Creative Director

Office of Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement benefits with employer 
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Paid sick leave

Bereavement leave

Vacation leave

Paid parental leave

FMLA leave

Life insurance

Student Loan Repayment Program

Job summary

The Office of Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) is seeking a Creative Director to lead digital and visual communications for the office, guiding content strategy and branding across official channels. This role includes managing external content creators and ensuring content aligns with the Member's voice.

This in-person senior staff position is based in Washington, DC or northern Illinois with travel and telework opportunities.

Qualifications

• At least 3–5 years of experience in creative and digital strategy.
• Experience in graphic design and digital content creation in political/government contexts preferred.
• Ability to manage a team and external content partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead digital content strategy and production for official channels and website.
• Oversee visual branding, guidelines, and high‑quality graphics for digital and print.
• Manage a communications team including interns and freelancers.
• Lead paid communications strategy and budget planning with leadership.
• Support digital work for Democratic leadership and special projects.

Skills

Graphic design

Digital content creation

Videography

Photography

Branding

Content strategy

Team management

Budget management

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

The Office of Representative LaurenUnderwood(IL-14), Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and Co-Founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, is hiring a Creative Director to lead digital and visual communications for the office.

This is an in-personsenior staff position located in either Washington, D.C. or northern Illinois, with occasional travel and telework opportunities. Depending on their location, the Creative Director can work out of any of our three offices in Capitol Hill, D.C.; DeKalb, IL; or Joliet, IL. Illinois-based candidates should have a valid driver's license and reliable access to a car (mileage reimbursement is offered).

Core responsibilities of this role include:

• Leading digital content strategy and production for Rep. Underwood's official channels and website. This includes managing external relationships with content creators, community partners, other Member offices, and digital outlets; tracking and monitoring digital performance to adjust strategy as needed; and producing graphics, videos, and other creative content in the Member's voice for various platforms - from ideation to creation.
• Overseeing visual communication, branding, and graphic design for the office. The Creative Director develops and implements the Member's style and branding guides; produces consistent and high-quality graphics for digital and print materials, including social media assets, handouts, posters, digital ads, and more; and serves as the Member's primary photographer and videographer day-to-day.
• Managing a communications team that includes interns, freelance photographers/videographers, and at least one other full-time staffer. This includes developing and maintaining approval and production processes and assisting in hiring and onboarding new communications staff.
• Leading paid communications strategy in coordination with the Chief of Staff, District Director, and Member. This includes managing a budget, identifying strong content and messages to uplift, directly placing ads for paid communications campaigns on various digital platforms and billboards, and ensuring compliance with all House rules and regulations on mass communication and otherwise.
• Supporting the Member's digital communications work in Democratic leadership and other special projects.

This is not an entry-level position. Essential qualifications for the role include:

• At least 3-5 years of experience in creative and digital strategy, with a focus on graphic design and digital content creation. Prior experience working in political campaigns, organizing, nonprofits, or government offices is preferred.
• Excellent videography, photography, and tech skills, including the ability to correctly capture multiple skin tones in a wide range of environments.
• Experience managing direct reports, developing and maintaining systems and processes, and driving projects with a team.
• The ability to juggle multiple competing projects and produce high-quality work under tight deadlines with strong attention to detail in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Curiosity, commitment to public service, and a strong interest in culture, storytelling, and design.

The annual salary range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000, dependent on experience and qualifications. The position offers health coverage; comp time; retirement benefits with an employer match; paid sick, bereavement, and vacation leave; paid parental leave; paid FMLA leave; access to life insurance coverage; and access to the Student Loan Repayment Program.

The office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, military status, marital or parental status.Women, people of color, and other members of traditionally underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.