Job Posting Title:

Art Director, Invitations & Correspondence

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Hiring Department:

University Marketing and Communications

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

Purpose

As a member of University Marketing and Communications (UMAC) Creative Studio, the Art Director provides creative direction and design leadership for invitations, correspondence, event collateral, and related print materials. The position oversees projects from concept through production, applying expertise in typography, formal invitation and correspondence conventions, institutional protocol, and premium print production. The Art Director creates materials for presidential and leadership events, donor engagement initiatives, academic ceremonies, athletics-related experiences, campus traditions and other high-profile University occasions, moving between highly formal, traditional design and more spirited expressions of the Texas brand while maintaining exceptional standards of quality and execution.

General Notes

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

1. Creative Design: Lead the concept development and design of invitations, save-the-dates, programs, menus, place cards, stationery, correspondence, envelopes and related print and event collateral, ensuring a cohesive creative approach across all assets. Establish the visual direction for assigned projects and apply exceptional standards of typography, hierarchy, spacing, composition and editorial detail. Translate the University brand into sophisticated communications for presidential, donor, academic, institutional and other high-profile audiences. Adapt the creative approach across formal ceremonies and dinners, athletics-related experiences, celebrations and campus traditions. Present concepts, provide design rationale and incorporate stakeholder feedback while protecting the quality and integrity of the work.

2. Invitation, Correspondence and Protocol Expertise: Serve as a University resource for invitation etiquette, formal correspondence standards and event-related protocol. Develop and refine invitation copy, including host lines, names and titles, dates, times, locations, attire, RSVP language, and other event information. Partner with event professionals, communications teams, and University stakeholders to ensure materials are accurate, appropriate for the occasion and aligned with the intended audience.

3. Print Production and Vendor Management: Direct production from initial concept through final delivery, providing expertise in paper selection, engraving, letterpress, foil stamping, embossing, die cutting, and other specialty printing and finishing techniques. Identify and evaluate appropriate production approaches, materials and vendors based on creative requirements, timelines and budgets. Cultivate productive relationships with printers, stationers and specialty vendors to ensure exceptional quality, service and value for the University. Review estimates, production specifications and proofs, and conduct press checks as appropriate.

4. Creative Collaboration, Standards and Project Leadership: Collaborate with the Executive Creative Director, art directors, designers, event professionals, communications teams, and University partners throughout the creative and production process. Provide creative guidance and production expertise to other designers and contributors as appropriate. Develop templates, guidelines and best practices that strengthen the quality and consistency of University invitations and correspondence. Manage multiple concurrent projects, schedules and deliverables while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

5. Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communication or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least three years of professional graphic design or art direction experience, including work on invitations, stationery, event collateral, print design or other high-end brand materials.
• Portfolio demonstrating sophisticated design, exceptional typography and the ability to carry a cohesive creative direction across multiple deliverables.
• Strong knowledge of invitation and correspondence conventions, print production, premium papers and specialty finishes.
• Experience creating distinctive work within established brand standards.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
• Strong project management and proofreading skills, with exceptional attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of relevant professional design or art direction experience.
• Experience designing invitations, correspondence and event materials for senior executives, institutional leaders, boards, donors or VIP audiences.
• Experience presenting creative concepts and recommendations to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Experience working directly with specialty printers and production partners on techniques such as engraving, letterpress, foil stamping, embossing and die cutting.
• Ability to work across highly formal, traditional design and contemporary or expressive creative applications.
• Experience with Figma a plus.

Working Conditions

• Position is based in Austin, Texas, and is required to work on campus.
• Must have the ability to travel locally to printers and other production vendors to review proofs, paper samples, and production work as needed.
• Typical office environment.
• Occasional evening, weekend or additional hours may be required to support University events, production schedules, or press checks.

Salary Range

$85,000 + depending on qualifications

Required Materials

• Resume/CV including a link to a portfolio of work demonstrating relevant design work
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.