SUMMARY: Reporting to the Creative Director – Brand & Design, the Design Manager is integral part of True North, the Vikings in-house creative team, and requires a unique blend of creative vision and business sense.

The Design Manager is responsible for delivering impactful design solutions while staying true to the Vikings Brand. The ideal candidate is both collaborative in spirit and capable of leading large projects across multiple mediums with a keen eye for detail, exceptional design skills and a passion for pushing the boundaries of design excellence.

In addition, this role will oversee the team’s junior designers and will be responsible for nurturing their growth and professional journey.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Visual Design Excellence: Demonstrate a mastery of visual design skills in diverse formats such as branding, publication design, large format printing, environmental design, and digital design. Ensure all design work aligns seamlessly with Vikings brand standards.
Typography and Logo Development: Exhibit excellent skills in type and logo development, contributing to the visual identity of the Vikings brand.
Strategic Collaboration: Assist the Creative Director and Art Manager in strategic planning and content creation for marketing campaigns, infusing creative insights into the overall design direction.
Project Oversight: Lead design projects from concept to execution and final delivery. Create captivating and effective graphics efficiently and independently.
Team Leadership: Manage and mentor junior designers, providing design guidance, art direction, and constructive feedback. Conduct annual performance reviews and foster their professional development.
Workflow Management: Ensure projects are completed within designated timelines and budgets, while upholding Vikings brand standards and quality.
Collaborative Approach: Balance the ability to work autonomously on individual projects with the capacity to collaborate effectively on larger initiatives.
Adaptability: Respond adeptly to creative direction and feedback, refining designs to align with project goals.
Industry Awareness: Stay updated on industry trends, design tools, and emerging developments, integrating these insights into your design approach.
Organization and Time Management: Showcase strong organizational skills and attention to detail, adeptly managing multiple projects within tight deadlines.
Multi-Department Projects: Take charge of multi-department projects, from initial kickoff to final delivery, showcasing your ability to manage diverse teams and stakeholders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

7+ years' experience in design, art direction or creative production and 2+ years of direct management and/or mentorship
Strong visual design skills
Advanced proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite
Well organized with ability to maintain multiple projects under tight deadlines
Highly collaborative with the ability to negotiate, problem solve, and get past hurdles with stakeholders & collaborators to keep projects moving forward

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Relevant degree in the field of creative/visual arts
Strong concepting, communication, interpersonal and analytical skills
Ability to work collaboratively within a design team environment and analyze creative feedback

The Minnesota Vikings are committed to creating and sustaining a culture for you. Whoever you are, we are an organization that embraces and empowers people of all backgrounds and experiences and incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion into the foundation of everything we do. We are proud to have a culture that empowers our people to harness their uniqueness to develop their full potential as a contributor to the success of the organization and the communities we serve. The Minnesota Vikings are an equal opportunity employer, and we continue to commit to creating equitable opportunities by ensuring that our place can be anyone’s place.