Associate Creative Director, Design

About the Role:

Higher education is one of the most competitive and emotionally resonant marketing landscapes there is — and our partner institutions need creative that can match that moment. Our Associate Creative Director, Design is a creative leader who shapes the work, elevates the team, and brings ideas to life at every stage of the process

This is a role for a strategic creative who thinks in brand systems and narratives, not just deliverables — someone equally at home developing an institutional identity as they are directing a video shoot or presenting a campaign concept to a university leadership team. You'll lead a team of designers and producers, collaborate closely with cross-functional marketing partners, and serve as a trusted creative voice for the partner institutions we serve.

If you're energized by the intersection of craft, strategy, and storytelling — and you want your work to genuinely shape how students find their place in the world — this role was built for you.

As our Associate Creative Director, Design, you will:

Creative Thinking & Craft

• Drive brand and identity work across a range of initiatives — from institutional rebranding and advancement campaigns to athletic identity systems — championing typographic craft, layout sensibility, and visual hierarchy at every scale, whether the deliverable is a digital ad unit or a comprehensive brand system

• Bring a storyteller's instinct to all video and photo work — leading productions from concept through post-production, including narrative development, storyboarding, and on-site direction, while managing the logistical realities of location-based shoots: coordinating schedules, securing permits, and obtaining all required talent and location releases. Every production should authentically capture the spirit of a partner institution and speak directly to the aspirations of their target audiences

• Lead end-to-end creative campaign development — from initial concepting and internal reviews through client preview sessions and final production — delivering thoughtful, innovative campaigns and experiences that resonate

• Proactively research design trends, cultural shifts, and competitor activity — translating those insights into creative strategies that keep partner institutions ahead of the curve, while driving adoption of modern tools, including AI-assisted workflows, to improve throughput and unlock new creative possibilities

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of designers, art directors, and video producers — fostering a culture of creative curiosity, accountability, and continuous growth by providing consistent, constructive feedback that helps team members develop their craft, broaden their skill sets, and build toward their individual career goals

• Set the tone for how the team shows up and what they produce — leading by example with energy, intention, and a high bar for craft, motivating the team to deliver work that is smart, strategic, and brand-relevant, on time and on budget, without sacrificing creative ambition

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional marketing teammates — including media managers, editors, copywriters, and strategists — to define project scope, align on creative requirements, and establish the shared understanding needed to move work forward efficiently and cohesively

• Establish and continuously refine team workflows, processes, and production pipelines — creating the operational foundation that allows the creative team to do their best work consistently, at scale, and without unnecessary friction

Marketing Integration

• Partner with marketing strategists and client stakeholders — developing a deep understanding of each institution's brand positioning, audience insights, and enrollment goals, and translating that context into creative strategies that are not just compelling, but measurably effective

• Present concepts, campaigns, and proposals to partner institutions with confidence and clarity — building trusted relationships with client contacts, attending meetings as a senior creative voice, and demonstrating a fluent understanding of each institution's mission, competitive landscape, and student audience

• Leverage data, performance metrics, and market insights to inform creative decisions — providing actionable direction for campaign optimization and new concept development, ensuring the team is always iterating toward work that performs as well as it looks

• Apply a working knowledge of higher education recruitment marketing — ensuring creative strategies align with enrollment funnels, key decision-making moments, and the unique sensitivities of the education market to deliver work that moves prospective students from awareness to action

You have:

• 7+ years marketing experience; higher education experience preferred 
• 5+ years of experience managing a design team, preferably at an agency
• Bachelor’s degree in design or corresponding field
• Understanding of higher-ed recruitment and marketing best practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; English fluency
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Figma

Bonus Points If You Have:

• Doing work for non-profit and/or education organizations
• Managing video vendors or freelance crews
• Working with a small and mighty team

Role Requirements:

• Location: Must reside in the continental US, within close proximity to a major airport to facilitate travel to partner universities, as the role requires travel up to 30% of the time
• Internet Connectivity: As this role is primarily remote, a reliable, high-speed internet connection is essential, along with a quiet, organized workspace for participating in camera-on, partner-facing meetings
• Core Business Hours: Available from 9am-5pm. Start and end times may flex slightly based on your time zone

Noodle Benefits:

• Work from our beautiful NYC office OR the comfort of your home office!
• Computer and charger on us!
• 401(k) with company match, plus equity opportunities
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family (including mental health benefits like Headspace and Talkspace)
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Optional voluntary coverage, including supplemental life, accident, critical illness, and hospital insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and commuter benefits
• Pre-tax benefit options that help you save on eligible healthcare, dependent care, and commuting expenses
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness initiatives and resources
• Free subscription to the Calm app
• Employee discount program
• 4 weeks of paid vacation + 10 paid holidays + paid sick leave
• Monthly mobile connectivity stipend
• Annual education stipend for lifelong learning
• Growth opportunities - we pride ourselves on creating environments where employees can be themselves and grow within and around the company