Senior Graphic Designer
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Chevy Chase, MD, United States
The Senior Graphic Designer is a highly skilled, strategic visual communicator responsible for developing and executing compelling design solutions across print, digital, and presentation platforms. As a member of the Marketing and Digital Communications team, this individual collaborates closely with colleagues and stakeholders across HHMI, including senior leadership, to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging visual experiences that advance HHMI’s research and education mission.
Reporting to and working in close partnership with the Director of Marketing and Digital Communications, the Senior Graphic Designer leads the concepting and execution of design across a wide range of formats, including publications, websites, social media, email campaigns, video, and presentations. This role often provides direct design support to senior leadership — requiring discretion, responsiveness, and strong judgment — and broadly requires a strong balance of creative vision, technical expertise, strategic thinking, collaboration, and the ability to independently drive projects from concept through final delivery. **What we offer:** Play a key role in shaping how HHMI communicates its mission, research, and programs to diverse audiences. Your work will help make critical science and business priorities clear, engaging, and accessible.**Essential Duties and Responsibilities:** * Bring a strong point of view to design solutions while directly incorporating leadership and other stakeholder feedback in a thoughtful and effective manner that elevates visual communication across the organization.* Develop and refine workflows that support efficient collaboration, feedback, and delivery. Work effectively with external vendors (e.g. freelancers, agencies) as needed to support project goals.*Digital and Interactive Design** Create assets optimized for digital channels, including social media, email marketing, and multimedia campaigns.*Presentation and Visual Communication** Develop high-impact presentations for leadership, programs, and external audiences, translating complex ideas into clear visual narratives.* Establish and maintain cohesive use of templates, systems, and visual frameworks that improve consistency and efficiency across presentation materials.* Partner with internal stakeholders to elevate storytelling through thoughtful design and visual structure.* Respond to fast-turnaround and last-minute presentation requests with professionalism and consistency; manage revision cycles with flexibility and a service-oriented approach.*Education** Bachelor’s degree.*Experience** Minimum of 8 years of professional design experience, with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise across print and digital media.Design for digital experiences, including web and interactive content, with a strong understanding of user experience (UX), accessibility principles, and AI-optimized/AI-compatible web and template design.
Collaborate with web, content, and technical teams to ensure designs are effectively implemented and optimized for performance. Apply knowledge of responsive design, usability, and engagement best practices to enhance audience experience. **Qualifications:** *Skills and Abilities** Fluency in print publications and collateral, presentation design (executive presentations, templates, storytelling systems), and core digital channels (web, email, and social media). Proficiency in adjacent areas such as interactive/UX design, motion/animation, and data visualization.* Stays current with and thoughtfully incorporates emerging AI capabilities into design systems and workflows (e.g. AI-compatible templates and scalable assets) while preserving strong creative judgment and high-quality, original design execution.* Strong understanding of user experience (UX), accessibility, and digital design best practices* Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), After Effects or equivalent motion design tools, and presentation tools (e.g., PowerPoint)* Familiarity with web design tools and workflows (e.g., Figma or similar)* Ability to translate complex concepts into clear, compelling visual communications* Strong project management, organizational, and time-management skills* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and navigate feedback at high levels* High level of discretion and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information* Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality execution* Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and matrixed environment**Application Instructions:**
To apply, please submit a link to a portfolio that includes:* Design work across digital (social, web, email) and print formats.* Presentation design that demonstrates an ability to work across brand or visual systems* At least one example of a complex concept translated into a clear visual communicationPlease include a brief description of your role in each project. Applications without portfolio materials will not be reviewed.Demonstrated experience collaborating in complex environments, partnering closely with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
Experience translating scientific or technical material into clear, accessible, compelling visual communications preferred
**Physical Requirements** Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. #LI-EG1Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is an independent, ever-evolving philanthropy that supports basic biomedical scientists and educators with the potential for transformative impact. We make long-term investments in people, not just projects, because we believe in the power of individuals to make breakthroughs over time. **Why HHMI**To move science forward we need a diverse collection of talents, expertise, and backgrounds in scientific research and science education, as well as communications, finance, human resources, information technology, investments, law, and operations.At HHMI, we encourage collaborative and results-driven working styles and offer an adaptable environment where employees can do their best work.What makes us strong is the diversity of our perspectives. page. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Reporting to and working in close partnership with the Director of Marketing and Digital Communications, the Senior Graphic Designer leads the concepting and execution of design across a wide range of formats, including publications, websites, social media, email campaigns, video, and presentations. This role often provides direct design support to senior leadership — requiring discretion, responsiveness, and strong judgment — and broadly requires a strong balance of creative vision, technical expertise, strategic thinking, collaboration, and the ability to independently drive projects from concept through final delivery. **What we offer:** Play a key role in shaping how HHMI communicates its mission, research, and programs to diverse audiences. Your work will help make critical science and business priorities clear, engaging, and accessible.**Essential Duties and Responsibilities:** * Bring a strong point of view to design solutions while directly incorporating leadership and other stakeholder feedback in a thoughtful and effective manner that elevates visual communication across the organization.* Develop and refine workflows that support efficient collaboration, feedback, and delivery. Work effectively with external vendors (e.g. freelancers, agencies) as needed to support project goals.*Digital and Interactive Design** Create assets optimized for digital channels, including social media, email marketing, and multimedia campaigns.*Presentation and Visual Communication** Develop high-impact presentations for leadership, programs, and external audiences, translating complex ideas into clear visual narratives.* Establish and maintain cohesive use of templates, systems, and visual frameworks that improve consistency and efficiency across presentation materials.* Partner with internal stakeholders to elevate storytelling through thoughtful design and visual structure.* Respond to fast-turnaround and last-minute presentation requests with professionalism and consistency; manage revision cycles with flexibility and a service-oriented approach.*Education** Bachelor’s degree.*Experience** Minimum of 8 years of professional design experience, with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise across print and digital media.Design for digital experiences, including web and interactive content, with a strong understanding of user experience (UX), accessibility principles, and AI-optimized/AI-compatible web and template design.
Collaborate with web, content, and technical teams to ensure designs are effectively implemented and optimized for performance. Apply knowledge of responsive design, usability, and engagement best practices to enhance audience experience. **Qualifications:** *Skills and Abilities** Fluency in print publications and collateral, presentation design (executive presentations, templates, storytelling systems), and core digital channels (web, email, and social media). Proficiency in adjacent areas such as interactive/UX design, motion/animation, and data visualization.* Stays current with and thoughtfully incorporates emerging AI capabilities into design systems and workflows (e.g. AI-compatible templates and scalable assets) while preserving strong creative judgment and high-quality, original design execution.* Strong understanding of user experience (UX), accessibility, and digital design best practices* Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), After Effects or equivalent motion design tools, and presentation tools (e.g., PowerPoint)* Familiarity with web design tools and workflows (e.g., Figma or similar)* Ability to translate complex concepts into clear, compelling visual communications* Strong project management, organizational, and time-management skills* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and navigate feedback at high levels* High level of discretion and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information* Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality execution* Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and matrixed environment**Application Instructions:**
To apply, please submit a link to a portfolio that includes:* Design work across digital (social, web, email) and print formats.* Presentation design that demonstrates an ability to work across brand or visual systems* At least one example of a complex concept translated into a clear visual communicationPlease include a brief description of your role in each project. Applications without portfolio materials will not be reviewed.Demonstrated experience collaborating in complex environments, partnering closely with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
Experience translating scientific or technical material into clear, accessible, compelling visual communications preferred
**Physical Requirements** Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. #LI-EG1Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is an independent, ever-evolving philanthropy that supports basic biomedical scientists and educators with the potential for transformative impact. We make long-term investments in people, not just projects, because we believe in the power of individuals to make breakthroughs over time. **Why HHMI**To move science forward we need a diverse collection of talents, expertise, and backgrounds in scientific research and science education, as well as communications, finance, human resources, information technology, investments, law, and operations.At HHMI, we encourage collaborative and results-driven working styles and offer an adaptable environment where employees can do their best work.What makes us strong is the diversity of our perspectives. page. #J-18808-Ljbffr