Senior Designer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is seeking a talented and experienced Senior Designer to join our creative team. This role will be key in developing and overseeing design projects in support of our bi-weekly print magazine in addition to web properties and other projects as assigned. It’s a very hands-on, do-the-work position. Under the direction of the Vice President, Creative Services, you will lead a team of production designers, manage design projects across various mediums, and ensure that all visual materials are aligned with brand and strategic objectives. This is a supervisory position with two direct reports. There are no budgetary responsibilities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong editorial eye, deep experience with Adobe graphics software, experience with print magazine production, layout for web, and the ability to manage workflows. Experience creating materials such as publication covers and story layouts are a necessity. Experience working with editorial staff and workflows are a plus.

This position provides an exciting opportunity to influence and help lead the brand refresh of a major industry publication along with its network of related properties.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Team Management & Workflow Oversight:
   • Create original art and page layouts for a print magazine.
   • Review draft work from team members, providing constructive feedback to refine designs and ensure alignment with project goals.
   • Maintain a collaborative and positive working environment while fostering professional growth for team members through mentorship and development opportunities.
2. Collaboration Across Departments:
   • Ideate and develop visuals in cooperation with creative and editorial staff.
   • Work closely with other departments, including editorial, marketing, and communications, to ensure all projects are on track and meet deadlines.
   • Proactively communicate with stakeholders to provide status updates and resolve any potential issues related to design deliverables.
3. Brand Development & Asset Management:
   • Partner with creative leadership to build-out new-look family of brand assets, templates, and other deliverables.
   • Ensure that all design work aligns with brand identity and is consistent with messaging for both print and digital mediums.
4. Editorial & Design Expertise:
   • Ability to drive creative from concept to finished piece.
   • Experience creating original infographics, charts, and data visualizations from scratch, with the ability to turn complex data into clear, compelling visuals.
   • Work closely with the content and communications teams to ensure designs support and enhance the overall message.
   • Create and guide the development of various types of design assets, including reports, presentations, infographics, social media visuals, and event materials.
5. Software Proficiency:
   • Utilize advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.) to create high-quality design deliverables. Knowledge of InDesign should be very high-level.
   • Stay current with design trends and industry standards to implement the latest techniques and technologies in visual communication.

Qualifications:

• 10 years of experience in a design leadership role, ideally in a publishing or periodicals environment.
• Experience managing a small team of production designers while successfully handling personal design projects and other workload.
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), with a strong portfolio showcasing your creative direction and design capabilities.
• Exceptional editorial eye, with meticulous attention to detail and a strong understanding of design principles such as typography, layout, and color theory.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience managing design projects and interacting with multiple teams and stakeholders.
• A proactive and solutions-oriented mindset, with the ability to handle multiple projects and tight deadlines efficiently.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in magazine/periodical design and layout – from the design aspect, but also from a process aspect, working with editorial and marketing staff.
• Familiarity with web design, social media design trends, and other digital platforms for online content delivery.
• Familiarity with publication workflows.

Why ATA?

ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. We are a 90-year-old federation with state trucking association affiliates in all 50 states. We represent every sector of the industry, from LTL to truckload, agriculture, and livestock to auto haulers, and from large motor carriers to small mom-and-pop operations.

ATA offers:

• A competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible hybrid work schedule
• Education assistance
• Various retirement plans with employer match
• Medical, dental & vision benefits at affordable cost
• HSA/HRA plans with employer contributions
• FSA plan

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. Please no third-party, agency responses, re-postings, calls or walk-ins. Relocation assistance is not provided. American Trucking Associations is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or other protected veteran status.