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Associate Director of Design & Creative Strategy

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Director of Design & Creative Strategy will oversee and drive the creative vision, strategy, and execution of multimedia content across EDGE, managing a team of video producers, multimedia specialists, and content creators. This role combines high-level creative direction with team leadership, strategic planning, and collaborative innovation to deliver outstanding educational and marketing media content that aligns with EDGE's mission and goals.

The Associate Director will serve as the media design lead, responsible for shaping EDGE's digital media strategy, contributing to discovery and ideation processes, prototyping new approaches to media and learner messaging, and ensuring creative outputs align with institutional priorities and partner expectations. Working in close collaboration with the Senior Director of Learning and Digital Strategy, Enrollment Management, and our marketing vendor partners, this position provides creative leadership and operational oversight for multimedia production, product storytelling, and emerging media innovation.

The Associate Director will champion innovation in multimedia design, guide the implementation of emerging technologies (e.g., AR/VR, motion graphics, interactive video), and contribute to a culture of experimentation and excellence in content creation. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong expertise in video production and developing educational media content, exceptional cross-functional leadership skills, and the ability to balance multimedia and design team management with big-picture strategic planning.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong knowledge of video production theory, techniques, andequipment, especially educational and marketing media.
• Strong portfolio showcasing skills in digital contentdevelopment, including graphics, video, animations, and interactivemedia.
• Advanced level of proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite with anemphasis on Premiere Pro, After Effects, Media Encoder, andAudition.
• Proficiency with Photoshop and Illustrator or other designapplications is a plus.
• Experience writing, editing, and optimizing content for diverseaudiences and platforms (web, email, social media, print).
• Ability to translate complex educational topics intoaccessible, engaging visuals and narratives.
• Skilled in creative direction, storytelling, and multimediaproduction across a variety of formats.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, project management, andclient relationship skills.
• Experience mentoring and leading creative teams; ability tocoach and develop staff and on-camera talent. Strong managementskills.
• Confident presenting ideas and creative work to seniorleadership and stakeholders.
• Ability to take initiative, manage multiple projectsindependently, and maintain high standards of quality andefficiency.
• Experienced in scriptwriting, storyboarding, visualstorytelling, and supporting inclusive, brand-aligned contentdevelopment.
• Expertise in color correction, audio mixing, and advancedediting techniques.
• Strong understanding of studio setup, lighting design, camerawork, and on-location production.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, graphic design,multimedia, or a related field (Master's preferred).
• 6 to 8 years of experience of professional experience incontent creation, digital marketing, or creativedirection-preferably in higher education or online learningenvironments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES 1) Team Management

Manage Video Production team, graphic designers, and Production Specialists in delivering the highest quality, innovative multimedia products and supporting their individual growth.

• Works closely with learning design, business intelligence, andprogram management teams to ensure seamless integration of creativeproduction with strategic objectives.
• Manages and works closely with the Senior Multimedia Specialistto ensure consistent policy and design procedures are followed bythe graphic design and animation team.
• Contributes to positive team culture. Acts as effective liaisonwith other teams within EDGE to produce exemplary results.
• Takes feedback from team members and clients and finds the bestways to address concerns and provide new solutions.
• Acts as a team player and pitches in wherever help is neededacross learning products, including supporting management of mediaproduction, studio set up and break down, coaching faculty, staff,and students, and communication across teams.
• Leads and mentors a diverse design team with specializedcapabilities in video production, digital media, visual design,animation, and emerging technologies to deliver exceptionalmultimedia content.

• Leads professional development for team.

2) Multimedia Design Management

• Leads the Video Production, Virtual Production, and CreativeDigital Media team to deliver best-in-class video and digital mediaproduction experiences.
• Leads media discovery, ideation, and prototyping processes fornew programs, partnership opportunities, and digital learninginnovations.
• Establishes product vision, design standards, and qualitybenchmarks across all EDGE media design outputs, ensuringconsistency and excellence in learner-facing materials
• Provides leadership, inspiration, and innovative creativethinking to all productions to deliver exceptional work throughoutthe entire multimedia production process.
• Coordinates all elements of production.

• Manages multiple, concurrent projects and workflows, ensuringefficiency and clear communication across EDGE teams and with ourexternal vendors.
• Provides creative content expertise and operational support forB2B partnerships, program development, and innovationinitiatives.

Product Design, Media Strategy, and Relationship Management

• Collaborates with the Assistant Director of Video Production toensure the Studio is maintained as a showcase space and meetsshort- and long-term objectives.
• Presents creative concepts, product vision, and strategicrecommendations to senior leadership, academic partners, andexternal stakeholders. Leads the production of compellingeducational media assets for high impact projects and marketingassets. Builds digital media assets and components to be reused,scaled, and optimized across different learning management systemsand distribution channels.
• Collaborate with Senior team members, including the SeniorDirector, Sr. Learning Designer, and Sr Graphic Designer/Animatoron prototype ideation and strategy for video production.
• Leads digital media development vision and strategy, scopewithin timeline, and expectations of quality after identifying themedia scope of products.
• Collaborates with our marketing partners to analyze marketingperformance metrics and audience engagement data to inform contentstrategy refinement and optimization.
• Collaborate with the design teams and faculty to brainstorm,identify, and create digital media asset types, features, anddevelopment strategies that achieve product quality, time, andbudget expectations.
• Lead the development of Virtual Production and VideoExemplars.
• Establish best practices for media content development andlearner messaging, ensuring consistency in quality, voice, andbrand alignment across all digital touchpoints. Supports media andthe design team to scope out projects at the suite and individualproduct level and make recommendations on assignments
• Develops and executes comprehensive product storytelling andlearner engagement strategies for EDGE programs, B2B partnerships,and institutional initiative

Position Type

Marketing and Communications

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate workexperience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefiteligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paidtime off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- aswell as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 111S

Expected Hiring Range:

$87,785.00 - $123,998.75

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a paycomparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.