Job Title: Graphic Designer
Reports To: Marketing and Communications Director
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Hours: 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, with occasional nights and weekends
Salary: $50,000-$60,000, depending on qualifications, and a generous benefits package (paid vacation, sick days, health, dental, flex spending, life/disability insurance, vision plan, 403(b))
Organization:
Minnesota Opera began in 1963 and is a leading American company, admired as an innovative creator of compelling opera productions, programs, and new works. Minnesota Opera’s vision and mission is to sing every story and to change lives by bringing together artists, audiences, and community, advancing the art of opera for today and future generations. We aim to inspire hope, empower all voices, and strengthen bonds between people of all backgrounds and identities. To this end, Minnesota Opera commits itself to working continuously to become an anti-racist and anti-oppressive organization through the following actions: intentionally acknowledging and examining racism, anti-Blackness, and other discriminatory practices; promoting anti-racist and anti-oppressive ideas, values and policies that counter the oppression of any people during the education, production, promotion, and experience of opera; working towards eliminating all forms of oppression; and developing effective tools for social justice.
Summary:
The Graphic Designer is responsible for creating and managing visual concepts and designs that effectively and cohesively communicate and represent the brand and various initiatives of Minnesota Opera. Continuing to push boundaries, the ideal candidate will serve to extend the artistic footprint of Minnesota Opera through its visual output. Their work supports the Opera’s anti-racism and anti-oppression initiatives and goals through the Opera’s visual identity.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Graphic design (75%)
• Brings both strategic and creative thinking to concept development, execution, and management of the design practice for all materials.
• Develops concepts and visual solutions for a variety of creative projects, including brochures and publications, print and digital ads, direct mail, emails, flyers, banners, billboards, signage, merchandise, invitations, infographics, impact reports, annual reports, fundraising proposals, and other communication materials.
• Manages graphic assets and the production of graphic systems and toolkits, including the brand book.
• Drives creative development of ecommerce materials that reflect current digital design practices.
• Oversees the season art concepting and creation process, incorporating feedback from key constituencies, and developing a multi-annual strategy to keep the visual elements fresh yet cohesive.
• Assists the Marketing and Communications Director in maintaining overall brand standards and developing distinct visual strategies for specific needs.
• Implement basic UX design principles to all digital and print design pieces.
• Oversees freelance designers, photographers, and videographers as needed.
Creative consulting (15%)
• Creates and manages an annual graphic design plan working with each department to assess and facilitate design needs through a season to maintain deadlines and allow for appropriate creation timelines.
• Serves as design subject matter expert, acting as a strategic thought partner and making recommendations to satisfy organizational needs and advance project, departmental, and institutional goals.
• Evaluates trends and stays up to date with the latest techniques, industry developments, and tools, identifying opportunities for the wider organization.
• Serves as a partner in developing institutional sub-brands for ancillary programming and special initiatives.
• Creates and monitors brand guidelines within the organization.
Project management (10%)
• Manages relationships with outside vendors and contractors, including printers, mail houses, and photographers.
• Conducts thorough bidding processes for new projects to find the best combination of quality and cost, as well as conducts regular reviews of vendor pricing and negotiates the best value for the company.
• Maintains a digital asset library of all marketing materials, photographs, and logos. Ensures all materials are cataloged and filed in a logical and easily accessible manner, and continuously up to date.
This position is a good fit for someone who:
• Has 3 to 5 years of demonstrated design accomplishments in a professional setting.
• BA in graphic design, or equivalent work experience, required.
• Has a commitment to equity and inclusion in all its forms.
• Experience creating and managing a graphic design process in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Has expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, web design, and mobile application experience.
• Has a strong knowledge of typography.
• Has a strong attention to detail.
• Has experience managing commercial print production.
• Has experience in proofing, pre-flighting, preparing, and press checking files.
• Has a practice of staying current with technology and applying new knowledge to their work.
• Has strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Has the ability to adjust to changing needs and priorities.
• Has the ability to work some nights and weekends, as required by the Opera’s performance schedule and sales cycles.
• Has experience collaborating with and managing external designers, photographers, and illustrators.
• Has experience working in or supporting arts and non-profit organizations.
• Has the ability to excel in both collaborative and self-directed projects.
• Has experience with art direction for photoshoots and video editing and animation a plus.
• Has the ability to work effectively with a diverse group of creative professionals, including administrative staff and artists.
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
Minnesota Opera is willing to teach:
• Opera as an artform and associated Minnesota Opera products, including subscriptions, single tickets, related events, and ancillaries.
• Industry-specific marketing and communications skills and existing procedures for design requests, art delivery, scheduling, promotions, and data management.
• Email communications and website content management systems.
• Policies and procedures specific to Minnesota Opera.
Please Note:
The applicant will be expected either to reside within commuting distance of the Opera Center or be willing to relocate prior to beginning work to participate in hybrid work environment. If hired, the applicant will be required to prove they are up to date, per the CDC, with their COVID vaccinations or have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated.
How to Apply:
Please go to mnopera.org/jobs and lick the red box labeled “Learn More” under the job summary. From there, you will be asked to fill out a confidential Self ID Survey before proceeding to the next page, where you will be able to fill out the application and upload your resume and cover letter. All materials will go directly and solely to the HR Director, Jen Thill. Individual Self ID information will be seen only by the HR Director; application materials will be forwarded to the search team.
Application Deadline:
Friday, August 19, 2022
Minnesota Opera is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Please go to mnopera.org/jobs and lick the red box labeled “Learn More” under the job summary. From there, you will be asked to fill out a confidential Self ID Survey before proceeding to the next page, where you will be able to fill out the application and upload your resume and cover letter. All materials will go directly and solely to the HR Director, Jen Thill. Individual Self ID information will be seen only by the HR Director; application materials will be forwarded to the search team.
