Design Manager

Who We Are

Founded more than a century ago, ICMA is the premier professional association for local government leaders, managers, staff, and stakeholders, serving more than 14,000 members globally. As a membership association, we provide research and knowledge resources, professional development and training, peer to peer engagement, and technical assistance. We are also a major implementing partner for grant and contract funded programs on emerging and prevailing topics and challenges to create stronger communities.

At ICMA, we take the concept of local government leadership, management, and innovation further into the future. Through our mission and passion to advance professional local government, we help communities deliver innovative services, empower resident engagement, enable economic development, strengthen leadership, uphold ethics, and provide forward‑thinking management.

We ensure a diverse and inclusive workplace by welcoming people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives and by learning from each other, individually and collectively.

Are you a creative professional who takes pride in developing and implementing compelling visual branding for organizations? Do you thrive on aligning visual storytelling with an organization's mission and vision? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you!

ICMA is seeking a Design Manager to lead the execution of creative, brand‑compliant, and timely design solutions across the organization. This role is responsible for the design, formatting, production, and delivery of high‑quality visual elements and creative services that elevate ICMA's brand.

The Design Manager develops strategy‑driven visual content for presentations, proposals, and other business documents. This position ensures all creative products are underpinned by a cohesive brand strategy and are creatively aligned to meet and/or exceed brand standards.

The Design Manager's salary is based on experience level with a starting salary range between $86,925‑$107,867.

This position reports to the Managing Director, Brand Management, Marketing and Outreach.

• Serve as a steward and champion of the ICMA brand, ensuring consistent and compelling visual identity across all platforms and initiatives
• Advise internal teams on effective visual communication approaches to strengthen messaging and engagement
• Help refine and evolve brand standards, templates, and guidance to support organization‑wide adoption
• Translate complex policy, research, and professional guidance into clear and accessible visual materials
• Lead early planning discussions and recommend appropriate formats such as infographics, video, presentations, or digital experiences

• Design and produce visual content across web, social media, email, video, webinars, publications, and presentations
• Create executive presentation materials and leadership communications assets
• Develop graphics and multimedia packages supporting campaigns, virtual events, and conferences
• Support short‑form video, motion graphics, and visual storytelling initiatives
• Optimize visual assets for digital engagement and accessibility

• Collaborate closely with Outreach and leadership to align creative work with organizational goals
• Manage projects from concept through final delivery, balancing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Communicate design recommendations clearly to non‑design stakeholders
• Supervises freelance designs and production experts, including budgeting, planning, and quality control

• Develop and maintain brand templates and visual systems that improve efficiency across departments
• Maintain a digital asset management library for photos, graphics, and templates
• Establish workflows that enable consistent and scalable content creation
• Ensure materials meet accessibility best practices, including Section 508 and WCAG considerations

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communications, digital media, marketing, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Eight or…