Chief Creative Officer

Overview:

The Chief Creative Officer serves as the lead administrator overseeing Walnut Hill's Creative Department. This includes managing a small team of creative professionals, and managing and collaborating with teams of designers, copywriters, videographers, photographers, web developers, and other vendors. The Creative Director guides all projects and is responsible for the overall quality of work produced by the creative department --managing both internal and external marketing and communications deliverables. Qualified candidates have a proven track record for developing award-winning work that stands out and gets noticed. They will excel in entrepreneurial working environments and demonstrate exemplary communication, presentation, problem-solving, and project-management skills. They will inspire creativity in others, collaborate effectively with different constituents, and juggle a broad range of projects. This is a Full Time, 12-month position reporting to the Head of School.

Roles & Responsibilities Include:

• Strategy and Vision: Engage in high-level strategic planning for the School's overall marketing efforts, as well as for discrete initiatives such as our Capital Campaign and the 125th Anniversary celebration. Maintain an awareness of trends/tools in the field. Offer a marketing communications perspective in various meetings and on committees as needed.

• Communications Planning: Develop a comprehensive communications calendar for the School. Work with members of the Creative Department to maintain and adhere to the calendar in order to streamline communications and maximize the impact of all content assets.

• Brand Management: Protect the school's brand and ensure the success of the ongoing rollout process of our new branding. Ensure that the logo, colors, language, etc. are properly used by internal staff/faculty, contracted vendors, and external partner organizations. Oversee the school's public relations and manage press interactions to ensure consistent and positive representation of the School's public image.

• Budget Management & Staff Development: Manage the budget for the Creative Department, ensuring prudent use of funds. Build a strong, collaborative team that plays to all individuals' strengths. Meet regularly with staff, providing constructive feedback and support, and identifying opportunities for them to engage in meaningful professional development.

• Data Synthesis: Synthesize and report on marketing data in order to make the best decisions and adjustments to our plan throughout the year and in future cycles.

• Vendor Management: Act as the primary contact point for external graphic designers and other vendors that work with the department. Select/interview vendors along with the Head of School and other project-appropriate members of the Administrative Team.

• Writing and Messaging: Manage high-level communications by the School and consult on other pieces of writing by faculty and staff. Collaborate with the Head of School by consulting on various Head of School writing projects. Oversee the writing strategy, key staff, and freelance writers.

• Community Engagement: Actively participate in the student community by supporting the Student Life program. This may include serving as a faculty or club advisor, chaperoning school events, or other opportunities for community involvement that arise throughout the school year. This work informs understanding and builds audience awareness.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Chief Creative Officer or similar leadership role.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and a proven ability to present and work closely with a wide range of internal and external constituents.
• Hands-on experience in the creative process, marketing, graphic design, and brand management and oversight.
• General understanding of web development and design software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign etc.
• Outstanding leadership skills
• Organized with strong attention to detail.
• Exemplary interpersonal and analytical abilities
• Interest in arts education and advocacy.
• Experience with an independent school or arts organization a plus
• Must meet behavioral expectations as outlined in our mission statement and core values

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resume to jobs@walnuthillarts.org. Candidates are also encouraged to submit their creative portfolio or samples of previous creative work as it relates to marketing and communications. No phone calls, please.