Senior Designer - Main Library

Columbus Metropolitan Library; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Medical/dental/vision

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Employee assistance programs

Paid time off

Job summary

Columbus Metropolitan Library seeks a Senior Designer to lead branding and graphic design across the Main Library’s Marketing & Communications department. You will translate business needs into compelling visual solutions while ensuring consistency with brand standards, and you will guide projects from concept through production.

The role requires 5–7 years of experience, a strong portfolio, and proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud on Mac.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field.
• 5-7 years of professional graphic design experience.
• Experience developing and maintaining organizational brands and visual identity systems.
• Experience leading creative projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as brand standards expert and steward across materials.
• Lead implementation and evolution of visual brand identity across print, digital, environmental, and promotional assets.
• Create strategic, high-quality graphic design solutions aligning with organizational priorities.
• Provide design direction during project planning with internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate across departments to adapt solutions while maintaining brand integrity.
• Manage multiple design projects from concept to production with timely delivery.
• Develop and maintain design systems, templates, and style guides.
• Support design needs for marketing emails and organizational websites.
• Coordinate with vendors and print partners on specs, estimates, production, and QA.
• Evaluate emerging design trends and tools to improve quality and efficiency.

Skills

Brand standards

Project management

Creative direction

Communication of design rationale

Accessibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design/Visual Communications

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Mac proficiency

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Senior Designer - Main Library

Full Time Professionals Columbus, OH, US

Job Title:Senior Designer (40 hrs./Exempt/Full -time)
Location: Marketing & Communications - Main Library (on-site)
Pay Range:$60,486.40 - $101,836.80 (commensurate with experience)

Note: For internal candidates, pay adjustments are made in accordance with our Compensation and Salary Administration policy

Portfolio Requirement

A portfolio demonstrating professional graphic design and brand development work is required.

Our Commitment to Diversity

Open to all doesn't just apply to our customers, it applies to our hiring practices as well. We put respect at the top of our values and that's how we treat our candidates and employees. The Columbus Metropolitan Library is committed to equal employment opportunity and adheres to these principles in decisions regarding hiring. The Library does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based upon their sex, race, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, color, ancestry, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, familial status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

• A robust benefits package that supports your physical, mental, and financial well-being.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to meet your healthcare needs.
• A qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Access to mental health resources and employee assistance programs for your peace of mind.
• Generous paid time off and leave options to balance your work and personal life.
• Participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and additional investment & savings plans.
• A variety of voluntary and supplemental insurance plans to complement your lifestyle.

The Senior Designer is responsible for advancing and protecting Columbus Metropolitan Library's visual brand through creative leadership and exceptional graphic design. This position serves as one of the department's designers and brand stewards, developing compelling visual communications that support and advance the library's mission, strategic priorities, and customer experience. The Senior Designer works with stakeholders across the organization to translate business needs into effective visual solutions while ensuring consistency with the library's brand standards. This role is responsible for the day-to-day work of the library's graphic design function, and serves as a trusted advisor on design, branding, and visual communication.

What You'll Do

• Serves as CML's subject matter expert on brand standards, visual identity, typography, layout, accessibility, and design best practices.
• Leads the implementation, stewardship, and evolution of Columbus Metropolitan Library's visual brand identity across print, digital, environmental, and promotional materials.
• Creates strategic, high-quality graphic design solutions that communicate organizational priorities and effectively engage the library's audiences.
• Provides creative direction and consultation during project planning, partnering with internal stakeholders to identify objectives and recommend design approaches that support organizational goals.
• Provides Marketing & Communications' design and branding recommendations while collaborating with departments to adapt creative solutions that meet operational needs without compromising brand integrity.
• Manages creative initiatives across departments and manages multiple design projects from concept through production, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely delivery.
• Develops and maintains design systems, templates, style guides, and creative resources that improve organizational efficiency and strengthen visual consistency.
• Supports design needs for marketing email templates and organizational websites, maintaining visual continuity across platforms.
• Collaborates with colleagues and manages external vendors and print partners to produce marketing and communication materials, coordinating project specifications, estimates, production, and quality assurance.
• Evaluates emerging design trends, creative technologies, and workflow improvements, making recommendations that enhance quality, efficiency, and innovation.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field.
• 5-7 years of professional graphic design experience.
• Experience developing and maintaining organizational brands and visual identity systems.
• Experience leading creative projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Agency or in-house creative agency experience preferred.
• Highly skilled in Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and other industry-standard design tools. Mac platform proficiency required.
• Ability to communicate design rationale and brand standards to non-design audiences in a collaborative, approachable, and persuasive manner.
• Strong presentation, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on creative execution.
• Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across departments.
• Ability to operate library technology including personal computer, Microsoft Office, and other job‑related software and systems.
• Ability to travel between library locations as needed.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, and residences or commercial vehicles (e.g., use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals, and/or working in moderate outdoor weather conditions).

Work requires minimal demand for physical effort.