📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director - OSD
🔹 Company: Liberty University
🔹 Location: Lynchburg, VA
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Higher Education
🔹 Date Posted: April 11, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Assisting in the daily operations of the Office of Spiritual Development (OSD)
- Leading creative strategy across various projects and initiatives
- Collaborating with teams to develop assets that support campus events
- Maintaining visual consistency across social media platforms
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong creative background with a focus on either graphic design, videography, photography, motion graphics, or another creative field. The ideal candidate will have experience in project management, team leadership, and collaboration.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Execute creative work across your primary skill set in support of LU Stages, LU Shepherd, LU Serve, LU Send, and Liberty Worship Collective
✅ Maintain visual and tonal consistency across all social media platforms, oversee content creation, facilitate brainstorming sessions, conduct weekly meetings, analyze engagement metrics, and stay abreast of social media trends
✅ Collaborate and delegate cross-functionally with other creatives to ensure cohesive project execution and team synergy
✅ Manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, ensuring adherence to specifications, deadlines, and budgets
✅ Stay current with industry trends and tools; ideate and plan new initiatives that connect with the target audience
✅ Collaborate with Liberty Worship Collective (LWC) and Campus Production to oversee music releases, including managing timelines, organizing promotional content schedules, delegating tasks, and providing creative direction for deliverables
✅ Conduct visual project reviews across disciplines and provide feedback for full-time staff and student workers
✅ Contribute to ideation, storytelling, and high-level concept development across creative campaigns and initiatives
✅ Maintain high attention to detail and effective time management, with the ability to work under pressure while being strategic, analytical, visionary, and execution-oriented
ASSUMPTION: The role requires a high level of creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure. The ideal candidate will be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and collaborate effectively with other creatives.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Four-year college degree, with a concentration in Digital Media, Cinematic Arts, Graphic Design, Strategic Communication, Marketing, or similar creative degree
Experience: 3+ years in a professional creative position, with 1+ years in leading and managing creatives
Required Skills:
- Proficiency in programs related to your skillset such as Adobe Premier Pro, Adobe After Effects, DaVinci, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Lightroom
- Effective communication skills, both verbal and written
- Strong analytical reasoning and decision-making ability
- Strong organizational skills
- Excellent computer skills
Preferred Skills:
- Proficiency in communication and operational software and applications such as Asana, Slack, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, iMessage, and Instagram
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio showcasing their creative work and experience in leading and managing creatives.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a mid-level creative director in higher education)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plans
- Tuition assistance
- Paid time off
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for a mid-level creative director in higher education. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: 201-500 employees
Founded: 1971
Company Description:
- Liberty University provides a world-class education with a solid Christian foundation, equipping men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for success in every aspect of life.
- With more than 500 degrees and certificates, Liberty offers programs in fields such as medicine, religion, law, aviation, cinematic arts, psychology, business, and more.
- All of Liberty’s courses are taught from a Christian worldview by professors who regard teaching as more than a job — it’s their calling.
Company Specialties:
- Online Learning
- Higher Education
- Christian Education
- Largest Christian University
- Corporate Partnerships
- Biblically based Curriculum
- Innovative Curriculum
Company Website: Liberty University
ASSUMPTION: Liberty University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization and may have specific hiring practices related to its religious affiliation.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level creative director
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Executive Creative Director and the Director of Operations and Communications
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a higher-level creative director role
- Opportunities to lead and mentor student workers and full-time staff
- Possibility to collaborate with various departments across the university
ASSUMPTION: The role offers opportunities for growth and development within the creative field and the university setting.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with occasional events and travel
Office Location(s): Lynchburg, VA
Geographic Context:
- Lynchburg is a city in the U.S. state of Virginia with a population of approximately 80,000 people.
- The city is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 180 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.
- Lynchburg is home to several colleges and universities, including Liberty University.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (with occasional evening and weekend events)
ASSUMPTION: The role may require occasional travel and attendance at evening and weekend events.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- On-campus interview with the hiring team
- Final interview with the Executive Creative Director and the Director of Operations and Communications
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and skillset
- Leadership and management experience
- Collaboration and teamwork skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant creative and leadership experience
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best creative work and any leadership or management projects you've worked on
- Be prepared to discuss your creative process and how you approach projects
ATS Keywords: Creative strategy, graphic design, videography, photography, motion graphics, content strategy, project management, team leadership, collaboration, social media management, budget management, communication, problem-solving, analytical reasoning, time management, attention to detail
ASSUMPTION: The interview process may include assessments of your creative skills, leadership abilities, and cultural fit with the university.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Premier Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom)
- DaVinci Resolve
- Asana
- Slack
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Instagram
ASSUMPTION: The role may require proficiency in additional creative software or tools, depending on the specific needs of the projects.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in all we do
- Integrity in every action
- Respect for all people
- Responsibility in all we undertake
- Freedom in all we accomplish
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Innovative and creative
- Results-driven and goal-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Strong work ethic and commitment to excellence
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with Liberty University's mission and values?
- Are you comfortable working in a Christian university setting?
- Do you have a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence?
ASSUMPTION: Liberty University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization, and candidates should be comfortable working in a Christian university setting and aligning with the university's mission and values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Occasional travel and attendance at evening and weekend events
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Working with a diverse range of creative disciplines and teams
- Adapting to changes in project scope or priorities
ASSUMPTION: The role may present challenges related to managing multiple projects, working with diverse teams, and adapting to changes in project scope or priorities.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Creative Director vs. Associate Creative Director: A creative director role may have more strategic and leadership responsibilities, while an associate creative director role focuses more on day-to-day project management and execution.
- Higher Education vs. Corporate: A role in higher education may involve working with a wider range of creative disciplines and teams, while a corporate role may have more specific or focused creative needs.
- Creative Director Career Path: An associate creative director role can serve as a stepping stone to a creative director role, with opportunities for growth and development within the creative field and the university setting.
ASSUMPTION: The role of an associate creative director in higher education may have unique aspects compared to similar roles in other industries or organizations.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive creative strategy for a university-wide event
- Managing a team to create promotional materials for a new music release by Liberty Worship Collective
- Collaborating with LU Shepherd to create visual content for a campus-wide service project
ASSUMPTION: The role may involve working on a wide range of creative projects, depending on the needs of the various departments within the Office of Spiritual Development.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments within the Office of Spiritual Development?
- What are the key challenges facing the Office of Spiritual Development, and how can this role help address them?
- What opportunities are there for growth and development within the creative field and the university setting?
- What is the work environment like, and how does the team support one another?
ASSUMPTION: The interview process is an opportunity to gain insights into the role's responsibilities, the team's dynamics, and the university's culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant creative and leadership experience
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best creative work and any leadership or management projects you've worked on
- Be prepared to discuss your creative process and how you approach projects
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
