Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Senior Director, Brand Storytelling – Creative

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Nashville • Tennessee • United States

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Job Level

Senior

About the role

  • Oversee the development, creative direction, and execution of Vanderbilt’s brand storytelling strategy across internal and external touchpoints.
  • Serve as the creative authority responsible for how the university’s brand looks, feels, and sounds across channels.
  • Bring to life the university’s brand identity and positioning through powerful, distinctive, and relevant creative executions across mediums and for various audiences, including prospective and current students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other key stakeholders.
  • Guide the development of integrated campaigns and supporting assets that expand brand visibility and deepen engagement with institutional priorities.
  • Oversee editorial planning and content strategy to ensure storytelling is audience-centered, strategically aligned, and reflective of Vanderbilt’s mission and values.
  • Review, critique, and guide creative work generated by internal teams and external agency partners to ensure excellence, consistency, and strategic alignment.
  • Drive innovation across storytelling formats and platforms, identifying new and more effective ways to advance institutional goals through creative expression.
  • Lead, inspire, enable, and develop the Brand Storytelling and Creative team, including writers, editors, designers, videographers, photographers, and social media specialists.
  • Facilitate a results-driven culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Recruit and retain top creative talent.
  • Establish team goals and direct the collection of qualitative and quantitative data to measure impact and inform ongoing optimization.
  • Develop and optimize systems, tools, processes, and workflows to support efficient and high-quality creative production.
  • Champion the thoughtful integration of technology and evolving platforms to enhance creative effectiveness, scalability, and collaboration, ensuring teams are equipped to deliver high-quality, on-brand work with speed and agility while upholding appropriate standards for governance, ethics, and brand integrity.
  • Direct and manage the Brand Storytelling and Creative budget.
  • Efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex, and results-oriented projects with both quick turnaround requirements and long lead times.
  • Partner closely with divisional leaders and partners across campus to ensure creative work aligns with strategic objectives and target audiences.
  • Communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of audiences—including leadership, faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
  • Demonstrate excellence in judgment and a strong understanding of what is appropriate for the Vanderbilt University brand.
  • Maintain fluency in emerging developments in higher education, brand storytelling, and creative strategy.
  • Adhere to confidentiality and business ethics; demonstrate outstanding judgment and discretion.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience is required.
  • A degree in communications, marketing, art, design, media, or a related field is strongly preferred.
  • At least 8 years of experience in creative direction, brand storytelling, communications, or related roles.
  • At least 3 years of experience leading a multidisciplinary creative or content team.
  • Experience across the full range of brand expression—including print, digital, social media, video, and experiential platforms.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and manage cross-disciplinary teams within a complex, matrixed organization.
  • Demonstrated experience influencing and coordinating work across integrated teams, including both direct and indirect collaboration models.
  • Proven ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-visibility environments characterized by shifting priorities, evolving expectations, and ambiguity.
  • Demonstrated resilience and sound judgment in navigating complexity, managing competing demands, and delivering high-quality outcomes under pressure.
  • Experience motivating and aligning creative professionals around shared goals, fostering clarity and forward momentum even when direction is evolving.
  • Strong facilitation, partnership, and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience participating in cross-unit forums, working groups, or enterprise initiatives.
  • Experience supporting and leading change initiatives with professionalism, adaptability, and strategic perspective.
  • Ability to make thoughtful, timely decisions with incomplete information while maintaining brand integrity and institutional alignment.
Benefits
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Professional development opportunities
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
creative directionbrand storytellingcontent strategyeditorial planningcampaign developmentcreative productiondata analysisproject managementdigital mediasocial media
Soft Skills
leadershipcollaborationcommunicationjudgmentadaptabilitystakeholder engagementteam developmentinnovationresiliencefacilitation