Visual Design Specialist

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab • Chicago, IL

1d • $52,300 - $89,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Visual Design Specialist develops engaging, accessible, and visually compelling digital and print materials supporting Pathways.org’s educational, communication, and outreach initiatives. The role translates complex child health, development, and clinical information into clear, parent-friendly visual content aligned with organizational mission and brand standards. It includes graphic design, educational and promotional materials, conference and event visual support, and related coordination to help deliver organizational initiatives.

The specialist designs presentations and visual assets for print, websites, email, social media, campaigns, and other digital communications; maintains brand consistency and a library of branded templates; and adapts materials for multilingual audiences in coordination with translators. The position works with communications, education, outreach, marketing, and web teams, manages projects through delivery, coordinates with external vendors, and helps maintain digital creative assets and design documentation. The role is hybrid, with work in the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab office.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 3 years of experience in graphic design, digital communications, or a related field.
• Strong design, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Proficiency with PowerPoint, Canva, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Design presentations for parents, caregivers, healthcare providers, educators, and partner organizations.
• Create PowerPoint graphics, conference banners, handouts, infographics, QR codes, and YouTube thumbnails.
• Develop visual assets for blogs, presentations, email, print, social media, and digital communications.
• Ensure materials follow brand guidelines and remain consistent across communication channels and partners.
• Build and maintain branded templates for presentations, handouts, social graphics, and email.
• Translate complex developmental and clinical information into clear, engaging visuals.
• Adapt designs for multilingual audiences in collaboration with translators, including Spanish-language versions.
• Produce website visual updates, including page layouts, banners, and graphics, working with web and communications teams.
• Design and assist with visual marketing, advertising, and paid campaign assets.
• Partner with communications, education, and outreach staff to define creative needs.
• Manage multiple design projects from intake through delivery and prioritize work to meet deadlines.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to recommend creative approaches and visual solutions supporting campaign objectives and engagement goals.
• Coordinate with outside vendors, printers, and freelancers, including obtaining quotes, reviewing proofs, and checking quality.
• Keep current with design trends, tools, and best practices in nonprofit and health communications.
• Support conference-related visual materials, including signage, booth graphics, and presentations; format post-conference emails and follow-up communications.
• Assist occasionally with printing, packaging, inventory, and shipping materials.
• Organize and maintain digital asset management systems for files, templates, photography, and creative assets.
• Document design processes and standards for use across the organization.
• Perform other duties assigned and in the best interest of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Benefits

• The organization offers a comprehensive benefits program described as competitive with industry peers in its geographic locations; benefits and eligibility may vary by position.

What This Job Offers

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