Pitt EDGE (Center for Excellence in Digital Education) is the University of Pittsburgh's shared-service partner for online, hybrid, and residential graduate education, housed in the Office of the Provost. EDGE Marketing is the centralized creative and content engine behind three pillars: Pitt Online, residential graduate programs, and Pitt EDGE (the instructional design and technology ecosystem that serves partner schools and University stakeholders).
The Creative Marketing Manager stewards the visual and verbal identity of these brands and leads the creative team that brings them to life. Reporting to the Director of Marketing, this role directly supervises two Creative Marketing Specialists and a Content Writer, serves as the primary creative liaison to University Communications and Marketing (UCM) and Health Sciences Strategic Communications, and partners closely with the Marketing Project Manager, SEO Specialist, and Digital Operations colleagues. This is a high-visibility role.
Preferred education and experience:
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, graphic design, or a related field
- 5+ years of progressive brand, creative, or design experience, including 2+ years leading or mentoring creative staff
- Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or other mission-driven marketing preferred
- Demonstrated experience building and governing brand standards, style guides, and design/template systems
- Strong art direction and creative concepting skills with a portfolio of multi-channel campaign work
- Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud and modern design/collaboration tools
- Working knowledge of WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards and mobile-first design
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to build partnerships with faculty, school leaders, and University units
Manages team and drives the University brand through digital and marketing channels, communication tools, and integrated marketing campaigns. Grows University brand reputation through innovative solutions. Works with licensing to enforce brand guidelines and with vendors to ensure adherence.
- Steward the visual and verbal brand identity across Pitt Online and Pitt EDGE, serving as the primary liaison of brand element consistency and design system governance.
- Develop and maintain creative standards, style guides, and reusable template systems.
- Lead creative concepting and art direction for major campaigns, including support for the Pitt Online brand campaign.
- Directly supervise the Creative Marketing Specialists and Content Writer, including assigning work, providing feedback, and supporting professional development.
- Partner with the Marketing Project Manager on the production calendar and creative request intake.
- Serve as the primary creative liaison to University Communications and Marketing (UCM) and Health Sciences Strategic Communications to keep work brand-aligned.
- Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and the SEO Specialist to optimize creative assets for performance, discovery, and conversion.
- Establish and enforce quality assurance and accessibility review processes for creative work (WCAG 2.1 and Pitt EDGE compliance standards).
- Champion mobile-first, accessible, and inclusive design practices across all brand properties and materials.
Must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, use a computer, keyboard, and mouse for extended periods, and view digital screens for design review. Must be able to attend meetings and campus events and occasionally lift or carry light equipment or materials (up to 25 lbs).
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.
Job Details
- Assignment Category: Full-time regular
- Job Classification: Staff.Manager - Brand
- Job Family: Communications & Marketing
- Job Sub-Family: Public Relations
- Campus: Pittsburgh
- Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum Years of Experience Required: 3
- Substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.
- Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid: Combination of On-Campus and Remote work as determined by the department.
- Hiring Range: TBD Based Upon Qualifications
- Relocation Offered: No
- Visa Sponsorship Provided: No
- Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check
- Child Protection Clearances: The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance.
- Required Documents: Resume, Cover Letter, Media Sample
- Optional Documents: Not Applicable