The Director provides executive-level leadership and strategic direction for UW’s Creative Communications division. Creative Communications provides for the design, production, and distribution of quality communications products for the University of Washington. The Department is organized into units that supply client and creative design services, digital print and copy services, managed copy services, mailing services, internal administrative, and computing and financial services. Employing more than 65 people in professional, technical, clerical, craft, and administrative areas, the Director is responsible for a business with an annual budget of $10.5 million per year of which $8 million comes from Communications supporting revenue.

Primarily a self-sustaining unit, Creative Communications operates using a strong business-type approach that provides a service to the university campus partner to fill various needs from print, design, digital media, and web services in and media environment. Creative Communications employs LEAN techniques to optimize business operations, pursuing continuous process improvements to maximize revenue and reduce costs for campus customers. Further, Creative Communications is committed to the diversity, growth, and development of its staff. The Director ensures a culture of learning for staff and leadership in the department. This position interacts with a variety of stakeholders and must employ savvy negotiation skills with campus leadership, labor unions, and outside vendors.

Team Management

• Responsible for day-to-day operations management
• Work with a diverse group of individuals and create a culture of inclusion and equity
• Advise and counsel a team of professionals responsible for managing the programs within C2
• Hire and manage a team of professionals; both regular staff and vendors/suppliers
• Responsible for staff development, career enrichment of staff, and any necessary corrective action
• Team includes Professional Staff, Classified Staff in 3 labor unions, and student interns/student employeesCampus leadership
• Negotiate priorities and resolve conflicts between unit requests and priorities and UW Finance and University mission, goals, and priorities
• Integrate unit priorities and programs into UW Finance and university priorities
• Lead and move projects forward effectively, even in situations where s/he has little or no direct control of or influence over project partners
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with internal partners (central partners and unit partners) and external partners (community, vendors, and suppliers)
• Work with leaders across campus to create strategic partnershipsStrategy/Program Development
• Develop and communicate vision and programmatic direction
• Build, enhance, and continuously improve a robust program optimizing both central and unit resources to achieve goals
• Create new strategies utilizing new techniques and technology; implement innovative techniques to ensure the most effective program
• Seek ways to continuously improve the program to enhance C2 programming
• Follow trends in the market; identify, develop, and disseminate best practices
• Work to provide a full service inplant to UW Community which benefits the end users by providing good product at a fair price while upholding the brand standards for UW Medicine, UW Academy and other entities
• Where work is best suited by an outside, C2 continuously seeks partner relationship with area suppliers, printers and mail houses, and creative agenciesLeadership Skills
• Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Remain calm in stressful and crisis situations
• Exercise sound judgment at all times; balance the needs of the university and C2
• Effectively manage strategic issues as well as tactical, operational details
• Effectively manage high-level university leadership, faculty, staff, and community leaders and volunteers at the universityBudget/Resource Management
• Develop and manage an annual operations budget of over $10.5M
• Manage and balance the self sustaining aspect of the C2 budget to ensure organizational healthDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  Strategy Development
• Complete strategic planning to develop, define, implement, measure, and report departmental objectives in support of the divisional and institutional mission and vision. Using the Shingo Lean approach, set and align goals, monitor metrics, and engage all staff members in continuous improvement on an ongoing basis.
• Employ sound and data-driven financial management practices to ensure financial sustainability, administering financial processes that demonstrate appropriate budget management, reporting, control, compliance, and stewardship.
• Evaluate organizational performance based on measurable outcomes and success in meeting objectives. Maintain and evolve departmental dashboard for Creative Communications that effectively balances business and customer service goals.
• Evaluate business lines within the organization and create business opportunities or opportunities for business growth the ensure the overall health of the organization.Leadership and Team Management
  Provide leadership and manage the Creative Communications Team
• Manage the day-to-day operations of Creative Communications
• Work with a diverse group of individuals to create a culture of inclusivity and equity
• Create and manage the Creative Communications budget
• Hire and oversee contract vendors as appropriate.  Oversee and approve specifications for bids and cost estimates as provided by the production managers
• Responsible for management, staff development, career enrichment, and trainingProgram Development and Management
  Internal and external communications and negotiation with clients, coworkers, stakeholders, and administrators
• Communicate program changes
• Strengthen partnerships
• Build new partnership
• Continuously evaluate departmental operational activities to ensure the timely delivery of valued products and services in an efficient manner. Implement improvements as necessary for growth or efficiency.
• Develop Institutional Printing Procurement policy and procedure, working in partnership with Procurement Services.
• Recommend acquisition and implementation of appropriate equipment and systems.
• Establish and maintain communications with counterparts at other institutions to exchange best practices.
• Advise and assist clients in the development and implementation of communications strategies.
• Follow trends in the market and identify, develop, and disseminate institutional and commercial best practices.
• Assume other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President, Enterprise Services.Administration
• Negotiate relevant labor contracts working in partnership with Labor Relations
• Offer presentations to departments, WA State Lean conferences and lead tours for outside agencies
• Represent the University in appropriate professional organizations and associations
• Lead review meetings with large departments/customersLead Responsibilities:
  Lead Senior Management Team in daily and weekly meetings;  team works collaboratively to keep the departmental initiatives aligned with strategic direction for C2, Enterprise Services and UW Finance, supporting the higher of goals of the UW, including financial and environmental stewardship.Supervisory Responsibilities:
  Oversee over 65 FTE
  Directly manage 4 FTE

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Communications, Marketing or related field and 10 years of progressive experience in complex logistical management, institutional services, including but not limited to, print management, electric mail, materials management, and comprehensive print/electronic communications organization is required, preferably in a complex institutional setting. Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

5 years of progressively responsible leadership/management experience; demonstrated commitment to developing others to become leaders. Create a culture of inclusion and equity throughout the team while supporting the overall culture of UW Finance.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Demonstrated experience in working on diverse groups and teams; respects, values, and contributes to UW Finance and UW’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Knowledge of digital printing, variable data printing, electronic publications, website development, graphic design, and/or mail processing and distribution.

Demonstrated success in establishing and implementing strategic plans utilizing the Lean metrics and methodologies.

Demonstrated client service orientation and be able to work effectively in a team-based, collaborative organization.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of and experience leading process improvement (including lean).

Experience evaluating outcome-based organizational performance.