Public Strategies Overview
Public Strategies is a dynamic professional services firm with more than 35 years of experience delivering innovative communications, consulting, technology, events, and project management solutions. Our collaborative team of problem solvers, creatives, technologists, trainers, communicators, and change agents is committed to doing good well.
Serving private sector, government, and nonprofit clients nationwide, Public Strategies delivers award winning products and experiences. Public Strategies has also pioneered nationally respected human services programs supporting low income and other vulnerable populations. Through our integrated initiatives (including One Set Studio, our cutting edge virtual production space, and NextThought, our e Learning initiative), we elevate storytelling, training, videos, and immersive experiences for leading national brands.
Position Summary
The Senior Manager Creative Services is a creative and operational leader who sets the creative direction for Public Strategies while building the processes, workflows, and team structure that keep creative production efficient, consistent, and on brand. This role blends artistic vision, people leadership, and business acumen to drive brand identity, messaging, and visual storytelling across every platform, while ensuring the creative team delivers high quality work on time and within budget. The Senior Manager of Creative Services leads a multidisciplinary team including graphic designers, a web developer, and a digital marketing strategist, and partners closely with the Senior Director of Strategic Communications, the Associate Director of Marketing, and collaborates across departments to ensure all creative output aligns with business objectives. This role also champions the adoption of AI tools and emerging technologies across the team to drive efficiency and innovation.
Essential Job Functions
- Lead and manage the creative services function, overseeing all creative work that comes into the marketing department from intake through final delivery
- Manage, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team - including the graphic design team, a web developer, and a digital strategist - fostering open collaboration as well as independent thinking
- Maintain intake, prioritization, workflow, and quality control processes that drive efficiency and consistency across the creative team
- Guide the graphic design team in developing brand centered concepts and executing design solutions across print, digital, motion, and web
- Direct the web developer in building and maintaining websites and digital properties that align with brand standards and campaign goals
- Oversee the digital strategist in developing and executing digital campaigns across a range of channels, including but not limited to social media
- Collaborate with senior management, account managers, and clients on the development of strategic, brand centered marketing initiatives for PS and its clients
- Ensure all creative output aligns with brand standards, business objectives, and client goals
- Effectively articulate creative vision and concepts, both verbally and visually, while remaining open to feedback from the team and clients and making revisions as needed
- Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets, balancing multiple projects in a fast paced and changing environment to meet all deadlines
- Research emerging tools, styles, and techniques across design, web, and digital to keep the team's output relevant and impactful
- Build strong working relationships across the organization, as well as with clients and vendors
- Foster a culture of teamwork, excellence, and respect, and lead by example
- Contribute to business development and the pursuit of new clients
- Other duties as assigned
Education/Training
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, graphic design, or a related field, required
- Will consider 4+ years work experience (in addition to below experience) in lieu of degree
Experience
- 7+ years of creative, marketing, or communications experience producing and managing print, digital, and web creative from conception to fruition, with meticulous attention to detail; 10 years preferred
- 3+ years of experience leading and managing creative teams
- Experience managing digital campaigns across social media and other digital channels
- Experience managing the creation and maintenance of websites; UI/UX experience
- Human centered design experience preferred
- Experience developing and implementing creative production processes, workflows, or project management systems
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite
- Ability to assemble, motivate, and mentor a high performing creative team
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while meeting deadlines that deliver results
- Skilled at building and refining production workflows, project management tools, and creative operations processes
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain client relationships
- Strategic mindset to align creative vision with business objectives
- Understanding of budgets and efficient resource allocation
- Skilled at producing innovative design solutions with high visual impact
- Ability to evaluate work objectively while giving and receiving feedback
- Proficient in MS Office and project management/workflow tools
- Excellent organizational, communication, and analytical skills
- Creative problem solver capable of working independently and as part of a team
- Familiarity with AI powered creative, design, and marketing tools to improve efficiency
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, evenings, and some weekends, as needed
- Maintain a valid driver's license and ability to travel statewide when needed
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Sufficient mobility and strength to move about the facility. Ability to be mobile throughout the community.
Public Strategies is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, not on classifications protected by law, including but not limited to: race, color, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identify, and pregnancy), religion, national origin, age (40 and older), disability, genetic information, military service, or any other classification protected by law.