Art & Production Director
Description
About the Job
The Art & Production Director supports the University’s creative initiatives by providing strategic creative direction and overseeing the production of high-quality visual communications across print and digital platforms. This role leads the design team, manages production workflows, and ensures that all creative work aligns with CCU’s institutional brand standards and broader messaging objectives. Working closely with CCS leadership and campus partners, the position requires strong creative judgment, production expertise, and the ability to manage multiple projects and team members in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
About CCU
Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.
Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914 on two principles — grace and truth. CCU’s scriptural foundation comes from John 1:17: For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (ESV)
CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.
A leader in higher education, the University has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had nine consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 10,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.
Scripture states all Christians are called to serve Christ and to minister to others. Because Christians are individuals with different gifts and callings, we serve Christ in a variety of ministry vocations. CCU invites you to explore how you may use your calling and gifts at the University.
What is most appealing about working at CCU?
- Faith-friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
- Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.
- Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.
We’re looking for candidates who have:
- Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field preferred; equivalent portfolio-based experience considered.
- 8+ years of professional design experience with demonstrated progression into creative leadership, art direction, or production management roles.
- Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat) on a Mac-based system.
- Working knowledge of AI-powered creative tools (e.g., Nano Banana, ChatGPT, Topaz, and emerging generative design platforms) that support concept development, workflow efficiency, image refinement, and production accuracy.
- Strong understanding of typography, layout systems, color theory, and visual hierarchy across both print and digital platforms.
- Deep knowledge of print production processes including file preparation, vendor coordination, proofing, and quality control.
- Demonstrated experience managing creative teams and coordinating production across multiple simultaneous projects.
- Ability to maintain brand integrity across diverse mediums including print, digital communications, web, signage, and event materials.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for layout adaptation and file preparation.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple concurrent deadlines.
- Exceptional attention to detail and proofing accuracy.
- Clear verbal and written communication skills with the ability to guide designers, provide constructive feedback, and communicate effectively with internal stakeholders.
- Professional and collaborative leadership style with the ability to mentor creative staff and maintain a productive, solutions-oriented team environment.
- A professional visual portfolio demonstrating strong art direction, brand stewardship, and production execution is required.
Key Job Duties
- Provide creative leadership and art direction for all Communications and Creative Services design projects to ensure high-quality, brand-aligned visual communications.
- Supervise and mentor two full-time Graphic Designers, freelance design contractors, and the department’s Creative Project Manager, ensuring effective workflow, clear expectations, and consistent quality standards.
- Provide creative oversight and strategic collaboration with the University Web Designer through a dotted-line reporting relationship to ensure consistency across web, digital, and print platforms.
- Establish and maintain visual design standards that ensure alignment with CCU’s institutional brand identity and broader creative goals.
- Supervise and approve design work to ensure quality, brand consistency, and technical accuracy prior to production or publication.
- Direct the creative development of major University publications, marketing collateral, signage systems, event materials, and other strategic communications.
- Manage production workflows including print vendor coordination, file preparation, proofing, and quality assurance.
- Oversee print vendor selection and bid comparisons as needed, ensuring cost efficiency and production quality.
- Ensure all creative deliverables adhere to brand guidelines, typography standards, color systems, and visual identity frameworks.
- Maintain oversight of file organization, archiving systems, and production documentation.
- Collaborate with CCS and UEM leadership and campus stakeholders to translate strategic objectives into effective visual communications.
- Identify opportunities to improve creative workflows, production efficiencies, and emerging technology adoption within the design process.
- Maintain high standards of service, professionalism, and responsiveness when working with internal University partners.
- Other duties as assigned.
Mission Contribution
CCU’s mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. In this role, the Art & Production Director contributes to that mission by leading and stewarding the University’s visual identity with excellence, consistency, and strategic clarity. Through thoughtful creative direction, strong production oversight, and the mentorship of the design team, this role ensures that CCU’s designed communications reflect the quality, integrity, and Christ-centered purpose of the University. The work produced under this leadership helps inspire, inform, and engage audiences while reinforcing CCU’s commitment to academic excellence and faithful Christian witness.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. You may be required to work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends.
What we offer our employees:
We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as candidates progress through the interview process. The pay range for this job is: $70,000 - $80,000 annually and is assigned by reviewing a combination of job-related factors that may include: internal/external pay equity, the salary structure/pay grade, or a candidate’s qualifications/experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage and CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.
Spiritual Requirements
- Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.
- Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.
- Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.
- Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU’s Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.