Program Manager, Creative Services

United Way of Dane County • Madison, WI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Engagement & Marketing (CEM) Department creates experiences that engage and inspire people throughout Dane County to give, advocate and volunteer, mobilizing the community's caring power. The department advances this work through marketing, communications, events and corporate and community volunteer engagement. The Program Manager, Creative Services brings United Way of Dane County's brand and mission to life through compelling visual design and creative experiences across print, digital and multimedia platforms. Reporting to the Supervisory Director, Communications, this position serves as United Way's lead in-house graphic designer and visual brand steward, translating marketing and communications strategies into high-quality creative work that strengthens brand recognition, engages audiences and supports organizational priorities. This position manages creative projects from concept through production and maintains visual brand standards and creative assets. The ideal candidate combines strong graphic design expertise with creative thinking, project management, digital design and multimedia production skills and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, digital media or a related field, with a minimum of five years of professional experience in graphic design, creative services or visual communications; or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality creative work across print, digital and multimedia platforms.
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Advanced proficiency with WordPress required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint needed.
• Strong knowledge of design principles, including typography, layout, color, visual hierarchy and brand identity.
• Experience designing across multiple channels, including print, web, email, social media, digital advertising, presentations and events.
• Demonstrated ability to translate marketing and communications objectives into compelling creative concepts and visual solutions.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple creative projects from concept through final production, including timelines, feedback, approvals, deadlines and vendor coordination.
• Strong organizational, communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Valid Wisconsin driver's license and reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Elementor is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as United Way of Dane County's lead in-house graphic designer, conceptualizing and producing compelling visual communications across print and digital channels in alignment with organizational priorities and brand standards.
• Design campaign materials, annual reports, brochures, donor communications, advertisements, social media graphics, presentations, email graphics, signage, event collateral, infographics and other marketing materials.
• Manage creative projects from concept through final production, coordinating timelines, feedback, revisions, approvals and delivery.
• Provide creative direction and production support for organizational events, including event identity, signage, environmental graphics, presentations and supporting materials.
• Serve as a steward of United Way of Dane County's visual identity, ensuring consistent application of brand standards across organizational materials.
• Maintain and evolve United Way's brand toolkit, including logos, colors, typography, photography standards, templates, graphic elements and other visual assets.
• Develop user-friendly templates and tools that enable departments to create routine materials while maintaining brand integrity.
• Maintain an organized digital library of creative assets, photography, video, templates and final production files.
• Incorporate United Way Worldwide brand standards and resources into creative execution.
• Design creative assets for United Way's website, email marketing, social media, digital advertising and other digital platforms.
• Create and edit multimedia content, including photography, video and motion graphics.
• Manage website content, design and page updates using approved digital tools.
• Manage multiple creative projects and competing priorities to ensure high-quality work is delivered on time and within budget.
• Collaborate across departments to translate project objectives into effective creative solutions.
• Coordinate with printers, photographers, videographers, agencies and other creative vendors as needed.
• Represent United Way in a professional manner to the community, key volunteers and donors.
• Be an integral part of the Community Engagement & Marketing team.
• Participate in organizational activities including attending key donor and community events, during and outside of regular business hours.
• Participate in at least one internal organizational committee.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance.
• United Way contributes 8% of gross wages to a defined contribution retirement plan, which is fully vested after five years of employment.
• Employees may also contribute to a 403(b) retirement savings plan.
• generous vacation, sick and personal leave, as well as 10 paid holidays annually.

What This Job Offers

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