the success of the team, as well as web and digital services across the expanding content creation systems in athletics. The Associate Director provides strategic direction of photography, videography, and graphic design endeavors including features and interviews, as well as the department's social media accounts including but not limited to Instagram, Twitter (X), Facebook, YouTube, etc. On occasion, this position will support graphics development for facility enhancements such as vinyl wall graphics or signage concepts.

The position requires frequent evening and weekend hours and some travel.

Success Factors

• Superior graphic design skills and excellent multimedia storytelling ability
• Ability to recognize and mine for stories with exceptional visual identity skills and curiosity.
• Superb interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated success in building and maintaining effective working relationships with a wide variety of groups including students, staff, campus partners, service providers, and the larger community.
• Collaborative and responsive to managing multiple relationships and projects in a fast-paced environment, flexibly adapting to new priorities, anticipating needs, and being nimble and responsive as projects and needs change.
• Possesses a balance of organization skills and flexibility, growth mindset, and the ability to connect dots between seemingly disparate activities or teams across the organization.
• Strong leadership capability, with the drive to inspire and motivate team members to support collaboration and excellence, and to create an engaging and fun work environment.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Visual Communication Technology, Graphic Design, Sport Management, Communications or related field communications office, video production or design environment or its equivalent.
• 3-5 years working in creative services.
• Demonstrated and superior knowledge of photography and/or videography and editing systems, the ability to use the photo and/or video medium to be a storyteller, and a demonstrated knowledge of photography or video recording equipment and editing software.
• Demonstrated strategic use of social media.
• Excellent knowledge of athletics and athletic terminology.
• A high level of editorial leadership and strategic content development.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills that allow for comfortable, thought-provoking interviews with student-athletes, coaches, staff, and alumni.
• Artistic ability to shoot, understand framing, color, and light to create visually appealing content.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and well-being.
• Demonstrated appreciation for and understanding of cultural differences.

Preferred Qualification

• Strong preference for previous work experience in a similar role within athletics organization.

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Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

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Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.