Design Lab Creative Director
Job Summary
Design Lab is FHI 360’s creative studio specializing in design for human development. Design Lab provides design services to FHI 360’s business units to meet the program needs of the company. Design Lab has the pleasure of serving and collaborating with internal clients, including corporate services and project teams. Design Lab plans to grow its external clients base, and the Design Lab Creative Director will play a key role in this endeavor. The Design Lab Creative Director will be responsible for leading and managing the design team, which provides a broad range of creative services, including campaign development, web design/development, digital communication, branding, print design, illustration and animation. Some staff are based in FHI 360's DC office (currently working remotely), while others work remotely full time from other parts of the country. While this is a leadership position, the Design Lab Creative Director will contribute directly to client projects as needed and maintain their own portfolio of design work in addition to management and business development responsibilities.
The Design Lab Creative Director will (1) lead the creative strategy, art direction, and quality assurance of a wide range of print and digital projects, including large-scale websites, branding, advertising campaigns, social media graphics, publications, and video animation; (2) advise FHI 360’s subject-matter experts about effective visual communication formats and channels; (3) develop proposals and participate in new business efforts related to design services; (4) engage with internal and external clients on FHI 360 projects to ensure communication objectives are achieved. This position can be based in FHI 360’s DC, NC, or GA office locations or be remote working on eastern standard/daylight time.
Accountabilities:
- Manage and advocate for a thriving creative team of art directors, junior and senior-level designers, web and application developers, and project managers
- Serve as creative and technical lead for digital projects; advise clients on digital strategy and help designers/developers make key decisions on design and build approach for websites to ensure the best user experience
- Provide creative direction for a variety of materials including long-form publications, brand identities, infographics, and small collateral
- Oversee accurate and effective implementation of FHI 360’s corporate and project brands in all print and digital material
- Participate as creative lead in client kick-off meetings, present design concepts for key projects, and demo websites to clients
- Proactively provide direction and support to staff to ensure proposed designs meet client expectations and project objectives
- In conjunction with art directors, provide creative direction to subcontractors, printing firms, or production companies
- Responsible for leading the effort to capture new business inside and outside of the organization, and develop proposals to grow Design Lab’s internal and external client base
- Build and sustain internal and external client relationships
- Foster a culture of excellence within the team; encourage the development of quality control, organization, and communication protocols and help reinforce them
- Support the professional development of the team through ongoing feedback, mentoring, and career support
- Work closely with the Studio Manager to develop realistic budget estimates
Management and leadership
- Proven experience leading a successful creative unit
- Act as an institutional ambassador for the value of good design
- Ability to work with a range of clients, internal and external, working in FHI 360’s various country offices
- Represent and promote Design Lab internally and externally
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Technical skills
- Fluency with print and digital design, brand development, and marketing
- Preferred fluency in digital frameworks including HTML, CSS, Wordpress, and Drupal development, and common plugins and components to be able to direct web developers
- Astute sense of effective business and communications principles
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Up to date with innovations in design, media and technology
- Strong understanding of 508 compliance regulations and web accessibility standards
Supervision Received:
- Reports to the Director of the Impact by Design Collaborative
- Supports company-wide initiatives in collaboration with Corporate Communications and Digital Solutions, as needed
- Sets goals and budgets for Design Lab staff
- Ensures that quality control standards and branding standards are upheld
Education:
- Bachelor's degree or international equivalent in graphic design, design management or related field.
Experience:
- Minimum of 8 years industry experience.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a management, supervisory and leadership capacity within a creative unit.
- Able to thrive in a diverse, fast-paced organization
- Demonstrate fluency with effective design and media technologies
- Must demonstrate a solid portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, art direction, and technical design skills
- Expertise in relevant design and/or coding programs
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Prior experience with new business development an advantage
- Prior work experience with US government or international development clients, an advantage
Technology to be Used:
Macintosh, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams etc.), Monday.com
Travel Requirements:
Less than 10%
Pay Equity and Benefits:
The expected hiring salary range for this role is listed below. FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, business sector, and budget.
Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 12% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.
Hiring Salary Range: $127,000 - $156,000
All candidates will be asked to provide a portfolio with their application.
This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law.
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.
FHI 360 staff working in the United States are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of the type of project or client they serve, or of their employment status (full/part-time, remote, telework, or in-office), unless an accommodation applies. FHI 360 complies with federal, state, and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy. Full vaccination is currently defined as two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Booster doses are not required at this time.
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