Manager, Graphic Design

Position Overview:

The Manager, Graphic Design leads the development, execution, and governance of the Chicago Dental Society’s visual identity across all marketing, publication, digital, event, and revenue-generating initiatives.

This role ensures brand consistency, creative excellence, and production precision while managing creative workflow, vendor coordination, and large-scale event design execution. The Manager partners cross-functionally to support marketing campaigns, sponsorship visibility, and the Midwinter Meeting experience at scale.

This position serves as both a hands-on designer and a creative operations leader.

Key Responsibilities:

• Brand Governance & Visual Leadership
• Serve as primary steward of CDS visual identity and brand standards.
• Maintain and evolve brand guidelines.
• Ensure visual consistency across marketing, digital, publications, and environmental design.
• Review and approve all creative output before release.

Campaign & Growth Support

• Collaborate with Marketing to develop cohesive campaign creative tied to social, communications, registration, membership growth, and engagement.
• Partner with Business Development to execute sponsor-branded assets and revenue-generating materials.
• Develop scalable design systems and templates to support ongoing marketing initiatives.

Publications Leadership

• Lead layout and production design for the CDS Review and related publications.
• Oversee advertising integration and sponsored content design.
• Ensure print-ready and digital-ready production quality.
• Manage editorial production timelines in partnership with Marketing leadership.

Midwinter Meeting & Environmental Design

• In partnership with Marketing and Meetings & Events, direct creative design for Exhibit Hall signage, wayfinding, experiential activations, lounges, sponsorship signage, and branded environments.
• Coordinate closely with general service contractors and print vendors.
• Oversee large-format production specs and proof approvals.
• Ensure event creative elevates attendee and exhibitor experience.

Creative Operations & Workflow Management

• Manage creative intake process and prioritize competing deadlines.
• Establish efficient systems for asset management and file organization.
• Maintain organized template libraries and brand assets.
• Improve workflow processes to handle growing design volume.

Vendor & Production Management

• Coordinate with printers, signage vendors, and production partners.
• Ensure technical file accuracy and production standards.
• Manage external freelance designers or contractors as needed.

Cross-Team Collaboration:

• Work closely with marketing, events, membership, business development, and leadership teams to align creative strategy with organizational priorities.
• Serve as a key point of contact for graphic design needs.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the marketing team.
• Leads in a manner that is consistent with the association’s culture statement and emphasizes the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Displays a high level of accountability, taking responsibility for individual actions and the impact on the organization. Views oneself as a reflection of the organization by following through on commitments and accepting ownership.
• Performs additional related duties as required or assigned.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related field.
• 5–8 years of professional design experience.
• Design portfolio available upon request.
• Demonstrated experience managing brand systems and high-volume creative production.
• Strong background in print production, large-format event signage, and publication layout.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with various internal teams and work independently.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Suite of Products
• Ability to interface with staff, BODs, and external relationships in a professional manner.
• Experience working in association, event, or publication environments preferred.

Success Indicators

This role is successful when:

• Brand consistency is visible across all platforms.
• Midwinter creative execution feels elevated and seamless.
• Sponsorship assets are delivered on time and at high quality.
• Publication design is polished and efficient.
• Marketing campaign creative scales without chaos.
• Creative workflow reduces bottlenecks instead of creating them.

Physical Demands /Environment

Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Requires ability to communicate verbally and in writing in an exchange of information; collect, compile, and prepare work documents; set-up and maintain work files. Use of the computer, with repetitive motion, is approximately 90 %.

Majority of work is performed in a general office environment. Occasional local travel may be required.

What makes the CDS the place for you?

• A meaningful mission.
• A positive work culture.
• Belong to a collaborative team.
• Great employee benefits. Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive package of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance benefits. We also offer a generous 401(k) match, paid vacation and sick time, paid holidays, and other benefits.
• Hybrid work schedule. Employees are based in our Chicago office and are allowed to work remotely 2 days per week.

About the Chicago Dental Society

The Chicago Dental Society (CDS) is one of the nation’s leading dental professional associations, representing thousands of dentists across the Chicagoland region. For more than 160 years, CDS has advanced the profession through continuing education, advocacy, publications, and professional networking. The Society is also the host of the nationally recognized Midwinter Meeting; one of the largest dental conferences in North America; bringing together dental professionals and industry leaders from around the world.

At CDS, our team is collaborative, innovative, and mission driven. We work together to deliver meaningful programs, trusted resources, and industry-leading events that support dental professionals and strengthen the future of oral healthcare.

If you’re passionate about professional communities, education, and making a meaningful impact, CDS offers an opportunity to contribute to a respected organization shaping the future of dentistry.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you available to commute to Chicago 3 days a week for on-site schedule?

Experience:

• professional design: 5 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Chicago, IL 60611 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60611