Design Manager

Accountabilities

• Produce high-quality creative work across digital products, brand communications, editorial features, print publications, and organizational campaigns.

• Take ownership of complex and high-profile design initiatives, applying strong creative judgment to deliver polished, effective, and consistent results.

• Support creative leadership by reviewing design work across different experience levels and providing constructive, actionable feedback on design quality and production.

• Collaborate with freelance illustrators, graphic designers, and other contractors, including briefing projects, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring alignment with brand standards.

• Maintain and continuously improve design documentation, guidelines, and resources so they remain accessible and useful to internal teams, consultants, and creative partners.

• Develop templates, reusable components, and scalable design patterns across digital and print-related materials to improve efficiency and reduce repetitive work.

• Partner with Digital, Editorial, Programs, and Communications teams to align creative deliverables with organizational goals and strengthen brand consistency.

• Contribute to the evolution of design systems and visual standards across multiple digital platforms and publication formats.

• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

• At least seven years of professional design experience spanning brand identity, digital products, and print materials, with demonstrated ownership of senior-level creative work.

• A strong portfolio showcasing excellent design execution, visual craftsmanship, and the ability to shape creative direction across a variety of formats.

• Expert proficiency in Figma, including component architecture, variables and design tokens, shared libraries, and design system documentation.

• Demonstrated experience creating and producing high-quality print materials, with strong knowledge of typography, layout, and print production workflows.

• Proven experience developing, maintaining, or scaling brand guidelines, style guides, and design systems across an organization.

• Experience coordinating with freelance designers, illustrators, and external creative partners throughout production workflows.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain design decisions and articulate creative rationale to stakeholders across different disciplines.

• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to deliver high-quality work across multiple projects and deadlines.

• Experience in publishing, media, journalism, or mission-driven organizations is preferred.

• Experience working across both editorial design and digital product environments is an advantage.

• An interest in global affairs is a plus.

• Ability to work from a New York City office at least four days per week, including Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays as required in-person days.

• Application materials: Candidates should be prepared to submit a resume, a cover letter explaining their interest in the position, and a portfolio featuring recent digital and print design work.

Benefits

• Annual salary: $120,000–$140,000, depending on experience.

• Benefits package: Access to an employee benefits package described as comprehensive; specific healthcare, retirement, leave, and other benefit details are not provided in the available posting and should be confirmed during the hiring process.

• Work arrangement: Primarily office-based, with a hybrid schedule that includes remote work subject to organizational policy.

• Creative ownership: Opportunity to lead high-visibility design projects and influence brand standards across digital and print platforms.

• Cross-functional collaboration: Work with creative, editorial, digital, communications, and program professionals, as well as external creative partners.

• Professional development: Opportunity to strengthen design systems, refine creative processes, and contribute to a broad portfolio of editorial and digital experiences.

• Mission-driven environment: Contribute to communications and publications that support informed public engagement with international and global affairs.