Creative Services Director

Job Description

Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.

We are seeking an experienced Creative Services Director to lead a large, high-volume in-house creative department, overseeing teams responsible for editing, graphic design, digital production, printing, document production. This key leadership position reports directly to the Vice President for Marketing and Communications and is responsible for managing a diverse range of creative projects, including billable client work and corporate communications needs. The Director will also serve as a strategic advisor to project teams across the company, ensuring high-quality, timely, and cost-effective creative services throughout the project lifecycle.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement (1 day per week onsite, flexible hours). Remote work arrangements will also be considered. Westat's headquarters is currently in Rockville, Maryland but will be relocating to Bethesda, Maryland in the fall of 2025.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the creative services department, ensuring high-quality deliverables across all teams, and fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and growth.
• Manage and mentor a team of leaders, including providing guidance, performance management, and professional development opportunities to managers who oversee specific creative teams.
• Oversee project workflows, timelines, and budgets for both client and internal projects.
• Collaborate with the VP of Marketing and Communications to align creative services with overall corporate strategy.
• Promote and uphold high standards for accessibility across products.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external clients.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Balance resources between billable client work and corporate communications needs.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies in creative services.
• Provide strategic advice and problem-solving support to project teams across the company.
• Ensure the creative services department delivers high-quality, timely, and cost-effective solutions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal clients, serving as a trusted business partner.
• Collaborate with project teams to align creative solutions with business objectives and project goals.
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, English, graphic design, marketing, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in creative services, including at least 5 years in a management role and two years of experience supervising remote and hybrid teams.
• Proven track record of establishing and improving effective systems and processes for creative teams, including mechanisms for quality control and client feedback.
• Experience working on creative materials for federal government clients, including Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, and other civilian agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Understanding of industry-standard design and production software and their current capabilities, including Microsoft and Adobe products and generative artificial intelligence capabilities.
• Experience in providing strategic advice and problem-solving support to clients and cross-functional teams.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Knowledge of 508 compliance requirements and best practices for making materials accessible to individuals with visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments.
• Familiarity with print production processes and digital publishing platforms.
• Experience in developing and implementing creative strategies for large organizations.
• Experience with marketing and brand development.
  
  

Other Required Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and serve as a trusted business partner to internal clients.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong customer service orientation.
  
  

Requirements

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
• Sick Leave (10 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
  
  

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.

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Career Area

Administrative

Pay Range

The anticipated salary range for this role is $140k-$170k and will be commensurate with experience.

Bonus Eligibility

Yes