Illustrator

M&C Saatchi; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 weeks paid parental leave

Health insurance

401(k) with match

Flexible hybrid work schedule

Job summary

M&C Saatchi World Services seeks a highly creative Illustrator to develop original illustrations, iconography, infographics, and visual storytelling assets for public sector campaigns. The role partners with design, strategy, UX, and communications teams to transform complex ideas into clear visuals that engage diverse audiences.

The ideal candidate will work in a hybrid setup, ideally based in the NYC metro area or the DC/MD/VA DMV region, and bring strong fundamentals in design,

Qualifications

• Proven illustration and visual storytelling experience.
• Strong portfolio in illustration, concept art, and graphics for campaigns.
• Experience with AI-assisted content development tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create original illustrations, icons, infographics, and visual assets for digital and print campaigns.
• Develop visual storytelling concepts that simplify complex information.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver audience-centered solutions.
• Prepare artwork for motion graphics and ensure assets are animation-ready.

Skills

Illustration

Visual storytelling

Adobe Creative Cloud

Collaboration

Motion graphics (basic)

Education

BA/BS in Illustration or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

After Effects

Job description

ABOUT M&C SAATCHI WORLD SERVICES

M&C Saatchi World Services is a full-service marketing company renowned for using commercial advertising to solve the world’s toughest challenges. World Services is a specialty branch of M&C Saatchi Group, and we provide strategic communications, behavior change, and marketing support to Public Sector clients with special emphasis on the US Federal Government and State, Local, Tribal, & Territorial leaders.

M&C Saatchi World Services US is seeking a highly creative, visually driven and versatile Illustrator. This role develops original illustrations, iconography, infographics, and visual storytelling assets that support communications, outreach, and stakeholder engagement initiatives, transforming complex information into compelling visual narratives that strengthen audience understanding, engagement, and brand impact across digital, print, social, experiential, and multimedia channels.

THE ROLE

Working closely with creative, designers, art directors, writers, strategists, UX specialists, strategy, account, and communications teams, you will transform complex ideas into clear, visually engaging illustrations that inform, inspire, impact, and connect with audiences. From campaign artwork, assets and infographics to iconography, digital content, digital experiences, presentations, brand materials, and enterprise communications products, you will play a key role in shaping how stories and information are communicated through visual design. The ideal candidate combines strong design fundamentals, artistic ability with strategic thinking and a deep understanding of visual communication. They are comfortable adapting their style to different audiences and platforms, collaborating across disciplines, and delivering high-quality creative work that balances storytelling, usability, and brand consistency.

This is a hybrid role; however, the ideal candidate will live in the greater NYC area or the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region.

Key Responsibilities

• Create custom illustrations, iconography, diagrams, and visual assets for digital, print, motion graphics, social media, presentations, reports, and integrated communications campaigns.
• Develop visual storytelling concepts that simplify complex information and communicate ideas in engaging and accessible ways.
• Collaborate with designers, art directors, writers, strategists, UX specialists, and communications teams to develop audience-centered creative solutions.
• Build illustrations as organized, layered files that support motion graphics and animation handoff, thinking about separated elements, sequential frames, or animation-ready post-production assets.
• Produce illustrations that align with brand standards, visual identity systems, accessibility requirements, and enterprise design guidelines.
• Art direct concepts from initial sketch through final execution, applying independent judgement on style, composition, and visual systems as it relates to the brief and creative strategy.
• Adapt illustration styles and visual approaches to support a variety of campaigns, audiences, communications objectives, and content formats.
• Support the development of infographics, explainer graphics, presentation visuals, campaign artwork, and enterprise communications materials.
• Design illustrations for product and interface use, including icon sets, empty states, and onboarding flows, that function consistently within a broader UX/UI design system.
• Develop illustration assets as reusable components, such as icons, states, and variants that integrate into existing design systems and component libraries rather than standalone artwork.
• Provide creative support for high-visibility initiatives, executive communications, and time-sensitive projects.
• Prepare artwork for digital and print production, ensuring proper formatting, resolution, color profiles, and technical specifications.
• Maintain organized illustration libraries, creative assets, templates, and version control processes.
• Participate in creative reviews and feedback sessions, refining work based on stakeholder input while maintaining artistic integrity and quality.
• Collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams and contribute to broader creative and communications initiatives.
• Stay current on illustration trends, visual storytelling techniques, AI-enabled creative tools, and emerging digital design practices.

Key Attributes

• Experience creating professional illustration, visual storytelling, or graphic design work within a creative, communications, or marketing environment.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in illustration, conceptual development, character development, visual storytelling, style versatility, and creative problem-solving, including examples of illustration developed or adapted for motion graphics.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, and related illustration and design tools.
• Experience utilizing AI-assisted content development, research, and optimization tools to enhance content quality, audience engagement, and workflow efficiency.
• Curiosity in technology landscape and how AI is changing communications.
• Strong understanding of composition, form, visual hierarchy, color theory, typography integration, and drawing techniques.
• Ability to translate complex ideas, technical concepts, or strategic objectives into compelling visual narratives.
• Experience developing artwork for digital, print, presentation, campaign, and multimedia environments.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to visual quality, consistency, and brand alignment.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across creative, motion graphics, production, communications, strategy, UX, and account functions.
• Working knowledge of how illustration translates into motion graphics, including layered file structures and animation-ready asset preparation.
• Experience designing illustration for product interfaces, with an understanding on how illustration must scale, simplify, and remain legible within a design system.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to incorporate feedback and refine creative work effectively.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards, including Section 508 and WCAG requirements, particularly as they apply to icon legibility, color contrast, and illustration scalability within product interfaces.
• Experience with motion graphics, animation, production, or multimedia storytelling is a plus.
• Experience supporting federal government, public affairs, international development, or mission-driven communications programs is preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, as required by the position.
• Degree or relevant experience in Illustration, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Digital Arts, or a related creative field preferred.

Educational Requirements:

• BA/BS in Illustration, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Digital Arts, or a related creative field preferred.
• Location: Hybrid, able to commute regularly to Rosslyn, VA or New York, NY office spaces.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience required.

Eligibility Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen (required by government contract).
• Clearance Eligibility: Must be able and willing to obtain a U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret security clearance immediately upon employment.
• Background Screening: Must be willing to submit to a rigorous federal background investigation, which includes an in-depth review of personal finances, criminal history, employment history, and drug use.

The salary range provided reflects the anticipated compensation for this role across our Washington, DC and New York locations. Actual starting salary will be determined based on geographic location, relevant experience, skills, and other job-related factors.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE

Work on impactful programs supporting federal and defense-related initiatives.

Collaborate with high-performing cross-functional teams across communications, digital and analytics disciplines.

Opportunity to shape strategic public engagement initiatives at enterprise scale.

Flexible hybrid working environment.

Exposure to complex, mission-driven stakeholder engagement challenges.

Career development opportunities within a fast-growing global organization.

WHAT YOU GET

We offer a competitive salary and a benefits package designed to support your health, family life, financial wellbeing, and growth:

• 12 weeks' of full pay for primary caregivers and 6 weeks for secondary caregivers.
• Choice of three medical plans (HSA at $0 cost; EPO 75% employer funded; PPO 65% employer funded)
• 70% employer-funded dental and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, including an office closure between Christmas & New Year's
• 401(k) with 5% employer match
• Gym membership reimbursement and/or Wellhub subscription
• Mental health support through EAP and Self Space services
• Work from anywhere for up to 2 weeks per year (subject to approval)
• Social events, happy hours, professional development trainings, etc.

#WS #LI-AC1