Assistant Director, Creative Solutions

Division Intercollegiate Athletics

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) invites applications for Assistant Director, Creative Solutions to support marketing. In addition, the Assistant Director, Creative Solutions will play a critical role in supporting the broader strategic priorities of the DIA, and ultimately this position will help foster a life-changing experience for student-athletes.

Since 1892, DIA has operated on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to support its intercollegiate athletic programs. Today, DIA supports 21 intercollegiate varsity sports which compete as a part of the Big Ten Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. DIA provides the resources for over 500 student-athletes to participate at the highest levels of their respective sports. This extensive support ecosystem includes over 35 departments employing over 300 dedicated staff members including 80 plus varsity coaches working collaboratively to provide individualized championship-caliber opportunities to our student-athletes, in the classroom, in the competitive arena, and in personal and professional development, to enhance their growth and life preparation. The DIA mission is to Unify, Develop, Inspire, and Achieve, for the benefit of our student-athletes, our university, and our broader community.

DIA has set forth six strategic priorities to help guide and advance its overarching mission: Championship people, championship mindset; strategic innovation and investment; athletic success; financial sustainability; win championships; community engagement and enrichment. Together, these priorities present a cohesive vision for the direction of the department.

Organizational Relationship
This position will report to the Director Creative Design

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Graphic Design supports the creative vision of Illinois Athletics by producing high-quality graphics that elevate the Fighting Illini brand across digital, print, recruiting, and in-venue platforms. This role is tailored for an emerging designer with 1–3 years of professional design experience in sports. Candidates should bring strong creative instincts, technical design skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced athletics environment. This is a hands-on position for a designer who is passionate about sports, visual storytelling, and creating content that drives fan engagement, recruiting success, and overall brand growth.
For a complete list of duties and responsibilities, Assistant Director, Creative Solutions

Impact in Your First Year

Within 3 months, you will:
Consistently produce high-quality graphics that reflect the Illinois Athletics brand across multiple platforms.
Contribute to larger creative campaigns and provide input on visual storytelling strategies.
Take on ownership of certain design projects from start to finish, including social graphics, in-venue displays, recruiting materials, and motion graphics templates.
Begin mentoring student design interns and providing guidance on creative best practices.

Within 6 months, you will:
Consistently produce high-quality graphics that reflect the Illinois Athletics brand across multiple platforms.
Contribute to larger creative campaigns and provide input on visual storytelling strategies.
Take on ownership of certain design projects from start to finish, including social graphics, in-venue displays, recruiting materials, and motion graphics templates.
Begin mentoring student design interns and providing guidance on creative best practices.

By the end of the first year, you will:
Become a key member of the creative team, delivering innovative designs that strengthen Illinois Athletics’ brand and fan engagement.
Lead the production of major campaigns, recruiting materials, and in-venue graphics independently.
Fully mentor student interns, helping develop the next generation of Illinois Athletics designers.
Contribute to long-term creative planning and the evolution of the department’s visual identity, including logo design updates, motion graphics initiatives, and broader brand campaigns.

Specialty Factors

1. Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
2. One (1) year (12 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.
3. Demonstrated experience in graphic design within sports, such as college athletics or professional sports.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred: Experience specifically within college athletics; some experience with logo design and development; exposure to motion graphics/animation

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Maintain knowledge of, and compliance with, specific NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and institution rules that relate to this position is required.
• Championship Mindset and Expectations Understands and displays professionalism and integrity that builds and maintains trust between student-athletes and fellow DIA staff; Prioritizes and contributes to the life changing student-athlete experience; Adheres to University, DIA, Big Ten, and NCAA rules and regulations; Commitment to the Athletics Department and University’s mission and values; Flexible to various scheduling to include nights, weekend work and some holidays, team travel; and Maintain professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5004 - Marketing Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 10/6/2025. The salary range for this position is $45,000 - $47,000 and the salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Become an Illinois professional at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and be part of a dynamic community dedicated to making a positive impact on both local and global scales, advancing knowledge, and fostering creativity. Learn more about why YOU should join us.

DIA believes that athletics provides a forum to bring together people across all spectra of identities. We are committed to welcoming, affirming, and celebrating students, coaches, staff, and spectators of all races and ethnicities, sexes, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and abilities. DIA’s mission is to unify, develop, inspire, and achieve. It is no mistake that “Unify” is our first priority, a priority which requires a level of empathy and respect to create a culture of community, inclusivity, and belonging. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are a part of who we are and a standard that we are all responsible for upholding.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on September 26, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact __Krissy Doran at kdoran@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

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The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

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Requisition ID: 1032684
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu