Senior Visual Design Strategist
Job Description :
Senior Visual Design Strategist
Job Summary :
As an integral member of the RUSH Marketing Communications Brand Strategy and Creative Media team, the Senior Visual Design Strategist is well-versed in creating, planning, directing, and executing design solutions that position RUSH as a leader in the Chicago area and nation.
This person in this role develops and implements visual content strategies that strengthen and support RUSH s brand positioning and its mission and business objectives.
The Senior Visual Design Strategist will work closely with the Sr. Director, Brand Strategy and Creative Media and the Director, Creative Media and Brand Strategy to develop design strategies for RUSH.
A primary focus for this role will be support for RUSH Philanthropy, along with other RUSH priority areas, to formulate design solutions that support the goals and objectives of the area s marketing communications strategies and that the RUSH brand is accurately and appropriately represented.
The Senior Visual Design Strategist creates a variety of cross-tactic communications, including environmental graphics, posters, annual reports, signage, philanthropy communications, digital graphics and more.
This person understands, maintains and helps evolve the RUSH brand identity and elements of the brand expression appropriately across all materials.
The senior visual design strategist works on several projects simultaneously, often developing solutions for a variety of audiences and areas of focus and maintains positive relationships with colleagues across RUSH Marketing Communications, RUSH Philanthropy team members, other RUSH staff and external partners and is sought amongst colleagues for RUSH brand and design solutions.
The senior visual design strategist will model and inspire innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence and bring new approaches that reflect industry best practice.
The person in this role will exemplify the RUSH mission, vision and values, and act in accordance with all RUSH policies and procedures.
Job Responsibilities :
1. Marketing Communications : Design strategy, art direction and graphic design execution. Develops and implements creative design solutions for RUSH-branded materials in collaboration with Marketing Communications and RUSH Philanthropy colleagues.
These solutions (both simple and complex) meet identified mission and business objectives, strengthen and support the RUSH brand positioning strategy and meet quality standards established by the Brand Strategy and Creative Media team.
2. Philanthropy Communications : Design strategy, art direction, graphic design execution, print coordination. Develops RUSH-branded campaign materials for RUSH Philanthropy and the boards, alumni, and volunteer groups it supports.
Collaborates with RUSH colleagues and leaders in the development of print and digital communications (both simple and complex), fundraising materials, and event collateral and environmental design to support Philanthropy goals and the Strategic Philanthropy Communications team.
Meets quality standards set by established by the Brand Strategy and Creative Media team and the Executive Director, Strategic Development Communications.
3. Brand and Graphic Identity Management : Has thorough understanding the RUSH brand and visual identity and applies consistently across all project work.
Educates others on RUSH s brand standards and can speak to both nuances and common pitfalls. Works with colleagues across RUSH Marketing Communications and RUSH Philanthropy to ensure brand strategy objectives are met and fully integrated across all campaigns and activities.
4. Design Consultation : Contributes to initial project meetings with project managers, content strategies and others involved in development of marketing communications strategies.
Understands the project s goals and objectives and helps develop the overall creative solutions for individual projects.
Makes design recommendations that are in tune with the copy message and strategy, meeting applicable brand standards and project objectives.
These include but are not limited to : size and format that will best showcase the project message, images that are dynamic and best communicate the project vision, and folding configurations that will be most cost-effective on press and minimize postage fees.
Thoughtfully considers the objectives, goals and preferences of stakeholders as part of the project process, translating these into a creative approach that the entire project team supports.
5. Project management : Manages design, copy and image edits, as well as managing project details, which include troubleshooting / advising on project specs and plans to ensure project remains in budget, providing art direction and attending photo shoots, obtaining print quotes, providing billing, delivery, and prepress instructions, reviewing proofs, confirming distribution, and capturing applicable effectiveness metrics.
6. Art direction and creative counsel : Will provide art direction and participate in discussions of design, brand and user experience in collaboration with Marketing Communications department leaders and account leads to determine goals and establish processes in graphic design, to ensure quality standards, efficient project intake, assignment of design tasks, aid in direction of other designers both inhouse and freelance, help identify opportunities for outsourcing, filing and naming conventions, methods for backing up work and other issues that affect productivity as part of the Brand Strategy and Creative Media team.
7. Brand Development : Assists senior in the development of additions and edits to the brand standards and helps manage brand assets for RUSH.
Required Job Qualifications :
Bachelors Degree
6-8 years of experience in a design firm, advertising agency or in-house design department.
Proficient in professional design focused software applications, , Adobe lllustrator, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, Other web and UX platforms, Microsoft Office Suite.
Experience working within project management systems, , ActiveCollab and Microsoft Teams, and flexibility to learn new tools as needed.
Preferred Job Qualifications :
Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; must be comfortable interacting with colleagues at all levels of the organization, including senior leadership.
Experience managing the contributions of vendors and freelance talent.
Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
Physical Demands :
Ability to move throughout RUSH campus.
Ability to lift or carry objects 35-40 pounds.
Competencies :
The person in this role should be an expert in their field; accountable; a team player; confident; compassionate; responsive and consultative.
Be a collaborative team member; the senior visual strategist must maintain multiple interpersonal relationships, both in the immediate office and other departments critical to creating effective communications
Commitment to a customer service mindset and a bias for action.
Ability to convey complex ideas with elegance and ease.
Ability to work independently and as part of multifunctional teams.
Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Understanding of printing processes and how color choices, printing methods, paper selection and folding configurations affect overall project costs.
Strong attention to detail.
Demonstrated success in all facets of design, including brand strategy and design extension, user-centered experience design and digital design.
Knowledge of all facets of marketing communications strategies, including social media platforms and trends.
Demonstrated success in creating design solutions for digital media.
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