Visual Communications Designer

Northern Trust • Chicago, IL

14h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Visual Communications Senior Designer is an individual contributor role responsible for translating complex ideas, strategies, and data into clear, compelling visual stories—primarily through PowerPoint and presentation-based communication. Reporting to the Creative Execution Lead, this role partners closely with executives, marketers, and cross functional teams to elevate how ideas are communicated internally and externally. This designer lives and loves PowerPoint—not just as a layout tool, but as a storytelling medium. You will bring structure, clarity, and polish to high-stakes executive presentations, ensuring messages are visually engaging, on-brand, and easy to understand. You’ll collaborate with other designers while often operating as the primary design partner for leadership-facing communications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or equivalent experience
• 6–9+ years of experience in visual design with a strong emphasis on presentation design
• Advanced expertise in PowerPoint as a design and storytelling tool
• Strong command of typography, layout, color, and information design
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma; experience integrating assets into presentations
• Proven experience working directly with executive or senior leadership stakeholders
• Ability to translate complex, abstract, or technical information into clear visuals
• Excellent communication, listening, and stakeholder management skills
• Portfolio showcasing presentation design, visual storytelling, and executive communications

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in large organizations or regulated industries is a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead Visual Storytelling Through Presentation Design: Design high-impact PowerPoint presentations for executive, leadership, and client-facing audiences.
• Translate complex concepts, strategies, and narratives into clear, visually compelling stories.
• Apply strong information design principles to structure content logically and intuitively.
• Elevate raw content—outlines, drafts, data, and notes—into polished, presentation-ready materials.
• Partner with Executives & Senior Stakeholders: Act as a trusted design partner to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Effectively manage stakeholder relationships, expectations, and feedback in high-visibility situations.
• Ask the right questions to clarify objectives, audience, and desired outcomes.
• Present design rationale confidently and guide stakeholders toward strong visual solutions.
• Collaborate Within the Creative Team: Work closely with the Creative Execution Lead and fellow designers to align on standards and priorities.
• Contribute to shared presentation templates, visual systems, and storytelling frameworks.
• Support integrated campaigns and initiatives by ensuring presentation materials align with broader creative efforts.
• Provide peer feedback and help raise the overall quality of visual communication across the team.
• Ensure Brand Consistency & Quality: Ensure all presentations adhere to brand guidelines, visual identity, and tone of voice.
• Maintain a high bar for craftsmanship, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Adapt brand systems flexibly to meet a wide range of business and communication needs.
• Ensure final deliverables are polished, accurate, and ready for executive-level use.
• Drive Efficiency & Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve presentation workflows, templates, and processes.
• Create and maintain reusable assets, slide libraries, and visual components.
• Balance speed and quality in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Stay current on presentation design trends, storytelling techniques, and PowerPoint capabilities.

Benefits

• retirement benefits (401k and pension)
• health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability)
• paid time off
• parental and caregiver leave
• life & accident insurance
• other voluntary and well-being benefits
• discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component

What This Job Offers

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