Art Director

As an Art Director at Lumina Corps, you will work with federal public health and science agencies, nonprofits, and a multi-disciplinary internal team to lead creative strategies and visual storytelling to support meaningful campaigns and programs. The ideal candidate is a skilled designer with experience in digital design, a deep understanding of government communications, and a strong portfolio supporting mission-driven work. Strong preference for candidates in the DMV area.

What You’ll Do:

Creative Strategy and Concept Development: 

• Collaborate with communications strategists and other team members to develop the concepts, design, and creative strategies that align with client objectives and resonate with target audiences.
• Lead the visual execution of government-focused campaigns, from concept development to overseeing print, digital, video, and social media assets, ensuring all deliverables meet quality standards and project goals.
• Provide creative direction and oversight to designers, freelancers, and other collaborators.

Design Execution:

• Design and art direct a wide range of deliverables, including campaign materials, data visualizations, social media content, websites, digital solutions and UX/UI, reports, print collateral, and video and animation.
• Translate complex scientific and health information into clear, engaging, and accessible visual communications for diverse audiences.
• Ensure all work meets Section 508 and WCAG accessibility standards, plain language principles, and applicable federal and client brand guidelines.

Client Collaboration and Presentation:

• Present and explain creative concepts and design rationale to clients verbally and in writing.
• Develop strong relationships with clients and colleagues by leading with a customer-focused, collaborative approach.
• Incorporate client and stakeholder feedback while maintaining creative integrity and strategic intent.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Contributes visual thinking to strategic planning, audience research, and message and materials testing.
• Work closely with project managers and designers to adhere to timelines and scopes, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery. 

Brand and Message Consistency: Ensure all creative work aligns with client guidelines, and complies with public sector regulations.

Business Development: Participate and contribute to business development planning and pursuits.

Education and Experience 

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, web design, human-computer interaction, communication, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive creative experience, including complex campaigns. Experience with federal public health programs, agencies, or similar contexts.
• Portfolio: Extensive portfolio demonstrating successful campaigns across digital and traditional media, preferably with examples of government, public health, social services, or other public sector work.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Multifaceted Campaign Expertise: Experience in planning and executing creative strategy for campaigns, leading designers and guiding managers, collaborating with other team members, and providing expertise in best practices for various platforms and formats for creative execution. 
• Digital Design Proficiency: Expertise in digital design tools and platforms, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Figma, and other web/mobile design tools.
• Responsive and Interactive Design: Knowledge of responsive design principles, interactive media, and UX/UI best practices.
• Visual Storytelling: Ability to create engaging visual narratives that support campaign messaging across digital and traditional media.
• Client Relations Skills: Demonstrated experience working directly with clients and offering strategic guidance.
• Knowledge of Section 508 Compliance: Familiarity with accessibility standards, inclusivity guidelines, and other standards in public sector visual and digital communications.
• Professional Qualities: Ability to work across multi-disciplinary internal teams, excellent attention to detail, multitasking, prioritizing, and independent working abilities.
• Mindset: A positive, solutions-oriented attitude, adaptable to various tasks.

Core Values

All employees are expected to uphold these values in their everyday work and interactions with colleagues and clients:

• Illuminate new ideas
• Serve the big purpose
• Communicate with understanding
• Commit to quality
• Own your part
• Embrace inclusivity

Lumina Corps is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics.