Creative Director - Lab of Ornithology

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Department Background:

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world's complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a globally renowned nonprofit institution that advances research, education, citizen science, and conservation to improve the understanding and protection of birds and biodiversity. A vibrant unit within Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Lab has seven interdisciplinary centers directed by full-time faculty and staff. Supported by more than 160,000 donors, the Lab offers rich lifelong learning opportunities to the public through distance-learning courses, citizen-science projects, live Bird Cams, interactive web and mobile apps, publications, and multimedia.

Cornell communicators share a mission to enhance and preserve the university's brand and reputation as a top research institution and a leader in higher education, and to support and promote critical programs that serve the university's teaching, research, and public engagement mission.

Communication services are carried out through a matrixed organizational system in which University Relations houses the departments of News (Cornell Chronicle), Media Relations (pitching and servicing media requests), Brand (cornell.edu, multimedia production, brand management and governance), Strategic Communications (communications plans, key messaging, social media management), and Cornellians (digital alumni publication).

Communicators in colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate with, and consult, University Relations departments. University Relations serves as a partner and resource for all college/unit communicators.

Position Summary:

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology seeks a visionary Creative Director to drive cutting-edge storytelling, a cohesive and compelling brand and visual identity, and multichannel content innovation across the Lab's growing portfolio of work. A leader on the Integrated Marketing & Communications team, and a direct partner and advisor to the Lab and its leadership teams, the Creative Director will shape the way the Lab's global audiences experience and are inspired by birds, biodiversity, science, and conservation. Their primary focus will be ensuring the Lab's creative outputs are well-coordinated, on brand, and meaningfully advance the Lab's leadership in research, education, engagement, and conservation impact.

This is a transformative role at a critical time for the Lab and for global biodiversity. The ideal candidate combines robust creative capacity, a keen aesthetic sense, and deep training in modern design and art direction with strong organizational, managerial, project management, and interpersonal skills. Directly overseeing a small team of designers and visual storytellers, they should also be excited by individual contribution and managing through influence and collaboration to elevate the Lab and the broader university's efforts. Their portfolio may include: using diverse print and digital media to showcase how new technologies advance conservation; visualizations that illuminate scientific discoveries; publications and photography that bring to life how communities are engaging in conservation around the world; and exhibit and outreach materials that make nature accessible for people of all ages.

Deep knowledge of or passion for birds and nature are a plus. Full commitment to the Lab's mission and success are a requirement.

While position responsibilities vary, all people leaders are expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by being trustworthy; respecting all individuals; being flexible; supporting work/life integration as well as healthy boundaries; inviting new ideas, alternatives, and perspectives; speaking up and taking action if others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and recognizing the contributions of others.

This is a full-time position at 100% FTE.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2-3 days per week and on-site 2-3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

What You Need (Qualifications):

We are seeking a team member who is passionate, organized, creative and mission oriented.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of creative experience
• Minimum of 3-5 years of team leadership/management experience
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic and creative outcomes within complex organizations and brands
• Exceptional portfolio of multi-platform creative work that blends design, creativity, and strategy and showcases the above
• Strong management skills and experience building inclusive, collaborative, high-performing teams
• Significant training and expertise in modern marketing and design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Microsoft Suite, CMS platforms, motion/video tools, etc.)
• Experience effectively identifying and managing external vendors of varied scope and size
• Superior written, oral, and visual communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, discernment, judgment, and discretion
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.
• Must complete Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position.
• Compliant with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include:

• 7-10 years of creative experience
• 5-7 years of team leadership/management experience
• Master's or other advanced degree in applicable field
• Knowledge of and passion for nature, birds, biodiversity, science, higher education, and/or nonprofit/mission-driven work

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role
  remotely 2-3 day per week and in-person 2-3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• This position is based in Ithaca, New York. Employees who work remotely may receive
  multiple W-2 Forms depending on their work location. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1 and two floating holidays. Learn more about holiday and accrued time off, visit: https://hr.cornell.edu/about/employment-policy-practice/employment-policies/time-and-leaves/holiday-and-accrued-time
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

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