Manager, Graphic Design & Photography

Greater Twin Cities United Way unites community partners to meet urgent needs and make lasting changes in the areas of housing, food, education and economic opportunity. Together, we mobilize communities to action so all can thrive. Your Role in Participating: Manager, Graphic Design & PhotographyYour Department: AdvancementYour Reporting Manager: Senior Director, Communications & Brand StrategyOUR MISSION AND VALUESMission: We unite changemakers, advocate for social good and develop solutions to address the challenges no one can solve alone. With the leadership of the Senior Director, Communications & Brand Strategy and collaboration of the Marketing & Communications Team, this role is responsible for innovating design and storytelling ideas to support GTCUW brand and messaging that adhere to best marketing trends and business goals. ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIESCreative Development – Graphic Design (45%)An innovator and champion of the GTCUW brand, supporting its mission, vision and strategies; communicates with cross-functional teams across the organization to ensure that creative systems are understood and accessible.In collaboration with the Senior Director, Communications & Brand Strategy, develops original branded design concepts from ideas to execution for United Way materials, inclusive of print, digital and corresponding social media touchpoints.Presents and communicates new design concepts and thinking to key stakeholders.Collaborates closely with the entire Marketing & Communications team and cross functionally to provide concept facilitation as well as creating bold, breakthrough campaign creatives to reach various audiences.Understands internal clients’ needs and translates concepts into creative recommendations and solutions that complement the original GTCUW brand.Manages the United Way creative system within the organization’s needs and values.Ensures all materials visually enhance and complement United Way’s creative system, including branding and messaging that are adapted to fit specific niches to encourage donor engagement with United Way.Producing a host of ideas, selecting the best ones and selling them to the other members of the team and to clients.Communicating productively with management and clients to keep them up-to-date with project milestones.Knowledge of print design, social media design, and video graphics.Is a champion of consistent branding and leverages resources from United Way Worldwide.Lead cross-functional strategy, timing, and process discussion as it pertains to the brand and our visual design principle.Creative Development – Photography (35%)Participate in the development, creative direction, and execution of the brand style for various GTCUW platforms.Curate photoshoots for use in design which appeals to social media, print, digital and web design audiences.Attends events and programs to capture photos and generate ideas.Photo manipulation and editing.Shoot video b-roll for projects led by the Manager, Digital Media Content.Input metadata in all imagery to optimize internal search.Monitors assigned projects with vendors and follows through on all phases of production.Communicates clearly with other marketing team members and United Way staff to educate and influence design thinking and key stakeholders.Manage deadlines and project deliverables in Monday.com.Is self-motivated, hardworking, well organized, and resilient to ever-changing timelines, requests, and deliverables.Design Trends Analysis (5%)Stays abreast of design trends, digital & social engagement trends and tools and new software equipment/upgrades and makes recommendations to Senior Director, Communications & Brand Strategy.POSITION REQUIREMENTSBachelor’s degree with a design or visual communication-related focus and 2+ years of experience, or 4-7 years of relevant work experience of agency or graphic design experience.Upholds the mission and values of Greater Twin Cities United Way.Proven experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds,Expert in Adobe Creative Suite, InDesign, Illustrator, Camera, Lightroom and Photoshop; familiar with Adobe Premiere, XD and AfterEffects.Creative thinker with knowledge of principles of design & color theory.Excellent oral, written & communication skills.Agile; ability to proactively manage workload and execute against multiple priorities with on time completion.Keen attention to detail and proven ability to problem-solve; thinking in systems rather than individualistically.Ability to work both independently and accept direction and feedback from collaborators.Understanding of current industry, creative and marketing trends, and their application.Ability to build relationships with internal collaborators and external vendors.