Senior Creative Media Specialist

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact. 
As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What We Offer:
Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
Benefits - We care about your well being.

The Office of Innovation & Technology (OIT) is the central IT agency for the City of Philadelphia headed by the Chief Information Officer (CIO). OIT oversees all major information and communications technology initiatives for the City of Philadelphia - increasing the effectiveness of the information technology infrastructure, where the services provided are advanced, optimized, and responsive to the needs of the City of Philadelphia’s businesses, residents, and visitors. OIT responsibilities include: identifying the most effective approach for implementing new information technology directions throughout city government; improving the value of the city’s technology assets and the return on the city’s technology investments; ensuring data security continuity; planning for continuing operations in the event of disruption of information technology or communications services; and supporting accountable, efficient and effective government across every city department, board, commission and agency.

Job Description

As the nation’s 5th largest city, we are offering a unique opportunity to work with a specialized team of creative individuals responsible for delivering innovative design concepts for over 40+ departments within the City of Philadelphia.  While working directly with the Mayor’s Office of Communication, the Web & Creative Services Group generates over 300+ print concepts, digital advertisements and video productions annually, ranging from promotional flyers, brochures, annual reports, front-end website design concepts, application UX/UI designs, social media graphics, digital signage, live action videos, vector animations, script writing, video editing and pre- and post-production video work.

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide creative design & motion graphics expertise in all areas of print, graphic, illustrations and multimedia support for over 40+ departments for the City of Philadelphia.  

We are seeking a Senior Creative Media Specialist to lead a team of designers, schedule work, and oversee projects from concept to completion while specializing in print and digital design. This role requires a strong understanding of visual storytelling, branding, layout design, and multimedia production to develop high-quality creative assets. The ideal candidate is a highly skilled designer with expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud and a passion for creating compelling, engaging, and strategically aligned visual content.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor a team of designers, providing guidance, feedback, and support to enhance creative output.
• Oversee and manage multiple design projects, ensuring deadlines, brand consistency, and quality standards are met.
• Schedule and assign work to team members, balancing workloads effectively to meet priorities.
• Develop visually compelling print and digital assets that support branding, marketing, and communication goals.
• Maintain a consistent and professional brand identity across all design projects.
• Collaborate with marketing, communications, and creative teams to develop engaging visual content that meets strategic objectives.
• Work closely with printers and vendors to ensure high-quality print production.
• Stay up-to-date with design trends, print production techniques, and digital design best practices.

Competencies

Leadership & Project Management

• Team Leadership – Guides, mentors, and develops designers.
• Project & Workflow Management – Oversees project intake, assigns work, and ensures deadlines are met.
• Strategic Thinking – Prioritizes projects based on impact and organizational goals.
• Communication & Collaboration – Engages stakeholders, provides clear direction, and fosters teamwork.
• Accountability – Ensures quality, consistency, and efficiency in all creative work.

Creative & Design Expertise

• Brand Stewardship – Maintains visual identity and design consistency.
• Creative Problem-Solving – Develops innovative, effective design solutions.
• Visual Storytelling – Strong grasp of layout, typography, and composition.
• Trend Awareness – Adapts to evolving design and industry best practices.

Technical Proficiency

• Adobe Creative Cloud – Expert in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign (After Effects/Premiere Pro a plus).
• Print & Digital Production – Strong understanding of file prep, print specs, and digital optimization.
• Workflow & Asset Management – Experience with project management tools and version control.
• Accessibility & Usability – Familiarity with ADA compliance and best practices.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in print and digital design, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor a team of designers, manage workflows, and oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong background in brand management, layout design, and visual storytelling.
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; After Effects and Premiere Pro a plus).
• Experience collaborating with marketing, communications, and production teams to execute design projects effectively.
• Knowledge of print production processes and digital asset optimization.
• Familiarity with project management tools and workflow systems for scheduling and tracking work.
• Understanding of accessibility standards (ADA compliance) for digital and print design is a plus.

Additional Information

Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000

Starting salary to be determined based on experience and qualifications. 

All applications should include the following: 
•    Cover Letter clarifying your interest and qualifications for the role.
•    Resume
We won’t accept or review incomplete applications.

Work Setting: in-person (onsite)

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
•    We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
•    Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
•    Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
•    Generous retirement savings options are available
•    Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
•    Enjoy a Free Commute on SEPTA - Starting September 1, 2023, eligible City employees will no longer have to worry about paying for SEPTA public transportation. Whether you're a full-time, part-time, or provisional employee, you can seize the opportunity to sign up for the SEPTA Key Advantage Program and receive free Key cards for free rides on SEPTA buses, trains, trolleys, and regional rails.
•    Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!
Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.