Senior Graphic Designer Job at Arena Stage in Washington

Job Summary:

The Senior Graphic Designer is a creative leader who will play a crucial role in driving our brand's visual direction and evolution. This role will lead a team of graphic designers and collaborate with freelance partners to develop compelling visual content that aligns with our brand strategy. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking creative with a strong background in leading design teams, mentoring emerging talent, and working with brands undergoing transitions. This position is a critical partner to the Director of Marketing and Communications and will be responsible for crafting visually captivating narratives through mood boards, storyboards, and other design assets to be presented to executive leadership ahead of key photo and video shoots.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a team of graphic designers, including mentoring Multimedia Fellows and supporting the professional growth of junior designers.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications to develop and execute visually compelling brand campaigns that align with our strategic goals.
• Oversee the creation of mood boards, storyboards, and other pre-production visual assets for photo and video shoots to ensure alignment with brand strategy and executive vision.
• Guide the design process from concept through completion, ensuring high-quality, innovative, and on-brand creative output.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including marketing, communications, and content creation, to produce cohesive visual narratives across multiple channels.
• Maintain brand consistency across all design projects and ensure alignment with brand guidelines and messaging.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for freelance designers and external creative partners, providing direction, feedback, and oversight on all outsourced projects.
• Keep up-to-date with design trends, tools, and technologies to continuously innovate and elevate our brand's visual presence.
• Act as a mentor and leader, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the design team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in graphic design, with a minimum of 2 years in a senior or lead designer role.
• Proven experience leading a team of designers and mentoring emerging talent.
• Strong portfolio showcasing expertise in visual storytelling, mood boards, storyboards, and brand development.
• Demonstrated experience working with brands in transition and a passion for creating innovative, out-of-the-box visual content.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with experience presenting creative concepts to executive leadership.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects) and other design tools.
• Nice to have: Experience in animation, motion graphics, or other design areas that enhance our brand's multimedia presence.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines.

Working Conditions:

• Typical office environment with occasional travel for events and other engagements.
• Flexibility to work outside of regular business hours as needed.
• Four to five days per week in the office, with the opportunity of hybrid as needed.