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.
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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
The Senior Director of Creative Services is a visionary and strategic leader responsible for setting and executing the City of Philadelphia’s overall creative direction. This role oversees the development of engaging visual and multimedia content that reflects the City’s voice, strengthens its brand, and supports key organizational priorities. The Senior Director provides leadership across a multidisciplinary team, guiding high-impact campaigns and communications that reach and resonate with diverse audiences. This role also ensures a cohesive and accessible digital experience through oversight of Phila.gov’s user interface and design standards. As both a creative steward and strategic partner, the Senior Director plays a critical role in shaping how the City informs, inspires, and connects with its residents.
Key Responsibilities
Creative & Digital Leadership
• Set and drive the creative vision across all City communications, campaigns, and platforms.
• Lead the design strategy for Phila.gov, ensuring a cohesive, user-centered visual and interaction experience across the site.
• Champion the City’s visual and narrative identity while evolving it to meet modern needs.
Team & Operations Management
• Supervise a creative team of designers, writers, digital producers, and videographers.
• Manage workflows, creative processes, priorities, and timelines to deliver high-impact work across multiple platforms.
• Build and sustain a strong creative culture that values collaboration, equity, and public service.
UI Design & UX Collaboration for Phila.gov
• Lead user interface design efforts to ensure a cohesive, intuitive visual experience across the City’s primary digital platform.
• Collaborate with UX partners—content strategists, developers, and service designers—to translate complex service needs into accessible, user-centered design solutions.
• Ensure all UI components align with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and inclusive design principles.
• Contribute to cross-functional strategy sessions to guide design direction and uphold consistency across services.
Strategic Collaboration
• Work cross-functionally with departments and agencies to develop creative strategies that serve public needs.
• Guide campaign development for civic initiatives, public health, emergency response, housing, workforce programs, and more.
Project Oversight
• Review and approve design work to ensure brand alignment and strategic impact.
• Manage vendor relationships and creative contracts as needed.
• Monitor project budgets and resource allocation.
Brand & Digital Stewardship
• Maintain and evolve brand guidelines for the City of Philadelphia across print, digital, and environmental formats.
• Serve as the lead advocate for quality design, storytelling, and innovation in civic communications.
Competencies
• Creative Vision: Ability to craft and articulate a compelling visual and narrative direction aligned with organizational goals.
• Digital Design Expertise: Proficiency in UI/UX design, digital accessibility, and responsive design across web and mobile platforms.
• Strategic Thinking: Skilled in aligning creative output with broader policy, engagement, and communication strategies.
• Leadership & Team Building: Strong experience managing diverse, multidisciplinary creative teams in dynamic environments.
• Collaboration & Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills; able to build trust and alignment across departments and stakeholders.
• Equity & Inclusion: Deep understanding of inclusive design principles and culturally responsive communication.
• Project Management: Capable of juggling multiple priorities and deadlines, with attention to detail, timelines, and resource management.
Qualifications
Education
• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Digital Media, Marketing, Human-Centered Design, or a related field required.
• Additional leadership training and/or demonstrated experience leading multiple creative teams across different disciplines (e.g., design, writing, digital, video) is strongly preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
Experience
• 10+ years of experience in creative services, digital design, and visual communications.
• 5+ years in a creative leadership role, including direct management of teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale web and digital design projects, ideally for public service or civic tech.
• Strong portfolio that includes branding, campaign work, and UI/UX projects.
• Familiarity with design systems, wireframing tools (e.g., Figma), and accessibility best practices.
• Knowledge of government, nonprofit, or mission-driven environments is preferred.
Additional Information
Salary Range: $145,000 - $155,000
Starting salary to be determined based on experience and qualifications.
Important: To apply, candidates must provide a cover letter and a resume.
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.