Design Director at Social-Impact Creative Agency job in Brooklyn

About You

Your work has intention and innovation. You’re energized by defending design rationale and thinking. You have proven yourself in a senior-level agency design role and you’re comfortable solving design problems in an iterative, collaborative process. You’ve got ideas to improve internal workflow processes and client communications. You’re ready to manage a design team, deliver impressive creative to impressive clients, and help shape Radish Lab’s creative ID.

Key Responsibilities

Design Work and Creative Leadership (~60%):

• Lead the creative vision for Radish Lab’s projects under the management of our Creative and Managing Director.
• Deliver world-class, best-practice, accessible design and ideas that help set us and our clients apart. Know when to push your ideas and know when the clients know best. Be the source of inspiration, energy and creativity behind all of the work we put out. Do this on time, and on budget, and ask for help when you need it.
• Design and present concepts in Figma, ideas to clients in person or remotely when necessary. Keep clients focused on what matters, guide conversation and decision making when necessary. Represent Radish with poise and professionalism;
• Work closely with the Creative Director to elevate the design we deliver by improving the process we use to get there;
• Guide our process for ideation, collaboration, craft, and production;
• Understand the boundaries of a project’s creative scope as defined in the contract, then ensure the project work stays within scope (with the help of project managers).

Manage the design team (~20%):

• Supervise designers (ensure they are following processes, meeting deadlines and expectations, adhering to standards and tracking their hours);
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior design team members;
• Exemplify the way the design team engages with clients and each other (for education, presentations, and feedback);
• Find talent (help to vet new design team members, source creative partners or other specialty talent);
• Provide quarterly feedback to your designers on an individual basis. Report and discuss feedback with Radish’s Managing Director. Help evaluate readiness for promotion.

Process and new business oversight (~20%):

• Identify key areas for improvement in the Radish design or creative process and execute improvements to improve efficiency and output;
• Work closely with Radish project managers to create project plans with deadlines and capacity planning;
• Work closely with our Director of Development to vision and scope potential projects (confirm price and time estimates for design processes), and pitch in-person or remotely to potential clients when necessary. Prepare presentation decks to showcase your ideas and help get the clients onboard.
• Help to consider business goals and see opportunities to work more efficiently, get more projects, or streamline scope.
• Ensure the design process is documented and up to date to uphold internal standards and aid with onboarding and training
• Treat internal business needs with the same degree of enthusiasm you apply to client deliverables and new business pitches. Help to iterate an evolve on Radish Lab’s brand and creative;
• Help lead weekly staffing meetings to help PM and management staff plan projects.

Perks + Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with FSA options
• Available 401(k) plans
• We close two weeks (paid) for winter break and close nine days for holidays
• Generous time off policy
• Incentive program to encourage volunteer work
• Opportunities for professional development
• An awesome office vibe, and culture that prioritizes work/life balance
• Fun (seriously!) team-building days
• Friendly, hard-working, and supportive team

For those located in NYC:

• Pre-tax MTA Metrocards
• Free Citibike membership
• Discounts at NYC gyms

Start date, compensation and Location:

We are looking to fill this position immediately. Please be available to start no later than 3 weeks from the date of offer.

The fixed salary range for this position is 75K-95K annually depending on experience. This is non-negotiable, so please consider carefully and whether you are comfortable with the job, compensation and benefits package before applying.

This position is remote, however you must be comfortable working 8 hours between the hours of 8AM and 7PM EST. If you’re based in New York, you are welcome to also work out of our office in Dumbo.

How to apply:

In your cover letter please share the project in your portfolio you think we should look at first.

No recruiters or calls.

Radish Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran.

About Radish Lab: Good Design for Nice People

Radish Lab grew out of a simple premise: what if, on a daily basis, we could work on creative projects that we sincerely believe in and could contribute to in meaningful ways?

Radish Lab is an award-winning creative agency, which specializes in design, branding, and websites for nonprofit organizations and other projects seeking to make meaningful change.

We believe good design is clear, simple, and fun. And we believe that good design has the power to move you, and the people you do business with.

Founded in early 2012, we have grown into a team of thirteen across two continents. We’re proud graduates of the IFP Made in New York storytellers incubator (2013) and Startup Germany’s Berlin residency (2016), both competitive programs to help firms become established players in global creative fields. We’re also a Certified B Corporation which means we’re held accountable for meeting the highest standards of overall social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Our clients come in all shapes and sizes, including some of our local powerhouses like the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the Columbia University, and Etsy, to global movers and shakers like the United Nations, the International Rescue Committee, and RED.org

Job requirements

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional work experience in digital design at an agency;
• Impressive portfolio of digital, branding, and creative work;
• Deep knowledge of UX & UI design, accessible design, general digital design trends and standards, data visualizations and infographics, print design and print production, and branding and identity design;
• Experience designing websites with a range of functionality and audiences;
• Experience with client-facing interactions, digital or in-person critique or feedback, on-site presentations of work or concepts, helping clients understand creative choices;
• Strong time management skills with the ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines effectively;
• Strong people skills; you’re great with clients, and a great manager;
• Collaborative team player with a positive attitude and passion for visual storytelling;
• Ability to explain and defend your creative and design choices. An understanding of the underlying principles and theories of design;
• A strong point of view and aesthetic, but the willingness to budge, and an openness to feedback and collaboration.

Software/Tools skills minimum must-haves:

• Expert Figma (or similar tools)
• Expert InDesign
• Expert Illustrator
• Expert Photoshop

Bonus:

• Basic knowledge of front end development
• Non-profit or social impact design experience