Creative Services Manager

Description

The Living Desert

Job Description

Job Title: CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER/EDITOR

Department: Marketing & Communications

Exemption: Exempt

Reports to: Vice President of Marketing & Communication

POSITION SUMMARY

The Living Desert seeks an exceptional Creative Services Manager/Editor to lead our internal creative team as both storyteller and creative director. This unique role combines editorial excellence with strong visual creative judgment, requiring someone who can craft compelling narratives while guiding the visual expression of our brand across all touchpoints.

Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing and Communications, you will manage a four-person creative team including a graphic designer, visual content specialist (photographer/videographer), and project coordinator. You'll be responsible for developing long-form content, maintaining brand standards (both written and visual), and ensuring every piece of communication reflects our passion for conservation while creating transformative visitor experiences.

The ideal candidate brings both the writing expertise to develop, review layouts, and guide the team's overall creative output. You should be equally comfortable editing an annual report as providing creative direction on an exhibition graphic or reviewing photo compositions for a marketing campaign.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Content Development & Writing

• Develop compelling long- and short-form content for annual reports, FoxPaws member magazine, annual fundraising campaigns, membership materials, donor materials, website, and exhibit signage
• Craft messaging that balances conservation storytelling with visitor engagement to drive attendance
• Translate complex conservation science into accessible, inspiring narratives for diverse audiences

Brand Voice & Visual Standards

• Own, evolve, and implement The Living Desert's copy style guide to establish a distinctive written voice
• Manage Graphic Designer to maintain cohesive visual brand standards
• Ensure consistency of voice, tone, messaging, and visual aesthetic across all organizational communications
• Proofread and edit all marketing materials to maintain brand standards and editorial excellence
• Define and execute publication content that authentically reflect our mission and values
• Review all creative work (internal and external) for both editorial and visual quality

Creative Direction & Visual Oversight

• Review and approve layouts, designs, and visual treatments to ensure brand consistency and creative excellence
• Guide photography and videography direction to achieve desired aesthetic and storytelling goals
• Collaborate with Graphic Designer on publication layouts, ensuring visual hierarchy supports written content
• Manage Visual Content Specialist, providing direction on composition, image selection, and visual storytelling approach
• Ensure visual and written brand elements work together harmoniously across all touchpoints

Digital Asset & Content Management

• Oversee management of the organization's content asset management system (currently Air)
• Maintain organized digital libraries of written and visual content, ensuring accessibility and version control
• Develop workflows and systems for efficient content creation, creative review, approval, and distribution

Team Leadership & Creative Development

• Lead and mentor a four-person creative team: graphic designer, visual content specialist, and project coordinator
• Foster a collaborative, creative environment that produces outstanding work across both editorial and visual disciplines
• Provide creative direction and constructive feedback that elevates team members' work
• Conduct performance reviews and support professional development
• Coordinate cross-functional projects ensuring quality, consistency, and on-time delivery
• Balance hands-on execution with strategic creative leadership

Budget & Vendor Management

• Develop and manage budgets for creative services including printing, freelance designers, photographers and writers, and video production services
• Source and manage relationships with external creative vendors
• Ensure cost-effective delivery of all creative projects
• Review vendor creative work for quality and brand alignment

Project Management

• Utilize Monday.com to track projects, deadlines, and team workflows
• Prioritize competing demands and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Collaborate with marketing team members and other departments to meet organizational objectives
• Lead creative review meetings and facilitate productive feedback sessions

Publications Leadership

• Lead development of FoxPaws member magazine (editorial content and art direction)
• Oversee production annual report (writing, design direction, and production)
• Manage publication timelines and stakeholder reviews

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Design, or related field

7-10 years of progressive experience in creative leadership roles combining writing/editing with creative direction

Exceptional writing and editing skills across multiple formats and audiences

Strong visual creative judgment with ability to art direct, review layouts, and provide constructive design feedback

Proven ability to lead creative teams and provide direction that elevates their work

Experience developing and maintaining both copy style guides and visual brand standards

Strong project management skills with ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Demonstrated budget management experience

Portfolio demonstrating both exceptional writing samples and evidence of creative direction/visual judgment

Preferred:

Experience in nonprofit organizations, conservation, museums, or AZA-accredited institutions

Background in environmental science, natural history, or conservation

Experience with scientific or technical writing for general audiences

Art direction or design background/training

Understanding of SEO and digital content best practices

Experience leading integrated creative teams (writers, designers, photographers)

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Required proficiency in:

Digital asset management systems (Air or similar DAM platforms)

Project management software (Monday.com or similar)

Email marketing platforms (Brevo or similar ESP)

Content management systems (WordPress)

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)

Comfortable reviewing and providing feedback on design files (Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator PDFs)

Preferred experience with:

Basic design software knowledge for mockups or concept development

Photography fundamentals and composition principles

Video editing and production workflows

WORK ENVIRONMENT & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This is a full-time, on-site position based at The Living Desert in Palm Desert, California

Standard office environment with occasional work in outdoor/zoo settings for content gathering and installation management

Limited travel required for off-site shoots, conferences, or professional development

Weekend and/or evening work may be required during special events

This position offers the unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful conservation work while leading a talented creative team and shaping how hundreds of thousands of visitors connect with our mission

Physical Position Description:

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL TASKS: Occasional standing, walking, bending, twisting, some lifting up to 50 lbs. Safely operating print and production machinery.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Primarily an office environment, occasionally on-grounds.

HOLIDAY/EVENING WORK: Occasional Holiday, weekend, and evening work.

TRAVEL: Occasional travel to vendors and suppliers. 

Licenses and/or Certificates:

Must hold valid California Driver License and be insurable on The Living Desert’s auto policy.