Senior Manager Creative Design

College of American Pathologists•Northfield, IL

15h•$100,000 - $128,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Creative Design is a strategic leadership role responsible for defining and elevating the organization’s creative vision across all campaigns, platforms, and event experiences. This role sits at the intersection of brand, storytelling, digital marketing, and marketing communications—ensuring that all creative output advances organizational priorities, strengthens member engagement, and reinforces brand integrity. As the creative leader, this role sets the direction for visual storytelling and digital experiences, guiding the development of innovative, audience-centered creative solutions. The Senior Manager, Creative Design partners closely with Marketing, Communications (MarCom), Events, Education, and cross-functional teams to translate strategy into compelling, cohesive, and high-impact creative execution.

Requirements

Proven experience in a creative leadership role within multimedia design, digital marketing, marketing communications, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability to set creative vision and lead cross-functional collaboration
Strong portfolio showcasing strategic, high-impact creative work across channels.
Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign; After Effects and/or Premiere Pro preferred).
Experience leading integrated campaigns, digital initiatives, and event-related creative.
Strong understanding of accessibility standards, brand governance, and mission-driven communications.
BA in design, marketing or Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC)
Candidates must reside within 75-miles of the Northfield, IL office and meet in-office requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in or supporting associations, nonprofits, or healthcare organizations.
Familiarity with communicating complex, technical, or regulated information to professional audiences.
Experience collaborating with external agencies or vendors.
Creative vision and strategic storytelling
Digital-first and audience-centered leadership
Strong leadership, influence, and collaboration
Strategic thinking and problem-solving
Project and operational management
Brand stewardship and governance
Innovation and adaptability in a rapidly evolving landscape
Ability to translate emerging trends into actionable creative strategy

Responsibilities

Define and lead the organization’s creative vision across digital, print, and experiential channels.
Establish and evolve visual storytelling frameworks that communicate complex or technical information in clear, engaging, and human-centered ways.
Provide creative direction and oversight for all multimedia design, including digital campaigns, motion graphics, video, presentations, event experiences, and print collateral/ advertising placements.
Inspire and influence cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, innovative, and strategically aligned creative work.
Ensure all creative output aligns with brand standards, accessibility requirements, and plain-language principles.
Lead the creative strategy for digital marketing initiatives across web, email, social media, and digital advertising.
Partner with digital marketing and content leaders to align creative with audience insights, segmentation, and campaign objectives.
Champion a digital-first, audience-centered approach to creative development and execution.
Guide the optimization of creative assets for performance, usability, and accessibility across platforms.
Leverage data and insights to inform creative decisions, testing, and continuous improvement.
Serve as the creative lead for integrated marketing and communications campaigns.
Translate messaging strategies into cohesive, scalable visual systems and campaign concepts.
Partner with MarCom to ensure creative supports key organizational initiatives, including education, advocacy, membership, accreditation, and awareness.
Elevate storytelling to build trust, clarity, and credibility with healthcare and professional audiences.
Lead the exploration and adoption of emerging trends in design, digital content, and audience engagement.
Drive innovation in creative approaches, including AI-assisted design, interactive content, video, and social-first storytelling.
Establish a culture of experimentation, iteration, and forward-thinking creative practices.
Benchmark creative performance and capabilities against industry standards to identify opportunities for growth.
Proactively position the organization ahead of digital and creative shifts.
Serve as the primary steward of the organization’s visual brand.
Oversee the development, evolution, and governance of brand guidelines, templates, and standards.
Ensure consistency and quality across all creative outputs, including work produced by internal teams and external partners.
Provide strategic guidance and consultation on brand-aligned creative solutions across the organization.
Lead end-to-end creative development for high-impact campaigns and initiatives.
Oversee project prioritization, timelines, and creative workflows in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
Balance multiple initiatives while maintaining excellence in quality, accuracy, and consistency.
Identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities to improve creative processes and efficiency.
Provide creative direction for in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, including visual identity, environments, and attendee experience.
Oversee design for signage, stage graphics, presentations, digital displays, and promotional materials.
Partner with Events and MarCom teams to ensure cohesive, engaging, and accessible event experiences.
Ensure continuity between event promotion, on-site experience, and post-event communications.