Director 2, Print & Graphics Services

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Print & Graphics Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the district’s in-plant print shop, document imaging, and graphic design functions. This role oversees end-to-end production, customer engagement, and service delivery for internal departments and schools, as well as external clients.
The Director is responsible for driving operational excellence, ensuring high-quality production standards, and aligning services with organizational needs. This includes managing pricing strategies, budgeting, and cost recovery models, while fostering innovation, customer satisfaction, and revenue opportunities.
This position requires strong leadership skills, a strategic mindset, and the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with the district and external customers.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

List most important duties first
1.    Provide strategic direction and leadership for the department, aligning goals and objectives with the district's mission and vision.
2.    Develop and implement strategies that improve efficiency, quality, turnaround time, and service value; as well as conduct benchmarking and financial analysis to ensure competitive and sustainable pricing.
3.    Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of departmental programs, projects, and initiatives including analyzing customer needs and market trends to develop customized business solutions to achieve the long-term objectives of the organization.
4.    Manage and allocate departmental resources, including budgetary planning and financial oversight. Establish and adjust price schedules and user fees through the development of budgeted hourly rates and competitive cost benchmarking.
5.    Lead and inspire a team of professionals, providing guidance, support, performance management, and ensuring necessary training is administered.
6.    Foster a positive and inclusive work environment, promoting collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
7.    Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective coordination of efforts and consult with and advise clients on complex special projects.
8.    Monitor and evaluate departmental performance against established goals and metrics, implementing strategies for improvement.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

9.    Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices relevant to the department's area of focus.
10.    Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with external organizations, vendors, and community stakeholders.
11.    Represent the organization at conferences, seminars, and other professional events, enhancing its reputation and visibility.
12.    Develop and execute marketing and customer education strategies to expand service utilization and identify and pursue opportunities to grow revenue and enhance service offerings.
13.    Provide regular updates and reports to senior management and other stakeholders on departmental activities, achievements, and challenges.
14.    Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies within the department's scope of work.
15.    Continuously seek opportunities for professional development and growth to enhance leadership skills and industry knowledge for yourself and department.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent job expertise. A Master's degree preferred.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role, preferably within a similar industry or organization.

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Demonstrated track record of successfully leading and managing teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in budget planning, financial management, and resource allocation.
Proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth and impact.
Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to navigate complex challenges.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Knowledge of relevant industry regulations, compliance standards, and best practices.
Ability to adapt to change and lead teams through organizational transitions.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practices.
Strong ethical standards and integrity in decision-making.
Professional certifications or memberships relevant to the industry or leadership role are desirable.
Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, PhotoShop and Acrobat)

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic oversight for multiple departments and/or a major division or for the entire district. Provides strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple departments or divisions. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to a major functional area or multiple departments. Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across multiple, major departments, program areas and possibly district-wide.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas.  May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.
Ability to carry and/or lift less than 15 pounds.