Position Summary
The Graphic Designer develops engaging digital and print materials that communicate the Mayor’s priorities, programs, services, initiatives, and events to Philadelphia residents and other stakeholders. Reporting to the designated communications leader, the position transforms complex information into clear, accessible, and visually compelling communications for use across multiple platforms. This position creates materials for social media, websites, email newsletters, presentations, public events, reports, signage, and print distribution. The position works closely with communications staff and City departments to understand project objectives, develop creative concepts, incorporate feedback, and deliver high-quality materials within established deadlines.
This position also helps maintain consistent visual branding across the Mayor’s Office and related public-facing communications. The Graphic Designer manages design files, templates, and visual assets and prepares final materials for digital publication and professional print production.
Essential Functions
• Design digital and print materials that communicate the Mayor’s priorities, programs, services, initiatives, and events.
• Create graphics and visual content for social media platforms, websites, email newsletters, presentations, reports, flyers, brochures, invitations, signage, and other communications materials.
• Translate policy, programmatic, and operational information into clear, engaging, and audience-appropriate visual communications.
• Develop original design concepts, layouts, illustrations, templates, and other visual elements consistent with project goals.
• Adapt materials into multiple formats and dimensions for use across digital, print, and presentation platforms.
• Select appropriate typography, color, imagery, composition, and visual hierarchy to improve the clarity and effectiveness of communications.
• Apply and maintain consistent visual branding across Mayor’s Office communications and related public-facing materials.
• Ensure that materials comply with established City and Mayor’s Office brand standards.
• Develop and maintain reusable templates that support consistent design across communications channels.
• Review materials for visual consistency, quality, accuracy, accessibility, and appropriate use of branding.
• Provide design guidance to communications staff and departmental partners when necessary.
• Collaborate with communications staff, policy teams, program staff, and City departments to determine project goals, audiences, content requirements, and production timelines.
• Present design concepts and recommendations and incorporate feedback from internal stakeholders.
• Manage multiple design assignments simultaneously and prioritize work based on deadlines, complexity, and communications needs.
• Respond quickly to time-sensitive announcements, public information needs, events, and emerging priorities.
• Communicate project status, production requirements, and potential scheduling concerns to relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate with printers, vendors, photographers, and other creative or production partners as needed.
• Prepare final files for websites, social media, email distribution, presentations, and other digital platforms.
• Prepare print-ready files according to professional printing specifications, including appropriate sizing, resolution, color settings, margins, bleeds, and file formats.
• Conduct quality-control reviews to identify and correct design, formatting, image-quality, and production issues before publication or printing.
• Organize and maintain design files, photographs, graphics, templates, logos, and other visual assets for efficient team use.
• Maintain clear file-naming, version-control, and archiving practices.
• Identify opportunities to improve design workflows, templates, and asset-management practices.
• All other duties as assigned.
Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge:
• Graphic-design principles, including typography, color theory, composition, layout, visual hierarchy, and branding.
• Design requirements and best practices for social media, websites, email communications, presentations, reports, and print materials.
• Digital publishing and professional print-production processes.
• File formats, image resolution, color modes, bleeds, and other technical production requirements.
• Branding systems and the application of visual-identity standards across different communications platforms.
• Accessibility and inclusive-design principles applicable to public-facing digital and print communications.
• Current design trends, communications practices, and social media formats.
Skills:
• Using professional graphic-design software, including Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Creating visually compelling materials for digital, print, presentation, and social media use.
• Translating complex or detailed information into understandable and engaging visual content.
• Managing multiple projects, production schedules, revisions, and competing deadlines.
• Organizing digital files, templates, images, and visual assets.
• Reviewing materials for accuracy, consistency, accessibility, and production quality.
• Communicating and collaborating effectively with individuals who may not have design or communications backgrounds.
Abilities:
• Develop creative concepts that support communications objectives and public-information needs.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced environment in which priorities and deadlines may change quickly.
• Produce high-quality work under tight deadlines, including materials for time-sensitive announcements.
• Receive, evaluate, and incorporate feedback while maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the design.
• Maintain consistent branding across numerous projects, departments, and communications channels.
• Exercise sound judgment when working with sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing information.
• Work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative communications team.
• Balance creativity with clarity, accessibility, accuracy, and the operational needs of City government.
Completion of a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university with major coursework in graphic design, visual communications, communications design, fine arts, digital media, or a closely related field.
Three years of professional graphic-design or visual-communications experience creating materials for digital and print publication.
Experience developing materials for a government agency, public-sector organization, communications office, marketing department, nonprofit organization, or other large and complex organization is preferred.
An equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable may be considered.
TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.
Salary Range: up to 70,000
Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!
Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!
*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire
Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.
The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].
For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx