Creative Lead

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 200 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocenceproject.org.

The Creative Lead will join a talented, creative, and mission-driven Communications team. They will play a key role in strengthening and promoting our visual brand by conceiving, implementing, and overseeing designs to engage our audiences, furthering the impact of our storytelling, and driving action. This role reports to the Director, Editorial and works closely with Digital members of the Communications team.

The Creative Lead will work closely with all members of the communications team on marketing, editorial, media and digital deliverables. These include social media graphics and toolkits, featured images for blog posts, newsletters, and campaign graphics. They will also design materials to engage the Innocence Project's donors and supporters, in collaboration with the development team. The Creative Lead will provide design support to departments throughout the organization. This may include creating report layouts, designing fliers and fact sheets, organizing photo shoots, building internal- and external-facing presentation decks, and producing invitations and holiday cards. From time to time, the Creative Lead will be expected to onboard and oversee freelance illustrators, photographers, and/or videographers for large-scale projects.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas and we are not an e-verify employer.

The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in-office. We currently have a hybrid in-office model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is our organization's "anchor day" where all staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change.

The ideal candidate for the Creative Lead position will be creative, thoughtful, and well organized with the ability to work quickly and efficiently under pressure - especially when incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders. They will be skilled at creating compelling visuals that reflect a clear design logic, treat our clients with dignity, and promote the Innocence Project's work. They will have a passion for design and the work of the Innocence Project, be proficient in programs that include Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects, and Premiere (or Final Cut Pro), and keep abreast of the latest design trends.

In addition, all Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect, and value the rich diversity of perspectives and experience of a diverse and heterogeneous staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in this type of environment.

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

• Collaborate with the editorial, digital, and marketing teams to create a variety of high-performing and visually compelling graphics and templates for our digital platforms - including social media, website, web campaigns, and email program - to grow our audience and drive action around wrongful conviction.
• Tailor content to support both organic and paid digital fundraising, engagement, and advocacy efforts.
• Work closely with the digital team to concept and execute rapid-response advocacy and fundraising campaigns.
• Research and license editorial and stock photography to illustrate blog posts and social media content. This includes sourcing via public and private archives, and individual photographers.
• Work cross-departmentally to create a range of print materials that include, but are not limited to, program research reports, office and event signage, flyers, brochures, invitations, banners, fundraising materials, and holiday cards.
• Design and maintain a library of customizable presentation decks that adhere to the highest brand and design standards.
• Photograph organizational events, edit photography, and schedule shoots as necessary.

PROJECT COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT

• Collaborate closely with the Editorial Director in prioritizing design requests made through email, Slack, and/or Monday.
• Manage photo archive and field photo-related requests.
• Identify vendors and obtain estimates for contract design and artwork.
• With oversight from the Director, Editorial, oWith oversight from the Director, Editorial, oversee the work of freelance illustrators, videographers, and photographers. This involves providing clear feedback and guidance on storytelling approaches, managing production schedules, and ensuring that deadlines are met.
• Ensure quality control across all designed materials.
• Handle pre-press production, including final sign-off on proofs for print-based projects, and delivery of electronic files to the printer.

ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION

• Adhere to the latest standards for print, digital, and video accessibility as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Use a proactive approach to finding and improving accessibility across our platforms.
• Ensure our illustrations, photography, video, and vendors promote and reflect our organizational values.

• Bachelor's degree required - preference for degree in communication design, but not required
• At least 5 years experience required, including experience with Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, InDesign, and Premiere (or Final Cut Pro).
• Proficiency in Figma and Flodesk.
• Solid portfolio of on-brand work, with an emphasis on storytelling and visual polish.
• Prior in-house experience at a nonprofit or mission-inspired organization, previous experience or coursework in digital photography, and some experience in print production are preferred.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

• Detail-oriented; skilled at project management and at overseeing and executing both large-scale initiatives and everyday tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Creative thinker who looks outside the box, seeks novel ways to improve and grow our brand, and is open to trying new approaches.
• Collaborative problem-solver; adept at balancing and absorbing constructive feedback from multiple stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of logical design principles (visual hierarchy and content structure) as they apply to editorial, media, marketing, and digital materials.
• Knowledge of how design can drive action and balance emotional impact with clarity.
• Strong awareness of platform-responsive design.
• Application of human-centered design approach that treats our clients with dignity, care, and thoughtful intention.
• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest.
• Shared commitment to the IP's values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness.

The salary for this position is highly competitive and the Innocence Project offers an excellent benefits package, including fully-paid individual health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, 401k plan with 6% company-match, paid disability and family care leave, adoption and fertility expense reimbursements, and company-paid transportation benefits.

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization's success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.

To apply, please visit our career page. Upload a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the organization's work, and a resume titled with your name in this format (last name_first name_cover letter/resume). Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications. Information submitted through this secure site is kept confidential. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to give applicant updates by phone or direct email.

*At the Innocence Project, we believe in recognizing talent and passion beyond formal educational qualifications. We are committed to considering a broad array of candidates with a range of professional and lived experiences and backgrounds. We know that transferable skills can be gained through a variety of ways that could enable a candidate to be successful in a role, not just formal education. For this position, if you have at least 9 years of experience in this or a related field, we encourage you to apply regardless of your educational background. So, whether you're returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to transition to a new career path, or taking the next step in your professional life, we encourage you to apply if you have additional experience in lieu of the posted educational requirements.

**Applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis until the post is filled.**

$93,500 - $110,000 Salary commensurate with experience