Creative Operations Lead

Position Summary

The Creative Operations Lead oversees best-in-class execution of creative projects that support the university’s marketing, branding, and visibility initiatives. Reporting to the Executive Creative Director, the Creative Operations Lead is responsible for developing and implementing systems and workflows supporting MarComm’s integrated, multidisciplinary creative and production team whose oversight includes creative and production of signature, award-winning campaigns and publications in support of the university’s most visible external marketing and communications efforts. The Creative Operations Lead tracks all aspects of the production process including but not limited to: project intake; client communication; pre-production planning; project team oversight; visual asset management; vendor management; creative development; reviews and approvals; production, delivery, and archiving. With multiple projects in motion at once—each with distinct schedules, deadlines, goals, and stakeholders—the Creative Operations Lead coordinates and streamlines workflows, ensuring all projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned to LMU’s brand standards.

Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities

• Workflow Optimization: Develop and maintain efficient workflows and systems to traffic a high volume of projects and initiatives on competing, parallel timelines. Identify and implement best practices to support team creativity, collaboration, and efficiency. Perform regular reviews of the creative team’s workflow and provide solutions to ensure quality, efficiency and effectiveness of tools and processes.
• Project Coordination: Act as the key point of contact between cross-functional teams, internal stakeholders, leaders, and external vendors to ensure clear communication and smooth project flow. Direct department production utilizing Smartsheet project management software. Traffic all projects from intake to archive, ensuring alignment with the university’s brand and visual standards. Act as department point person for production support of marquee campus events. Assemble project teams, attend site visits, track all creative projects and tactics, and facilitate team meetings.
• Scheduling & Traffic Management: Create and maintain an annual calendar for planning and executing campaigns and marquee publications, making adjustments as necessary to accommodate shifting priorities. Evaluate and schedule multiple concurrent creative tactics, including copy, design, photography, video, and others. Manage timelines, deliverables, and resources to ensure timely completion of all tasks. 
• Resource Management: Work with the Executive Creative Director to allocate and manage creative resources (agencies, graphic designers, copywriters, artists, etc.) based on visibility, project demands, funding, and team capacity. Manage vendor contact resources; communicate with freelancers to determine availability as needed; and connect resources with clients and project leads. Ensure resources are utilized effectively to meet deadlines and maintain quality standards. Manage Creative and Production project archives. Manage university’s graphic identity assets and templates; train clients, colleagues, external partners, and other end users to deploy brand identity system correctly and with consistency. Oversee and administer brand architecture system. Maintain visual identity web pages. 
• Budget Monitoring: Work with the Executive Creative Director to track budgets and ensure projects are completed within allocated funding. Provide estimates, manage costs, obtain budget approval for scope changes, and facilitate vendor fulfillment.
• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with stakeholders across MarComm and the university to gather input, provide regular updates, and assess expectations throughout the production process.
• Problem Solving: Proactively address potential roadblocks or challenges in the production process, offering solutions to keep projects on track and maintaining positive team dynamics.
• Reporting: Maintain archives of campaign presentation decks that provide a comprehensive overview of creative visuals, assets, and placements.

Salary range $80,000- $85,000 Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Loyola Marymount University Expectations

Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Graphic Design, Project Management, or a related field.

Experience:

• 5 years of experience managing creative projects, ideally within a fast-paced marketing, advertising, or design-focused environment.
• Experience working with design teams, understanding creative processes, and managing complex production timelines.
• Familiarity with project management tools (Smartsheet, Basecamp, Asana) and workflow management.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with different timelines, budgets, and stakeholders

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to liaise with various stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive under pressure and work in a deadline-driven environment.
• Detail-oriented with a strong eye for design and brand consistency.
• Knowledge of Loyola Marymount University’s brand guidelines and marketing strategies is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented culture.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education marketing, nonprofits, or a similar industry.
• Familiarity with design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) is a plus.
• Familiarity with Project management tools (e.g., PMP or Agile) is a bonus.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Staff Regular

Salary range

$66,600.00 - $86,600.00 Salary commensurate with education and experience.Loyola Marymount University, a Carnegie classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence, the education of the whole person, and the building of a just society. LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal, state and local law. We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experience, and beliefs to apply. (Visit www.lmu.edu for more information.)