Senior Manager, Brand and Creative Strategy

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Operationalize and manage the APS brand strategy, ensuring all creative work reflects the organization's mission, vision, and values.
• Help to manage the execution of visual identity across digital, print, events, and multimedia, maintaining brand integrity and consistency.
• Collaborate with the assistant director of marketing, brand, design & content to serve as an internal and external brand ambassador, supporting storytelling efforts.
• Collaborate with the assistant director of marketing, brand, design & content to evolve visual frameworks and campaign design systems.
• Oversee the workflow of the creative team, including designers, project managers, and external vendors, using project management tools such as Asana.
• Provide strategic and hands-on guidance for campaign concepting, design reviews, asset development, and production timelines.
• Support processes that align the creative team with organizational priorities and ensure high-quality, on-brand deliverables.
• Monitor workflow, provide updates to stakeholders, and flag bottlenecks or risks proactively.
• Collaborate with cross-departmental teams to support cross-channel consistency and manage creative production schedules.
• Support the design strategy for APS publications, ensuring content layout, visual hierarchy, and brand integration are optimized.
• Work with editorial and communications colleagues to align message and design in journal marketing, policy briefs, and reports.
• Manage relationships with vendors and contractors, overseeing scope, timelines, and quality control.
• Stay current on trends in design, digital storytelling, and content strategy to keep APS relevant and innovative.
• Support accessibility, inclusivity, and equity principles in all creative outputs.
• Collaborate on ideas to support creative staff development, coaching, and professional growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, marketing, visual communications, or a related field (or relevant work experience in lieu of degree).
• Minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in creative services, branding, or visual design.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience managing or mentoring creative professionals or leading multi-channel projects.
• Proven ability to lead creative strategy and execution across various media formats including print, digital, video, social, and web.
• Advanced understanding of branding, visual systems, and creative storytelling.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
• Ability to lead creative problem-solving processes and navigate ambiguity in fast-paced environments.
• Experience managing multiple initiatives while ensuring brand integrity and creative excellence.
• Deep understanding of brand governance across diverse platforms and audiences.
• Experience with project management systems like Asana and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and collaboration tools such as Figma.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and strategic thinking skills.
• A portfolio demonstrating design, visual storytelling, and campaign development excellence.

Nice to Have

• Adobe Certified Professional: Creative Cloud
• Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)

Qualifications

• Educational background in relevant fields or equivalent work experience
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Figma
• Experience managing creative teams and projects
• Strong portfolio demonstrating design and storytelling skills

Benefits & Perks

• Flexible schedules and remote work options
• 8% employer-paid retirement contribution
• Employer-paid investment advisement services
• Medical benefits including PPO or HDHP options
• Employer contributions to FSA or HSA accounts
• Lifestyle Spending benefit up to $2000 (USD)
• Employer-paid dental and vision coverage for employees and dependents
• Basic Life & Accident insurance fully paid by employer
• Supplemental Life & Accident insurance including spouse and dependents
• Disability insurance fully paid by employer
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare, commuter, and dependent care
• Vacation: 15 days annually
• Paid holidays: 17 days including end-of-year closure
• Personal leave: 4 days annually
• Volunteer leave: 1 day annually
• Sick leave: 10 days annually
• Bereavement & Compassion leave: 2-15 days
• 12 weeks employer-paid family leave
• College tuition reimbursement
• Job-related seminars and continuing education
• Professional certification/recertification paid by employer
• Access to LinkedIn Learning for professional development
• Employee Assistance Program
• Mindfulness Meditation classes