Associate Creative Director
XQ, United States

XQ Institute is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so that every student graduates ready to succeed in life. We work in communities throughout the country, with individual schools and entire school systems, to help them dream big about what high school could be, turn their innovative ideas into action, and create more rigorous and equitable schools. We share what’s working with other schools and districts, so they can tailor new models to the needs of their own students and communities. We know that seeing is believing, so we meet people where they are to share the importance and possibility of change through listening, learning, and storytelling. And our open-source tools, based on research and design thinking, empower people to take up the challenge of transforming their high schools with a unifying goal: unlocking the American promise of a high-quality education for everyone.

As the Associate Creative Director at XQ, you will play a pivotal role in bringing our creative vision to life. Reporting directly to the Head of Creative, you will collaborate with leadership and a dynamic team of designers, writers, and education changemakers. Together, we will conceptualize and produce visually stunning and compelling content that seamlessly aligns with our brand identity across a wide range of mediums.

To excel in this role, we're seeking a candidate with a wealth of experience, an unwavering attention to detail, and a fervent passion for pushing creative boundaries across all mediums. Join us in shaping and executing our creative vision, and be part of a team that's dedicated to rethinking high school.

(Applications without a portfolio URL will not be considered.)

Collaborate closely with the Head of Creative and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to translate concepts into exceptional visual designs spanning print, digital, and video media.

• Work in partnership with both our internal team and external vendors to define strategies, brainstorm ideas, and execute creative projects.
• Take charge of the entire creative process, from concept inception to final execution, guaranteeing that all projects meet the highest standards, adhere to deadlines, and stay within budget constraints.
• Ensure the XQ brand and its values shine through in everything we produce.
• Apply a diverse range of creative styles and techniques to bring projects to life effectively.
• Source and curate photos, illustrations, and videos to illuminate the storytelling of the XQ initiatives, products, and school insights.
• Supervise and provide guidance to external agencies and freelance contributors.
• Engage in hands-on design work as necessary to support the team.
• Develop mood boards and storyboards for new initiatives, contributing to the overall design direction.
• Maintain a consistent visual identity and style across all deliverables.
• Effectively present and communicate creative concepts, incorporating relevant feedback to ensure successful project outcomes.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Marketing, or a related field. A Master's degree is considered a plus.
• Demonstrated experience of at least 7 years in a leadership role as an Art/Creative Director or similar position.
• A robust and diverse portfolio that showcases creative projects spanning various mediums, including web, video, and print.
• Exceptional leadership, management, and communication skills.
• In-depth knowledge of design principles, visual communication, and current creative trends.
• Exceptional leadership and management skills.
• Outstanding communication and presentation abilities.
• Profound knowledge of design principles, visual communication, and current creative trends.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Proven ability to handle medium to large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Innate curiosity about the world, staying attuned to popular culture, trends, brands, and technologies, and understanding their impact on both business and culture.

• Must be based in Oakland or the greater Bay Area, as this position reports to our Oakland office.

Ours is a world defined by uncertainty, a society in flux, a state of unprecedented upheavals. While we don’t anticipate any quick fixes, we can anchor ourselves to what we see emerging. That’s why we have established a set of collective XQ Mindsets to ground us.

• 100% accountability: This doesn't mean you have 100% ownership. It doesn't mean you are responsible for every last thing that needs to be done. It means choosing to take responsibil

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