Sr. Director of Football Creative Strategy (HR title: Assoc Dir Creative Marketing)
Southern Methodist University Inc

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Sr. Dir. of Football Creative Strategy will execute the creative digital marketing strategy for SMU football, overseeing social media, graphic design, photography, and video, to ensure the program's vision and SMU branding is woven into all creative content.

This role manages the football creative staff and collaborates closely with the football recruiting team to execute a high-level communications plan/calendar to support football recruiting efforts.

This position reports to the Assistant Athletic Director/Football Operations and has a dotted line report to the Sr. Associate AD /Brand Advancement and Strategic Communications.

Essential Functions:

• Contribute to the overall vision and goals of SMU football by executing a creative digital marketing strategy. Oversee the production of high-impact creative content, including social media, video, graphics, presentations, & video boards for recruiting purposes, game day needs, and football operations.
  
  
• Collaborate closely with the football recruiting team to create and deliver on a high-level communications calendar in support of football recruiting efforts. Ensure strategy and content align with the Head Coach's vision and plan various content throughout the calendar year.
  
  
• Establish methods of planning communications and rhythm of meetings to effectively tell the story and elevate the brand of SMU football.
  
  
• Manage football creative staff and lead student workers within the department.
  
  
• Ensure all creative content aligns with program vision and branding of SMU's football program and SMU Athletics.
  
  
• Position requires regular evening and weekend work. Position also requires weekend travel for away games.
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required. Master's preferred.

A minimum of seven years of work experience creating and distributing creative content across digital and social media platforms is required. Combination of intern/student-worker/GA/full-time is acceptable).

A minimum of one year of supervisory/management experience is also required. Experience in collegiate athletics is preferred, but not required.

Experience executing digital content and creative strategies to align with audience behaviors, goals, and key messages to drive audience engagement is key.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to think creatively, develop innovative solutions to problems, as well as identify and source creative deliverables. Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time management skills. The ability to work in a fast paced environment and quickly fulfill content needs are essential. This role requires an understanding of Division 1 football program needs and the ability to maintain compliance with NCAA, ACC, and University rules and regulations.

Candidate must demonstrate a strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite software, specifically Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and After Effects, as well as Microsoft Office.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
  
• Carry/lift 25-50 lbs.
  
• Reach above shoulders
  

Deadline to Apply:

April 20, 2026

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by April 13, 2026

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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