Position summary: Do you thrive in dynamic, team-oriented work environments? What would it mean to you to build out the visual communications that supports environmental protection for all Washingtonians? The Visual Communications Manager is a shared position between Washington Environmental Council and Washington Conservation Voters. The position reports to the Communications Director and contributes to the organization’s mission by enhancing its reputation as a powerful environmental group through high-quality visual communications and graphic design for both internal and external audiences, by converting written and verbal strategic direction into a broad assortment of creative deliverables, including web, digital, and print. This position is responsible for translating complex data supporting the agency's mission into high-impact visual communication for a broad range of audiences and applications.

Washington Environmental Council (WEC) is a nonprofit, statewide advocacy organization. For over 50 years, WEC has brought people together to solve Washington’s most critical environmental issues. WEC builds power for the environmental movement by building partnerships, mobilizing the public, connecting voters to decision makers, and taking legal action. Our mission is to develop, advocate, and defend policies that ensure environmental progress and justice by centering and amplifying the voices of the most impacted communities.

Washington Conservation Voters (WCV) ensures Washington’s decision makers keep our environment protected, healthy, and vibrant. Over the last 35 years, we have elected environmental champions, held our elected leaders to the highest standard, and built statewide momentum for environmental campaigns through innovative voter outreach efforts and community organizing. WCV’s mission is to advocate for environmental progress and justice through actions that mobilize the public, elect champions for the environment, and hold our leaders accountable.

By effectively combining the policy know-how of WEC with the political know-how of WCV, we have reshaped how environmental protection is achieved in Washington. With one shared CEO, and soon one brand, our organizations work in partnership as each pursues its unique mission. Combined, we have a staff of nearly 40 and work in a LEED-certified building in downtown Seattle with a view of Elliott Bay. We are currently working in a flexible hybrid model, with staff in the office two or three days a week for collaboration or celebration. Our teams have access to a variety of online tools and systems that support the hybrid working model.

Responsibilities:

Graphic Design

• Conceptualize and produce printed materials including one-pagers, newsletters, signs and posters, event programs, internal communications, and other publications. Manage relationship with print shop.
• Design digital graphics for social media, web, and email, and work with communications team members to develop cross-channel communications strategy, including data visualization assets and other virtual communications tools.
• Develop brand identities for campaigns, including logos, brand guidelines, and accompanying graphics.
• Create processes and templates to decentralize visual asset production for use by Digital Communications Associate and Digital Field Organizer in Canva.
• Maintain and evolve WEC and WCV organizational brands, soon to be one brand, through visual design.
• Utilize Adobe products and other design software.
• Storytelling and Visualization
• Work with program staff to conceptualize creative ways to communication about their work in meaningful visual ways.

Project Management Duties

• Develop project management plans for print publications, including Convene, WEC’s bi-annual publication.
• Work with Content Manager to lead projects for Communications Department.
• Lead website project management and multimedia long-form content, including reports.
• Communications Plan Implementation
• Support Communications Director on new brand implementation.
• Support Communications Director in communications plan implementation.
• Assist with management of communications interns.
• Participation in a Racial Equity workgroup on behalf of communications department and approaches work with equity and justice lens.
• Mutually agreed cross-organizational internal team participation.

Organizational

• Supports development team with materials and graphics consultation and creation for signature development events

Required Skills, Experience and Abilities:

• Strong, demonstrated commitment to analysis and application of racial equity, anti-racism, race-class narrative, and environmental justice principles.
• At least 2-4 years of experience with communications in nonprofit, advocacy, political campaigns, or equivalent settings.
• At least 2-4 years of experience and fluency in Microsoft Office is required; experience/expert knowledge of using the Adobe Creative Suite, InDesign, Photoshop is preferred. Video editing software experience is a plus.
• Solid sense of design, layout, color and typography.
• Strong understanding of creating information hierarchy through typography.
• Strong understanding of printing and prepress standards and mailing requirements.
• Familiar with branding and comfortable adhering to style guides.
• Experience with: sourcing and editing artwork and photos; illustration; photography; video editing; web design and html.
• Experience designing a wide variety of collateral including: publications/catalogs, direct mail, web and email, print and digital ads, video, flyers, forms, banners and signage.
• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple short term and long-term projects simultaneously.
• Understanding of, and experience working with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color populations.
• Ability to use online web-based software to work remotely as needed.
• Ability to create quality content under pressure of a deadline.

Desired Skills, Experience and Abilities:

• Knowledge of environmental issues, Washington state political landscape, and a commitment to protect, restore, and sustain Washington’s environment for future generations.
• Experience with photography.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full time, exempt position with a salary range of $57,000-$62,000. We also offer a generous benefits package including 100% employer paid medical and dental insurance, 401k plan with organizational match of up to 3% of your annual salary, a flexible spending account, paid vacation and sick leave, twelve paid holidays per year, a paid wellness benefit, an unlimited ORCA transit pass, and if you work for seven consecutive years you are eligible for a two-month paid sabbatical. We welcome new and diverse people to a great team who together shape environmental protection in Washington.

Location Information

This position is hybrid (minimum of 40% in the Seattle office), but we will consider an option for being fully remote for those located within Washington State, but outside of mass transit options to our Seattle office. We anticipate this job will involve occasional travel to in-person meetings and staff gatherings at the discretion of the supervisor.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands
This job requires frequent sitting. Must be able to conduct business in English, though fluency in other languages is welcomed. For remote work, employees must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work during scheduled work hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform functions essential to the duties of the position. Washington Conservation Voters and Washington Environmental Council is a unionized employer represented by Communications Workers of America Local 7800. This is a represented position.

COVID-19

The organization follows all requirements of local health authorities. We are currently working in hybrid remote work model with staff working from home in addition to in-office time for collaboration and celebration. We maintain strict safety protocols while in our office. All staff who come to the office must be fully immunized against COVID-19.

To Apply:

https://www.tfaforms.com/5031584 No phone calls or mailed applications please.

Washington Environmental Council is an equal opportunity employer committed to dismantling structural racism and creating a welcoming work environment. WEC does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, gender, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. People of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities are encouraged to apply.