Lead Graphic Designer

Job Description We have an exciting opportunity for a Graphic Design Lead at UL Research Institutes, based in our Columbia, Maryland office. The Graphic Design Lead guides and oversees the creative development of graphic design projects for Fire Safety, collaborating with other members of the digital media production team and cross‑functional teams to conceptualize, design, and execute visually appealing and engaging visual design content across various platforms. The Graphic Design Lead utilizes innovative ideas, strategic thinking, and strong design skills to drive the creation of compelling visual experiences that resonate with our target audiences. UL Research Institutes (ULRI) expands the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk, and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge. Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Fire Safety teams who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put it into practice. UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) advances fire safety knowledge to address the world’s unresolved fire safety risks and emerging dangers. As part of UL Research Institutes, we are committed to sharing our fire safety insights with everyone to advance UL’s public safety mission of providing safe living and working environments for people everywhere. Through advanced fire science, rigorous research, extensive outreach, and education in collaboration with our international network of partners, we share with stakeholders the information, tools, and resources that enable them to make better, more fire‑safe decisions that ultimately save lives and property. What you’ll learn and achieve Lead creative direction and vision for graphic design projects, ensuring alignment with the organization’s brand and goals, leading brainstorming sessions, idea generation, and concept development to deliver impactful design solutions. Manage the end‑to‑end lifecycle of design projects, from concept to execution, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met. Collaborate with project managers, content creators, and other stakeholders to define project scopes, objectives, and deliverables, allocating resources effectively, managing workloads, and delegating tasks within the design team. Design and create graphic design content, including social/newsletter graphics, digital/web ads, print/event collateral, templated document systems, presentation materials, illustrations, and more, using various tools and software, ensuring design materials are visually compelling, user‑friendly, and aligned with the organization’s messaging and brand guidelines. Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams, including marketing communications, instructional design, and research teams, to understand project requirements and deliver effective design solutions to communicate design concepts, strategies, and rationales clearly and persuasively to both team members and stakeholders. Conduct thorough reviews of graphic design content to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with project objectives, providing constructive feedback to team members and guiding them in refining their designs to meet quality standards. Stay current on industry trends, tools, and best practices, and research and propose new design techniques and technologies to continually elevate the quality of the team’s design work. Contribute to and/or lead other department‑specific and cross‑functional initiatives. What you’ll experience working at UL Research Institutes We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for nearly 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do. People: Our people make us special. You’ll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network, because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific response that today’s global challenges require. Interesting work: Every day is different for us here. We see what’s on the horizon and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You’ll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good. Grow and achieve: We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs. Values: Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive. What makes you a great fit Advanced knowledge and proficiency in visual design skills. Proficiency in graphic design tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other relevant tools. Demonstrated experience with 2D and/or 3D animation or motion graphics is a plus. Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire, guide, and mentor junior designers. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present and articulate design concepts effectively. In‑depth understanding of design principles, typography, layout, and brand systems. Working knowledge of print production and pre‑press for physical deliverables preferred, including file preparation with bleeds, CMYK, and die lines, with the ability to work effectively with print vendors. Adept at managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously. Problem‑solving mindset and adaptability to changing project requirements. Professional education and experience requirements for the role include Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, Visual Communication, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum 8 years of relevant professional graphic design experience, with a portfolio showcasing digital/web ads and social/newsletter graphics, production‑ready print work, and template/document systems. Illustration, icon design, animation, or motion graphics experience is a plus. About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well‑being. To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org. Salary Salary Range: $81,456.37 – $112,002.51 (Pay Type: Salary) Join our Talent Community Join our Talent Community to stay informed about our upcoming opportunities! UL Research Institutes is a leading independent safety science organization with global reach. Dedicated to exploring vital questions related to public safety, we sense and act on risks to humanity and our planet. Since 1894, our trusted research has engaged the ingenuity of top minds across scientific disciplines to engineer a safer and more sustainable world. Science builds the knowledge required to mitigate increasingly urgent safety problems such as environmental and chemical pollution or artificial intelligence inequities — and our rigorous, objective investigations uncover that knowledge. In collaboration with a global network of scientists and safety professionals, we define the safe and sustainable use of things ranging from legacy materials to new and emerging technologies. Our discoveries support the development of practical standards and policies by UL Standards & Engagement. Together, we are advancing safety science for the greater good. #J-18808-Ljbffr