Position Summary
The Director, Graphics & Design is a key member of the Athletics Department's re‑imagined Strawberry Canyon Studios. The director leads the conceptualization and execution of high‑impact visual assets that define the Cal identity across sports and amplifies Cal’s brand narrative consistent with external strategy. The role captures the energy of live sporting events, produces access‑driven content, and develops personalized digital content to promote external revenue generation. The director must be fast‑paced, solution‑oriented, and able to pitch high‑level storytelling concepts with leadership while executing bespoke graphic design on tight timelines. Leveraging emerging technologies like AI, the director maintains brand guidelines and drives speed and scale in production. The role also recruits, builds, and supervises a consistent workforce of students and interns, creating a comprehensive digital content creation program for mentorship and professional‑level storytelling across Athletics.
Responsibilities
Content Conceptualization & Strategic Pitching
- Working independently and proactively to pitch high‑level storytelling concepts to Cal Athletics leadership.
- This includes developing content calendars that align with specific recruiting cycles, retention goals, and revenue‑generation windows.
Multimedia Production & High‑Impact Execution
- Leading the end‑to‑end execution of visual assets, including graphic design, photography, motion graphics, and identity design.
- This involves capturing the energy of live events and producing behind‑the‑scenes features that define the Cal brand identity for social and digital platforms.
Recruitment & Retention Content Specialized Delivery
- Developing AI‑generated personalized digital content and templates specifically tailored to attract elite recruits, enhance the student‑athlete experience, and drive external revenue.
- This ensures a consistent brand narrative that aids in both player acquisition, internal program loyalty, and fan affinity.
Revenue Generation
- Developing AI‑generated personalized digital content and templates for speed and scale that are specifically tailored to attract elite brands and elevate the Cal Athletics brand.
- This ensures a consistent brand narrative that aids in both traditional and new revenue streams and building fan loyalty.
Technological Innovation & AI Integration
- Leveraging emerging technologies, such as Generative AI and advanced editing tools, to achieve speed and scale in content production.
- This responsibility focuses on maintaining University brand guidelines while modernizing the studio's workflow for faster digital turnaround.
Budgeting & Strategy
- Manage content creation budgets, track expenses, and evaluate the content effectiveness via feedback and data to improve future work.
Quality Control & Post‑Campaign Analysis
- Govern the post design review process by analyzing feedback and performance; implement continuous improvements to maintain Power 4 conference excellence.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced knowledge of program activity and best practices.
- Problem‑solving skills; multi‑task, work with frequent interruptions, and effective listener.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
- Proficiency in the use of computer applications relevant to job duties and/or the ability to learn.
- Technical expertise in capturing high‑speed sports action and producing content specifically formatted for stadium videoboards and social platforms.
- Ability to interpret digital performance metrics (engagement, reach, conversion) to refine content strategy and prove ROI for revenue generation.
- The ability to pitch "big picture" concepts to executive leadership and translate them into a cohesive brand narrative.
- Skills in recruiting, training, and mentoring a large student/intern workforce while maintaining quality control.
- Experience managing production budgets and navigating tight, deadline‑driven schedules common in collegiate athletics.
- Ability to work independently while remaining aligned with internal teams.
- A solution‑oriented mindset capable of integrating emerging technologies into traditional brand guidelines without compromising quality.
- Mastery of the Adobe Creative Cloud and cinematic camera operation.
- Deep understanding of AI tools for automated workflows, asset scaling, and creative brainstorming and visualization.
- Strong skills in coaching and mentoring lower level staff.
- Time and project management skills to effectively establish priorities and meet competing deadlines both for themselves and the team.
- Interpersonal communications and people management skills to interact effectively with a variety of clients, staff and vendors.
- Strong skills in collaboration to best meet goals and objectives of the client.
- A strong working knowledge of visual asset design, brand development, and the creative process.
- Knowledge of NCAA/Power 4 landscape, including recruiting cycles, NIL trends, and student‑athlete retention drivers.
- Must maintain current knowledge of applicable rules and standards of the Pacific‑12 Conference, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and other associations and agencies to which the Berkeley campus of the University of California adheres, and at all times avoid any and all violations of these rules and standards.
Education / Training
- Bachelor's degree in a related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
Salary & Benefits
The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $105,000-\$115,000.
- This is an exempt, monthly‑paid position.
- This is a full‑time (40 hours/week) career position eligible for UC benefits.
Driving Required
Required to hold a valid driver's license and have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
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