Senior Designer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

At SimpsonScarborough, we spend our days building brands that endure, inspire, and elevate the all-important work of colleges and universities in shaping our future. Recognized as a leader in the higher education marketing industry, we are a fully remote team of approximately 70 employees working coast to coast.

We're looking for a Senior Designer to spearhead the visual approach for their studio and set the standard for an agile, ever-evolving creative mindset. This role is both a maker and a mentor - producing smart, strategic design work across brand and campaign engagements while sharpening the work and thinking of those around you.

The Senior Designer collaborates closely with Strategy, Accounts, Digital, and Project Management, contributing visual systems and creative thinking that push the envelope of higher education marketing. If you bring both craft and curiosity to everything you make, we'd love to see your portfolio.

What You'll Do

• Lead the visual concepting process for integrated brand and campaign work - developing visual systems, narrative expressions, proof-of-concept tactics, and presentation decks in close collaboration with copywriters.
• Produce creative deliverables across digital (media campaigns, landing pages, .edu designs), print (viewbooks, brochures, campaign materials), and environmental touchpoints (signage, OOH, interactive experiences), ensuring every deliverable ladders up to the core brand.
• Partner with clients' internal teams to develop brand guidelines that keep the work consistent and durable long after the engagement ends.
• QA all studio work against established checklists before delivery to clients or vendors.
• Stay current on trends in higher education, design, and Gen Z and Alpha audiences - bringing that awareness into the work to keep it relevant and resonant.
• Identify new approaches, tools, and resources that can optimize the studio's creative output.
• Act as a thought partner to cross-agency colleagues seeking design and creative expertise.
• Mentor junior designers with constructive feedback on creative work, digital best practices, and professional development.
• Contribute to agency sales and marketing efforts, including pitch materials and proposals.
  

What We're Looking For

• 3-4 years of experience as a graphic designer working within a broader creative team, either in-house or at a marketing agency.
• Excellent skills in Adobe Creative Suite - specifically InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
• Proficiency in Figma or Adobe XD (required); knowledge of Adobe After Effects and motion graphics a plus.
• Comfort presenting and rationalizing creative decisions to internal teams and clients.
• Strong attention to detail and a high standard for work quality.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines and prioritize across multiple projects.
• Able to function well in a fast-paced environment and escalate deviations when needed.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, or graphic design and/or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Salary, Benefits & Perks

• Salary starts at $75,000.00 is commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including nationwide health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance and short-term disability
• Flexible time off (FTO) with additional time-off options, including sick, volunteer & bereavement leave, paid parental leave, a day off on your birthday PLUS two agency-wide closures in the summer and winter
• Monthly lifestyle stipend to supplement your routine wellness costs like streaming subscriptions, gym, or phone/internet costs

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At SimpsonScarborough, we believe diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central to our core values and critical to our long-term success. This work requires consistency, intentionality, vulnerability, and accountability. Through our efforts, we strive to make meaningful impact in our work, our workplace, and our industry.

SimpsonScarborough is an equal opportunity employer. We have a strict anti-harassment policy and a zero-tolerance non-discrimination policy. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds regardless of nationality, race, religion, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Questions?
For all recruitment-related inquiries, please email PeopleAndCulture@simpsonscarborough.com.