ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 200 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocenceproject.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Innocence Project recognises the immense power of strategic communications to advancing legal and policy reform and, more specifically, the importance of exoneration stories to further the work of preventing wrongful convictions and achieving criminal legal system reform.

The Design Manager will join a talented and creative Communications team and will work to conceive, develop, and implement designs for an array of content and projects. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, the Design Manager will play a key role in implementing Innocence Project’s visual brand across a variety of platforms and products.

The Design Manager will work closely with all members of the communications team on marketing, editorial, media and digital deliverables. Specifically, they will work to create social media graphics, animations, video graphics, and data visualizations for our digital channels. They will bring a design eye to institutional and programmatic content, including the look and feel of presentations, the layout of reports, and elements of environmental signage and design. They will also contribute to the production of print products, such as invitations, brochures, and holiday cards. The Design Manager will be responsible for overseeing and organizing the team’s photographic assets, photo editing as well as facilitiating photo shoots.

The Design Manager must be creative, thoughtful, and well organized with the ability to work quickly and efficiently under pressure. They will be skilled at creating compelling visuals to illustrate complex issues and data. They will have a passion for design and the work of the Innocence Project, be proficient in programs that include Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects, Bridge, Lightroom, and Premiere (or Final Cut Pro), and keep abreast of the latest design trends.

All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and experience of a diverse and heterogeneous staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

While the Innocence Project has supported remote work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently committed to a hybrid workplace with mandatory three days per week in-office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate must be a consummate team player and collaborator who can work with people in all areas, and at all levels, of the organization. In particular, they must have an empathy for our clients and an ability to tell their stories visually with compassion and creativity. They will bring a fresh eye to our visual brand expression and be an active participant in conversations around our brand and work.

The ideal candidate for Design Lead is a self-starter who is responsible for managing projects from start to finish and ensuring products meet brand standards and are completed on time. The Design Lead should take a multifaceted approach to their work that is grounded in data and insights with strong graphic design principles.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

DESIGN

• Support the media, editorial, digital and marketing teams by creating and providing guidance on unique graphics, animations, and images for use on the website, in email newsletters, on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter), and in print materials.
• Ability to work on platforms like Pardot, Eventbrite, and WordPress, to develop new designs and templates.
• Collaborate with digital producers to design compelling and immersive layouts for web campaigns and stories.
• Storyboard and advise video editors and animators on typography, color, and on-screen graphics.
• Research and license editorial and stock photography to illustrate blog posts and social media content. This includes sourcing via public and private archives, and individual photographers.
• Oversees the work of freelance illustrators and photographers on editorial content.
• Create design systems and visual templates for each media platform that are informed by best practices, evolving insights, and platform needs.
• Manage print production of a variety of materials with an understanding of document accessibility standards. Examples of these materials include program research reports, invitations, and holiday cards.
• Assist with the layout of presentations in Google Slides.

PRODUCTION AND PROJECT COORDINATION

• Oversee file management (especially photo management), version control, and project management while using tools such as Monday.com, Slack, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Google Drive
• Identify vendors and obtain estimates for contract design and artwork.
• Produce social media toolkits for outside partners.
• Handles pre-press production including final sign-off on proofs for print-based projects, including delivery of electronic files to the printer.

ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION

• A curiosity for and ongoing education in the latest standards for web and document accessibility through a disability inclusion lens.
• A proactive approach to finding and improving accessibility across our platforms.
• Makes recommendations for brand standards around illustration, photography, and vendors that promote a standard of equity and inclusion.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors + specialized training/certification, or equivalent specialized experience
• At least 5 years experience in Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, InDesign, Bridge, Premiere (or Final Cut Pro), and HTML.
• Background in using photo management-specific programs like Adobe Lightroom a plus.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES

• Detail oriented and capable project manager
• Creative thinker who looks outside the box
• Innovative - seeks novel ways to improve and grow; open to trying new things
• Comfort with and ability to guide and coach teams of people at all levels within an organization.
• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
• Shares in the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & PERKS

The salary for this position is highly competitive and the Innocence Project offers an excellent benefits package, including fully-paid individual health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, 401k plan with 6% company-match, paid disability and family care leave, adoption and fertility expense reimbursements, and company-paid transportation benefits.

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please upload a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the organization’s work, and a resume titled with your name (last name. first name. cover letter/resume). Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications. Information submitted through this secure site is kept confidential. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to give applicant updates by phone or direct email.

**Applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis until the post is filled.**

SALARY RANGE

$78,625-$92,500