Director of Design

e5810a62-8d6a-4747-aaff-ac836102619c • New York, NY

13h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Design is responsible for the look and feel, creation, and development of program-specific and/or Health Department-wide creative projects in collaboration with the Creative Communications team. The Director oversees the Design team’s day-to-day operations, workflow, and staff management. The role leads a team of graphic designers and videographers and provides strategic guidance, creative direction, and hands-on support. The Director works with colleagues across the agency and Creative Communications—including Editorial, Digital Communications, Marketing, and Language Services—to create accessible, high-quality materials for diverse New York City audiences. The selected candidate will be employed by Public Health Solutions, the grant’s fiscal and administrative manager, and supervised by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. This is a temporary, grant-funded position ending in November 2027. The role is hybrid, is 35 hours per week Monday through Friday, and requires residence in the tri-state area by the confirmed start date. Non-business hours may be required during emergencies.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration, urban planning, economics, urban affairs, marketing research, finance, or political science, plus three years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in business promotion related to capital projects, urban planning, economic development, or financial development, including at least two years in a managerial or executive capacity; or
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus five years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in the fields described above, including two years of managerial or executive experience; or
• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to the stated education and experience pathways. Thirty graduate semester credits from an accredited college or university count as one year of required experience. All candidates must have two years of managerial or executive experience and a four-year high school diploma or equivalent.
• Managerial experience must include responsibilities such as strategic planning for an office or division; creating and implementing policies; setting standards and best practices; defining and documenting project scope; root cause analysis and recommendations; collaborating with managers and executives on a program’s future state; and/or forecasting.
• Executive experience must include responsibilities such as managing multiple bureaus, areas, or divisions; formulating organizational strategy or governance; formulating architectural strategy; developing, setting, and enforcing organizational policies; developing partnerships; and/or developing budgets, cost savings, and revenue generation.
• Must reside in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut) by the confirmed start date.
• Ability to communicate complex messages through clear, simple design to highly diverse New York City audiences.
• Self-motivated, with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects, tasks, and timelines.
• Professional, courteous, and respectful approach when dealing with colleagues, direct reports, leadership, and stakeholders.
• Ability to supervise, delegate, and provide consultation and technical assistance to program components on media communications.
• Ability to develop and motivate professional staff, including developing in-service training and resources to enhance performance and growth.
• Capacity to identify new strategies to meet the agency’s overall mission and communications mission.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of graphic design, photography, videography, web design, and print production.
• Strategic, creative, and critical thinking.
• Preference may be given to individuals residing in New York City’s five boroughs or surrounding New York State counties.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and approve the look and feel of design projects and requests; monitor deliverables and timelines and take corrective action as needed.
• Advance the Health Department’s mission and strategic plan through attention-grabbing, accessible, high-quality designs; maintain its brand identity and apply strategic thinking and planning to collateral and other design materials.
• Lead the Design group, including graphic designers and videographers.
• Provide strategic guidance, creative direction, and hands-on support to team members executing assigned projects.
• Foster productivity and accountability, support professional development, encourage teamwork, and lead collaboration with colleagues across the agency.
• Select and manage contracted vendors and consultants for design and printing services as needed, and ensure appropriate contracts are in place.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Creative Communications teams for Editorial, Digital Communications, Marketing, and Language Services as projects require.
• Work with Editorial to develop and maintain art for priority messaging and health education materials, and with Digital Communications on the Health Department website and social media pages.
• Liaise with Health Department divisions and bureaus and foster relationships with diverse stakeholders to improve collaboration.
• Contribute as a senior design, creative, and strategy resource on the Creative Communications leadership team, demonstrating leadership and sharing experience.
• Approve use of the Health Department logo on materials created outside the Communications team.
• Work non-business hours during emergencies as expected.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts and commuter benefits.
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage.
• 403(b) with employer matching and discretionary company contributions.
• College savings plan.
• Ongoing trainings and continuous opportunities for professional growth and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director