Marketing & Creative Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Marketing & Creative Design Manager

Company: University of Arkansas System

Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States

Job Type: Full-Time, Fixed Duration of Project/Grant (Fixed Term)

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations / GTM Support

Date Posted: May 20, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the planning, development, and execution of visually compelling marketing assets to promote the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation’s (OEI) programs and initiatives.

• Drive digital storytelling and campaign execution across various platforms to engage students, faculty, alumni, and the broader entrepreneurial community.

• Ensure brand consistency, modernity, and alignment with OEI's mission to support entrepreneurs and innovators through impactful visual communication.

• Collaborate with internal partners and external vendors to deliver high-quality creative solutions that enhance OEI's visibility and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is marketing and creative design, this role significantly impacts Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by shaping the visual narrative and communication of OEI's offerings. The need for campaign execution, brand consistency, and stakeholder engagement suggests a strong overlap with GTM operations, particularly in ensuring consistent messaging and visual appeal across all promotional efforts. The role requires a blend of creative execution and strategic marketing alignment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies and creative briefs for OEI programs, events, and initiatives.

• Design visually engaging marketing materials, including digital graphics, social media content, print collateral, presentations, and website assets.

• Manage and execute digital marketing campaigns across various channels, including social media, email, and web, to drive engagement and participation.

• Oversee the creation of compelling digital storytelling content, such as short videos, infographics, and success stories, to highlight OEI's impact.

• Ensure brand consistency across all marketing materials, adhering to university and OEI branding guidelines while fostering a modern and innovative visual identity.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, faculty, students, and external partners to gather requirements, solicit feedback, and ensure alignment on creative projects.

• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively to ensure timely and successful delivery of marketing assets.

• Stay abreast of design trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in marketing and creative design to continuously enhance OEI's visual communications.

• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to inform creative strategies and identify opportunities for differentiation.

• Potentially assist with photography and video production, including shooting and editing, to support OEI's content needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a strong need for project management and cross-functional collaboration, essential in any operations role. The emphasis on "executing visually compelling, high-impact marketing assets" and "digital storytelling" points to a requirement for understanding how to translate strategic goals into tangible, engaging outputs, a key function in GTM and Marketing Operations. The responsibility to "shape how OEI shows up visually" implies a strategic contribution to brand perception, which is critical for GTM success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in graphic design, visual communication, and marketing material development across digital and print platforms.

• Experience managing and executing digital marketing campaigns and social media accounts is essential.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Demonstrated strong command of design principles, typography, color theory, and layout.

• Design Software Mastery: Expert proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Canva, or similar.

• Digital Campaign Management: Experience planning, executing, and analyzing digital marketing campaigns across social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter) and other digital channels.

• Content Creation: Ability to create engaging visual content for various platforms, including social media graphics, web banners, email templates, and potentially short videos.

• Brand Management: Understanding of brand development principles and ability to maintain brand consistency across all creative outputs.

• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, stakeholders, and external vendors.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within higher education institutions, startups, or the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

• Photography and video production skills, including shooting, editing, and post-production.

• Familiarity with marketing automation platforms and CRM systems for campaign integration.

• Experience in developing and executing integrated marketing campaigns with a clear ROI focus.

• Ability to engage and tailor content for specific audience segments, particularly student audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize technical design proficiency and digital marketing execution. The preferred skills, such as higher education experience and familiarity with startup/entrepreneurship ecosystems, are highly relevant for the University of Arkansas's Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The inclusion of "brand development and campaign strategy" under preferred skills suggests that candidates with a strategic marketing mindset will be highly valued, aligning with GTM operational needs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Showcase: A portfolio demonstrating a clear design process, from initial concept and research to final execution, highlighting problem-solving and strategic thinking behind creative decisions.

• Campaign Execution Examples: Visual evidence of marketing campaigns managed, including social media posts, digital ads, email campaigns, and any associated performance metrics or engagement data.

• Brand Consistency Examples: Projects that showcase the ability to maintain and evolve a brand identity across diverse applications (e.g., event branding, program promotion, website assets).

• Multi-Channel Content: Examples of content created for both digital (social media, web, email) and print (brochures, posters, flyers) platforms, demonstrating versatility.

• Storytelling Through Design: Projects that effectively communicate a narrative or key message through visual elements, such as success stories, event highlights, or program impact.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Submissions should ideally illustrate the candidate's approach to managing creative projects, including briefing, concept development, revisions, and final delivery, showcasing an organized workflow.

• System Integration Examples: If applicable, showcase how design assets were integrated into specific marketing platforms or systems (e.g., CMS, social media schedulers, email marketing tools).

• Performance Analysis: Where possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback demonstrating the effectiveness of the designed materials or executed campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Marketing & Creative Design Manager role, a strong portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of a candidate's design capabilities, strategic thinking, and execution skills. The emphasis should be on demonstrating not just aesthetic talent but also the ability to create assets that serve specific marketing objectives and contribute to broader GTM efforts. The portfolio should reflect an understanding of how design impacts engagement and drives desired actions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: University contributions to health, dental, and life insurance plans.

• Income Protection: Disability insurance coverage.

• Educational Support: Tuition waivers for employees and their immediate families, offering significant value for personal and familial development.

• Paid Time Off: 12 official university holidays and immediate leave accrual for vacation and sick time.

• Retirement Savings: Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5% to 10% of employee salary, a substantial employer match.

• Work-Life Balance: The University of Arkansas emphasizes a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, during the Day Shift. While specific flexibility isn't detailed, university environments often offer some degree of flexibility, though consistent attendance is noted as essential for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary for this role is explicitly stated as "Commensurate with education and experience." To provide a competitive estimate for Fayetteville, AR, I've researched typical mid-level Marketing Manager salaries in similar university settings. The benefits package is robust and a significant draw for university roles, particularly the tuition waivers and retirement contributions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Public University System)

Company Size: Large (University of Arkansas System employs over 10,000 individuals across multiple campuses). The specific campus, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, is a major institution.

Founded: The University of Arkansas was founded in 1871. The Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation (OEI) is part of the Walton College of Business.

Team Structure:

• The Marketing & Creative Design Manager will report to a Director or Head within the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation (OEI).

• The OEI team likely consists of program managers, administrative support, and potentially other specialized roles focused on entrepreneurship support.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While emphasizing visual appeal, the role is expected to align with the university's mission and OEI's goals, suggesting a data-informed approach to marketing and campaign effectiveness.

• Collaborative Workflow: The role emphasizes collaboration with internal partners and vendors, indicating a team-oriented approach to project execution.

• Innovation Support: The fundamental mission of OEI is to foster innovation, which should be reflected in the team's culture—encouraging new ideas and creative problem-solving.

Company Website: https://uasys.edu/ (System) & https://walton.uark.edu/ (Walton College of Business, where OEI is housed)

📝 Enhancement Note: The University of Arkansas is a large, established institution with a strong research focus. The culture within OEI is likely to be dynamic and forward-thinking, geared towards supporting entrepreneurial endeavors. Understanding the university's mission and the specific goals of OEI is crucial for aligning marketing efforts effectively.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Management. This role sits between individual contributor and senior leadership, requiring both hands-on execution and strategic oversight within its domain.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Director or Senior Manager within the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation. May have indirect reporting relationships or work closely with other department heads.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the visibility, engagement, and perception of OEI's programs. Effective marketing and creative design are critical for attracting students, faculty, and external partners, thereby contributing to the success of entrepreneurial initiatives and the university's broader GTM strategy for innovation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas like digital marketing strategy, video production, or brand management within the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

• Leadership: Opportunity to grow into senior marketing management roles, potentially leading larger teams or broader marketing functions within the university or OEI.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Ability to collaborate with various departments across the university, expanding professional network and understanding of different operational facets.

• Skill Development: Access to university-provided training, workshops, and potentially tuition waivers for further education to enhance skills in marketing, design, or business administration.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a mid-level role, growth often involves expanding scope, deepening expertise, or moving into leadership. In a university setting, this could mean taking on more complex campaigns, managing budgets, mentoring junior staff, or transitioning to a role with broader strategic responsibility within the university's marketing or innovation arms.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: University Campus Environment. Likely a professional office setting within the Walton College of Business or a dedicated OEI space.

Office Location(s): University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus. The city of Fayetteville is noted as a desirable place to live with a strong economy and focus on arts and quality of life.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Access to meeting rooms and potentially shared workspaces conducive to collaboration with OEI team members, faculty, and students.

• Technology & Tools: Provision of necessary design software, computer hardware, and potentially access to university-wide creative resources.

• Networking Opportunities: Frequent interactions with diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, fostering a dynamic professional environment.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily Monday through Friday, Day Shift (40 hours/week). While the role is on-site, university settings can sometimes offer limited flexibility for scheduling around specific project needs or personal commitments, though regular attendance is emphasized.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within a university setting offers a unique environment characterized by academic pursuits, research, and community engagement. The Fayetteville location is highlighted as a positive aspect, suggesting a good quality of life that can contribute to a positive work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume, cover letter, and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design process, strategic thinking, and campaign results. This is a critical step to evaluate their communication and strategic alignment.

• Skills-Based Interview: Questions may focus on design software proficiency, campaign management experience, problem-solving scenarios related to marketing challenges, and understanding of brand strategy.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Assessment of collaboration skills, project management approach, ability to handle feedback, and cultural fit within the OEI team and university environment.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with senior leadership or key stakeholders to discuss strategic vision and long-term impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills and experience required for this role (graphic design, digital campaigns, storytelling).

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, design thinking, challenges faced, and the outcome or impact. Use visuals to illustrate your process.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, include data, metrics, or qualitative feedback that demonstrates the success of your marketing efforts (e.g., engagement rates, lead generation, event attendance).

• Tailor to OEI: Highlight any experience with higher education, startups, or entrepreneurship. Explain how your design and marketing approach aligns with OEI's mission.

• Prepare for Presentation: Be ready to walk through your portfolio confidently, answering questions about your work and strategic approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Creative Brief Exercise: You might be given a hypothetical scenario or a brief for a new OEI initiative and asked to outline a creative concept or campaign plan.

• Design Critique: Be prepared to discuss your design choices and defend them based on strategic objectives.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about managing difficult stakeholders, handling project delays, or adapting designs to tight budgets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the cornerstone of this application. Candidates should meticulously prepare it to showcase not only creative talent but also strategic thinking and operational execution in marketing and campaign management. The interview process will likely scrutinize these aspects heavily.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for creating a wide range of marketing collateral.

• Canva: Likely used for faster creation of social media graphics and simpler digital assets, especially for less complex projects or rapid prototyping.

• Other Design Software: Familiarity with alternatives or complementary tools may be beneficial.

Digital Marketing & Social Media:

• Social Media Management Platforms: Tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social, or native platform schedulers for managing social media content and campaigns.

• Email Marketing Platforms: Experience with platforms like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or university-specific systems for creating and distributing email campaigns.

• Website Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with platforms like WordPress or similar for updating web content and integrating design assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics: For tracking website traffic, user behavior, and campaign performance.

• Social Media Analytics: Native analytics within platforms (Facebook Insights, Instagram Insights, LinkedIn Analytics) and potentially third-party tools for aggregated reporting.

• Design/Campaign Performance Metrics: Ability to interpret and report on metrics relevant to marketing asset effectiveness (e.g., click-through rates, engagement rates, conversion rates).

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for general business operations, documentation, and presentations.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or university-specific systems for task management and workflow tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong understanding of the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Proficiency in digital marketing tools and analytics is also critical, as the role involves executing and measuring campaign effectiveness, which is a key aspect of Marketing Operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Creativity: A culture that encourages new ideas, experimentation, and pushing creative boundaries to support entrepreneurship.

• Collaboration & Community: Emphasis on working together across departments and with external partners to build a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• Impact & Results: A focus on delivering tangible outcomes and demonstrating the value of OEI's programs through effective marketing and engagement.

• Excellence & Professionalism: Commitment to high-quality work, adherence to university standards, and maintaining a professional demeanor in all interactions.

• Inclusivity & Access: A dedication to providing opportunities and support for all aspiring entrepreneurs, reflected in inclusive marketing messaging.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expected to work closely with program managers, faculty, student groups, and potentially university marketing departments.

• Feedback-Oriented: An environment that values constructive feedback for continuous improvement of creative work and marketing strategies.

• Proactive Communication: Regular updates and clear communication with stakeholders to ensure alignment and manage expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture within an entrepreneurship office is typically energetic and forward-thinking. The values will likely center on fostering innovation, supporting growth, and creating a collaborative environment for aspiring entrepreneurs.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining the University of Arkansas's established brand guidelines while creating fresh, innovative designs that appeal to entrepreneurial audiences.

• Measuring Creative ROI: Quantifying the direct impact of design and marketing efforts on program enrollment, engagement, and entrepreneurial success can be challenging.

• Rapidly Evolving Digital Landscape: Keeping pace with new social media trends, digital platforms, and design technologies to ensure OEI's marketing remains current and effective.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Catering to the varied needs and expectations of students, faculty, alumni, and external partners, each with different communication preferences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design & Marketing Certifications: Pursuing certifications in specialized design software, digital marketing analytics, or content strategy.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Attending events focused on higher education marketing, creative design trends, or entrepreneurship support.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior marketing professionals within the university or connect with experienced entrepreneurs.

• Skill Expansion: Potential to gain experience in areas like UX/UI design, video production, or advanced campaign analytics.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex creative challenges and grow within a dynamic university environment. The ability to adapt and learn will be crucial for success and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a marketing campaign from brief to execution. How do you ensure brand consistency and measure success?"

• "How would you approach designing marketing materials for a new student entrepreneurship program, considering our target audience?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Arkansas?"

• "How do you stay updated on design and marketing trends, and how would you apply that knowledge here?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation around a story for each project—the challenge, your solution, and the outcome.

• Highlight Strategy: For each design or campaign, explain the strategic thinking behind your creative choices. Connect your work to business objectives.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Be ready to discuss the tools and techniques you used and why.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Include projects that show versatility in style, medium, and audience.

• Be Concise: Focus on the most impactful projects and key takeaways. Aim for clarity and impact over exhaustive detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who not only possesses strong design skills but also understands marketing strategy, operational execution, and how to align creative output with organizational goals. Be prepared to articulate your thought process and demonstrate impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Marketing & Creative Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the University of Arkansas System Career Site: https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS. Ensure all required documents are uploaded.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating graphic design, digital campaign execution, and storytelling relevant to entrepreneurship and higher education. Focus on showcasing your process and measurable results.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your experience with design software, campaign management, and project coordination. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., "visual design," "digital campaigns," "brand development," "project management").

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio and be ready to answer strategy, behavioral, and situational questions. Research the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and the University of Arkansas's mission.

• Thorough Research: Familiarize yourself with the University of Arkansas's branding guidelines, current OEI initiatives, and the broader Fayetteville entrepreneurial landscape.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.