Senior Digital Designer, Climate Science

The Senior Digital Designer will join Project Drawdown’s marketing and communications team. We are looking for a creative individual who can work as part of a team to plan, manage, execute, and evaluate a wide array of digital communications and design activities aimed at enhancing awareness of and engagement with Project Drawdown, its products, and the climate solutions it is working to advance. The ideal candidate will have deep experience translating scientific information into informative, engaging, actionable digital content. 

The Senior Digital Designer will create data visualizations, manage and produce digital content for a variety of outputs (reports, presentations, website, video, etc.), design digital publications, contribute to digital marketing efforts, contribute to video production, help maintain design-related brand consistency across the organization, and lead graphic design and multimedia projects, all aimed at translating the science of Project Drawdown to reach and engage a diverse domestic and international audience.

The Senior Digital Designer will lead design execution as outlined above, collaborating closely with the Senior Creative Manager on our marketing and communications team, who manages and produces social media content, builds partnerships with external content creators, contributes to digital marketing efforts, and assists with graphic design and multimedia production. 

ABOUT PROJECT DRAWDOWN

Project Drawdown is the world’s leading guide to science-based climate solutions. 

We are an independent, internationally trusted organization driving bold, science-based approaches to stop climate change.

Our work is built on three pillars:

• SCIENCE – Advancing Science-Based Climate Solutions and Strategies. First, we conduct cutting-edge research to identify the best possible climate solutions and design the most effective strategies to bring them to scale. Then, we share our findings with the world through effective science communication, marketing campaigns, and media partnerships.
• STAKEHOLDERS – Engaging Key Stakeholders and Empowering Bold Climate Leadership. Next, we use our science to inform, inspire, and empower key stakeholders and emerging climate leaders – including policymakers, community leaders, philanthropists, investors, business leaders, and others – to take bold action and bring the most effective solutions to the world.
• STORIES – Telling Human Stories of Solutions in Action. Finally, we use the power of storytelling to help shift the narrative on climate change – from problem to solution and from “doom and gloom” to “opportunity and possibility.” Along the way, we showcase new climate heroes putting solutions into action.

In short, we believe that rigorous science is needed to guide climate action. And we believe that this science must be shared in actionable, compelling ways – through stakeholder engagement and powerful storytelling. Our job is to make this happen.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a small organization with a big mission, we are seeking someone who can manage simultaneous design projects and meet multiple deadlines while maintaining a high level of initiative, creativity, collaboration, and excellence. The Senior Digital Designer will report to the Director of Marketing and Communications and collaborate closely with other members of the organization. This person will also work with freelancers, content creators, and consultants as needed and with other organizations and content experts on a project-by-project basis.

The ideal candidate will be able to think creatively and design and develop engaging digital content. They will be able to generate innovative ideas for Project Drawdown’s digital strategy and clearly, accurately and compellingly convey complex, science-based information to a wide range of audiences. They will be comfortable working independently and collaboratively as part of the marketing and communications team. Previous experience working on projects at the intersection of science, the environment, nature, and/or climate change and information design  required.

As an integral part of the Project Drawdown marketing and communications team, the Digital Content Designer will focus on the following responsibilities:

Multimedia Design (80%)

• Lead digital content creation from concept to completion, managing budgets, timelines, and resources to ensure they are delivered on time and within budget
• Lead or contribute to the design of website content, infographics, charts/graphs/maps, reports, slides, social media collateral, marketing materials, illustrations, animations, and other online materials as needed
• Craft compelling, climate solutions-focused visual stories/content to engage target audiences
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team, Science team, and other creatives to bring multimedia concepts to life
• Concept and design digital assets for fundraising campaigns such as slide decks, cases for support, and related graphics
• Perform quality checks on all multimedia content to ensure it meets brand guidelines and project objectives
• Design compelling digital assets for marketing and promotional campaigns
• Provide design support for reports, graphics, and publications as needed
• Concept and assist with the creation of video content such as explainers, thought leader pieces, and more; and contribute to the production of social media shorts
• Ensure the technical quality of multimedia content, including design, lighting, sound, editing, and animation, using industry-standard software
• Contribute to editorial decisions about scripts, the assembly of information, illustrations, and content to create cohesive and engaging narratives

Digital Strategy and Branding (10%)

• Help develop and implement Project Drawdown’s digital content strategy as an integral component of our broader marketing and communications plan aimed at increasing the visibility of Project Drawdown’s people, programs, publications, multimedia, and events for new, diverse audiences from a variety of backgrounds and identities
• Provide artistic and creative direction for content, including visual elements, such as design and multimedia, to ensure a cohesive and visually appealing brand image across publications, social media, the website, and more
• Ensure consistency in the brand’s creative elements across all channels, including updating brand guidelines and the visual style guide as needed plus maintaining a cohesive visual identity and messaging style in all content produced
• Provide graphic design support for programs, including advice on implementing brand guidelines
• Stay informed regarding industry trends, creative innovations, and emerging tools and technologies to keep the organization’s content fresh and engaging

Online Marketing (10%)

• Work with the Senior Creative Manager and the broader communications team to design and develop content for online marketing and advertising campaigns for new reports, publications, events, announcements, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, interactive design, multimedia, communications, or other areas OR equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience creating innovative and engaging science-based digital content across platforms including web, mobile, social media, email, video, and presentation
• Familiarity with social media design best practices and experience using data to support storytelling on social platforms
• Experience translating complex, science-based climate and environmental topics for a broad range of audiences including B2B, B2C, and funders
• Experience producing high-impact, creative digital content that sparks high levels of engagement with multinational audiences
• Strong design skills – especially as they relate to science-based digital content
• Excellent written, speaking / presentation, and interpersonal communication skills to engage effectively within the organization and with external collaborators
• Ability to enhance the digital reach, impact, reputation, and value proposition of a climate or science-based organization
• Ability to think creatively and pitch, identify, and source compelling and relevant content for diverse audiences
• Demonstrated skills with design tools, video editing tools, and/or other related media production tools (Adobe suite, Canva, video editing software, etc.)
• Impeccable organizational skills, thoroughness, and ability to multitask in a fluid environment and respond quickly to emerging needs
• Experience in and ability to co-develop, implement, and execute digital content production plans
• Experience working effectively with a team of communications professionals
• Knowledge of climate change and climate-related topics
• Understanding of and appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and experience fostering a welcoming team environment

In addition, candidates are required to be:

• Comfortable with teleconferencing, project management tools, collaborative work environments, remote work, and virtual collaboration
• Available to participate in online meetings and video conferences on weekdays 9:00 am–5:00 pm Central Time
• Comfortable with a Mac-based computing environment
• Able to use Google Suite, Asana, Slack, and presentation software (experience with Keynote required) for delivering individual work products and collaborative projects
• Available for domestic travel on a limited basis.

AI Policy: Project Drawdown’s internal AI policy prohibits the use of AI to create content for external audiences. AI may be used to optimize your personal workflow or day-to-day activities. Further details on our AI policy will be shared during the interview process.

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary, and BIPOC candidates are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet all of the qualifications listed in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, while finding the best candidates for the job. These candidates may be ones who come from less traditional backgrounds, and that’s okay. So, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet all of the qualifications described.

position DETAILS

This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits based on a 40-hour work week. The salary range for this position is $110,000 – $120,000 / year. We work hard to ensure our salaries are competitive with leading nonprofits in major cities across America. In addition, Project Drawdown provides exceptional benefits, including generous time off, health insurance, and a matching 401(k).

As with all positions at Project Drawdown, this role will be 100% remote. Employees can work anywhere within the United States with a reliable, high-speed internet connection. Candidates currently authorized to work in the United States (U.S. Citizens, green card holders, and work visa holders) who reside in the U.S. may apply. Employees are expected to attend in-person team retreats 1–3x per year. Other travel will be required.