Graphic Design Manager
Position Summary
The Marketing Manager/Graphic Designer will play an integral role in identifying and creatively responding to KIPP’s marketing and communication needs. They will work cross-functionally within the organization, collaborating across regional departments and with school teams, to represent the voice of KIPP Northern California among various audiences, including donors, current and prospective families, staff, and the general public. This role will create marketing materials and messaging for these audiences and cultivate and steward our unique brand.
The ideal candidate must have design expertise, expert editing skills, and a strong project management background. They will play a critical role as the primary designer across print and digital platforms and ensure that all communications consistently promote the organization’s brand. The role will also require excellent communication skills, meticulous attention to detail and accuracy, and the ability to collect and synthesize input from various stakeholders. They will report to the Director of Marketing & Communications. The position will be located at our office in downtown Oakland (BART accessible) with some travel to our 17 (and counting) schools required. This position is available starting July 1, 2021.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Marketing and Branding
- Generate content and messaging for KIPP Northern California aligned with strategic priorities.
- Own and reinforce our brand. Manage and enforce the KIPP Northern California brand and style guidelines at the regional and school level. Serve as the resident KIPP brand expert, providing resources and training to regional and school-based staff.
- Identify and prioritize key audiences. Collaboratively develop marketing strategies and a creative production plan, and produce relevant materials that reach our key audiences. Track and analyze results.
- Manage MarComm projects via Asana and Google Suite by coordinating both internal stakeholders and external vendors/partners. Serve as the liaison between teams and move projects forward while on deadline.
- Direct and work closely with contract graphic designers to execute projects across print and digital media that reflect our brand.
- Manage photo + video production and inventory. Take photos at events as needed and hire photographers on a project basis. Manage on-campus photo shoots. Consult on video production projects to assure all media communicates powerfully and succinctly about KIPP to various audiences.
- Work with school teams and vendors to create and leverage high-quality, on-brand school signage to increase brand awareness in our school communities and to ensure that our school campuses are easy to navigate for staff, students, and visitors.
Support external communications
- Prepare marketing collateral. Edit copy and manage design for annual impact report, school profiles, student recruitment materials, and other external materials to promote and inform various audiences about KIPP Northern California.
- Prepare event-related collateral. Assist with creating invitations and event-related materials, and work closely with fundraising team to develop and execute “look and feel” of events
- Support with visual and user experience aspects of our website design.
- Support in organization’s social media presence through design and messaging for Facebook, Twitter, MailChimp, and other platforms
Business Systems
- Work with third-party vendors as appropriate to manage materials and print orders.
- Manage and maintain our internal brand asset platform (currently Brandfolder)
- Track and update project budgets
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience:
3+ years of work experience, including graphic design and project management
Knowledge/skills:
You…
- Are a great listener!
- Are experienced and confident working with the full Adobe Creative Suite
- Believe strongly in the power of storytelling and story-sharing
- Possess a passion for social justice and equity, and believe all students can achieve at the highest levels
- Have a track record of collaboration and teamwork, and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with multiple stakeholders and across lines of difference
- Are experienced with change management and have a demonstrated ability to manage up, down and across to drive action, even in the absence of formal authority
- Plan and think strategically, backed up by excellent execution skills and flexibility to work within complex or ambiguous contexts
- Enjoy thinking critically about data and data processes
- Have significant previous work experience managing marketing and/or communications functions in previous roles
- Thrive working on a small, collaborative team
- Recognize issues of diversity and equity that affect interactions with other people and organizations
Physical, Mental and Environmental Demands
Physical: Ability to navigate office and school campuses, and hold meetings in different spaces. Traditionally, much of the day involves sitting. Ability to access and utilize technology. Occasional lifting/carrying of equipment 1-20 lbs.
Mental: Stress of deadlines and normal work standards, ability to analyze problems and generate alternatives, work with interruptions, concentrate for long periods of time, read, calculate, perform routine math problems, memorize and recall objects and people.
Environmental: Office environment subject to interruptions and distractions. Occasional local travel to schools. In an emergency context (e.g., pandemic) work may be conducted virtually fully or partially for extended periods of time or longer, and the expectation is that the individual will establish a productive, remote work environment (e.g., ability to stay connected through different technology means). It may require remote work as current public health guidelines warrant.
Classification
Full-time, exempt position based on the Regional Support Office calendar and time-off policy
About KIPP Public Schools Northern California
We are a thriving nonprofit network of 16 free, public charter schools open to all students. At KIPP, we believe all children should grow up free to create the future they want for themselves and that schools can and should be a critical factor in making that vision a reality. Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.
Our student community consists of over 6,000 elementary, middle, and high school students in East Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco, San Lorenzo, San Jose, and Redwood City. 79% qualify for free or reduced price lunch, 23% are multilingual learners, and 10% have special needs. We strive to cultivate a representative team of teachers and leaders that reflect our students’ diversity.
Compensation
We are dedicated to you and your family's well-being! KIPP offers a competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and transportation benefits.