Graphic Design Manager - Schaumburg, IL - Flexible Hybrid Schedule

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Design Manager

Company: American Society of Anesthesiologists®

Location: Schaumburg, IL

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Management & Leadership

Date Posted: March 19, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Manages and directs the end-to-end lifecycle of graphic design and creative production for print and digital assets, ensuring alignment with organizational branding and strategic objectives.

• Leads a team of graphic designers and production specialists, fostering a high-performance culture focused on quality, efficiency, and deadline adherence in all creative output.

• Serves as the primary art director and design strategist for marketing, communications, publications, and educational initiatives, translating business needs into compelling visual solutions.

• Oversees the establishment and enforcement of ASA's graphic standards and brand compliance across all internal and external communications and materials.

• Directs the visual content strategy for key publications like the ASA Monitor and supports visual needs for major events and special projects, ensuring cohesive and impactful brand representation.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Design Manager," the responsibilities strongly indicate a role that bridges creative leadership with operational management of design workflows and team resources. This role requires not only artistic direction but also strategic planning, resource allocation, and process optimization within a creative department. The focus on managing internal and external resources, upholding brand standards, and overseeing production cycles suggests a significant operational component.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Publication Design & Production: Manage all graphic design needs for the monthly news publication, ASA Monitor, including theme iconography, article graphics, and layout for print, web, and online content; select, retouch, and format photography; and review proofs to ensure design and layout meet ASA standards.

• Team Leadership & Development: Supervise and mentor the Graphic Design and Production Specialist, and potentially external design/production resources, fostering a high-performing team committed to quality and deadlines; support staff career development.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, and other business units to understand graphic design needs, develop Creative Development Briefs, and deliver creative strategies aligned with communication and business objectives.

• Creative Concept & Execution: Lead the team in conceptualizing, designing, and producing marketing collateral, publications, signage, packaging, and other designed content across various platforms.

• Brand Stewardship: Establish and enforce graphic design best practices for digital, print, and cross-platform applications, ensuring all designs adhere to and communicate ASA brand standards effectively across the organization.

• Photography Management: Oversee the procurement, management, and presentation of all ASA photography (original and stock), including managing the digital asset management system (e.g., Canto), retouching, uploading, tagging, and recommending appropriate imagery for various projects and stakeholders. Schedule freelance photographers for events and special shoots.

• Annual Report & Compendium Design: Design and produce the ASA Annual Report, ASAPAC Annual Report, and other informational compendiums in accordance with strategic briefs.

• Publishing Partner Coordination: Collaborate with publishing partners (e.g., Wolters Kluwer) and ASA publications team on production schedules, file transfers, specifications, and coordinate monthly "house" ads.

• Vendor Relationship Management: Manage all aspects of vendor relationships, including securing quotes, understanding production specifications, providing art direction, approving proofs, and identifying/evaluating external resources to meet creative needs and deadlines.

• Journal Design Support: Work with the Anesthesiology journal team to produce visual abstracts and other design work as required.

• Project Delivery: Ensure graphic design and production pieces for other business units are delivered on time, within budget, and meet negotiated deadlines.

• Workflow & Resource Management: Establish processes and tools to manage incoming creative requests, organize and prioritize workload, and monitor departmental performance against goals.

• Continuous Improvement: Stay current with design trends, typography, presentation techniques, and graphic design software, as well as printing and production innovations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong operational focus beyond traditional design management. The emphasis on workflow management, vendor relations, production processes, and team supervision positions this role as a key operational leader within the creative function, requiring proficiency in project management, resource allocation, and process optimization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of graphic design experience.

• Previous supervisory experience is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop.

• Proven experience working with vendors (printers, freelancers, video producers, etc.).

• Strong understanding of production processes, printing, and mailing.

• Ability to produce high-quality, error-free work under strict deadlines.

• Strong computer proficiency, including cross-platform experience (Mac and PC).

• Excellent professionalism, interpersonal skills, and a strong member service orientation.

• Ability to organize and analyze insights, communicate with stakeholders, and develop recommendations.

• Demonstrated personal integrity and ethical conduct.

• Ability to think creatively and innovatively.

Preferred Skills:

• Portfolio showcasing a broad range of produced healthcare, education, association, or similar collateral pieces.

• Familiarity with email marketing platforms, including template creation.

• Knowledge of workflow management tools, such as Wrike.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize both creative technical skills (Adobe Creative Suite) and crucial operational competencies such as vendor management, production knowledge, workflow management, and supervisory experience. The preference for a portfolio with specific industry experience (healthcare, association) and familiarity with workflow tools like Wrike points towards a need for candidates who can manage complex, deadline-driven creative operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a wide scope of produced collateral pieces, with a strong preference for work within the healthcare, education, or association sectors.

• Clear examples of projects managed from concept through final production, showcasing problem-solving and creative execution.

• Evidence of managing and directing design projects for both print and digital applications, illustrating versatility and understanding of different media requirements.

• Documentation of brand compliance and successful application of brand standards across various projects.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase understanding of established design workflows, from initial brief and concept development to final production and delivery.

• Demonstrate experience in managing creative production cycles, including timelines, resource allocation, and quality control measures.

• Provide examples of how design processes were optimized for efficiency or to meet stringent publication deadlines.

• Illustrate experience with managing digital asset libraries and maintaining organized digital workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a management role in graphic design, especially one with significant operational responsibilities, a portfolio should not just showcase creative output but also the candidate's ability to manage processes, resources, and projects effectively. This includes demonstrating how they've handled complex production cycles, vendor relationships, and ensured brand consistency through structured workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $94,000 - $115,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Quality medical, dental, and vision insurance at a reasonable cost.

• 401K match.

• Free fitness center.

• Breastmilk shipping assistance.

• CALM subscription (meditation and mindfulness app).

• Opportunities to participate in volunteer committees and employee resource groups.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time, exempt/salaried position. The standard working hours are not explicitly detailed, but the mention of a "flexible hybrid schedule" and "dress for your day" mindset suggests a degree of flexibility within a typical 40-hour work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and aligns with a management-level role in a professional association in the Chicago metropolitan area. The benefits package is comprehensive, with unique offerings like breastmilk shipping and a CALM subscription, reflecting a focus on employee well-being. The "flexible hybrid schedule" is a key differentiator for work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Association (Healthcare / Medical)

Company Size: The description mentions "more than 160 change-makers, collaborators, and advocates," suggesting a medium-sized organization.

Founded: Not specified, but the ASA has a long history, being a professional society.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Design Manager directly supervises the Graphic Design and Production Specialist and potentially manages external design and production resources.

• This role collaborates closely with various departments, including Marketing and Communications, Public Relations, Publications, and other business units across the organization.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: The role involves understanding business objectives and communication needs to inform design strategies, implying a data-informed approach to creative execution.

• Process Optimization: Emphasis on establishing and managing centralized workflows, prioritizing workload, and overseeing production cycles indicates a focus on operational efficiency within the creative function.

• Collaboration & Improvement: ASA's core values of collaboration, dedication, commitment, and improvement are integral to how teams operate, encouraging cross-functional teamwork and continuous enhancement of processes and outputs.

Company Website: https://www.asahq.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: ASA's culture is highlighted as collaborative, caring, and focused on continuous improvement, differentiating itself from a purely corporate environment by valuing performance over profits. The recognition as a "Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" for nine consecutive years underscores a positive and supportive work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a management-level position within the creative and communications function, overseeing a specific operational area (graphic design and production). It requires leadership, strategic thinking, and operational execution.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Design Manager reports to a Director or VP within Marketing, Communications, or a related department, with direct reports being a Graphic Design and Production Specialist and potentially external vendors.

Operations Impact: This role significantly impacts the ASA's brand perception, member engagement, and the effectiveness of its communication and educational materials. By ensuring high-quality, consistent visual assets, the role directly supports ASA's mission and operational goals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Senior Design Manager or Creative Director role, overseeing larger teams, broader creative strategies, or multiple departments.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape ASA's visual identity and contribute to high-level strategic planning for marketing and communications.

• Skill Expansion: Deepen expertise in specialized areas like digital asset management, cross-platform design, or specific industry design trends.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Gain broader organizational understanding by collaborating across various business units and initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression within creative management, particularly within a professional association context. The emphasis on mentorship, collaboration, and continuous improvement suggests a supportive environment for professional development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Schaumburg, IL, with a "Flexible Hybrid Schedule," indicating a blend of on-site work and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Schaumburg, Illinois, USA (60173).

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as collaborative and caring, with a "dress for your day" mindset.

• ASA emphasizes a positive work environment, recognized as one of the "Best and Brightest Companies to Work For."

• The role involves working in a typical office environment with light noise and frequent interruptions.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, exempt/salaried position.

• Flexible hybrid work arrangements are offered.

• While specific days in office are not detailed, the hybrid nature implies a need for in-person collaboration and on-site presence, balanced with remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role, combined with a supportive and recognized positive work culture, makes this an attractive environment for operations professionals who value work-life balance and a mission-driven organization.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and creative output.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion on experience, leadership style, strategic thinking, and understanding of the role's operational aspects. This would likely include an overview of the candidate's approach to team management, workflow, and brand stewardship.

• Creative/Portfolio Review: A detailed presentation of the candidate's portfolio, discussing specific projects, challenges, solutions, and their role in the creative and production process. Candidates may be asked to walk through their process for managing a complex project or a publication cycle.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential direct reports, peers, or stakeholders from other departments to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss alignment with ASA's mission and values, and to finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Scope & Scale: Highlight projects demonstrating experience with managing significant design volumes, complex publications (like ASA Monitor), and diverse collateral types.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, explain your role, the challenges faced (e.g., tight deadlines, brand constraints), your creative and operational solutions, and the outcome. Emphasize your management of the workflow, vendor interactions, and quality control.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Include examples of how you've led design initiatives, mentored team members, or managed external resources effectively.

• Industry Relevance: If possible, include healthcare, education, or association-related projects to align with ASA's sector.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved clarity, successful campaign results).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach the operational challenges of managing a monthly publication's design cycle, balancing multiple competing departmental requests, or enforcing brand compliance across a large organization.

• Consider how you would onboard and develop a direct report in graphic design.

• Think about strategies for managing vendor relationships to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely scrutinize both creative talent and operational management capabilities. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates the candidate's process, leadership, and project management skills will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required, especially Photoshop. This includes InDesign, Illustrator, and potentially After Effects for motion graphics.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) System: Experience with platforms like Canto for managing photography and design assets is required.

• Workflow Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Wrike is preferred, indicating a need for candidates adept at organizing and tracking creative projects and tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with email marketing platforms and template creation is preferred, suggesting potential interaction with marketing automation tools or CRM-related communication efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is a baseline requirement. Experience with DAM systems and workflow management tools is critical for managing the operational aspects of the design department efficiently.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: Actively participate in cross-functional teams, sharing insights and working collaboratively to achieve shared goals.

• Dedication & Commitment: Demonstrate a strong work ethic, commitment to meeting deadlines, and dedication to producing high-quality work that supports ASA's mission.

• Continuous Improvement: Proactively seek ways to enhance design processes, workflows, and creative output, staying current with industry trends and best practices.

• Excellence: Uphold high standards in all design and production work, ensuring brand integrity and impactful communication.

Collaboration Style:

• Expected to be a strong collaborator, working effectively with internal departments (Marketing, Communications, Publications) and external partners (vendors, publishers).

• Open to feedback and constructive criticism to refine designs and processes.

• Will likely foster a collaborative environment within their direct team, encouraging idea-sharing and mutual support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The ASA's stated core values are central to the work environment and expected behaviors. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how they embody these values in their daily work and management approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Competing Priorities: Managing creative requests from multiple departments with varying deadlines and strategic importance.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring consistent application of brand standards across a wide range of materials and departments.

• Managing a Hybrid Team: Effectively leading and collaborating with a team member who may also have flexible work arrangements.

• Staying Ahead of Design Trends: Continuously evolving design approaches to keep ASA's visual communication fresh and relevant.

• Production Workflow Optimization: Streamlining processes to ensure efficient and timely delivery of print and digital assets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite or explore new design technologies.

• Leadership & Management Workshops: Development programs focused on team leadership, project management, and operational efficiency.

• Industry Conferences: Participation in design and association-focused conferences to stay abreast of trends and network.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior leaders within ASA or to mentor junior staff.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle complex operational challenges in a creative setting, fostering growth in leadership, strategic planning, and process management within the non-profit/association sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for managing the design workflow for a monthly publication like the ASA Monitor, from concept to print and digital distribution."

• "How would you ensure brand compliance across all design requests from different departments within ASA?"

• "Walk us through a time you had to balance competing creative priorities from various stakeholders. What was your approach and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you stay current with design trends and production technologies, and how do you integrate these into your team's work?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to working for a professional association like ASA, as opposed to a corporate environment?"

• "How have you embodied values like collaboration and continuous improvement in your previous roles?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type or by demonstrating key competencies (e.g., publication design, brand management, vendor coordination).

• Narrative: For each project, tell a story: the objective, your role, the challenges, your process, the solution, and the results. Emphasize your management of the workflow and any operational efficiencies you implemented.

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your specific contributions and the tools used, especially Adobe Creative Suite.

• Operational Acumen: Highlight instances where you managed budgets, timelines, or vendor relationships successfully.

• Q&A: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your creative decisions and operational management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who can effectively balance creative vision with robust operational management. Demonstrating a clear understanding of process, team leadership, and vendor relations will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the ASA careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects relevant to association work, healthcare, or publications. Emphasize your management of creative workflows, production processes, and vendor relationships.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience in graphic design management, team supervision, brand stewardship, and production processes. Use keywords from the job description, such as "workflow management," "brand compliance," "vendor management," and "Adobe Creative Suite."

• Preparation for Portfolio Review: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on explaining your process, problem-solving skills, and operational contributions for each project. Be ready to discuss how you manage deadlines and resources.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with the American Society of Anesthesiologists, its mission, its publications (especially ASA Monitor), and its core values. Understand the context of working within a professional association.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.