Associate Director of Graphic Design

The Shed•New York, NY

1d•$95,000 - $100,000

About The Position

The Associate Director of Graphic Design is a key member of The Shed’s Marketing and Communications team, leading the development and execution of the institution’s visual identity across exhibitions, performances, marketing campaigns, editorial content, and the physical environment. Working closely with the Editorial Director, the role helps define The Shed’s visual presence and ensures its graphic design supports artistic and organizational objectives. The position calls for an exceptional, independent designer with broad skills who can collaborate with colleagues throughout the organization and with external creative partners. The role leads and produces design across promotional and advertising materials, publications, exhibition graphics, signage, event invitations, membership materials, institutional communications, branded merchandise, email templates, and other projects. It also develops art direction for Shed programs, including commissioning and directing photographers, motion designers, illustrators, videographers, and other visual artists. The Associate Director manages freelance designers and creative partners, maintains the quality and consistency of the visual identity, and coordinates design development and production across departments and channels. The position oversees graphic design for The Shed’s building, including wayfinding and coordination with signage consultants. It establishes project scopes, schedules, budgets, and design requirements with internal teams and external partners; liaises with vendors and production partners; represents The Shed in design discussions; and presents design work and recommendations to senior staff, stakeholders, and external partners.

Requirements

At least 9 years of professional experience in a graphic design-related field.
Strong teamwork, leadership, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships.
Excellent judgment and ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
Strong client-facing communication and project management skills.
Strong typographic ability.
Strong image-making ability.
Strong attention to detail.
Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, including After Effects animation.
Experience working with spatial elevations.
Experience ensuring quality in preparing files for print production.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience preferably within contemporary performing arts or visual arts.
BFA in graphic design preferred.
Cinema 4D or Blender experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead and produce graphic design for promotional and advertising materials, publications, exhibition graphics, signage, event invitations, membership materials, institutional communications, branded merchandise, email templates, and other projects as required.
Develop and execute art direction for Shed programs, including commissioning and directing photographers, motion designers, illustrators, videographers, and other visual artists.
Contract and manage freelance designers, consultants, and other creative partners as appropriate to project needs.
Manage and evolve the quality, consistency, and integrity of The Shed’s visual identity, aligning it with institutional objectives and distinguishing The Shed within the cultural sector and beyond.
Identify institutional initiatives requiring graphic design or art direction expertise.
Collaborate with the Editorial Director and colleagues across departments to coordinate design development and production across channels.
Oversee graphic design for The Shed’s building, including wayfinding and coordination with signage consultants.
Establish project scopes, schedules, budgets, and design requirements with interdepartmental teams and external partners.
Act as liaison with outside vendors, printers, fabricators, consultants, and other production partners.
Represent The Shed in design and art direction discussions with external collaborators and organizations.
Present design work and recommendations to senior staff, internal stakeholders, and external partners.