Creative Services Manager (Remote Eligible)

Mathematica, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Mathematica seeks a Creative Services Manager to lead a team of designers and produce accessible, high-impact visuals across reports, presentations, infographics, and data visuals.

The role blends creative direction, people leadership, and operational excellence with the strategic use of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled design tools. Remote-eligible, with onsite collaboration encouraged at our Chicago-area offices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in creative services or related disciplines.
• Experience leading teams and managing complex creative projects.
• Experience in professional services, consulting, research, client services, or similarly complex environments preferred.
• Expertise in graphic design, visual storytelling, and information design across print and digital.

Responsibilities

• Creative direction and hands-on design for accessible, high-impact visuals across print and digital.
• Lead and develop a team of creative professionals; manage project intake, resources, budgets, and QA.
• Improve workflows and adopt emerging technologies, including AI-powered tools, to boost quality and productivity.
• Partner with stakeholders across communications, research, technology, and business to design effective solutions.

Skills

Creative direction

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design/Visual Communications

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Microsoft Office

Figma

AI-powered design tools

Job description

Creative Services Manager (Remote Eligible)

About Mathematica:
Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development. Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company's growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength. Read more about our benefits here: https://www.mathematica.org/career-opportunities/benefits-at-a-glance.

The Creative Services Manager leads a team of
designers and creative professionals responsible for developing high-quality,
accessible visual communications that support organizational and client
objectives. This hands-on leadership role combines creative direction, people
management, operational excellence, and the strategic use of emerging
technologies, including AI-enabled design tools. The ideal candidate is an
experienced designer and collaborative leader who can translate complex
information into compelling visual stories, build strong cross-functional
partnerships, and drive continuous improvement in creative services operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Creative direction and hands-on design

• Lead the creation of accessible, high-impact visual communications across print and digital channels, including reports, presentations, infographics, data visualizations, and multimedia content.
• Provide creative direction while contributing directly to design projects as needed.
• Maintain and evolve design standards, brand guidelines, templates, and visual assets to ensure quality and consistency.

Team leadership and
talent development

• Manage, coach, and develop a team of creative professionals, fostering collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
• Oversee project intake, resource planning, workload management, budgets, and quality assurance to ensure successful project delivery.
• Manage external creative partners and vendors as needed.

Creative
operations and technology innovation

• Improve creative workflows, processes, and self-service tools to enhance efficiency and scalability.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, including AI-powered design tools and automation solutions.

Strategic
consultation and cross-functional partnership

• Partner with stakeholders across communications, research, technology, and business teams to develop effective communication solutions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on visual storytelling, information design, accessibility, and brand strategy.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in
  Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field, or equivalent
  professional experience.
• At least seven years of
  progressive experience in creative services, graphic design, or related
  disciplines.
• Demonstrated
  experience leading teams and managing complex creative projects.
• Experience in
  professional services, consulting, research, client services, or similarly
  complex environments preferred.
• Expertise in graphic
  design, creative direction, visual storytelling, and information design
  across print and digital platforms.
• Strong proficiency
  with Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and Microsoft
  Office applications on a Microsoft Windows platform.
• Proven success leading
  creative teams, managing multiple priorities, and mentoring design
  professionals.
• Experience
  establishing design standards, brand governance, and accessible design
  practices, including Section 508 compliance.
• Strong operational
  skills in project management, budgeting, resource allocation, and workflow
  optimization.
• Demonstrated ability
  to leverage emerging technologies, including AI-enabled creative tools, to
  improve quality and productivity.
• Exceptional
  communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.

Additional/preferred qualifications:

• Experience designing
  research-based, technical, or data-intensive communications.
• Familiarity with UX/UI
  design principles and tools such as Figma.
• Experience with video,
  animation, motion graphics, or multimedia production.
• Knowledge of creative
  project management platforms and scalable design systems.

This position offers an anticipated base salary of $100,000 - $125,000 annually. This position is eligible for an annual bonus target opportunity, based on individual and company performance.

Location details:

This position is eligible for remote work and does not currently require a minimum number of hours in an office. However, we value opportunities for in-person collaboration and encourage employees who live near a Mathematica office to participate in onsite events and activities when possible, helping to foster connections and engagement with local colleagues.

Mathematica currently has offices in Washington, DC; Woodlawn, MD; Princeton, NJ; Cambridge, MA; Ann Arbor, MI; and Chicago, IL.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

At Mathematica, we understand the importance of building relationships with colleagues. If you're not located near one of our offices but would like opportunities to meet up with co-workers, we offer coworking spaces where available. Ask your Talent Acquisition partner for more information about this opportunity and whether it's an option in your area.

Any offer of employment will be contingent upon passing a background check. Various federal agencies with whom we contract require that staff successfully undergo security clearance as a condition of working on the project. If you are assigned to such a project, you will be required to obtain the requisite security clearance. Additionally, if you participate in/complete the application process and are denied, Mathematica may choose to terminate your employment.

We take pride in our employees and in their commitment to excellence. We encourage staff to collaborate in developing creative solutions to difficult problems and to share the responsibility and enjoyment of carrying out complex projects. This collegial spirit has helped us earn our reputation for innovative and high quality work.