Design Consultant - Economic and Community Development, Sports & Major Events

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant - Economic and Community Development, Sports & Major Events

Company: Steer (in partnership with Fourth Economy)

Location: Providence, Rhode Island, United States (Remote Eligible)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design & Technical Communications / Economic Development Consulting

Date Posted: February 26, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Fully Remote (with required presence in specific US metropolitan areas)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a hybrid of design, technical communication, and strategic storytelling, focusing on translating complex data and analysis into compelling client-ready materials within the economic development sector, with secondary involvement in sports and major events.

• The Design Consultant will be responsible for leading the visual design and production of client deliverables, proposals, and marketing collateral, ensuring brand consistency and clarity for diverse audiences.

• This position requires a strong command of visual design principles and tools, coupled with the ability to understand and effectively communicate intricate quantitative and qualitative insights.

• The role demands robust project management capabilities to handle multiple priorities, shifting timelines, and independent work in a fast-paced consulting environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Design Consultant," the core responsibilities and required skills place this role firmly within the "Operations" umbrella, specifically in the domain of "Go-To-Market Operations" or "Business Operations" as it relates to client delivery, business development, and internal process efficiency through design and communication. The emphasis on translating data into actionable insights and supporting client decision-making aligns with operational excellence objectives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and production of visual design materials for economic development client projects, including executive decks, reports, one-pagers, and briefing materials.

• Develop compelling data visualizations, infographics, and economic impact graphics that accurately represent complex quantitative and qualitative analysis.

• Design and produce brand-aligned visuals for initiatives, programs, and place-based strategies, ensuring consistency and impact for external stakeholders.

• Translate technical content and strategic insights into clear, accessible, and engaging visual narratives for diverse audiences such as boards, elected officials, and funders.

• Collaborate closely with project managers, analysts, economists, and planners to translate raw data and findings into polished, client-ready deliverables.

• Take ownership of proposal design for economic development and sports-related pursuits, significantly contributing to the firm's business development efforts.

• Support marketing and business development initiatives by designing conference materials, presentations, and pitch decks.

• Maintain and evolve internal design templates, toolkits, and visual standards to enhance firm-wide brand consistency and operational efficiency.

• Adapt design tone, format, and complexity to suit specific audiences and project requirements, ensuring maximum clarity and impact.

• Identify and adopt new design tools and approaches to continuously improve the quality and efficiency of the firm's visual communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a critical operational function: ensuring the clear and persuasive communication of project outcomes and strategic plans. This is essential for client satisfaction, business development success, and internal alignment, all key components of effective operations. The emphasis on translating complex data into actionable visuals directly supports informed decision-making, a cornerstone of operational efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, Communications, or a related field is typically expected for this level of experience and responsibility. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• 5+ years of professional experience in design, visual communications, or technical communications within a consulting or agency environment.

• Proven track record of successfully managing design projects from concept to completion, independently and within team structures.

Required Skills:

• Visual Design Expertise: Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) for creating polished and professional graphics, layouts, and reports.

• Presentation Design: Strong experience producing high-impact PowerPoint and Google Slides decks, focusing on visual storytelling and executive clarity.

• Data Visualization: Demonstrated ability to create clear, accurate, and engaging charts, infographics, and diagrams that effectively communicate complex data.

• Technical Content Translation: Skill in simplifying and visualizing technical information and analytical findings for diverse audiences.

• Project Management: Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced consulting environment.

• Client-Facing Communication: Ability to collaborate effectively with internal project teams and understand client needs to produce client-ready materials.

• Brand Consistency: Understanding of brand guidelines and ability to maintain visual consistency across various platforms and deliverables.

Preferred Skills:

• Economic Development/Place-Based Strategy Experience: Familiarity with the concepts, terminology, and visual communication needs specific to economic development and community planning.

• Sports/Major Events Support: Experience designing materials for sports or major events initiatives, understanding their unique visual requirements.

• Web Design/Content Management: Experience with platforms like Wix, WordPress, and Squarespace for managing client-facing or internal web content.

• Collaborative Design Tools: Proficiency with Canva and Figma for collaborative design workflows and rapid prototyping.

• Videography/Photography: Basic skills in video editing or photography can be advantageous for multimedia content creation.

• Copywriting/Editing: Ability to refine and polish written content to complement visual design.

• Bilingual English/Spanish: Fluency in Spanish is a plus for broader client engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, Figma) is crucial for operations roles that rely heavily on efficient content creation and dissemination. The "Preferred Skills" section indicates areas where candidates can demonstrate a broader operational capacity beyond core design, such as understanding specific industry contexts or leveraging a wider range of digital tools.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual Storytelling Case Studies: Showcase projects where you successfully translated complex data, analysis, or narratives into clear, engaging visual stories. Highlight the problem, your approach, and the impact of your design.

• Data Visualization Examples: Present a range of charts, infographics, and diagrams that demonstrate your ability to accurately and effectively represent quantitative and qualitative data for decision-making.

• Client Deliverable Samples: Include examples of client presentations (PowerPoint/Google Slides), reports, one-pagers, or executive summaries that were client-ready and contributed to project success.

• Branding & Template Design: Showcase examples of brand-aligned materials, internal templates, or visual identity work that demonstrate your understanding of consistency and professional presentation.

• Proposal Design Examples: If possible, include examples of proposal materials you designed that contributed to winning business.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate your process for taking a project from initial brief or data set through to final polished deliverable, including stages for research, concept development, design, feedback, and revisions.

• Tool Integration & Efficiency: Showcase how you leverage various design tools (Adobe Suite, Canva, Figma, presentation software) to streamline your workflow and improve efficiency.

• Collaboration & Feedback Mechanisms: Illustrate how you incorporate feedback from project teams and stakeholders into your design process, ensuring alignment and accuracy.

• Adaptability & Problem-Solving: Include examples where you had to adapt your design approach to meet specific audience needs, overcome technical challenges, or solve communication problems through design.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, a portfolio is not just about showcasing aesthetics but demonstrating a systematic approach to problem-solving, process efficiency, and delivering measurable impact through design and communication. The ability to document and articulate these processes is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000 USD per year. This is an estimated benchmark salary, subject to change based on skills, abilities, internal equity, and specific qualifications. The company also offers an annual discretionary performance bonus.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

• Life Insurance coverage.

• Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance.

• Retirement Savings: Automatic 3% of salary contribution to a 401K retirement plan.

• Monthly Phone Stipend: Contribution towards mobile communication expenses.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO):

  • 20 Days PTO annually.
  • 9 Paid Holidays.
  • 3 Floating Holidays.
  • 10 Sick Days annually.

• Paid Parental Leave.

• Workplace Ergonomic Assessment and resulting accommodations to ensure a comfortable and productive remote workspace.

• Professional Development Funds: Support for training, certifications, and pursuit of recognized credentials to foster continuous learning and skill advancement.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position. While the role is remote, standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with flexibility managed by the project teams and individual. The role requires availability for client meetings and project collaboration, which may occasionally fall outside of standard business hours depending on client time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is at the mid-to-senior level for a Design Consultant with 5+ years of experience in the US market, particularly for a remote role. The benefits package is robust, with strong emphasis on health, well-being, professional development, and retirement savings, which are attractive to operations professionals seeking stability and growth. The inclusion of a phone stipend and ergonomic assessment highlights support for remote work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consulting (Specializing in Economic Development, Community Development, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Urban Development). The firm operates at the intersection of strategy, advisory, planning, and design.

Company Size: Steer is a global consultancy, and Fourth Economy, as a part of Steer, likely contributes to a team size that offers both global reach and focused expertise. The specific size of the North American team or the Economic Development practice is not explicitly stated, but the combination suggests a substantial, experienced organization.

Founded: Fourth Economy was founded in Pittsburgh in 2010. Steer's founding date is not provided but is a well-established global firm.

Team Structure:

• Integrated Project Teams: Consultants work within multidisciplinary project teams alongside analysts, economists, planners, and project managers.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong emphasis on collaboration between design, analytics, strategy, and planning functions.

• Global & Local Reach: As part of Steer, the North American team benefits from global expertise while maintaining a focus on regional and community-specific development.

• Reporting: The Design Consultant will report to a hiring manager and work closely with project leads, likely within the Economic and Community Development practice.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Strategy: Combines rigorous research, analytics, and data interpretation to inform strategic recommendations.

• Partnership & Engagement: Emphasizes genuine collaboration with clients, communities, and stakeholders to co-create solutions.

• People-Centered Solutions: Focuses on designing practical, creative, and equitable strategies that are shaped by the people they impact.

• Integrated Approach: Merges innovative, people-centered solutions with global expertise to address complex challenges.

Company Website: https://www.steergroup.com/ (Steer) / https://fourtheconomy.com/ (Fourth Economy)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a blend of analytical rigor, creative problem-solving, and collaborative engagement. For operations professionals, this means an environment that values data-informed decisions, cross-functional teamwork, and a commitment to delivering impactful, client-focused solutions. The integration of Fourth Economy into Steer suggests a dynamic environment with opportunities for broad exposure.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level Design Consultant. It requires significant autonomy, project leadership in design, and the ability to influence visual communication across projects and business development efforts. It's a specialized role that supports the broader operational delivery of consulting services.

Reporting Structure: The Design Consultant will likely report to a Practice Lead or Senior Manager within the Economic and Community Development team. They will work closely with Project Managers and directly with analysts and economists on specific client engagements. The role involves collaboration across different project teams and potentially with marketing and leadership for business development.

Operations Impact:

• Client Deliverable Quality: Directly impacts the clarity, professionalism, and persuasive power of client reports and presentations, influencing client satisfaction and future business.

• Business Development Success: The quality of proposal design and marketing materials significantly affects win rates and the firm's competitive positioning.

• Brand Perception: Contributes to the overall brand image and reputation of Fourth Economy and Steer by ensuring high visual standards across all communications.

• Internal Efficiency: By developing and maintaining design templates and standards, the role improves the efficiency and consistency of internal operations and external communications.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in visual communication for economic development and major events.

• Leadership in Design: Potential to lead design strategy for larger initiatives, mentor junior designers, or build out the design function within the practice.

• Broader Consulting Skills: Exposure to diverse economic development projects can lead to development of strategic thinking, client management, and project management skills.

• Cross-Practice Involvement: As the firm grows, opportunities may arise to contribute design expertise to other practice areas within Steer.

• Professional Development: Access to professional development funds allows for targeted learning in new design technologies, methodologies, or relevant industry areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized consulting operations function. The ability to demonstrate impact on client success and business development makes it a valuable position for career advancement in operations and consulting fields.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility and autonomy associated with working from a home office. The company emphasizes creating a productive remote work environment.

Office Location(s): While remote, candidates must be based in or near specific US metropolitan areas: Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Buffalo, NY; Cleveland, OH; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Providence, RI; Richmond, VA; Rochester, NY; and Syracuse, NY. This allows for potential in-person collaboration, client meetings, and team events.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Autonomy: Candidates are expected to manage their own workspace and work schedule effectively to meet project demands.

• Collaborative Tools: Heavy reliance on digital collaboration tools (Zoom, Slack, shared drives, design software) for team interaction and project execution.

• Technology Support: Stipends for phone and ergonomic assessments indicate company support for creating an effective remote work setup.

• Team Interaction: While remote, the requirement for occasional travel and the presence in designated hubs facilitates in-person team building and client engagement opportunities.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The remote nature allows for some flexibility in structuring the workday, but availability for synchronous collaboration and client needs is essential. The role requires proactive communication and time management to balance project demands and personal work rhythms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid remote model, with designated geographical hubs, offers a balance of remote flexibility and in-person collaboration opportunities. This setup is increasingly common in operations roles, supporting both work-life balance and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Stage 1: Initial Interview (30 mins, Zoom): Hiring and reporting manager focused on background, interest, and basic role alignment. Preparation Tip: Be ready to articulate your career trajectory, why this specific role and firm appeal to you, and your initial understanding of the company's mission.

• Stage 2: Team Interview & Portfolio Review (60 mins, Zoom): Meet team members, discuss experience in depth, and walk through relevant portfolio examples. Preparation Tip: Select 3-4 key portfolio pieces that best represent your skills in data visualization, presentation design, and translating complex information. Be prepared to discuss your process, challenges, and outcomes for each.

• Stage 3: Design Exercise (Short Assignment & Blind Review): Finalists complete a brief design task, reviewed anonymously. Preparation Tip: Focus on clarity, adherence to any provided brief, and demonstrating your core design principles. Treat this as a mini-project, showcasing your ability to deliver quality under constraints.

• Stage 4: Final Conversation (30 mins, Zoom or in-person): Meet with leadership to discuss role expectations, team fit, and compensation. Preparation Tip: Have thoughtful questions prepared about the company's strategic direction, team dynamics, and performance expectations for this role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that directly showcase the skills mentioned in the job description (data visualization, presentation design, technical communication for economic development/major events).

• Tell a Story: For each piece, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your role, your design process, the tools used, and the impact or outcome of your work. Quantify impact where possible.

• Highlight Process: Demonstrate your thinking, not just the final output. Show sketches, wireframes, or explain your rationale behind design choices.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use a professional platform (e.g., personal website, Behance, or a well-designed PDF).

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize any experience with economic development, community planning, or sports/major events.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: The design exercise will likely involve translating a piece of text (e.g., an excerpt from an economic report) into a visual format or designing a presentation slide.

• Focus on Clarity & Impact: Prioritize making the information easy to understand and visually engaging.

• Adhere to Constraints: Pay close attention to any time limits, formatting requirements, or specific instructions provided.

• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: Show how you approach the task, even if it's a hypothetical scenario.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured and emphasizes a portfolio review, which is common for design and operations roles where tangible output and process demonstration are key. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process and its impact, not just present final visuals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, infographics, diagrams, and logo creation.
  • InDesign: Crucial for layout, report design, and creating multi-page documents.
  • Photoshop: Useful for image editing, manipulation, and creating visual assets.

• Presentation Software:

  • PowerPoint: High-level proficiency required for executive-level client presentations.
  • Google Slides: Important for collaborative editing and cloud-based presentations.

• Collaborative Design Platforms:

  • Canva: For rapid design, template creation, and collaborative work, especially on social media or simpler collateral.
  • Figma: Increasingly used for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows, potentially for web content or interactive elements.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary analytics role, the ability to interpret and visualize data from reports is key. Familiarity with how data is presented in Excel or data visualization tools (even if not directly using them) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly specified, but experience with tools that manage client relationships and project workflows (like project management software) would be advantageous for understanding the broader operational context.

Web Content Management:

• Wix, WordPress, Squarespace: Experience with these platforms for creating and managing client-facing or internal web content.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in this specific technology stack is non-negotiable for this role. It dictates the candidate's ability to perform core job functions and integrate into the firm's existing workflow. Understanding the purpose of each tool (e.g., InDesign for reports, PowerPoint for presentations) is critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Delivery: A commitment to producing high-quality, client-ready materials that meet rigorous professional standards.

• Data-Driven Insights: Valuing the rigorous analysis of data and translating it into clear, actionable visual communications.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering a team-oriented environment where collective expertise is leveraged to achieve client goals.

• Equity & Inclusion: A dedication to designing solutions that are inclusive, equitable, and benefit all members of a community.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging the exploration of new tools, techniques, and approaches to enhance design quality and operational efficiency.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teamwork: The design consultant is an integral part of project teams, working hand-in-hand with analysts, economists, and planners.

• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to ensure the best possible outcomes.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication with team members and project managers regarding design progress, challenges, and needs.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to communicate design rationale and solutions effectively to internal stakeholders and, at times, directly to clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values emphasize a blend of analytical rigor, creative execution, and collaborative spirit. For operations professionals, this translates to an environment that rewards meticulous work, effective teamwork, and a commitment to continuous improvement in service delivery.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Data: The primary challenge is distilling intricate economic data, analytical findings, and strategic concepts into easily understandable and visually appealing formats for diverse audiences.

• Balancing Multiple Priorities: Juggling client work, business development needs, and internal projects with shifting deadlines requires strong organizational and prioritization skills.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring visual coherence across a wide range of deliverables and platforms for both Fourth Economy and Steer.

• Adapting to New Tools/Techniques: Staying current with evolving design software and methodologies in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in advanced data visualization techniques, new design software, and strategic communication principles.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining in-depth knowledge of economic development, community planning, and the sports/major events sectors.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Collaborating with economists and planners provides exposure to analytical and strategic frameworks.

• Professional Development Fund: Access to financial support for courses, certifications, conferences, or workshops to build expertise.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced consultants and leaders within Fourth Economy and Steer.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents challenges that are common in operations and consulting – managing complexity, demanding workloads, and maintaining high standards. However, these challenges are directly tied to significant growth opportunities in specialized skills and industry knowledge.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate complex data or technical information into a visual format for a non-technical audience. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving approach, clarity of communication, and impact.)

• "Walk us through your process for designing a client presentation deck from scratch. How do you ensure it tells a compelling story and supports decision-making?" (Highlight your workflow, understanding of narrative structure, and audience-centric approach.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, what excites you most about Fourth Economy's approach to economic development and its integration with Steer?" (Demonstrate you've researched the company and understand its mission and values.)

• "How do you envision collaborating with economists and project managers to ensure your design work effectively supports their analytical findings and project goals?" (Emphasize your teamwork and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio piece, clearly state the project's objective, your role, the challenge, your design process, the tools used, and the results achieved.

• Highlight Design Thinking: Don't just show pretty pictures; explain why you made certain design choices. Connect your decisions back to the project goals and audience needs.

• Showcase Data Visualization Skills: Be prepared to walk through specific examples of how you turned raw data into impactful charts, graphs, or infographics. Explain your rationale for choosing specific chart types.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, mention metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your design work (e.g., increased engagement, clarity of understanding, successful proposal win).

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Understand your tools inside and out. Be prepared to discuss your proficiency and how you use them efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for operations roles, especially those involving creative output like design, requires demonstrating not only technical skill but also strategic thinking, process understanding, and the ability to articulate impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of data visualization, client presentation design, and technical communication relevant to economic development or community planning. Tailor your case studies to highlight your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 5+ years of experience, highlighting proficiency in required software (Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, Figma) and any experience in economic development, community planning, or sports/major events. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your portfolio pieces, and answering strategic questions about translating complex information. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Steer and Fourth Economy, understanding their mission, values, and recent projects. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and approach align with their work and culture.

⚠️ 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.