Technical Creative Director

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:

The xFoundry Alliance is transforming universities into solution engines that generate real ventures, develop entrepreneurial leaders, and advance meaningful societal outcomes. Headquartered at the University of Maryland's E.A. Fernandez IDEA Factory, xFoundry empowers students to tackle humanity's most pressing challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration, AI-powered tools, and rigorous venture-building programs.

Our flagship Xperience program is a 15-18 month venture-building competition where student teams develop investment-grade MVPs addressing grand societal challenges in climate, education, food and water, health, infrastructure, and society. Winning teams compete for investments of up to $2 million and receive guidance from seasoned CXOs through our Xcelerate accelerator program.

The Opportunity:
The xFoundry Alliance is seeking a Technical Creative Director to own and evolve xFoundry's visual identity, digital presence, and brand experience across all touchpoints. This is a unique hybrid role combining brand stewardship with hands-on front-end development—perfect for someone who thinks strategically about design systems while also enjoying the craft of building beautiful, functional interfaces.

What You'll Do
Creative Direction & Brand Stewardship:
1. Own and evolve xFoundry's visual identity across all programs (Xperience, Xcelerate, NEXPLORE Summit), ensuring consistency while allowing each to have its own character
2. Develop and maintain comprehensive brand guidelines including typography, color systems, iconography, imagery standards, and voice/tone documentation
3. Ensure visual consistency across all digital touchpoints—websites, portals, social media, email campaigns, and presentations
4. Create a self-service brand package with templates and toolkits that empower non-designers (staff, mentors, students) to produce on-brand materials independently.
5. Guide the visual narrative for xFoundry's mission, making complex concepts like venture-building and societal challenges accessible and inspiring.

Front-End Development & Digital Execution
1. Design and build responsive web pages and micro-interactions for xFoundry's public-facing sites, program portals, and internal tools
2. Develop and maintain component libraries and design systems that enable consistency and speed across projects
3. Implement front-end code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) with proficiency in no-code/low-code platforms (Webflow, Framer, Plasmic) for rapid prototyping and deployment.
4. Work with CMS platforms (headless CMS, static site generators, or similar modern web architectures) to manage content-driven experiences.
5. Handle light API integrations to connect design systems with data sources and third-party services.
6. Collaborate with the technology team to ensure design specifications are implemented faithfully and to contribute directly to codebases when appropriate

Event Creative Direction
1. Produce and art-direct for major xFoundry events, ensuring professional-quality video, audio, and livestream experiences
2. Lead creative direction for the annual NEXPLORE Summit and other flagship events, including stage design, environmental graphics, and signage
3. Produce motion content for event screens, transitions, and speaker introductions that elevate the attendee experience
4. Collaborate on venue selection and event design, ensuring spaces are transformed to reflect xFoundry's brand and energy
5. Manage relationships with external vendors (videographers, A/V technicians, fabricators, printers) for event production needs

AI-Augmented Creative Workflows
1. Leverage AI tools to accelerate creative production—including ChatGPT and Claude for copywriting, Midjourney and DALL-E for visual concepts, Canva AI for rapid asset creation, and Gemini/Notebook LM for research synthesis
2. Evaluate and pilot emerging AI tools to determine their fit within xFoundry's creative workflows
3. Build AI-integrated workflows that maintain brand consistency while dramatically increasing creative output velocity
4. Train and support team members in effectively using AI tools while maintaining quality standards and brand voice
5. Stay current with rapidly evolving AI capabilities and translate relevant advances into practical creative applications


The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland catalyzes high-quality research, innovation, and learning, preparing our students to create innovations that will address the 21st century Grand Challenges (e.g., energy, environment, security, and human health) and improve the human condition. The Clark School is dedicated to leading and transforming the engineering discipline and profession, accelerating entrepreneurship, and transforming research and learning activities into innovations that benefit millions.

Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Web Design, Web Development, Visual Communication, Interactive Media, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent professional experience)
EXPERIENCE: 3-5 years of professional experience in brand design, digital design, or front-end development.
OTHER:
1. Proficiency in design tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
2. Proficiency with no-code/low-code platforms, specifically Webflow, Framer, or Plasmic
3. Experience building and maintaining design systems or component libraries
4. Demonstrated use of AI tools in creative workflows



Physical Demands:
Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus.


Preferences:
1. Experience with motion design and video production (After Effects, Premiere, or similar)
2. Familiarity with headless CMS platforms, static site generators, or modern web architectures
3. Background in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations
4. Experience working in early-stage or startup environments where wearing multiple hats is the norm
5. Understanding of UX principles and user research methodologies
6. Contributions to open-source design systems or public-facing design work


Licenses/ Certifications:
NA

Additional Job Details

Financial Disclosure Required

No

Department

ENGR-MTECH-IDEA Factory

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

$115,000/year - $138,000/year

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

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