Graphic Designer

About Chicago Public Media

Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 2 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to become the essential and most trusted news source that Chicago turns to each day for understanding the people, events, and ideas that shape our community.

WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by more than 86,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2022, WBEZ received more than 20 awards for its journalism, including two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago's oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards. In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations.

Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world. And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.

For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report .

The Opportunity

The Chicago Sun-Times is currently seeking a highly creative and talented graphic designer to join our dynamic team. The graphic designer will help develop and execute visually engaging marketing materials across various platforms. Bringing a keen eye for design and proficiency in industry-standard design tools, the graphic designer will collaborate with various departments to visually communicate stories, events, and information to our audiences through print and digital platforms. The ideal candidate should have a strong eye for design, excellent attention to detail, and a passion for journalism.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the marketing team and newsroom to conceptualize and produce creative and impactful designs for advertising campaigns, social media content, email newsletters, infographics, and other marketing collateral.
• Maintain brand consistency across all marketing materials, ensuring they align with our brand guidelines.
• Stay up-to-date with marketing trends and techniques, incorporating innovative design elements into campaigns.
• Work closely with copywriters, strategists, and other team members to understand campaign objectives and deliver designs that effectively communicate key messages.
• Take briefs and project requirements and turn them into visually stunning deliverables that align with business goals and target audience preferences.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, independently prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communication, marketing, or a related field
• Proven experience as a graphic designer, preferably in a journalism or publishing environment
• Proficient in industry-standard design software, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Solid understanding of layout, typography, color theory, and other design principles
• Ability to create impactful designs within brand guidelines and adapt them to various formats and platforms, including digital, print, and social media
• Ability to take direction and collaborate with a team, as well as work independently when necessary
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively articulate design concepts and collaborate with cross-functional teams

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact. Our culture is one where collaboration, ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

Chicago Public Media's dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is reflective across our brands, WBEZ 91.5 FM, Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo 91.1 FM, in our staff and in our work. We are fully focused on equality of opportunity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, experience, and all other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for you at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include:

• 6 weeks fully paid family leave
• High quality Medical, Dental, and Vision plans at an affordable cost
• A 403(b)retirement plan with a company match
• Generous paid time off, including starting with 3 weeks' vacation and 4 personal days.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.

Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.