LEAD DESIGNER

Woodward Communications, Inc.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Woodward Communications, Inc. seeks a senior creative leader to direct the design team and oversee ads for print and digital publications. You will mentor designers, ensure timely production, and collaborate with sales, editorial, events, and marketing to deliver engaging visuals.

The role emphasizes customer-focused service, confidentiality, and budget stewardship while advancing brand guidelines across channels.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in graphic design or related field.
• Minimum three years experience in ad design and publication layout (print and website).
• Knowledge of Microsoft programs (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word & PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Direct the creation of ads and preflight customer-supplied ads appearing in In Business’ print & digital publications.
• Create high-quality graphics and visually engaging publications appropriate for printers or digital platforms.
• Coordinate production and advertising deadlines for In Business’ products.
• Mentor graphic designers on product and process improvements while encouraging growth.
• Assist in the annual budgeting process.
• Actively lead and participate in the Great Game of Business.
• Execute or delegate miscellaneous job-related duties.

Skills

Adobe Creative Cloud

InDesign

Photoshop

Illustrator

Acrobat

Graphic design

Deadline management

Training teams

Education

Graphic design degree

Job description

• Direct and mentor the creative team and provide support, training, and leadership.
• Engage with In Business’ sales management and sales teams to provide creative visual design solutions for In Business’s customers.
• Collaborate with In Business’ editorial, events, and marketing departments to manage print and digital products and timelines.
• Maintain/model a ‘customer-comes-first’ environment with a proactive commitment to internal and external customer service.
• Preserve confidentiality of all advertising and unpublished materials.

Overall Responsibilities

• Direct and mentor the creative team and provide support, training, and leadership.
• Engage with In Business’ sales management and sales teams to provide creative visual design solutions for In Business’s customers.
• Collaborate with In Business’ editorial, events, and marketing departments to manage print and digital products and timelines.
• Maintain/model a ‘customer-comes-first’ environment with a proactive commitment to internal and external customer service.
• Preserve confidentiality of all advertising and unpublished materials.

Specific Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain procedures for department organization and quality.
• Coordinate production and advertising deadlines for In Business’ products.
• Direct the creation of ads and preflight customer-supplied ads appearing in In Business’ print & digital publications.
• Create high-quality graphics and visually engaging publications appropriate for designated printers or digital platforms.
• Create engaging logos and materials to support the publication’s events department.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the offset web press and sheet-fed press processes.
• Design social media content and keep In Business’ websites up-to-date with appropriate graphics and art support.
• Ensure maximum effectiveness of creative services budget.
• Assist with technology recommendations, troubleshoot and evaluate solutions.
• Mentor graphic designers on product and process improvements while encouraging individual growth.
• Assist in the annual budgeting process.
• Actively lead and participate in the Great Game of Business.
• Execute or delegate miscellaneous job-related duties.

Qualifications

Behavior:

Behaves as a professional creative leader who acts consistent with WCI’s vision, mission, core values and culture. Show enthusiasm for the business and industry. Be dependable, approachable, and resourceful while being a good communicator. Able to work calmly under pressure while outputting high-quality work. Maintain strong communication skills when interacting with all levels of employee-owners

Skills

Able to operate PC with Adobe Creative Cloud software (including but not limited to InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat). Skilled at visual composition, creating original designs and modifying existing raster and vector graphics. Understands PC's and graphic design software to support the department. Coordinate priorities and be attentive to details while setting and adhering to deadlines. Able to troubleshoot ad-related issues and train creative and sales teams on best practices.

Knowledge

Associate or Bachelor's degree in graphic design or related field. Minimum three years experience in ad design and publication layout (print and website). Knowledge of Microsoft programs (including but not limited to Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word & PowerPoint).