Penn State Job Catalog

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The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Strategic Communications Creative Services

The Strategic Communications Specialist - Creative Services works within the University's Office of Strategic Communications; contributes to the creative expression and evolution of the University's brand through compelling design, motion graphics, multimedia content, and photography that support enterprise-level communications, marketing, and storytelling initiatives; produces creative assets across multiple platforms, including print, web, digital media, social channels, animation, and photography to advance the University's brand recognition and reputation on a national and global stage; serves as a resource to communicators across the University, providing guidance on visual storytelling, brand standards, and design best practices.

• Contribute to the development of enterprise communications initiatives and marketing campaigns through strong visual design; translate strategic goals and messaging into compelling creative concepts that strengthen the University's brand identity
• Develop creative solutions for enterprise-level communications, campaigns, and projects across print, digital, web, social media, and video platforms
• Participate in research, planning, ideation, design, and implementation phases of creative initiatives, ensuring creative quality, brand consistency, and alignment with strategic messaging
• Create stylized motion graphics, animations, and multimedia assets for campaigns, collateral, social media, video projects, and presentations
• Ensure that all creative work aligns with the University's brand positioning, visual identity standards, and messaging frameworks
• Lead the conception and execution of authentic, compelling visual imagery, across still and motion, capturing the breadth and diversity of the University's community, programs, and initiatives through strategically directed shoots in campus environments, including portraits, events, academic settings, and brand storytelling
• Coordinate visual production needs, including location scouting, logistical and technical aspects, subject coordination, permissions, and scheduling
• Contribute to the development of a cohesive institutional photography style that aligns with brand standards
• Coordinate and support internal production resources and external partners when needed; manage freelancers, videographers, editors, and production vendors; review vendor deliverables, feedback, and project budgets
• Serve as a visual storytelling consultant to communicators and marketers across the institution, developing resources, examples, tools, workshops, and best practices that elevate visual storytelling capabilities and enable consistent application of brand standards in photography and visual and motion design
• Benchmark peer institutions and industry leaders to identify opportunities to strengthen the University's creative storytelling
• Stay current with emerging trends in creative storytelling, including techniques, technologies, and software
• May produce and direct multimedia and deliver final content optimized for multiple distribution channels
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Advanced Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications. Applies knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field to decision-making and problem–solving. Works under minimum supervision on varied and sometimes difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor or subject matter experts on unusual matters. May lead others or a team in completion of complex assignments. Interprets and communicates information clearly, accurately, and persuasively. Researches and tries new approaches when solving difficult or novel problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor or mentor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems, with supervisor oversight
– Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems

Independence of Action:

– Works with minimal supervision on more difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally and externally within working unit and the University
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Promotes open communication in a manner that builds relationships among team members
– Applies appropriate strategies for managing conflict; negotiate reasonable compromises; propose and evaluate possible solutions
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 10
• Minimum – $65,508.00
• MidPoint – $80,244.00
• Maximum – $94,980.00

• Brand management
• Content creation
• Creative visualization
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Digital Compositing
• Graphic design
• Graphic design software
• Layout and composition
• Photography
• Template creation
• Videography
• Web design