📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Strategist
🔹 Company: Jewish Community Center of Denver
🔹 Location: Denver, Colorado
🔹 Job Type: Full Time
🔹 Category: Wellness and Fitness Services
🔹 Date Posted: June 19, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Intermediate (2-5 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic campaign leadership, guiding creative direction across integrated marketing campaigns
- Creative integration across various channels, ensuring brand consistency
- Collaboration with internal teams and external contractors to develop creative briefs and assets
- Innovation and trend awareness, staying current with visual, cultural, and design trends
- Creative oversight and quality control, maintaining design excellence standards
- Mentorship and direction, providing guidance to contractors and vendors
- Visionary thinking and growth, contributing ideas that position the organization as bold and distinctive
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to balance innovation with practical execution.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the creative direction of integrated marketing campaigns, ensuring consistency and alignment with organizational goals
✅ Leverage expertise in website development, data integration, video and photography, print, and digital media to ensure brand alignment across all creative outputs
✅ Collaborate with internal teams and external contractors to develop creative briefs, visual direction, and cross-functional assets that align with campaign strategies
✅ Actively research visual, cultural, and design trends to ensure the organization remains fresh, modern, and relevant
✅ Assist in setting and maintaining standards for design excellence across all marketing materials
✅ Provide informal creative direction to contractors and vendors, offering guidance and feedback that elevates the quality of deliverables
✅ Work closely with leadership to help shape the evolving creative vision of the organization
✅ Balance innovation with practical execution, approaching each project with a creative director’s mindset
ASSUMPION: This role involves a high level of strategic thinking, creativity, and collaboration with various teams and stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Four-year college degree in graphic design or a related area
Experience: Three+ years of graphic design experience
Required Skills:
- Advanced skills in Mac/PC Adobe Creative Suite including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom
- Experience with WordPress and basic HTML & CSS
- Experience creating static and interactive digital ads (video and animation)
- Experience creating web graphics and unique online experiences
- Thorough knowledge of pre-press processes and print production
- Ability to evaluate content and suggest improvements for highly effective design outcomes
- Outstanding time and project management skills, and the ability to deliver in a deadline-driven environment
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and people simultaneously
Preferred Skills:
- Advanced knowledge of printing processes
- Familiarity with UX/UI design
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong portfolio demonstrating their ability to create visually compelling and strategically sound design work.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $59,000 - $60,415 per year
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision plans
- Basic Life Insurance & AD&D
- Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability
- 401(K) Plan
- Paid Time Off
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a role of this level in the Denver, Colorado area. Benefits are typical for a non-profit organization of this size.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Wellness and Fitness Services. The Jewish Community Center of Denver (JCC Denver) offers a wide range of programs and services, including fitness, sports, arts, and cultural events, with a focus on community building and Jewish values.
Company Size: Medium (201-500 employees). As a medium-sized non-profit, JCC Denver offers a supportive work environment with opportunities for growth and impact within the local community.
Founded: 1922. JCC Denver was founded as a place of refuge for the Jewish people of Denver and has since evolved into a community center that welcomes people of all backgrounds.
Company Description:
- JCC Denver's mission is to build a community, rooted in Jewish values, where everyone feels like they belong.
- The center offers a wide range of programs and services, including fitness, sports, arts, and cultural events, with a focus on community building and Jewish values.
- JCC Denver is committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for all members of the community to gather, learn, and grow together.
Company Specialties:
- Fitness and wellness programs
- Preschool and early childhood education
- Summer camps and youth programs
- Swim lessons and aquatics
- Intergenerational programming
- Young family programming
- Pre-natal programming
- After-school enrichments
- Youth sports and swim teams
- Art integration workshops
- Jewish holiday and community events
- Arts and cultural events
Company Website: http://www.jccdenver.org/
ASSUMPTION: JCC Denver's focus on community building and Jewish values makes it an attractive workplace for individuals who are passionate about creating meaningful connections and fostering a sense of belonging.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Intermediate. This role is suitable for candidates with 2-5 years of experience in graphic design and related fields.
Reporting Structure: The Creative Strategist will report directly to the Marketing Director and work collaboratively with various internal teams and external contractors.
Work Arrangement: On-site. This role requires regular on-site presence at the JCC Denver headquarters in Denver, Colorado.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a senior creative role or management position within the marketing department
- Opportunities to lead and mentor junior designers and interns
- Possibility to expand the role's scope to include additional responsibilities, such as team leadership or project management
ASSUMPTION: This role offers ample opportunities for professional growth and development within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Community center with on-site fitness and wellness facilities
Office Location(s): 350 South Dahlia St, Denver, CO 80246, US
Geographic Context:
- Denver, Colorado, is a vibrant and growing city with a diverse population and a strong job market
- The city offers a high quality of life, with numerous cultural attractions, outdoor recreation opportunities, and a thriving arts scene
- Denver has a moderate cost of living compared to other major metropolitan areas in the United States
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a typical workweek of 40 hours, Monday through Friday. The role may require occasional evening or weekend work to support events and campaigns.
ASSUMPTION: The JCC Denver's location in the heart of the city provides easy access to public transportation, cultural attractions, and nearby amenities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the JCC Denver careers portal
- Phone or video screening with the Marketing Director
- In-person or virtual interview with the Marketing Director and a panel of stakeholders
- Final round interview with the Executive Director
- Background check and reference check
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Design skills and portfolio presentation
- Strategic thinking and campaign leadership
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Adaptability and problem-solving abilities
- Alignment with JCC Denver's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best design work, with a focus on strategic campaigns and brand development
- Be ready to discuss your design process, creative inspirations, and how you approach challenges
- Research JCC Denver's mission, values, and programs to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its community impact
ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Brand Development, Digital Design, Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, HTML, CSS, Project Management, Creative Direction, Visual Storytelling, Mentorship, Trend Awareness, Typography, Color Theory, Photo Styling
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and qualifications through a series of interviews and assessments.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom)
- WordPress
- HTML & CSS
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with additional tools and technologies relevant to the role, such as UX/UI design software or video editing platforms, may be beneficial.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Connection: The link between one person and another, bringing them together and fostering a sense of belonging
- Community: The tribe of people who get you, share your values, and support your way of life
- Wellbeing: The state of being healthy and happy, feeling physically and emotionally secure, and taking responsibility for the welfare of oneself and others
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on collective success and shared goals
- Adaptable and flexible, able to pivot and reprioritize as needed to support the organization's mission
- Creative and innovative, with a passion for pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo
- Committed to continuous learning and professional development
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with JCC Denver's mission and values, and how do they influence your approach to work?
- How do you balance innovation with practical execution, and can you provide an example of a time when you successfully achieved this balance?
- How do you approach collaboration and communication with diverse teams and stakeholders, and can you share an example of a successful collaboration?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong fit with JCC Denver's values and work style, as well as a genuine commitment to the organization's mission and community impact.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities
- Balancing the need for creativity and innovation with the requirement to maintain brand consistency and alignment with organizational goals
- Working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including internal teams, external contractors, and community members
- Adapting to changes in priorities, resources, and project scope in a dynamic non-profit environment
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to address these challenges proactively and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Creative Strategist vs. Art Director: While both roles require strong design skills, the Creative Strategist focuses more on campaign leadership, brand development, and strategic thinking, whereas the Art Director is more focused on visual design and aesthetic execution.
- Industry-specific context: In the wellness and fitness services industry, the Creative Strategist role may require additional knowledge of fitness-related design elements, such as equipment, facilities, and workout-related graphics.
- Career path comparison: The Creative Strategist role can serve as a stepping stone to senior creative or management positions within the marketing department, or as a pathway to other strategic roles within the organization.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be aware of the unique aspects of this role within the context of the industry and the organization, and be prepared to discuss how their skills and experiences align with the specific requirements of the position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand style guide for a new fitness program, including logo design, color palette, typography, and imagery
- Creating a series of engaging and informative marketing materials for a summer camp program, including brochures, flyers, and social media graphics
- Designing a responsive website for a youth sports league, featuring team pages, schedules, and registration forms
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to these types of projects and how they would tailor their design process to meet the specific needs of JCC Denver and its community.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe a time when you successfully led a creative campaign from concept to execution, and what challenges did you face along the way?
- How do you approach collaboration with internal teams and external contractors, and can you provide an example of a successful collaboration?
- How do you stay current with visual, cultural, and design trends, and how do you incorporate them into your design work without compromising brand consistency?
- Can you describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in project scope or priorities, and how did you ensure the successful completion of the project?
- How do you balance the need for creativity and innovation with the requirement to maintain brand consistency and alignment with organizational goals?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to ask thoughtful questions about the role, the organization, and the community it serves to demonstrate their interest and engagement with the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the JCC Denver careers portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best design work, with a focus on strategic campaigns and brand development
- Research JCC Denver's mission, values, and programs to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its community impact
- Follow up with the Marketing Director one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
