Senior Director, Creative and Editorial Studio, UnidosUS

ABOUT UNIDOSUS
UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels. For more than 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our community stronger. For more information on UnidosUS, visit www.unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director, Creative and Editorial Studio, champions creativity at UnidosUS, leading a small but mighty team of creative professionals in delivering visual and narrative storytelling that educates and inspires UnidosUS’s audiences to action. Reporting to the Vice President of Communications and Marketing and in close collaboration with the Deputy Vice President, the Senior Director ensures creative and editorial alignment across UnidosUS’s Program, Policy and Advocacy, External Affairs, and Office of the President functions. With experience leading and shaping creative strategy across visual and editorial formats, they guide their team in translating creative briefs into storytelling deliverables, including blogs, web pages, social media graphics, infographics, publications, fact sheets, presentations, event promotional materials, and signage. As a “player-coach,” the Senior Director can flex from creative strategist to individual contributor, able to inspire breakthrough work from their team, keep the trains running on time, and pitch in on design work when needed.

The ideal candidate is an idea-driven strategic thinker and designer by training with a demonstrated passion for compelling and engaging storytelling and narrative development. By driving awareness of UnidosUS’ strategy and its policy positions and programmatic priorities among elected officials, funders, partners, Latino communities, and other key stakeholders, the successful candidate will shape a future in which all Latinos in the United States are empowered to define and achieve their own American Dream.

Essential Functions:
Branding and Creative Strategy:

• In collaboration with VP and DVP, formalize a brand creative strategy that aligns with the strategic direction, unites editorial and design efforts, and increases the impact of UnidosUS creative, content, and storytelling.
• Steward the UnidosUS brand through the implementation and evolution of brand guidelines to ensure consistent, high-impact branding across the audience experience. 
• Champion creativity, elevating the creative acumen of UnidosUS staff and stakeholders, and producing content and storytelling that inspires audiences to action.

Creative Development (concepting, design, and production):

• Lead translation of creative briefs into visual and narrative storytelling solutions across marketing and communications channels, including social media, website, event/experiential (promotional materials and signage), and other digital channels. 
• Triage project requests, assign work, and manage development by providing creative direction, giving feedback on work-in-progress, leading creative presentations as needed, and ensuring stakeholder feedback is addressed. 
• Ensure project schedules are updated in Monday.com to provide transparency and create accountability, and keep stakeholders informed on project status at key milestones.

Operations & Team Leadership:

• Resource the team by identifying, selecting, and managing freelancers and agencies to expand UnidosUS creative team skill sets and capacity when needed. 
• Establish a culture of learning, manage and mentor staff, and create opportunities for staff growth and development. 
• Ensure processes, tools, and infrastructure (i.e., storage for creative files and final assets) meet the changing needs of the organization and make recommendations when improvements are needed.

QUALIFICATIONS COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• 15+ years experience in graphic design or art direction, including 5+ years managing and directing a creative team that includes both visual designers and narrative storytellers. 
• A breadth and depth of storytelling experience across form factors and channels, with expertise in the principles of effective storytelling, ideally with an issue-based, advocacy, or social justice organization. 
• Demonstrated excellence in shaping complex subject matters aimed at policymakers, funders, business leaders, or community-based organizations into elegant and usable communications pieces.
• Familiar with best practices in communicating with the U.S. Hispanic community and experience developing bilingual (English/Spanish) and/or multi-cultural creative aimed at the U.S. Hispanic community is a plus     
• A steadfast commitment to UnidosUS mission, vision, and values (Excellence, Respect, and Accountability).

Skills and Abilities 

• Adobe Creative Suite power user with a focus on InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat.
• An empathic, authentic, and honest leader, able to inspire commitment while cultivating accountability.
• Strong executive presence and interpersonal skills, and an ability to build authentic, trust-based relationships across functions and with peers, colleagues, and their own team. 
• Comfortable with ambiguity, able to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines to deliver quality work under time pressure.
• Excellent presentation and persuasion skills with the ability to articulate the strategic and stylistic rationale for creative recommendations.
• Proficient in project management software tools, ideally Monday.com. 
• Microsoft 365 Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, One Note, Teams, SharePoint). 
• Bilingual (Spanish-English) skills a plus.

The compensation range for this position is $136,379- $160,056 and includes a generous benefits package.

COVID-19 Considerations: All employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employment with UnidosUS is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screen.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.