Graphic Design Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Organizational Overview

Smile Train is the world’s leading cleft-focused organization. Our vision is a world where everyone has access to safe, high-quality comprehensive cleft care and can live a full and healthy life. We train and support doctors and other medical professionals to provide our patients with free, life-changing, comprehensive cleft treatment. This sustainable model has allowed us to support more than 2 million cleft surgeries in 95+ countries since our founding in 1999, and we’re still just getting started. We are truly changing the world one smile at a time!    

Make a Difference!

As Smile Train’s Graphic Design Manager they will serve as the
day-to-day leader of Smile Train’s design function, helping execute the organization’s visual identity, creative strategy, and design ecosystem. The role ensures creative work strengthens the Smile Train brand while advancing fundraising, advocacy, thought leadership, and audience engagement goals.

Working closely with the broader creative and communications teams, the Graphic Design Manager translates organizational priorities into compelling, audience-centered visual experiences across digital, social, print, campaigns, events, donor communications,
and executive initiatives.

The Graphic Design Manager sets a high bar for creative excellence and consistency across the organization. They establish and uphold design standards, guide designers and freelancers, and help the team evolve its creative practice by bringing a deep understanding of contemporary design, digital and social best practices, audience behavior, and emerging creative trends. The role is expected to go beyond execution, using strategic thinking and performance insights to continually strengthen how Smile Train shows up visually across channels.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Strategy & Brand Leadership

• Help shape and evolve Smile Train's global visual identity.
• Partner with Communications leadership to develop creative strategies supporting organizational goals.
• Translate audience insights and campaign objectives into effective visual concepts.
• Ensure creative work supports fundraising, advocacy, awareness, and thought leadership priorities.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen brand consistency and visual differentiation.

Creative Development & Campaign Leadership

• Lead the design and development of integrated campaigns across digital, social, web, email, events, donor communications, advocacy, and thought leadership initiatives.
• Develop creative concepts from initial brief through final execution.
• Present and articulate creative rationale to internal stakeholders.
• Partner with Editorial and Video leadership to create cohesive storytelling experiences.
• Ensure all creative assets meet high standards for quality, accessibility, and brand consistency.

Design Systems & Governance

• Maintain and evolve Smile Train's brand standards and visual guidelines.
• Develop templates, toolkits, and creative resources for global teams.
• Establish scalable design systems that improve consistency and efficiency.
• With Global Brand Creative Director, review and approve creative assets, produced by freelancers, agencies, and regional teams.
• Ensure visual representation aligns with ethical storytelling principles and organizational values.

Audience Experience & Innovation

• Apply audience insights, user behavior, and performance data to improve creative effectiveness.
• Monitor trends in design, digital experiences, accessibility, motion, and emerging technologies.
• Explore innovative approaches to storytelling, design systems, AI-assisted creative workflows, and content creation.
• Champion user-centered design principles across all communications efforts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a strategic creative partner to Programs, Fundraising, Partnerships, Advocacy, and Executive Leadership.
• Collaborate closely with Editorial, Video, Social Media, and Internal Communications teams.
• Support campaign planning and integrated communications initiatives.
• Facilitate design planning across departments and major organizational priorities.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor designers, freelancers, consultants, and interns.
• In collaboration with the Global Brand Creative Director, provide creative direction and feedback on projects across the organization.
• Manage freelance designers, illustrators, agencies, and production partners.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and creative excellence.

Brand Stewardship

• Serve as a guardian of Smile Train's visual identity and creative standards.
• Ensure all creative work reflects organizational values and brand positioning.
• Protect and strengthen Smile Train's reputation through thoughtful design and visual storytelling.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct management of: Graphic Design Specialist.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a seasoned creative leader who blends strategic thinking with hands-on design expertise. With 7–10 years of experience in graphic design and brand leadership, they bring a proven track record of guiding integrated campaigns from concept to execution while upholding rigorous brand standards. They are equal parts creative visionary and pragmatic manager — comfortable presenting concepts to executive stakeholders, mentoring designers and freelancers, and translating audience insights into visual work that drives fundraising, advocacy, and engagement goals. Fluent in Adobe Creative Suite and modern design tools, they stay ahead of trends in digital, motion, and AI-assisted creative workflows without losing sight of accessibility and ethical storytelling. Above all, they're a collaborative brand steward who thrives in a mission-driven environment and is energized by the chance to use design in service of a global humanitarian cause.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or related field.
• 7–10 years of experience in graphic design, creative services, visual communications, or brand design.
• Demonstrated experience leading creative projects and integrated campaigns.
• Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Canva and modern design tools.
• Strong understanding of branding, visual storytelling, user experience, and accessibility.
• Experience managing freelancers, agencies, or creative contributors.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, international development, advocacy, or mission-driven organizations preferred.

Travel

Some travel may be required.

Compensation

83,6000-90,000 USD annually

Why You’ll Love Working Here!

Smile Train team members enjoy a full range of innovative benefits...

Meaningful Work – Be part of work that creates meaningful, lasting impact — changing the world one smile at a time.

We’ve Got You 100% Covered – Prioritize the health of you and your family with top tier, comprehensive health, pharmacy, dental, and vision coverage.

Plan for Your Future - Build toward your long-term goals with our 401(k) retirement plan and generous employer match to help invest in your future.

Rest and Recharge - Enjoy a generous PTO package, paid holidays, and sick time so you can rest, recharge, and return feeling your best.

Family Matters - We support employees through life’s most important moments with paid parental leave and family care benefits, giving you time and flexibility for the people who matter most.

Mind Your Mental – Free access to professional mental health counseling to keep you grounded.

Learn and Grow - Take advantage of an annual professional development stipend and opportunities to expand your skills and continue learning.

Work Your Way - Balance collaboration and flexibility with our hybrid work model, based out of our conveniently located Midtown Manhattan office.

Travel the World – See our impact firsthand while partnering with global colleagues and programs through opportunities for domestic and international travel.

Accountability Expectations

• Ownership of Outcomes: Take full responsibility for one’s own performance, ensuring alignment with Smile Train’s mission and objectives.
• Transparent Communication: Communicate openly and effectively with team members, fostering trust and a shared understanding of expectations and priorities.
• Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrate empathy, understanding, and cultural sensitivity to contribute to an inclusive and supportive team environment.
  
• Empowerment: Effectively communicate with supervisors to ensure you are equipped with the resources, guidance, and autonomy you need to excel in your role
• Team Cohesion: Contribute to a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and shared accountability, helping the team to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment

Application Process

Smile Train is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

To apply, please complete the application online. Include your  CV, portfolio, and a cover letter explaining why you would be a good fit for Smile Train and this role. Only those who provide a cover letter as directed will be considered. We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.