National Aquarium
Design Manager
National Aquarium, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21276
Annual Salary Range: $75,000-80,000
With a proven track record and a passion for design in all its forms, the Manager, Design providesleadership and creative direction in management of marketing initiatives across the organization. The idealcandidate will lead in the development and execution of thoughtful and imaginative creative solutions thatadhere to brand guidelines while challenging our visual aesthetic in ways that are as bold and innovative asour mission. This multi-faceted creative team member and design expert will have an ability to multi-taskwhile utilizing various resources to manage workflow and team members within a deadline-drivenenvironment. This position is responsible for the production of quality and on-brand design products forconsumer marketing and communication efforts as well as for clients across the organization. A self-starterand proactive team lead, the ideal candidate will have an ability to successfully collaborate with cross\u0002functional partners on all creative initiatives.Managing a graphic designer and freelance creative contributors as well as assisting in the managementof interns, the Manager, Design reports to the Director of Visual Creative.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:• Oversee and lead creative design efforts, including the concepting and execution of website and socialmedia graphics, long-form report designs, branding materials, brand campaigns, motion graphics, eventtrade show creative, presentations, interactive designs, illustrations and infographics.• Collaborate with other content teams on digital designs, ensuring all digital channels reflect and upholdbrand standards while evolving.• Produce printed brand assets including but not limited to publications, invitations, brochures, flyers,newsletters, event signage, educational brochures, posters, postcards and other marketing materials.• Manage a team of creatives to uphold brand standards while also exploring new visual directions andvisual communication strategies using audience data and industry-best practices.• In partnership with senior project manager, organize and manage the workflow of all design work ordersand projects. Provide excellent service and develop professional, creative and effective solutionsconsistent with brand standards and within specified budgets and timelines. Review and assign projectsand work orders; meet with clients; identify solutions and priorities, audience, budget, delivery date, andtimeline for projects; and coordinate schedules within and across divisions as necessary.• Serve as a National Aquarium brand subject matter expert and guide to the communications team, thelarger organization and cross-functional creative partners.• Use audience data and industry best practices to continually refine the National Aquarium brand designstrategy.• Supervise any freelance designers and design interns.• Direct the bidding, purchasing and outsourcing of printing, paper, photography and related collateralmaterials that are high quality, cost-effective and eco-friendly.• Manage invoicing from vendors to ensure prompt payment.• Other duties as assigned or required.
AREAS OF FOCUS:Brand Management• Ensure brand integrity on all National Aquarium materials, particularly those produced by third partyvendors and partners.• Serve as a liaison for in-house partners to ensure proper use of the National Aquarium logo and otherbrand assets. Together with the Director of Visual Creative, advise on branding and creative foritems produced and sold with the National Aquarium logo.• Create style guides for all new and updated brand materials to ensure proper compliance inAquarium materials and collateral created at outside agencies.• Together with the Director of Visual Creative, advise on the application of our brand guidelines in thedevelopment of advertising campaigns by our agency partner.Digital Communications• Work with the Digital team to maintain the graphic and brand integrity of the National Aquariumwebsite(s) and digital communication platforms, such as email and social media.• Provide guidance and support for photo/image selection for web and advise on page layout toensure successful visual communications.• In partnership with the Digital team, ensure that the defined brand and style of the website, emails,and other online publications and communications are maintained throughout our digital platforms.Project Management• As the lead of the Design team, collaborate closely with the Communications team (Content, Digital,and Visual) to manage projects from inception to completion.• Participate in kickoff meetings to understand the scope of project, obtain all necessary informationand develop creative concepts to meet the needs of the client.• Lead the completion of projects by coordinating with the appropriate departments to meet alldeadlines, deliver projects on time and within budget.Photo/Image Library• Work with the Visual Productions team to maintain the photo and image library for the NationalAquarium, ensuring a high quality and robust collection of assets related to our conservation work andillustrative of the biodiversity of species in our care.• Work with photographers to provide specific direction for photo shoots to ensure that photo needsof the department are being met.
QUALIFICATIONS:• Bachelor of Arts Degree in graphic design or creative field preferred.• 5-7 plus years professional experience in design for brands.• 2-3 years management experience.• Expert level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite with demonstrated experience in illustration andpublication layout.• Knowledge of commercial printing methods, postal mailings standards, and paper specifications.• Must have leadership skills and the ability to communicative effectively.• Able to perform under tight deadlines.• Excellent ability to multi-task and work in a team as well as independently as needed.• Strong knowledge of and passion for nature and conservation a plus.
With a proven track record and a passion for design in all its forms, the Manager, Design providesleadership and creative direction in management of marketing initiatives across the organization. The idealcandidate will lead in the development and execution of thoughtful and imaginative creative solutions thatadhere to brand guidelines while challenging our visual aesthetic in ways that are as bold and innovative asour mission. This multi-faceted creative team member and design expert will have an ability to multi-taskwhile utilizing various resources to manage workflow and team members within a deadline-drivenenvironment. This position is responsible for the production of quality and on-brand design products forconsumer marketing and communication efforts as well as for clients across the organization. A self-starterand proactive team lead, the ideal candidate will have an ability to successfully collaborate with cross\u0002functional partners on all creative initiatives.Managing a graphic designer and freelance creative contributors as well as assisting in the managementof interns, the Manager, Design reports to the Director of Visual Creative.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:• Oversee and lead creative design efforts, including the concepting and execution of website and socialmedia graphics, long-form report designs, branding materials, brand campaigns, motion graphics, eventtrade show creative, presentations, interactive designs, illustrations and infographics.• Collaborate with other content teams on digital designs, ensuring all digital channels reflect and upholdbrand standards while evolving.• Produce printed brand assets including but not limited to publications, invitations, brochures, flyers,newsletters, event signage, educational brochures, posters, postcards and other marketing materials.• Manage a team of creatives to uphold brand standards while also exploring new visual directions andvisual communication strategies using audience data and industry-best practices.• In partnership with senior project manager, organize and manage the workflow of all design work ordersand projects. Provide excellent service and develop professional, creative and effective solutionsconsistent with brand standards and within specified budgets and timelines. Review and assign projectsand work orders; meet with clients; identify solutions and priorities, audience, budget, delivery date, andtimeline for projects; and coordinate schedules within and across divisions as necessary.• Serve as a National Aquarium brand subject matter expert and guide to the communications team, thelarger organization and cross-functional creative partners.• Use audience data and industry best practices to continually refine the National Aquarium brand designstrategy.• Supervise any freelance designers and design interns.• Direct the bidding, purchasing and outsourcing of printing, paper, photography and related collateralmaterials that are high quality, cost-effective and eco-friendly.• Manage invoicing from vendors to ensure prompt payment.• Other duties as assigned or required.
AREAS OF FOCUS:Brand Management• Ensure brand integrity on all National Aquarium materials, particularly those produced by third partyvendors and partners.• Serve as a liaison for in-house partners to ensure proper use of the National Aquarium logo and otherbrand assets. Together with the Director of Visual Creative, advise on branding and creative foritems produced and sold with the National Aquarium logo.• Create style guides for all new and updated brand materials to ensure proper compliance inAquarium materials and collateral created at outside agencies.• Together with the Director of Visual Creative, advise on the application of our brand guidelines in thedevelopment of advertising campaigns by our agency partner.Digital Communications• Work with the Digital team to maintain the graphic and brand integrity of the National Aquariumwebsite(s) and digital communication platforms, such as email and social media.• Provide guidance and support for photo/image selection for web and advise on page layout toensure successful visual communications.• In partnership with the Digital team, ensure that the defined brand and style of the website, emails,and other online publications and communications are maintained throughout our digital platforms.Project Management• As the lead of the Design team, collaborate closely with the Communications team (Content, Digital,and Visual) to manage projects from inception to completion.• Participate in kickoff meetings to understand the scope of project, obtain all necessary informationand develop creative concepts to meet the needs of the client.• Lead the completion of projects by coordinating with the appropriate departments to meet alldeadlines, deliver projects on time and within budget.Photo/Image Library• Work with the Visual Productions team to maintain the photo and image library for the NationalAquarium, ensuring a high quality and robust collection of assets related to our conservation work andillustrative of the biodiversity of species in our care.• Work with photographers to provide specific direction for photo shoots to ensure that photo needsof the department are being met.
QUALIFICATIONS:• Bachelor of Arts Degree in graphic design or creative field preferred.• 5-7 plus years professional experience in design for brands.• 2-3 years management experience.• Expert level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite with demonstrated experience in illustration andpublication layout.• Knowledge of commercial printing methods, postal mailings standards, and paper specifications.• Must have leadership skills and the ability to communicative effectively.• Able to perform under tight deadlines.• Excellent ability to multi-task and work in a team as well as independently as needed.• Strong knowledge of and passion for nature and conservation a plus.