JOB SUMMARY:

At CSIS we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.

The Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab, the award-winning creative and digital production department at CSIS, continues to be the gold standard for innovation in the global think tank space by using cutting-edge multimedia production to bring policy research to life. 

We seek a highly motivated, organized, creative self-starter to join our dynamic and fast-paced team as a web designer. This is an ideal opportunity for mid-level web designers with excellent technical skills who have a passion for bridging the intersection between design, technology, and public policy. 

The person in this role will work with world-renowned experts and creative collaborators to tell compelling policy stories capable of generating real change.  The core of this position is to design long-form media-rich digital reports, interactive features, single page web applications, dynamic data visualizations, issue-focused websites and other web products and rich media packages. 

Ideal candidates will have excellent creative initiative and independent self-direction, coupled with an aptitude for design and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team. Candidates should have advanced UX/UI design skills and experience leading their own projects. They must have strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills, solid project management skills, and be organized. They must have the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced and innovative environment while meeting tight deadlines and be able to quickly adapt as needed to the topic and scope of the project at hand. 

Candidates must be tech-savvy and highly competent with new and developing methods of web development and design. The position works closely with a range of subject-matter experts and must have strong topical and visual research skills, ideally with a passion for public and international affairs. Additionally, the candidate will be a strong team player and self-starter who will thrive in a creative, collaborative multi- and cross-disciplinary team, and possess strong leadership skills.

See our work at https://www.csis.org/dracopoulos-ideas-lab or www.github.com/CSIS-iLab.

The minimum salary for this position is $70,000.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate, brainstorm, and strategize with web developers, content leads, and program stakeholders to design a range of mid-level digital products, including websites, dynamic/media-rich digital reports, interactive tools, visualizations, single page applications, and maps.

• Produce design deliverables including sitemaps, wireframes, full-fidelity visual comps, UI component libraries, and custom graphics (static and animated) as needed for the project. 

• Advise on strategic design and user-experience decisions, ensuring a unified vision and aesthetic within a product. Test and review front-end development output.

• Work closely with program stakeholders to identify their objectives and audiences, developing a product vision and strategy.

• Prepare and present concepts/work to stakeholders, articulating design thinking and decisions to non-designers and content experts.

• Document design decisions and formulate development specifications.

• Maintain resources and build practices to help improve the team’s processes.

• Produce deliverables that effectively communicate information architecture, interactions, and responsive designs to research partners. 

• Collaborate with developers to mockup and review data visualization UI and color palettes. 

• Serve as a knowledgeable mentor and sounding board to associate web design colleagues as it relates to digital products.

• Other duties and projects as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

• B.A./B.S/A.B. in relevant field or other relevant experience, including bootcamp training or freelance work.

• Minimum of 2-3 years of UX/UI design experience. 

• Solid understanding of UX best practices and design principles.

• Mid-level knowledge of design and prototyping tools, such as: Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, and/or Figma.

• Strong command of the fundamentals of effective web design: typography, color, composition, rhythm, information hierarchy, layout, and form.

• Ability to create in a wide range of media, including web, social, and email.

• Strong understanding of website design and development process, including working knowledge of: HTML/CSS, taxonomies and content types, the WordPress platform, Shorthand, mobile responsive design, and accessibility standards.

• Experience in receiving feedback gracefully, knowing how to respond appropriately to client concerns and how to iterate and improve designs based on feedback.

• Experience with web accessibility and standards compliance.

• Experience with content strategy and knowledge of front-end architecture.

• Zest for challenging assignments, with an eye toward creative and innovative solutions.

• Flexible, positive, collaborative, action-oriented attitude and professional approach.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; including effectively presenting information to non-technical partners, operating in a fast-paced environment and managing competing priorities.

• Attention to detail, initiative, and follow through skills.

• Strong interest in global affairs and public policy is a plus.

• Sound judgment, maturity, and discretion.

• Illustration skills are a plus.

SOME TECHNOLOGIES WE USE AT THE iDEAS LAB:

● GitHub

● Sketch

● Figma

● Monday.com

You don’t need to be proficient in all of these, but you should know some of them. The ability to and interest in learning others is a must.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS: 

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. 

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. 

HOW TO APPLY:  

Interested applicants should submit a résumé and cover letter at careers.csis.org.