Manager, Creative and Graphic Design

Arlington, VA, US

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) crafts and executes advocacy campaigns and provides analytical products to assist Member companies with business decisions. NEMA also develops performance Standards for Members in the electrical and medical imaging industries. NEMA serves its members by living our core values in every aspect of our work: respect, integrity, teamwork, and leadership.

The Manager, Creative and Graphic Design is responsible for the conception and execution of compelling visual design across NEMA’s communications and marketing channels. This role requires an understanding of print and digital design principles and marketing communication strategies. The candidate will ensure all designs adhere to brand guidelines and maintain a high level of creative excellence.

This position requires outstanding customer service orientation and delivery, including highly effective consultative skills to translate concepts and requirements into visually impactful, high quality end products, whether for member marketing materials or board presentations. Superior attention to detail is also a requirement.

The position is in Arlington, Virginia, and allows for a hybrid work schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and produce engaging print and digital media assets, aligned with NEMA brand principles.
• Work with Communications and Content teams to break down complex information and ideas and represent them as compelling visuals.
• Create and execute design solutions and collateral used for NEMA Communications, Marketing, Member Recruitment, and other departments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate requirements into design; work with customers and stakeholders to conceptualize and deliver projects on time, on budget and to quality specifications.
• Develop templates and tools, including digital ads, social media cards, email campaigns, one-pagers and infographics, and print materials.
• Conceptualize, shoot, and edit engaging photographic and video content, including membership recruiting materials, brand stories, and promotional videos.
• Serve as first point of contact for ensuring NEMA’s brand guidelines and specifications are followed in internal and external campaigns and deliverables.
• Support the selection of any new creative partners and the manage those relationships, providing clear creative direction on creative work produced on behalf of NEMA.
• Expertly craft data-heavy presentations and decks, infographics, event graphics, reports, membership assets, and beyond, paying meticulous attention to detail.
• Own the conversation on how to strengthen NEMA’s visual identity through new digital assets (web assets, social, video, animation, etc.).

Practices great customer service by applying active listening and proactive identification of new opportunities, combined with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Ability to take ideas and complex information and make it easy to understand in a visually engaging manner. Understands and clearly conveys the organization’s strategy and value proposition.
• Strong portfolio showcasing creative skills and versatility, particularly in the energy and association sphere.
• Experience in photography, videography, podcast production and editing those media.
• Advanced understanding of branding, design principles, typography, layout design, use of color palettes.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Demonstrates ability to combine highly consultative style with the conceptual skills to translate ideas into timely deliverables for communications and marketing.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment, adaptable and agile in pivoting from one project to the next.
• Ability to work independently, deliver high quality materials and meet deadlines
• Expertise in PowerPoint and graphic design software, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro).
• Understanding of production best practices for print and digital medium, including extensive experience in designing corporate presentations and decks.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with a bias for action, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Strong conceptual thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling visual designs.
• A minimum of 7 years of design experience across a variety of mediums (e.g. corporate design, presentations, photography, web, event graphics, etc.).
• Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, Visual Communication, Graphic Design, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Ability to travel periodically based on business needs (e.g. photo shoots, etc.).
• Willingness and ability to model NEMA’s core values in all aspects of work: respect, integrity, teamwork, and leadership
• Physical requirements of the work will require the occasional ability to lift equipment of up to 50 lbs. with limited or no assistance, to carry or move stock materials to support production. Occasional assignments requiring ability to manipulate low-lying equipment by stooping, kneeling or crawling, climb step ladders, reach and lift items overhead.

NEMA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including paid holidays and personal time, flexible working hours, 401(k) plan, health/dental insurance, and partial pre-tax parking/Metro subsidy.

Interested individuals should send a current resume, specifying salary requirements, to careers@nema.org. Three examples of individually created, non-proprietary materials that demonstrate expertise in design, creativity, and brand alignment are required with application. EOE/M/F/V/D.