Design and Creative Lead

PowerLines

13h

About The Position

PowerLines is seeking a full-time Design and Creative Lead to oversee the organization’s visual identity and lead the development and production of design materials across print, digital, and web platforms. The role will help expand the PowerLines brand across new channels and formats. PowerLines is headquartered in Washington, DC, and candidates must be based in the United States. The position may be hybrid or remote. It is a three-month, term-limited contract with the possibility of extension or conversion to a full-time salaried position with benefits. The Design and Creative Lead will produce high-quality design work, maintain and evolve PowerLines’ established visual identity, and manage the design process from initial request through final delivery. As the organization’s primary design contact, the person will collaborate with communications, policy, and leadership staff to understand needs, develop briefs, establish timelines, coordinate feedback, and keep projects moving. The role also manages routine website updates and provides art and creative direction across multimedia, web, and event work. The role reports to the Director of Communications and Executive Director. Target compensation is $8,000 per month for the initial three-month term.

Requirements

At least five years of relevant professional experience with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field; seven years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
A strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality print, web, and digital design, including complex layouts, brand applications, and clear visual communication.
High proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop.
Experience designing long-form documents, reports, publications, data visualizations, infographics, and other complex graphics.
Experience applying established brand guidelines and maintaining a consistent visual identity across deliverables.
Experience providing art or creative direction, including guiding and giving feedback on the work of other designers, contractors, or agencies.
Experience extending a brand across new channels, formats, and audiences, with a sensibility for marketing and audience growth.
Experience overseeing multimedia work, such as video and photography, and/or designing for live events.
Strong project management skills, including developing briefs, setting deadlines, managing competing priorities, coordinating feedback, and delivering work on schedule.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively with colleagues without a design background.
Ability to adapt to evolving priorities and shifting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong problem-solving and ideation skills.
Candidates must be based in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience with web design and/or UX/UI.
Experience with video editing.
Experience working with nonprofit, policy, or mission-driven organizations.

Responsibilities

Lead design and production of communications materials, including reports and publications, data visualizations, infographics, social media graphics, event materials, presentations, one-pagers, and web graphics.
Apply PowerLines’ established visual identity and branding guidelines consistently across projects and platforms.
Translate complex policy research, data, and technical information into clear, engaging visuals.
Identify opportunities to evolve PowerLines’ visual identity as the organization and its communications needs grow.
Manage routine PowerLines website updates, including publishing or updating content and incorporating graphics, reports, and other visual assets.
Provide art direction and creative oversight for multimedia work, including video and content beyond static graphics.
Partner with communications leadership to expand the PowerLines brand across owned channels, campaigns, partnerships, and external events.
Lead website design, including page layouts, user experience, and new pages and features.
Set the visual approach for data visualizations and create charts and graphics that make research findings easy to understand and share.
Shape the design of events and convenings, including event branding, materials, and production elements.
Bring a marketing sensibility to design work to help content reach and grow audiences across distribution channels.
Give creative direction and feedback to contract designers and outside creative partners.
Serve as the primary point of contact for design requests across the organization.
Set timelines and deadlines, establish review milestones, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Maintain organized project tracking systems, design files, and version-control practices.
Refine design workflows and processes to support efficient collaboration.
Collaborate with communications, policy, and leadership colleagues to understand project needs and deliver effective design solutions.
Help colleagues make effective use of existing templates and brand resources.