Graphic Design Manager
About The Position
Smile Train is the world’s leading cleft-focused organization. As Smile Train’s Graphic Design Manager, they will serve as the day-to-day leader of Smile Train’s design function, helping execute the organization’s visual identity, creative strategy, and design ecosystem. The role ensures creative work strengthens the Smile Train brand while advancing fundraising, advocacy, thought leadership, and audience engagement goals. Working closely with the broader creative and communications teams, the Graphic Design Manager translates organizational priorities into compelling, audience-centered visual experiences across digital, social, print, campaigns, events, donor communications, and executive initiatives. The Graphic Design Manager sets a high bar for creative excellence and consistency across the organization. They establish and uphold design standards, guide designers and freelancers, and help the team evolve its creative practice by bringing a deep understanding of contemporary design, digital and social best practices, audience behavior, and emerging creative trends. The role is expected to go beyond execution, using strategic thinking and performance insights to continually strengthen how Smile Train shows up visually across channels.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or related field.
- 7–10 years of experience in graphic design, creative services, visual communications, or brand design.
- Demonstrated experience leading creative projects and integrated campaigns.
- Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Canva and modern design tools.
- Strong understanding of branding, visual storytelling, user experience, and accessibility.
- Experience managing freelancers, agencies, or creative contributors.
- Excellent presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, international development, advocacy, or mission-driven organizations preferred.
Responsibilities
- Help shape and evolve Smile Train's global visual identity.
- Partner with Communications leadership to develop creative strategies supporting organizational goals.
- Translate audience insights and campaign objectives into effective visual concepts.
- Ensure creative work supports fundraising, advocacy, awareness, and thought leadership priorities.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen brand consistency and visual differentiation.
- Lead the design and development of integrated campaigns across digital, social, web, email, events, donor communications, advocacy, and thought leadership initiatives.
- Develop creative concepts from initial brief through final execution.
- Present and articulate creative rationale to internal stakeholders.
- Partner with Editorial and Video leadership to create cohesive storytelling experiences.
- Ensure all creative assets meet high standards for quality, accessibility, and brand consistency.
- Maintain and evolve Smile Train's brand standards and visual guidelines.
- Develop templates, toolkits, and creative resources for global teams.
- Establish scalable design systems that improve consistency and efficiency.
- With Global Brand Creative Director, review and approve creative assets, produced by freelancers, agencies, and regional teams.
- Ensure visual representation aligns with ethical storytelling principles and organizational values.
- Apply audience insights, user behavior, and performance data to improve creative effectiveness.
- Monitor trends in design, digital experiences, accessibility, motion, and emerging technologies.
- Explore innovative approaches to storytelling, design systems, AI-assisted creative workflows, and content creation.
- Champion user-centered design principles across all communications efforts.
- Serve as a strategic creative partner to Programs, Fundraising, Partnerships, Advocacy, and Executive Leadership.
- Collaborate closely with Editorial, Video, Social Media, and Internal Communications teams.
- Support campaign planning and integrated communications initiatives.
- Facilitate design planning across departments and major organizational priorities.
- Mentor designers, freelancers, consultants, and interns.
- In collaboration with the Global Brand Creative Director, provide creative direction and feedback on projects across the organization.
- Manage freelance designers, illustrators, agencies, and production partners.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and creative excellence.
- Serve as a guardian of Smile Train's visual identity and creative standards.
- Ensure all creative work reflects organizational values and brand positioning.
- Protect and strengthen Smile Train's reputation through thoughtful design and visual storytelling.
- Direct management of: Graphic Design Specialist.
Benefits
- Meaningful Work
- Comprehensive health, pharmacy, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan and generous employer match
- Generous PTO package, paid holidays, and sick time
- Paid parental leave and family care benefits
- Free access to professional mental health counseling
- Annual professional development stipend
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
