Visual Communications Manager

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 76,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is seeking a Visual Communications Manager in Columbus to lead brand identity, create multimedia assets, and manage the department’s digital experience. You’ll guide design across print, web, and social channels and supervise a small team to ensure consistency and accessibility.

The role focuses on strategic visual storytelling, website content updates, and collaboration with internal teams and vendors to deliver high-quality materials that engage

Qualifications

• Completion of undergraduate core program in visual communications with emphasis on graphic design/industrial design.
• AND 48 mos. trg. or 48 mos. exp. in web site creation, design &/or development.
• Completion of associate core program in visual communication technology or multimedia production technology and 48 mos. trg. or 48 mos. exp. in web site creation, design &/or development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, maintenance, and evolution of the organization’s visual brand identity across all offices and platforms.
• Produce high-quality visual assets that support strategic communication goals.
• Ensure all materials meet brand standards, accessibility requirements, and quality expectations.
• Provide creative direction for major campaigns, initiatives, and high-visibility projects.
• Design and produce multimedia content including graphics, video, motion graphics, and photography.
• Partner with internal teams to create visual storytelling materials that enhance engagement and understanding.
• Manage creative workflows from concept through production and final delivery.
• Maintain a library of brand assets, templates, photos, and design tools for efficient, high-quality output.
• Oversee daily updates, maintenance, and visual design of the organization’s website.
• Develop and publish web content, including graphics, photos, videos, and written materials.
• Monitor site performance, accessibility compliance, and user experience to ensure clarity and responsiveness.
• Collaborate with OIS and vendors to resolve technical issues and implement improvements.
• Assign work, provide direction, and review staff performance.
• Conduct performance evaluations and establish employee goals.

Skills

Brand identity

Visual storytelling

Web design

Accessibility standards

Graphic design

Digital content creation

Contentful CMS

Education

Undergraduate core program in visual communications (graphic/industrial design)

Associate core program in visual communication technology or multimedia production technology

Electronic graphic field experience

Equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment

Tools

Contentful web platform

Job description

Office of Communications

The Office of Communications (OCOMMS) shapes and delivers external messaging for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). The team ensures Ohioans understand and access the programs and services available to them by managing media relations, maintaining the ODJFS website, supporting program areas with public‑facing communications, overseeing agency social media channels, and producing printed and digital informational materials. Learn more about the Office by visiting the ODJFS OCOMMS webpage.

What You Will Do

The Visual Communications Manager is responsible for developing, maintaining, and advancing the visual brand identity for the department. This role ensures all print, digital, and online assets reflect the brand standards of the State of Ohio and ODJFS while supporting clear, consistent, and engaging communication. The manager oversees visual strategy, creative production, content development, and website design to deliver high‑quality materials that enhance organizational communication and public engagement. Job Duties include:

Brand & Visual Strategy

• Lead the development, maintenance, and evolution of the organization’s visual brand identity across all offices and platforms.
• Produce high‑quality visual assets that support strategic communication goals.
• Ensure all materials meet brand standards, accessibility requirements, and quality expectations.
• Provide creative direction for major campaigns, initiatives, and high‑visibility projects.

Content Creation & Design

• Design and produce multimedia content including graphics, video, motion graphics, and photography.
• Partner with internal teams to create visual storytelling materials that enhance engagement and understanding.
• Manage creative workflows from concept through production and final delivery.
• Maintain a library of brand assets, templates, photos, and design tools for efficient, high‑quality output.

Website Management & Digital Experience

• Oversee daily updates, maintenance, and visual design of the organization’s website.
• Develop and publish web content, including graphics, photos, videos, and written materials.
• Monitor site performance, accessibility compliance, and user experience to ensure clarity and responsiveness.
• Collaborate with OIS and vendors to resolve technical issues and implement improvements.

Staff Supervision

• Assign work, provide direction, and review staff performance.
• Conduct performance evaluations and establish employee goals.
• Recommend hiring, disciplinary actions, and approve leave requests.
• Encourage staff development and facilitate team communication.

Preferred Skills

• Candidates should excel in building and managing websites through Contentful web platform.

Schedule

Full time.

Hours

Standard workdays are Monday through Friday. Hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Location

This position will be headquartered at the James A. Rhodes State Officer Tower - 30 E. Broad Street, 32nd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.

Travel

Occasional travel within the state of Ohio.

Position Number

20071970.

Option 1

The candidate, at minimum, must have the following:

• Completion of undergraduate core program in visual communications with emphasis on graphic design/industrial design;
• AND 48 mos. trg. or 48 mos. exp. in web site creation, design &/or development.

Option 2

• Completion of associate core program in visual communication technology or multimedia production technology;
• AND 48 mos. trg. or 48 mos. exp. in web site creation, design &/or development.

Option 3

• 48 mos. trg. or 48 mos. exp. in electronic graphic;
• AND 24 mos. trg. or 24 mos. exp. in web site creation, design &/or development.

Option 4

• The equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Pay Information

This position is in the State of Ohio’s E1 Pay Schedule, Pay Range 13. Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be the minimum salary of that pay range (step 1, currently $36.75 per hour). These ranges provide a standardized pathway for pay increases. With continued employment, new hires move to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Cost of Living Adjustments increase wages in these ranges each fiscal year. The current step progression wages are in the table below.

Pay Range 13

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Hourly

$36.75

$38.75

$40.87

$43.07

$45.50

$47.95

$49.92

$52.27

Annual

$76,440

$80,600

$85,010

$89,586

$94,640

$99,736

$103,834

$108,722

Months of Employment

At Hire

6 Months

18 Months

30 Months

42 Months

54 Months

66 Months

78 Months

Organization

Job & Family Services

Agency Overview

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through the following programs:

• Cash and Food Assistance
• Employment Services and Workforce Development
• Unemployment Insurance
• Adult Protective Services
• Child Support

Public service is an honorable way to serve the community in a hands‑on dedicated way. You can make a difference in someone’s world!

Guiding Principles

• We will be a leader in customer satisfaction.
• We will have a reputation that attracts and retains talented, diverse, and dedicated employees.
• We get better at what we do every day.

Primary Job Skill

Graphic Arts

Technical Skills

Digital Marketing, Marketing, Social Media Management, Visual Design, Communications, Graphic Arts, Web Design

Professional Skills

Attention to Detail, Creativity, Delegation, Leading Others, Managing Meetings, Motivating Others, Organizing and Planning, Presenting, Public Speaking, Results Oriented, Strategic Thinking, Time Management, Verbal Communication, Written Communication, Proofreading

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

Exempt from Union

Work Location

James A Rhodes Office Tower 32

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus