Manager, Visual Communications

State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 126,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Educational assistance

Subsidized medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Vacation and sick leave

Retirement benefits

On-site fitness center

Job summary

STRS Ohio is looking for a Manager of Visual Communications to lead the visual design function across our communications for Ohio educators, contributing employers and government entities. You will supervise designers, set creative direction for design, multimedia and video production, and guide AI-assisted workflows to enhance storytelling and efficiency.

Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, the role emphasizes strategic visual solutions, collaboration with member strategists and web

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or a relevant field required.
• Master’s degree in marketing, communications or business administration preferred.
• Ten or more years’ graphic design experience required.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Knowledge of public pension environment and STRS Ohio operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the visual direction of communication materials and programs, guiding visual positioning and advising staff on design initiatives.
• Direct and oversee visual designers and production staff, including work assignments and priorities.
• Lead staff meetings and provide leadership, direction and mentoring for the team.
• Collaborate with design and web teams to share ideas and strengthen concepts.

Skills

Visual design

Team leadership

Communication

Project management

AI in video

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications or related field

Master’s degree in marketing or business administration

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Final Cut Pro

Motion

Microsoft Office

Job description

Manager, Visual Communications

STRS Ohio, STRS Ohio is seeking a Manager, Visual Communications to join the Executive/ Communications and Public Affairs team. Established in 1920 and serving Ohio’s educators, STRS Ohio is one of the nation’s largest retirement systems, serving nearly 550,000 active, inactive, and retired public-school teachers, and university faculty members, managing approximately $96.3 billion as of June 30, 2025, in assets and paying more than $7 billion in benefits annually.

STRS Ohio provides a competitive pay, and a comprehensive benefits package including on-site parking, educational assistance, subsidized medical insurance, fully paid dental and life insurance, vacation and sick leave, retirement benefits and on-site fitness center.

At STRS Ohio, you can experience rewarding work in a professional, business casual work environment. We welcome, celebrate, and promote respect for everyone. We are continually seeking bright and talented individuals to join our team.

Compensation and Work Schedule

• Compensation: $125,585 - $156,982
• Work Schedule: 8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday (Onsite)

General Summary

Under the direction of the chief communication officer, lead the visual communications function and supervise visual designers responsible for conceptualizing, designing and developing new and existing organizational communications for retired and active Ohio educators, contributing employers, investment and government entities, the retirement board and internal staff. Provide creative direction for design, multimedia and video production, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence to strengthen video development, production efficiency and visual storytelling. Apply professional design and marketing expertise, business awareness and technical knowledge to enhance State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio) communication programs.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Manage the visual direction of communication materials and programs, including understanding subject matter and content, guiding visual positioning, developing companion materials and advising staff on design-related initiatives, including serving as the liaison between senior management and the visual communications team.
• Direct and oversee visual designers and production staff, including work assignments, priorities, quality standards and professional development, while providing direction and guidance to meet department and organizational goals.
• Lead staff meetings and provide leadership, direction and mentoring for the team including succession planning and staffing.
• Participate in all aspects of the Performance Review Process by providing input and feedback on associate performance and goals.
• Work with member communications strategists, visual communication designers, production staff and clients to obtain a clear understanding of communication needs.
• Interpret those needs and direct the visual communications team in designing and executing comprehensive solutions across industry-standard media, while ensuring an open and efficient workflow that supports the system’s goals.
• Review project requirements, assign projects to staff and advise on presentation of graphic, technical and statistical information.
• Develop creative briefs, storyboards and project mockups when appropriate.
• Evaluate project requirements to identify any design trend shifts, cost savings and production streamlining.
• Develop strategic visual solutions that address the system’s communication needs and maintain a clear, consistent corporate image across target audiences.
• Projects may include multimedia, videos, brochures, presentations, newsletters, displays, infographics, reports, manuals and other corporate communications.
• Oversee projects from concept through final review and delivery.
• Continuously improve operations and accuracy while collaborating effectively and delivering excellent customer service.
• Collaborate with design and web teams to share ideas, methods and critiques to strengthen concepts and projects.
• Research, assess and recommend emerging visual communication technologies, including AI tools for video ideation, storyboarding, editing, animation, voice, captioning and production.
• Establish workflows and quality controls to ensure AI-assisted video content is accurate, on brand, accessible and used responsibly.
• Continue professional growth with industry-standard tools, technologies and design trends.
• Track unit expenses, initiate purchase orders and process invoices and associate reimbursements.
• Lead or participate in special assignments as assigned.

The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the persons so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of associates under supervision.

Summary of Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications or a relevant field required.
• Master’s degree in marketing, communications or business administration preferred.
• Ten or more years’ graphic design experience required.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Knowledge of public pension environment and STRS Ohio operations preferred.
• Commitment to visual excellence, adherence to brand standards and ability to motivate creative staff and manage effective work teams within tight deadlines, multiple moving projects and budgets.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills required.
• Proven ability to interpret and project needs and objectives while providing creative value.
• Strong foundation in the discipline of design — strategic visual thinking, concept development and presentation, color theory, composition and typography required.
• Ability to conceptualize and recognize current design trends and possess creative aptitude, while managing project workflow with high accuracy.
• Proficient in industry-standard visual design, video production and productivity software, including Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro, Motion and Microsoft Office, required.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and incorporate AI-enabled video tools into professional production workflows required.
• Proficient with photography and video equipment and production, including storyboarding, filming, editing, motion graphics and AI-assisted video production, required.
• Ability to work with and preserve confidential information required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively and courteously with internal and external contacts required.
• Excellent organizational skills and high degree of accuracy and attention to detail required.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment while meeting deadlines with minimal direct supervision required.
• Excellent work record of attendance, punctuality and the ability to maintain a flexible work schedule to meet business needs.
• Occasional evening, weekend and non-regular work hours may be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Statement

State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin (ancestry), military status, disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, or caregiver status, in making employment-related decisions about an individual.

Visa/Sponsorship

To be offered a position with STRS Ohio, you must be either a U.S. citizen or possess proper legal authorization to work in the U.S. for the type of job you are seeking. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

ADA Statement

STRS Ohio is committed to ensuring access, inclusion, and reasonable accommodations across all its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Posting Drug-Free Workplace Statement

The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio) is a drug-free workplace. The use of recreational marijuana and non-medical cannabis is strictly prohibited.

Pre-Employment Drug Testing

All final candidates tentatively selected for employment will be required to undergo a urinalysis drug screening prior to appointment. This screening includes testing for illegal substances, including marijuana. A positive test result will disqualify the applicant from employment unless valid medical documentation is provided for legally prescribed medications or a physician’s recommendation for medical marijuana.

Pre-Employment Background Investigation

The final candidate selected for this position will be subject to a criminal background check. STRS Ohio will conduct an individualized assessment of any prior criminal convictions before making a determination regarding employment eligibility.

Other Information

STRS Ohio associates are highly talented, customer service-oriented professionals. We are an equal opportunity employer — employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color or any other protected class. Résumés and applications are retained on file for consideration for at least six months from the date of receipt. STRS Ohio is one of the nation’s leading retirement systems, serving about 500,000 active, inactive and retired Ohio public educators. Operating under the guidelines of Chapter 3307 of the Ohio Revised Code as enacted by the Ohio General Assembly, STRS Ohio is legally separate from and fiscally independent of state and local governments.